Best Lightweight Luggage Set: Hardsides & Softsides

IT Luggage World's Lightest 3 Piece Set

We can’t talk about lightweight luggage without mentioning IT Luggage suitcases. They have a collection of the world’s lightest suitcases, and they’re an absolute hit if weight is your one and only priority. This three-piece set features a carry-on, and 28” and 31” suitcases, the largest of which weighs a mere 5.3 lbs.

That 22” carry-on weighs just 4 lbs, and it honestly doesn’t get any lighter than that. Especially when you take into account that all of these bags have double spinner wheels and an ultra-wide wheel handle.

Also, these suitcases feature a fiberglass frame, which makes them a lot more durable than you would expect. The main fabric of the bags is polyester, which is very durable and has excellent abrasion resistance.

In addition to that, these bags have a single packing compartment with internal tie-down straps. There’s one pocket inside the packing compartment and one on the outside of the bags, but that’s it. They’re not the top option in terms of organizational features, but I don’t think that’s a deal-breaker considering that lighter suitcase sets don’t actually exist.

The carry-on is the only suitcase that has an additional pocket on the front panel, allowing you to separate the items that you want to keep more easily accessible.

And keep in mind that the wheel handle doesn’t take away from the packing capacity at all, so you will be able to fit more items inside these bags than a standard softside suitcase. Also, this luggage set is pretty affordable – it comes down to about $50 per suitcase, which is a pretty good deal for such unique bags.

Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Luggage Set

Samsonite luggage never disappoints, especially when you can get it without spending a small fortune. And that’s why I had to include the Omni set – even though it doesn’t feature the lightest suitcases in the world, it does feature some excellent polycarbonate luggage that happens to be affordable and pretty lightweight.

The entire set retails for less than $250, which is really good for Samsonite luggage. Mind you, they have individual suitcases that cost more than this set, and they’re not even that much better than the Omni bags.

There are actually two sets to choose from here – a two-piece and a three-piece. Both sets include a 20” carry-on and a 24” medium bag, while the three-piece also comes with a 28” checked suitcase. Funnily enough, both sets retail for about the same price, so go with the three-piece one if you’re looking for the best value.

These suitcases feature a textured shell for excellent scratch resistance, which happens to be the only issue you might experience with polycarbonate suitcases. The material is flexible, tear and abrasion-resistant, and lighter than most other plastics out there.

The Omni suitcases also feature expandable capacity, TSA-friendly locks, single spinner wheels, and telescopic wheel handles. They glide around like a dream, and you won’t have any issues maneuvering these bags around smooth airport floors.

The interior of the luggage is divided into two packing compartments. One side has elastic cross straps to keep your belongings in place, while the other one features a zippered mesh divider. Additionally, there’s a single pocket inside the bottom compartment – not the best in terms of organization, but that can always be fixed with some really good compression packing cubes!

IT luggage World's Lightest-St Pauls Cathedral

Here’s another really good option from IT Luggage, especially if you’re looking for a set of more than three bags. This particular collection features four suitcases, the heaviest of which weighs a mere 5.4 lbs. And that’s for an extra-large, 33” bag!

The carry-on suitcase weighs only 3.53 lbs, which is incredible! If weight is your sole priority, IT Luggage is the brand you should definitely stick with.

One great thing about these bags is that they’re a lot more durable than you would expect. They all feature a tough fiberglass frame that’s very strong, and which does an excellent job at keeping the items inside the bag protected.

And you will be able to fit a lot of clothes inside these suitcases, considering that the packing compartment is entirely flat. The wheel handle tubes are at the sides of the packing compartment, allowing you to really maximize the amount of packing space you get in the luggage.

Additionally, it’s important to note that three out of the four suitcases are equipped with spinner wheels. The smallest and the lightest bag is actually an upright suitcase – whether that’s a good or a bad thing is entirely up to you.

Another thing that I really like about these bags is that they feature two external pockets, allowing you to keep stuff like your passport and boarding pass handy and easily accessible at all times. Also, you get several pockets inside the suitcases, specifically on top flaps. They’re all open mesh pockets, making them great for organizing all those smaller items like socks and undies.

Although these bags are supposed to be very durable, I wouldn’t recommend them if you’re traveling with breakable items. They are lightweight softshell, after all, so definitely not the top option for protecting stuff that can’t survive being thrown around by baggage handlers.

Travel Select Amsterdam Upright Luggage

If you need a lot of luggage for very little money, the Travel Select Amsterdam set is a great option for you. It includes eight pieces of luggage for about $150, which is one of the best deals you can find on the Internet. And they’re pretty good bags at that.

Don’t expect premium quality or durability, but you will get some decent suitcases that work just fine for travel by car, bus, or train. I wouldn’t recommend using these for air travel, especially not as checked bags since they’re really not the most durable option.

