The lesser-known luxury luggage labels to bring style to your travels

When it comes to holiday planning, we all go through the same checklist.

You book your route, be it road, rail, air or sea. You need to make hotel reservations. You might even pre-organise a dinner or two (especially if you’re type A). But then, every time, you leave one of the most essential tasks to the last minute – packing. 

If you haven’t got quality luggage to hand, packing becomes a whole lot harder. The right bag can make travel a breeze, but it depends on a few things. For a weekender, you might want a leather holdall. Heading a short trip abroad? Perhaps you’d prefer a carry-on case. Or for a two-week sojourn, it’s more likely you’ll need a lightweight hold case (ideally on wheels) which you can fill without exceeding the standard 23kg limit. 

On top of needing a range of sizes to cater for every possible trip, you don’t want the same luggage as everyone else - how else will you distinguish it from the others at the luggage carousel?

The good news? There’s a whole host of lesser-known labels a cut above the basics of the luggage world. 

These labels offer just about every handy feature you could dream of, from a briefcase which caters for a 36-hour stay by Lundi Paris to Floyd’s bright suitcases for the statement traveller, not to mention Carl Friedrik’s comprehensive range of check-in and carry-on designs and Arterton’s tailoring-friendly garment bags.

The best part? When you’re strolling through departures with your unique wheelie or waiting to spot your stand-out case on the luggage carousel, you’ll be the envy of the airport.

Lesser known luggage labels at a glance

• Best for overall best: Carl Friedrik
• Best for premium constructions: Ryan London
• Best for the nine to five: Émigré
• Best for rugged travelling: Tropicfeel
• Best for weatherproof luggage: Rains
• Best for adventure sports: Db Journey
• Best for a leather holdall: Luca Faloni
• Best for a briefcase for business and leisure: Lundi Paris
• Best for cases with personality: Floyd
• Best for a luxury garment bag: Arterton
• Best for weekend travel: Mismo
• Best for a masculine touch: Roderer
• Best for durability: Steele & Borough
• Best for functional bags for the great outdoors: Elliker

Keep scrolling for our top pick.

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Carl Friedrik

Best for: overall best

Here at ES Best, we’re big fans of Carl Friedrik. The London-based label has its foundations in luxury leather goods – totes, briefcases, holdalls et al. – but has since expanded its collection to include trunk-inspired hard-shell suitcases of many sizes.

They come in a range of understated colourways, from a sleek monochrome to a two-tone navy-brown combo which is perfect for those who want something a little different.

Our top tip? Go for the full luggage set to save £75 when you buy the carry-on and the check-in at once.

Buy now, Carl Friedrik

Ryan London

Best for: premium constructions

Ryan London hand constructs its accessories in its London studio using practical, performance-ready fabrics like leather fitted with industrial-quality hardware and parachute grade stitching. Whether you’re extreme adventuring or braving the tube in commuter hours, these bags will only get better with use. Alngside backpacks, there are iPhone, MacBook, iPad and AirPods cases as well as wallets, notebooks and glasses holders.

Buy now, Ryan London

Émigré

Best for: the nine-to-five

Commuters know the key to a seamless morning is to fill your wardrobe with sleek office-ready staples and Émigré is a brand to know in the sophisticated formalwear space. Its collection is filled with functional fashion that extends from shirts, trousers and blazers to bags, briefcases and luggage that have pared-back design and clean, classic and elegant aesthetics.

Buy now, Émigré

Tropicfeel

Best for: rugged travelling

A travel trip to Thailand inspired the creation of sustainable footwear, apparel and luggage B Corp label Tropicfeel to launch. The Barcelona-born brand provides accountability for every stage of the production process, paying attention to each in order to minimise its impact on the planet. As such, it prioritises the use of recycled materials and all the packaging is recycled. This idea even extends to the products in which each piece has endless wear potential, whether you’re at home or abroad.

Buy now, Tropicfeel

Db Journey

Best for: adventure sports holidays

Though Db offers a range of backpacks and totes which work for the daily commute, the brand’s strength lies in its range of luggage designed for adventure sports.

From skiing to surfing to skating, there’s bags of all shapes and sizes which cater for awkwardly shaped equipment and kit. There’s even an entire section dedicated to photography which will keep your expensive gear safe and easily accessible all at once.

