Best Luggage for Business Travelers

If packing effectively is an art, then luggage is the canvas. Luggage can make or break a business traveler's experience. A traveler often opts to carry it with them up to hundreds of miles per year. For some, schlepping a carry-on through the airport beats wasting valuable time waiting at the ticket counter and at baggage claim.

Tom Nelson, president of luggage retailer Colorado Bag'n Baggage, says the chain's customers seek lightweight bags that won't break en route, have plenty of packing capacity and organizational compartments, and fit easily into overhead bins. "[Luggage] has to be comfortable, durable and maneuverable," adds packing expert Susan Foster, creator of SmartPacking.com.

Toughness is important for full-size suitcases that might be thrown around and exposed to the elements when checked, Foster says. Hard-side polycarbonate and ballistic nylon are a couple of popular, durable materials.

Because luggage designs constantly improve and airline bag-size regulations continuously change, reevaluate the practicality and longevity of your luggage every few years, Foster says. Shop in person at a luggage specialty store, and seek out the most knowledgeable salespeople.

"If you can't afford the lines that that store sells, at least you'll have the background [on what makes good luggage]. There's a lot of things you can learn," she says. Then search online for the best prices.

Here are our picks for the best luggage for business travelers: