The Right Luggage for Any Trip

If You’re Packing for a Week or More

Go with a 24- to 27-inch-tall wheeled suitcase with a retractable handle, which will be large enough to hold clothes for up to 10 days, along with four pairs of shoes. If you opt for an even bigger bag, you run the risk of exceeding the 50-pound weight limit on most domestic flights―and you'll have a heck of a time lifting it.
 
 

Eddie Bauer, $120

Amazingly lightweight for its size (less than 12 pounds when empty), this suitcase is perfect for the active―not to mention organized―traveler. The body of the bag is divided into two main compartments, so you can separate dirty from clean (and therefore won't have to wash everything when you get home), and a ventilated waterproof pocket on the outside houses shoes or spillables. Straps along the exterior of the bag help condense the bulk and reduce stress on the zipper.
 
 Size: 27 by 12½ by 15½ inches.
 To buy:  eddiebauer.com.