The Long-Haul Edit: Packing a Checked Case for Two Weeks Abroad

Two weeks away asks more of a suitcase than any weekend ever will. There are more climates to dress for, more evenings to plan around, and more transfers between airport, hotel and train. The good news is that a long trip packs much more easily once you have decided what kind of case suits the way you travel.

This is the approach we come back to again and again: choose the size honestly, build the case in layers, and keep everything irreplaceable with you in the cabin.

Start with size, not with clothes

Most packing problems come from a case that is the wrong size. If it is too small you end up sitting on the lid. If it is too large, everything slides around and the bag gets heavy long before it is full. For two weeks, think about how often you will be able to do laundry and how many formal evenings you have, then choose a size to match.

For many travelers a medium case is the sweet spot. The TUMI 19 Degree Short Trip offers 67–80 L in a polycarbonate shell with an integrated TSA lock. The Briggs & Riley ZDX Medium Expandable Spinner gives you 78.7–94.8 L in woven nylon, with zip-around expansion when the return journey brings home more than you packed. If you prefer a softer, structured case, the Briggs & Riley Sympatico Medium sits in the same range at 87–104 L.

There is also a size in between. Briggs & Riley's Compact 24" Checked Expandable Spinner (64.9–79.6 L) was made for travelers who find a carry-on too small but a full checked bag too much.

“If you've ever wished for something between a carry-on and a large checked suitcase, I think you'll enjoy taking a closer look at this one.”

Demian Wendrow, owner, on the Briggs & Riley 24"

For longer trips, more layers or a family packing together, step up to an extended size. The TUMI 19 Degree Extended Trip expands from 99 to 117 L. The Briggs & Riley Baseline Large Expandable Spinner reaches 100–122 L, and its exterior Outsider® handle keeps the inside flat and ridge-free.

• 
  TUMI19 Degree Short Trip Expandable 4 Wheeled Packing Case$950
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  Briggs & RileyCompact 24" Checked Expandable Spinner$799
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  Briggs & RileyZDX Medium Expandable Spinner$679
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  TUMI19 Degree Extended Trip Expandable 4 Wheeled Packing Case$1,050

Hardside, softside, or both

Hardside cases protect fragile things well and wipe clean easily. The TUMI 19 Degree Lite Short Trip is a lighter option, weighing 9.2 lb with 65 L of space and protective corner bumpers. Softside ballistic nylon has more give and usually adds outside pockets for the things you want to reach mid-journey.

The TUMI Alpha Large Dual Access and the Alpha X-Large Dual Access (126 L) open in two ways and have a front U-zip pocket and two-stage expansion. These are useful when you need to get at one thing without unpacking everything.

TUMI's Voyageur collection is gentler in feel. The Voyageur Léger Short Trip (81–96 L) and Extended Trip (116–130 L) let you open them by the front lid or as a split case, and both come with security zippers.

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  TUMI19 Degree Lite Short Trip Packing Case$995
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  TUMIAlpha Large Dual Access Expandable Checked$1,295
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  TUMIVoyageur Leger Short Trip Expandable Pack Case$950
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  TUMIAlpha X-Large Dual Access Expandable Checked$1,395

Pack in layers, heaviest at the wheels

Packing goes faster when you follow the same order every time.

• Shoes and dense items go first, at the wheel end. Stand the case upright before you begin. Weight near the wheels keeps a spinner steady, and shoes in their own bags keep soles away from clothing.
• Roll knits and casual clothes; fold tailoring. Rolled T-shirts and sweaters fill the gaps between shoes. Shirts, trousers and dresses lie flat on top, interleaved so the folds stay soft.
• Keep a "first night" layer on top. Sleepwear, a change of clothes and your toiletry kit should be the last things in. Then you can open the case at a late check-in without unpacking it all.
• Leave space for the way home. Pack to about four-fifths full, so expansion is a choice and not a necessity on day one.

If you would rather pack less structurally, a duffel works well. The TUMI Alpha Large 2-Wheeled Duffel opens as a split case and has a built-in TSA combination lock. The Briggs & Riley ZDX Medium Upright Duffel holds 90.3 liters and has a drop pocket that expands 1.5". For ski trips, family gear or anything rugged, Eagle Creek's Cargo Haulers are simple workhorses. The 60L and 90L fold into their own end compartment when not in use. The 130L Wheeled Duffel adds wheels and heavy-duty compression straps.

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  TUMIAlpha Large 2-Wheeled Duffel$1,195
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  Briggs & RileyZDX Medium Upright Duffel$729
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  Eagle CreekCargo Hauler 90L Duffel Bag$189
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  Eagle CreekCargo Hauler 130L Wheeled Duffel Bag$249

The toiletry question

A good toiletry kit is the difference between unpacking in two minutes and hunting through the case for a toothbrush. On a long trip the kit lives in your checked bag, so it can hold full-size bottles. That means anything that might leak should be well sealed.

The TUMI Alpha Hanging Travel Kit has a water-resistant side zip pocket and hangs from a hook, which helps in small hotel bathrooms with little counter space. The Alpha Split Travel Kit is more compact and has a snap handle so it can hang too.

The small things matter as well. The Kusshi Travel Hair Tool Case is heat resistant up to 380°F, so a straightener or curling iron can go straight in after use, and it unfolds into a cooling mat. Casamera's Scrubber Pack is made from walnut shell and konjac root, starts hard and softens when wet. It is more pleasant to pack than a damp washcloth.

Jewelry deserves its own home. The Kusshi Medium Travel Jewelry Organizer folds in three and has protected sections for rings, earrings and necklaces. For everything else, such as chargers, cosmetics or a spare pair of socks, MZ Wallace's Large Zoey Zip Pouch has six interior pockets in water-repellent recycled nylon. It also comes in Navy and Magnet, so you can color-code by person or by purpose.

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  TUMIAlpha Hanging Travel Kit$195
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  TUMIAlpha Split Travel Kit$150
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  KusshiTravel Hair Tool Case$59
• 
  KusshiMedium Travel Jewelry Organizer$49
• 
  CasameraThe Scrubber Pack by Casamera$30
• 
  MZ WallaceLarge Zoey Zip Pouch in Navy$95

What never goes in the checked bag

However well you pack, a checked case can be delayed. Keep the following with you:

• Passport, travel documents and any medication, plus copies of prescriptions.
• Spare lithium batteries and power banks. Airlines and the FAA require these in carry-on baggage, not in checked luggage.
• Valuables and anything irreplaceable: jewelry you love, a camera, keys to the house.
• One change of clothes, so a lost-bag day is only an inconvenience.

A slim tracker in the checked case is cheap peace of mind. Our guide to organizing the small things covers our favorite.

A note on care

Good luggage lasts for years, and a little attention keeps it rolling. Wipe hard shells with a soft damp cloth. Brush ballistic nylon and let it air-dry. Store cases empty with the expansion zipped closed.

It also pays to know your warranty. TUMI's checked cases carry a limited 5-year global warranty. Briggs & Riley's Simple as that® lifetime guarantee covers repairs even when the damage was caused by an airline.

When you are ready to choose, there is no substitute for rolling a few cases across the floor and filling them with your imagination. That is the part of the decision that is hard to make online.