Buy now, Db Journey

Arterton

Best for: a luxury garment bag

If you regularly travel with tailoring, Arterton is the luxury label you need on your radar. The signature piece is the garment bag which is made from 10oz waxed cotton with a dual-zip opening and space for three of the brand’s handmade hangers – so your shirt, trousers and jacket are covered. For an upgrade, you could invest in the leather travel handle and dust cover, too. If you want the full set, there’s a briefcase and holdall, too. 

Buy now, Arterton

Elliker

Best for: functional bags for the great outdoors

If you’re into the great outdoors, Elliker is a luggage brand you need on your radar. Its collections are designed to be functional and lightweight to aid in the many ways you can enjoy nature.

Whether you’re looking to take up wild garlic foraging or rock pooling, the brand’s content shows the myriad ways you can have an adventure using its bags – and you won’t be disappointed by the range of colours which includes everything from forest green to a punchy purple.

Buy now, Elliker

Luca Faloni

Best for: a leather holdall

Finding a quality leather holdall is no mean feat. It should be spacious enough for a long weekend but not so bulky that it’s hard to carry. Ideally, such a bag should be crafted using a full grain leather which ages well over time. The handles need to be long enough to fit over your shoulder and an extra shoulder strap is ideal. 

Enter: Luca Faloni’s Weekender, which seemingly ticks every box. It’s handmade in Florence using pure vegetable-tanned 'pieno fiore' leather – and it comes in tan, brown or black so you’re covered whatever your colour preference.

Buy now, Luca Faloni

Roderer

Best for: a masculine touch

Roderer’s speciality is minimal yet masculine accessories. From the tote bag to the washbag to the briefcase, the entire luggage range is crafted using grainy black or navy leather which is elevated with the brand’s signature crown logo.

Since it’s an American brand, everything’s shipped from the US but if you spend over $125, you can make the most of complimentary worldwide shipping. The perfect excuse to treat yourself – and since the entire range is designed to be timeless, consider it an investment that will last.

Buy now, Roderer

Rains

Best for: weatherproof luggage

If you’re after weatherproof luggage, look no further than Rains. The Danish brand is well known for its signature rainproof PU fabric which is transformed into coats, accessories and, of course, bags.

Whether you’d rather a duffle, a holdall, a backpack or a cabin bag, the impressive range on offer means your valuables will be protected whatever the weather. In true Scandi style, everything is minimally designed and comes in a range of stylish, muted neutrals. 

Buy now, Rains

Lundi Paris

Best for: a briefcase for business and leisure

Lundi Paris is best for those who like a briefcase. There are four sizes on offer, from a compact style for daily use to one for a 36-hour trip, so you can balance business and leisure with the many compartments which cater for everything from a laptop to pens to clothes. 

If you’re not into carrying a bag by hand but like the organisational aspect of a briefcase, go for one of the brand’s backpacks instead. Or, if you’re going further afield for a longer stay, perhaps the voyager or weekender is more your speed.

Buy now, Lundi Paris

Steele & Borough

Best for: durability

Designed to stand the test of time, Steele & Borough uses nylon in the construction of its luggage that offers both durability and a sleek, chic finish. Functional first and foremost, it’s a water-resistant material to protect your precious possessions while you jet-set around the world. Across gym bags, weekender and work designs, each is cut with clean lines to give a sophisticated, professional feel.

Buy now, Steele & Borough

Mismo

Best for: a short stay

If you’re planning a city break or a short staycation, Mismo’s a top tier choice. Many of the Nordic label’s bags are inspired by the classic duffle, constructed using canvas or nylon which is taken up a notch with leather strap detailing on the side. Each high-spec design features a variety of pockets and compartments for your tech, valuables and day-to-day essentials. We want one in every size.

Buy now, Mismo

Floyd

Best for: cases with personality

Taking style cues from 70s California, Floyd’s cases have an easy-going feel which stands out amidst the sea of monotonous luggage – and they’re particularly easy to spot on the conveyor belt. There’s a strong selection of vibrant colours to choose from including hot orange, magic purple, Miami blue or sugar pink, all of which come in cabin, check-in and trunk sizes. You can even customise your wheel colour for a personalised touch.

Buy now, Floyd