If you aren’t a seasoned business traveler who logs thousands of miles a year, it probably doesn’t make sense to spend hundreds of dollars on high-end luggage. U.S. Traveler is a reliable budget brand that offers suitcases and tote bags of several varieties at a reasonable price point.
The brand's best offering is its Boren Hardside Spinner 3-Piece Set, which has rolling suitcases of three sizes and boasts features including spinner wheels and an external USB port. Whether you're a frequent flier or only ever leave the house on occasional family car trips, U.S. Traveler has options worth considering as you shop for new luggage, so long as you keep a few important things in mind.
What to know before you buy U.S. Traveler luggage
Carry-on vs. checked bags
If you're purchasing luggage for a car trip, you don't have to worry as much about size, as you'll only be limited by the size of your trunk and how many other things you're packing. With flights, you can save a lot of money by getting a suitcase that's small enough to be used as a carry-on, avoiding bag fees and reducing the amount of time you'll have to spend at the airport since you can skip the baggage claim and check-in counter. U.S. Traveler offers suitcases in several sizes, some of which can be used as carry-on luggage.
Hardside vs. softside
Rolling suitcases, generally speaking, come in two varieties, and U.S. Traveler offers them both. Hardside, or hard shell, suitcases have tough exteriors that protect their contents from the elements and can withstand being dropped or poked better than softside options but lack external pockets. Softside options usually have more zippered front pockets and have a little bit more give when your suitcase is packed extra full.
Luggage sets
When buying for a family, purchasing individual suitcases can get expensive. It’s also tough to choose between checked and carry-on bags since different trips require different luggage. A luggage set with bags of multiple sizes allows you to get everything you need. U.S. Traveler offers both hardside and softside sets, some of which contain carry-on and checked suitcases as well as tote bags. There are two-, three- and four-piece sets, allowing you to buy matching luggage that several people can use at once.
U.S. Traveler luggage features
Wheels
The bulk of U.S. Traveler’s luggage options are wheeled suitcases, and these bags come with either spinner wheels or inline skate wheels. If the wheels are inline, this means two wheels along with two stoppers that help the bag stand upright. These bags must be pulled behind you, which can get tricky when weaving through an airport terminal, as the bags have a tendency to tip over when packed really full.
Bags with spinners have four wheels that can move in any direction, providing greater stability and allowing you to push the bag through the terminal. If you’re driving to your destination or you don’t fly often, it’s possible to save money by foregoing spinners, but frequent travelers swear by them and will gladly pay a little extra to get them.
External and internal pockets
Softside suitcases may have one or two external zippered pockets, which are useful for stashing items you’ll want to quickly grab while at the airport or on a flight, such as glasses, tablets, books or headphones. The best suitcases also offer internal pockets that can help with organization, allowing you to keep toiletries and dirty clothes separate from your clean clothing. U.S. Traveler suitcases usually don’t have a large number of internal pockets, so if you like to stay organized, keep an eye out for the options with the most internal compartments.
Expandable bags
It can be tough to fit everything you’ve packed back into your suitcase at the end of your trip, especially if you’ve purchased a bunch of souvenirs and only have a carry-on bag. U.S. Traveler has a lot of luggage that’s expandable, meaning the bag has a zipper that lets you add an extra 2 inches of capacity. This might affect whether or not you can use it as a carry-on but will be a lifesaver when you’re running late and can’t seem to get the lid of your suitcase shut.
Colors
While simple black or gray is the choice for many travelers, suitcases of varied colors have their advantages. When you’re standing at the baggage claim, it’s much easier to spot something bright green, purple or pink, and you’re much less likely to accidentally walk away with someone else’s luggage. U.S. Traveler has a wealth of color schemes, allowing you to get something that fits your style and stands out from the crowd.
U.S. Traveler luggage cost
One of the most attractive things about U.S. Traveler is the company’s low price point. As a budget brand, it offers 2-piece sets for as low as $60, and 3- and 4-piece sets for under $250.
U.S. Traveler luggage FAQ
Can my U.S. Traveler suitcase be used as a carry-on bag or personal item on a flight?
A. The only bags from the U.S. Traveler brand that are small enough to be used as your personal item are the company's tote bags. While U.S. Traveler sells rolling suitcases that are less than 22 inches, which is the carry-on size limit for many domestic carriers, international carriers often have more stringent size requirements, and many now have weight limits for carry-on luggage as well. Check the exact size restrictions for your preferred airline just in case, because even though the listing may say "carry-on," that doesn't apply to every flight.
If my suitcase is small enough to use as a carry-on, do I need a shoulder bag as a personal item?
A. This largely depends on the flight you're taking and what type of suitcase you have. If you think you can sleep through the flight or enjoy the in-flight entertainment without needing to access any of your stuff, then perhaps you can do without a personal item. However, if you think you're going to want to grab a tablet, headphones, medicine or anything else, you won't want to have to take your entire suitcase down from the overhead bin. A softside suitcase might have external pockets that can be opened while standing in the aisle, but a hardside option won't, and even if you have a softside suitcase, you might not want to open it up mid-flight, in which case a small bag to put between your feet is the way to go.
Which U.S. Traveler luggage should I get?
Best of the best U.S. Traveler luggage
U.S. Traveler Boren Hardside Spinner 3-Piece Set: available at Amazon
Our take: Travelers who don't want to have to choose between a carry-on and a checked bag will love the versatility of this set that comes with suitcases of three sizes that can be conveniently nested for storage.
What we like: All three suitcases offer sturdy hard shell protection and spinner wheels that rotate 360 degrees. The carry-on bag is under 22 inches tall and has an external USB port for charging devices on the go. You can choose from several colors and have the option of buying the bags individually or in a two-piece set as well.
What we dislike: While the carry-on's USB port is a nice idea, you'll need to supply your own power bank, which will take up space in the suitcase.
Best bang for your buck U.S. Traveler luggage
U.S. Traveler New Yorker 3-Piece Softside Rolling Luggage Set: available at Amazon
Our take: To give yourself a variety of options without spending an arm and a leg, consider this three-piece set that offers a 30-inch checked bag, a carry-on suitcase and a shoulder tote that can be used as your personal item on a flight.
What we like: The set is also available with a 25-inch checked bag or as a four-piece set. There are ten different color schemes to choose from. The suitcases are expandable to offer up to 25% more capacity. The tote has a strap that allows you to attach it to the handle of a rolling suitcase for easier transport.
What we dislike: The inline skate wheels make these suitcases a little harder to maneuver than those with spinner wheels.
Honorable mention U.S. Traveler luggage
Our take: Those who prefer to travel light can take advantage of this carry-on set that includes a small rolling suitcase and a tote bag, and the whole thing costs less than $100.
What we like: Both bags have external pockets to give you easy access to important items. The tote bag has both a detachable shoulder strap and dual handles that attach with Velcro, while the suitcase has top and side handles to grab onto when lifting it as well as a retractable telescoping handle. The suitcase features an interior mesh zippered pocket to help with organization.
What we dislike: The suitcase just barely fits within many airlines' carry-on requirements, so if you take advantage of the front pockets and expand the main compartment, it might not fit within the dreaded airline size box and you'll be forced to check it.
Gregg Parker is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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