Calpak Luggage Review: Is It Worth the Hype?

What we love most: The exterior pocket keeps your laptop protected.

Dimensions: 14″ x 10″ x 21″

Every traveler needs a go-to carry-on they can bring just about anywhere. This sleek, hard-sided carry-on features a protective front compartment that’s designed to fit tablets and laptops that are up to 16 inches. Calpak’s carry-on is the perfect combination of functional and stylish, with dual spinner wheels and a TSA–approved lock. Inside, you’ll find two main compartments, multiple side pockets, and compression straps that help you pack a few extra outfits. This carry-on is a favorite of executive editor Erin Florio: “The inner compartments make it really easy to organize all your items, which helps you fit more,” she says. It’s lightweight, durable, and well-designed for every type of traveler, whether you’re a minimalist who packs just the essentials or an overpacker in need of the compression straps and extra pockets.

What we love most: The design and chic color options, dual spinning wheels, and expandable feature

Dimensions: 19″ x 12″ x 30″

For international vacations or long road trips when you need a little extra room, this large checked suitcase is a perfect option. The Ambeur large luggage offers a packing capacity of 112 liters, so you have a lot of space to work with. Global director of audience development Lara Kramer was able to pack enough clothes, shoes, and toiletries for her and her husband on a four-day trip to Valley Cottage, New York. “An individual traveler could easily get away with packing a week’s worth of clothes and accessories, possibly even two travelers with the right packing skills,” says Kramer. This checked bag features two spacious main compartments and three additional zippered compartments of varying sizes that are ideal for packing delicate items like jewelry or beauty products. Kramer loves this suitcase for its generous size, chic style, and reasonable price point. Plus, the Ambeur large luggage is covered by Calpak’s two-year warranty, so you can feel extra confident with your purchase. And one of its best features: “The luggage is expandable by two inches, so I was able to bring home those extra souvenirs,” says Kramer. It glides smoothly through the airport, features a built-in TSA–approved lock, and is so durable—so you don’t have to worry about handling it too carefully.

What we love most: Separate shoe compartment, trolley sleeve, easy-to-clean material

Dimensions: 16″ x 7″x 12″

I’ve waxed poetic about how much I love the Luka duffel for weekend trips and as my go-personal item on flights. And yes, it deserves every bit of hype. It’s that perfect in-between size: small enough to comfortably carry when full and fit under the seat on airplanes, but large enough to hold enough clothes for a full weekend trip. There’s much to love about this duffel, but its ultra-soft and easy-to-clean material make it stand out. Even when it’s full, the top carry handle feels soft on my shoulder. And if you’ve really packed it, there’s also a long adjustable strap that can be worn as a crossbody to better distribute the weight. After traveling, I always give it a quick cleaning with a disinfecting wipe and it looks good as new. There’s a zippered compartment on the exterior for essentials like your wallet and phone, and a water bottle pocket. Inside, you’ll find a spacious main section, multiple pockets (including a mesh one), and a zippered compartment. Another one of my favorite features: the separate shoe compartment that holds an extra pair of sneakers or slippers (a complete game-changer when packing for weekend trips).

What we love most: It fits more than the average weekender.

Dimensions: 19″ x 10″ x 16″

Calpak launched its best-selling Luka duffel in a larger version—overpackers, this one’s for you. While it’s a little too big to fit under an airplane seat as a personal item, it’s a perfect size for trips longer than two days (think extended weekends or shorter vacations). It’s made of the same soft, puffer-like material as the original version and features the same long adjustable strap, top carry handle, and hidden shoe compartment. If you often take weekend trips or short getaways, a larger duffel bag will come in handy. While the original version fits two days’ worth of clothes, I’m able to fit a lot more in the larger version—usually three to four days’ worth of clothes (maybe even five if you’re a light packer). It features plenty of pockets inside for keeping essentials organized and a trolley sleeve so you can secure it to your suitcase handle.