The set includes three suitcases, an underseat bag, and four packing cubes. The cubes really help you stay organized when packing, and you can use them with any other luggage if you want. I don’t think they’re necessary for these particular bags, since they all feature multiple internal and external pockets.

You also have the option of getting a four-piece set which only includes the bags without the cubes, but that’s only some $15 cheaper than the eight-piece.

The largest luggage in the set is the 29” upright suitcase, which weighs 9.5 lbs. The carry-on weighs 7.7 lbs – it’s a little heavier than I would like, but I still think that’s very lightweight for such affordable bags.

The bags you get in this lightweight luggage set are all upright bags, meaning you need to tilt them to get the wheels rolling. They all feature telescopic wheel handles, as well as buckles that allow you to secure the bags to one another – this is pretty convenient for traveling with multiple bags since it makes your life a whole lot easier.

And all of the suitcases have expandable capacity, which allows you to get up to 25% extra packing space. With so many convenient features for so little money, I think we can forgive the lack of locks and spinner wheels.

Rockland Melbourne Hardside Luggage Set

Rockland luggage is a very popular brand when it comes to affordable luggage. Their suitcases are inexpensive, and they’re actually really good bags for the money. The Melbourne hardside set is no exception here – you can get a two-piece set for less than $100, making this the most affordable option out of the bunch.

If you want a three-piece set you’ll need to pay a lot more, and I honestly don’t think the value is there. Plus, the two-piece set includes a carry-on and a 28” checked bag, which is pretty much all you need for international travel. And, bear in mind that not all two-piece sets are under $100 – the exact price depends on the color of the set you choose.

The Melbourne suitcases are made from ABS plastic, which is expected considering their price point. It’s not as durable as a PC, but it does have excellent scratch resistance, especially with the textured shell.

These bags also feature double spinner wheels, a telescopic wheel handle that locks into an extended position, and even expandable capacity – a feature even I was surprised to see on such affordable luggage.

The interior of the suitcases is divided into two packing compartments, with a zippered divider in one and elastic cross straps in the other. The bottom packing compartment also features a zippered pocket, for any items you’d like to keep separate from the rest of the stuff in the bags.

But that’s the only pocket you get in the Rockland luggage, so you will need to look at other solutions if you like being organized while traveling.

The only features that are missing on these hardside suitcases are TSA locks. If you can live without those, this lightweight luggage set might just be the right option for you!

READ MORE: ROCKLAND LUGGAGE REVIEWS

Verage Travel Luggage 3 Pieces Set

The Verage luggage set is another great option if you really want softside suitcases. The three-piece set includes a 19” carry-on, as well as 24” and 29” checked bags, with the largest suitcase weighing just under 9 lbs. That’s a pretty great weight for a bag that is 32” tall with the wheels and handles!

And all of the suitcases are equipped with double spinner wheels, which roll smoothly and quietly. Pair those with the telescopic wheel handle, and you’ll be able to maneuver these around airport floors however you like.

The bags are made from durable polyester that has pretty good water resistance. They even feature safety zippers that are designed to protect the bags from thieves who attempt to break them open, and which can even prevent water from getting inside the main compartment.

Additionally, these lightweight suitcases all have expandable capacity, TSA-friendly locks, and two zippered pockets on the front panel. The carry-on even has a sleeve in the back, which lets you mount it on top of a larger suitcase so that it is super easy to move around with multiple pieces of luggage.

The only downside of these bags is the lack of internal pockets. There’s only one on the cover flap, and sadly no pockets inside the actual packing compartments. You do get tie-down straps though, which will prevent the items inside the suitcase from moving around.

Another important feature of this luggage is that the wheel handle is actually height adjustable. There are four different heights you can lock it in, meaning it should be pretty easy for most people to set it to a height that’s comfortable for them. Unless you’re Shaq, that is.

Travelpro Maxlite 5 Set

The Travelpro Maxlite 5 set is an excellent option if you’re looking for top-of-the-line luggage. Let’s make one thing clear – this isn’t an affordable option, and it’s not something you should get if you’re on a tight budget. But if you want premium quality that lasts for years, it might just be the best set for you.

This luggage is equipped with single spinner wheels, a telescopic wheel handle that locks into multiple heights, and top and side grab handles. There aren’t any locks on the suitcases, which is a shame.

All of the Maxlite suitcases are made from polyester that has a coating to protect them from water and stains. Additionally, the bags all have aluminum wheel handles, which are not just super lightweight, but also exceptionally durable.

The Maxlite 5 suitcases both feature a single packing compartment with internal tie-down straps and expandable capacity. There’s a small zippered pocket inside the main packing compartment, as well as a big pocket on the cover flap. And the luggage has a pretty large pocket on the front panel, so you’ll be able to keep certain items easily accessible at all times.

