Suitcases for 10-14 days away – what’s the right size?

How big a case do you need for 10-14 days away? I’m afraid there’s no easy answer to that. Some people are wizards at packing lightly; others happily take a week’s clothes and do a wash halfway through. That never strikes me as a desirable use of holiday time, so let’s assume you are taking enough clean clothes to last a fortnight. First off, it depends on the season. Fourteen T-shirts, some shorts, bathers and Birkenstocks do not require a trunk. A summer break can probably be done on a 75-80 litre suitcase; if you’re packing woollies and boots, it’s more like a minimum of 85 litres up to about 110 litres. One thing to bear in mind, though, is the weight allowance of your plane ticket. Airlines like BA allow 23kg for an economy class seat before excess baggage charges kick in. In normal circumstances, where you’re packing a mix of clothes, toiletries, etc, 23kg can be anywhere between 75 and 85 litres of luggage space; if you’re carrying bulky but lightweight items like jumpers and a down jacket, it might equate to a 90-110 litre suitcase. To cover all bases, the cases here range from 80 to 110 litres, with the weights of the cases specified too – if you’re buying at the larger end of the range, it could be worth investing in a portable luggage scale to avoid accidentally incurring hefty excess charges.

Monos Check-in Large, £385 A colour reminiscent of summer berries – what’s not to love? But if Mulberry (this shade) is not your thing, there are ten colours and four limited-edition variants to choose from. The wheels are quiet, the polycarbonate shell is sturdy, the handle has four height settings, and the zips are from Japanese zip wizards YKK. 97 litres, 4.79kg, 76 x 53 x 28cm

Db Journey Ramverk Pro Luggage L, £699 Manchester City superstriker Erling Haaland is an investor in Db Journey. Not that this is any reason to buy one of their suitcases, but it does explain the cool Scandi styling. The Oslo-based company specialises in sports luggage as well as premium luggage (one of its founders was a freeski legend, the other an engineer), in particular ski and surfboard bags. This hardshell case, which has easy to organise split shell compartments, can be personalised and engraved. 87 litres, 6.9kg, 73.5 x 49 x 30.5cm

Amazon Basics hardshell large suitcase, £59.90 An excellent affordable case that’s scratch resistant, has an extra thick shell for durability and is expandable. But beware of overpacking – this is at the top end of the capacity range. Available in four other colours. 105 litres, 5.4kg, 78 x 53 x 32cm

Marks & Spencer Banff Adventure 2 large suitcase, £79 This smart soft-bodied case is the lightest of the lot here, and has a pleasingly fuss-free look to it. It has two wheels and also comes with convertible backpack straps. 93 litres, 3.6kg, 74 x 41 x 32cm

Thule Chasm duffel suitcase, £299.99 Thule is a brand for adventurers. At the company’s Swedish HQ, its products undergo extreme testing — from desert heat to arctic cold, from water resistance and drop tests to wind tunnels, tensile stress, shock and crash tests. If they can handle that, surely they can handle Europe’s baggage handlers? The Chasm duffel has a rigid polycarbonate back for strength and oversize wheels for rough terrain. Also comes in khaki and black. 110 litres, 4.6kg, 79 x 43 x 35cm

July Checked suitcase, £275 So much to love about this case, and not just the sleek design. Started in Melbourne in 2019, July uses strong German polycarbonate for its shells, SilentMove 360-degree wheels and the telescopic handle, which has a soft firm grip, stops wherever you want it to (music to the ears of short and tall people alike). The interior is just as appealing: there’s a hidden built-in laundry bag and Y-shaped strap compression system that pulls down to create more space in your case. Yes, yes, yes. Seven other colours available. 80 litres, 3.8kg, 66 x 47 x 29cm

Antler Stamford 2.0 medium suitcase, £147 An expandable case that teams British design with Japanese know-how: Hinomoto’s 360-degree rotating wheels are whisper quiet, thanks to their Lisof tyre fabric, developed with Mitsubishi. The polycarbonate shell is matt, to disguise scuffs better, and a removable packing divider sits under compression packing straps to minimise creasing and keep clothes flat. Also available in green. 81-95 litres, 4kg, 68 x 48 x 29.5cm

Carl Friedrik The Large Check-in, £445 A premium price for a premium product. That the Swedish brand is catering to the very rich was confirmed by its choice as the luggage of choice for the Roy family in media dynasty saga Succession. The shell is German polycarbonate, with vegetable-tanned leather details and dual zips with TSA-approved locks. It’s a big case but is supremely manoeuvrable thanks to Japanese Hinomoto spinner wheels. Also available in navy or black. 94 litres, 5.1kg, 76 x 51 x 28cm

Nere Stori large suitcase, £139 With Australian optimism running through its veins, Nere brought a shot of colour to the suitcase world when it launched in 2022. Indeed the Stori is available in ten shades, from deep navy to tasteful mocha, which is perhaps why it’s popular with influencers. Don’t let that put you off – the expandable hard shell has a honeycomb texture for added scratch resistance and the zipper is self-repairing (a mystery to us too). 95-100 litres, 4.8kg, 75 x 47 x 31cm

American Tourister Soundbox Alu large suitcase, £319 Calling all music fans: the concentric circles on this case’s aluminium shell were inspired by vinyl records. The wheels are extra large, at 6cm, to allow for superior handling. And as for the colour, buying a bronze-coloured case may look blingy but you’ll spot it on a carousel a mile away. Four other colours available, plus there’s also an expandable polypropylene version of this case for £185 that comes in 14 colours. 100 litres, 6.6kg, 77 x 52 x 30cm

Photo by Eminent Luggage on Unsplash

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