Best Reviewed
Luggage
- Best rolling luggage Eagle Creek Tarmac 22 *Est. $285
- Budget wheeled bag Delsey Helium Fusion Lite 2.0 Expandable Suiter Trolley *Est. $65
- Budget non-wheeled carry-on eBags Weekender eTech Convertible *Est. $65
- Big rolling duffel REI Wheely Beast 28-Inch *Est. $150
- Luxury rolling luggage Tumi Alpha Frequent Traveler 22-inch Framed Expandable Carry-on *Est. $595
- Best non-wheeled carry-on Red Oxx Air Boss *Est. $225
Get info about new reports and updates
Briggs & Riley Transcend 20 Carry-on Upright
- Lifetime warranty covers accidental damage
- Excellent water resistance
- Lightweight (8.7 pounds)
- Expensive
- Telescoping handle can stick
- Size is deceiving
Reviews rank the Briggs & Riley Transcend carry-on bag as the best rolling luggage, praising it for superb durability, water resistance and excellent ease of use -- plus a lifetime warranty that even covers accidental damage. The handle telescopes into an outside pocket so the bag's interior is flat and easy to pack so clothes don't wrinkle, with maximum usable space. A clip attaches a second smaller bag if desired. Smaller and larger versions of the Transcend luggage are also available. If you travel infrequently and don't want to spend this much, reviews recommend the Delsey Helium Fusion Carry-on Expandable Suiter Trolley (*Est. $80) as a budget choice, though it doesn't have a warranty that covers accidental damage.
We found the best comparison tests of Briggs & Riley luggage at Good Housekeeping and Consumer Reports magazines. Good Housekeeping tests a larger size in the Transcend series, while Consumer Reports tests the 20-inch carry-on in the similar Baseline series. TheTravelInsider.com compares the 21-inch expandable Transcend bag less formally with other carry-on bags, but based on long experience testing luggage. We also found useful owner-written reviews at eBags.com, LuggageOnline.com, and Amazon.com.
| Featured Stores | Store Rating | Notes | Total Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |  101 store reviews | In Stock. | $199.00 | See It |
 |  265 store reviews | In Stock. Free Shipping, Free Returns | $199.00 | See It |
 |  20,079 store reviews | In Stock. Free Shipping BOTH ways! | $399.00 | See It |
| See All Stores | ||||
Our Sources
1. Good HousekeepingDetails/Subscribe
Objective tests at Good Housekeeping find that the similar Briggs & Riley Transcend 24-inch Expandable Upright is the only bag (out of 11 tested) that earns perfect scores for water resistance, durability and fabric abrasion. The only drawback is that its expandable handle sometimes sticks.
Review: The Best Lightweight Check-in Luggage, Editors of Good Housekeeping
2. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
Consumer Reports tests the similar Briggs & Riley Baseline 20, comparing it with 11 other rolling carry-on bags. Bags are subjected to abuse in a giant tumbler to measure durability, and staffers take luggage for a test spin on an obstacle course.
Review: Toughest Travelers, Editors of Consumer Reports, Oct. 2008
Editors here give the similar 21"-inch Briggs & Riley Transcend carry-on bag top ranking here, praising its lifetime warranty, "general superiority" and the option of splitting the bag into two.
Review: The Best Carry On Bag, Editors of TheTravelInsider.com
4. EBags.com
Nine owners review the Transcend 20-inch" Carry-on Upright here, giving it extremely high ratings for durability, but some owners note that the bag only fits into some overhead compartments sideways, not wheels-in, because the luggage is actually 21 inches, including the wheels.
Review: Briggs & Riley Transcend 20" Carry-On Upright, Contributors to eBags.com
Only two owners review the 20-inch Briggs & Riley Transcend carry-on bag here, but one notes that the outside compartment for the telescoping handle can make the bag too thick to meet some airlines' carry-on requirements. Other sizes in the Transcend series get more (and better) reviews here.
Review: Briggs & Riley Transcend 20in. Carry-On Upright, Contributors to LuggageOnline.com
6. Amazon.com
The 21-inch expandable carry-on bag gets two reviews from owners here, with praise for the organization and flat-based packing compartment -- and of course, the durability and warranty.
Review: Briggs & Riley Transcend 21" Carry-On Expandable Upright Reviews, Contributors to Amazon.com
Luggage Runners Up:
2 picks by top review sites.
2 picks including: About.com, Amazon.com…
2 picks by top review sites.
2 picks by top review sites.
1 pick by top review sites.
1 pick by top review sites.
Rick Steves Convertible Carry On
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
Rick Steves 21 Inch Roll Aboard Bag
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
Osprey Meridian 22 Inch/60L Pack
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
Caselogic 29" Lightweight Rolling Duffel
Average Customer Review: |
||
|
|