There are actually a few different sets you can choose from, all of which include a 21” carry on bag. The two-piece sets differ in the size of the other suitcase – it’s either a 24” or a 29” bag – while the three-piece set includes both the medium and the large checked suitcases.

The carry-on suitcase is very lightweight at just 5.4 lbs, while the largest suitcase weighs about 8.5 lbs. That’s a pretty great weight for these bags, but honestly, I didn’t expect anything less from Travelpro’s Maxlite collection!

Jetstream Hardside Luggage Set 

The Jetstream luggage set is a great option if you want an affordable luggage set. It includes two suitcases – an 18” carry-on and a 26” checked bag. Both suitcases are made from ABS, a material that has excellent scratch resistance, but not the best impact resistance.

ABS is generally not as tough or durable as polycarbonate, but it is much cheaper. This is why this set of two suitcases retails for only about $100, making it one of the most affordable lightweight luggage sets you can get your hands on.

The Jetstream suitcases are both equipped with single spinner wheels and a telescopic wheel handle that locks into an extended position. Their interior is divided into two packing compartments, one of which features a zippered divider, while the other has elastic cross straps and a small zippered pocket.

You don’t get any pockets on the full panel divider, which is a shame. It’s also important to note that you can’t expand the capacity of this luggage, so you will need to be careful when packing. And there are no locks on the bags, which is mostly going to be an issue with the larger checked suitcase.

But, keep in mind that those ‘downsides’ are just standard for affordable luggage. You can’t get a premium suitcase with all the best features for some $50 – these are compromises you have to make if you want to get a set that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Plus, if you’re not looking to get luggage for air travel, then the downsides won’t even affect you that much.

Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Expandable Luggage

The Winfield 2 set by Samsonite is one of the most popular luggage sets out there. And the suitcases just happen to be really lightweight for hardshells, so it’s definitely a set I had to include in this review!

There are actually three of these sets to choose from – one is a three-piece set, and the others are two-piece sets that feature a carry-on and a medium or large checked bag. The lightest bag is the 20” carry-on, which weighs 6.7 lbs.

Although that’s not as lightweight as some of the other luggage featured in this review, it’s still a really good weight for a hardside suitcase. I consider everything under 7-8 lbs very lightweight since there aren’t a lot of bags in that range.

The main reason these bags are so lightweight is the polycarbonate construction of the shell. The flexible plastic is not only incredibly tough and durable, but it is also one of the lightest materials for hardside suitcases.

The Winfield 2 bags all feature single spinner wheels, TSA-friendly locks, and retractable wheel handles. There are also some pockets inside these suitcases, allowing for easy organization when packing. Additionally, the 24” and 28” suitcases also have the expandable capacity – a feature you don’t get on the smallest bag. All of the other features are exactly the same on all three bags.

One thing you should know is that Samsonite came out with a thoroughly redesigned Winfield collection, but it’s nowhere near as popular as this one. The release of the newer bags actually made the Winfield 2 suitcases cheaper, which only made them more popular.

And if you are looking for lightweight luggage sets that are durable, tough, and have all the features you expect from premium luggage, the Winfield 2 set is easily one of the top options for you.

DELSEY Paris Comete 2.0 Hardside Expandable Luggage

Delsey Paris luggage is very popular among frequent flyers. Their suitcases are usually very good quality, as they’re mostly made from premium materials. In fact, this is the brand behind one of my all-time favorite bags – the hardside suitcase that has an external laptop compartment!

But that’s not the luggage I’ll be talking about here – in this review we’re focusing on the Comete bags, which is one of the brand’s lightest luggage sets you can get.

The carry-on weighs just 6.3 lbs, while the 28” checked suitcase weighs 10 lbs – not a bag for hardside luggage that is packed with features. The bags have double spinner wheels, expandable capacity and a retractable wheel handle that you can lock into both stored and expanded positions.

On top of that, this luggage is made from a mixture of ABS and polycarbonate, which is pretty good. You get the best of both worlds, which means the toughness and flexibility of PC, but also the scratch resistance and affordability of ABS plastic.

And if you’re looking for the best value, I think the two-piece set is the best option for you. It retails for under $150, which is pretty amazing considering that the 28” suitcase alone costs around $140!

The interior of this lightweight luggage features two packing compartments. One is equipped with a zippered divider and the other one has elastic cross straps to keep your belongings in place. Unfortunately, neither one has a pocket inside – if you were hoping for great organizational features, I’m afraid these aren’t the suitcases for you.

Another downside of these bags is that they don’t have any locks, which is particularly going to be an issue with the larger checked suitcases. But if that’s not a deal-breaker, definitely don’t rule out the Delsey Paris Comete luggage just yet!