What we love most: The laptop compartment, water bottle pocket, and trolley sleeve

Dimensions: 12″ x 7″ x 16″

If you prefer to bring a backpack as your personal item, but still want plenty of room for storing in-flight essentials, the Luka laptop backpack is for you. You get all the comfort and hands-free benefits of a backpack without compromising on space. There are two spacious main compartments: One side features a laptop sleeve with enough room to also fit an iPad, and the other compartment has multiple pockets for your wallet, keys, and chargers. There’s also a spacious zippered compartment on the outside for essentials you want easy access to, like your phone or headphones, and a water bottle pocket. This lightweight bag is a lot roomier than other backpacks I’ve used in the past and is versatile enough to bring to work, on road trips, and as a personal item. I love how it stays in such great condition after traveling with it: The scratch-resistant material can be cleaned easily with any disinfectant wipe. I’ve also never had a backpack with a built-in luggage trolley sleeve—a true game changer for navigating through the airport. Plus, the soft, adjustable straps don’t hurt my shoulders even after carrying it for a full day. It’s available in a variety of bright limited-edition colors and classic colorways including rose quartz, chocolate, oat, and black.

What we love most: It’s versatile and can be expanded by two inches.

Dimensions: 20″ x 7″ x 14″

The Luka expandable laptop tote is another ideal personal item for long-haul flights or for busy commuters on the go. I bring this with me on my trek into the office every day and the super-soft top handle never digs into my shoulder. It’s roomy enough to store my laptop, water bottle, lunch bag, notebook, and a cosmetic pouch. Inside, there are several pockets to keep items like my wallet and sunglasses organized; the laptop sleeve holds my 15″ laptop securely in place. I’ve always struggled to find a tote bag that’s durable enough to hold a full day’s worth of essentials and is still stylish. This laptop tote does it all: It’s lightweight, stain-resistant, and looks so chic. Beyond my office commutes, I’ve taken this with me on day trips to the beach and on flights (it features a trolley sleeve, too). And saving its best feature for last: It’s expandable by two inches, so just when you think you’ve run out of packing room, you haven’t.

What we love most: This set features cubes with a durable mesh fabric and a water-resistant pouch.

Behold the ultimate travel accessory: packing cubes. These are our editors’ secret weapon for fitting everything we need in our suitcases and staying organized on trips. Calpak’s packing cubes come in a set of five varying in size—larger cubes are best used for bulkier items like jeans or sweaters, medium cubes for shirts and shoes, and small ones for socks and underwear. When I’m traveling, I always keep one packing cube empty for dirty clothes—that way I can separate them from the rest of my clean items. And if you prefer to live out of your suitcase instead of unpacking when you arrive at a hotel, packing cubes help you quickly find exactly what you’re looking for. Plus, they allow you to fit more clothes in your suitcase and protect them in case liquids unexpectedly leak during a flight. Choose from over a dozen fun colors and patterns.

What we love most: This transparent case makes finding exactly what you need easy.

Dimensions: 5″x 8″ x 10″

Calpak also designs some of our favorite cosmetic bags for travel. The medium clear case is ideal for travelers who wouldn’t dare skip a step in their skincare or beauty routines—it can fit a lot of product. The case unzips fully so each side can lay flat and products can be separated into its different compartments. There’s also an extra mesh interior pocket for smaller essentials and a top handle that makes it easy to carry or store on a bathroom hook. Our editors love this makeup bag for its large size and transparent material that makes finding your products easy. I usually pack all of my makeup products on one side and either hair or skincare essentials on the other. Its also quite sturdy—I never worry about any products getting squashed or broken while in transit. Calpak’s clear cosmetic cases are also available in a small and a large size (made for the serious overpackers).

What we love most: There are 16 fun colors to choose from.

Dimensions: 7″ x 2″ x 10″

You’ll wish you packed a tech organizer the next time you’re searching for your charger in your filled-to-the-brim Mary Poppins bag. A tech organizer keeps cords, portable chargers, earbuds, and any other digital gear neat, easy to find, and tangle-free. This lay-flat organizer features elastics that hold rolled-up cords and a zippered pouch for charging bricks or AirPods. We never travel without one of these organizers in our carry-ons.

Shop more of our favorite travel organizers.

What we love most: It’s made of water-resistant material and has an insulated interior.

Dimensions: 4″ x 4″ x 11″

This travel must-have comes highly recommended by senior commerce editor Madison Flager. For days outdoors spent hiking or bike riding when you’d rather be hands-free, Calpak’s water bottle sling bag is a smart choice. It keeps your water bottle insulated and secure, and holds small items like sunscreen, cash, or your phone. Wear it as a sling bag with its detachable shoulder strap or hold it by the top carry handle.