Keep your cargo safe and secure without exterior zippers.
Alesandra Dubin is an LA-based lifestyle writer and editor. As a veteran digital journalist, she's covered travel, food, parenting, and more for over 15 years. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy, and countless other online and print outlets. An avid traveler, she often trots the globe with her husband and their twins. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter at @alicedubin. Alesandra holds a master's degree in journalism with an emphasis on cultural reporting and criticism from NYU, and a bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley. Side Gusset Bag
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External zippers are convenient and common — but they can break. They can also be an easy target for thieves who want to break in. If you’re traveling with serious valuables or just generally want to avoid zippers for a different aesthetic, go for a luggage piece that secures with latches instead.
You’ll find most suitcases on the market are outfitted with zippers, but top-quality zipperless cases are out there at all price points. Most typically, they feature aluminum or polycarbonate hardside shells for rugged protection. Our list includes a range of varied options in carry-on and checked sizes, including some we personally tested in our Travel + Leisure lab, where we recreated an airplane set to lift the smaller sizes into carry-on bins, hit latches with baseball bats, dropped the bags off tables to test durability, and rolled suitcases through obstacles to test maneuverability. Find the zipperless luggage that suits you best, below.
This excellent all-around luggage pick is ultra-light, plus it has rubber frame gasket seams and a three-point locking system to keep your cargo safe and secure.
Inventory may be limited in some color and size combinations.
Our top all-around pick comes in the form of the S’Cure Spinner from the luggage stalwart Samsonite. This sturdy suitcase is equipped with rubber frame gasket seams to keep dirt and moisture far away from your precious cargo. And it further helps protect your goods with a three-point locking system (plus a TSA lock). There’s also a customizable integrated ID tag at the back of the suitcase, and interior straps and zippers to keep your items from shifting in transit. A double-rodded telescoping handle as well as a side handle make this piece easy to carry, and high-quality double wheels glide smoothly over terrains of all types.
Also, notably, this collection of luggage is super light thanks to Flowlite material, which stays strong even in ultrathin strips. And it has a full-zip divider pad in the interior top compartment to keep packing super organized and tidy.
The Details: 20.47 x 12.2 x 29.53 inches | 9.24 pounds | 79-liter capacity
This suitcase is very lightweight for having an aluminum frame, and it comes with a portable charger.
We wish the bag’s grab handle was larger and more flexible to make it easier to pull the bag out of overhead bins.
We tested this bag in our New York City lab and on our airplane set, lifting the carry-on into overhead bins, and it stood out for how lightweight it felt, even with its aluminum frame. We did think that the top grab-handle was a little too close to the bag, making it more difficult than usual to fit our hand in when trying to take the bag out of the overhead bin. However, the zippers, wheels, and handles all worked smoothly, and we were able to maneuver the bag well through our obstacle course full of bystanders like you would find at a real airport. We also love how the suitcase comes with a removable charger, an adapter, a USB-C cable, and a leather name tag.
The Details: 22 x 14 x 9 inches | 8.1 pounds | 40-liter capacity
This 95.1-liter bag is so spacious, and the heavy-duty aluminum shell would protect essentially anything inside.
This suitcase can get heavy quickly if you pack it full since it already weighs 16 pounds on its own.
Since zipperless luggage isn’t expandable, overpackers are going to need ample space, and this checked bag has plenty of room inside. We tested this piece of luggage in our New York City lab, so we can confirm firsthand how spacious it is and how smoothly it rolled over different types of flooring despite its size and weight. The bag does weigh 16 pounds on its own, so you just have to be wary that you may hit your airline’s weight limit quicker than other bags. The exterior is aluminum, so it does dent somewhat easily, but it also will likely protect the contents inside because of how durable it is. We thought the interior felt high-quality as well, with some of the sturdiest dividers we’ve seen. While the price is higher than many other bags on this list, we feel this bag is worth it due to its sleek appearance, large capacity, and overall durability.
The Details: 29 x 20.5 x 12.5 inches | 16 pounds | 95.1-liter capacity
This super-sleek, glazed luggage set comes with one carry-on trunk and one larger checked trunk, both of which held up well during our durability tests.
Although the wheels rolled smoothly on four wheels, they required just a little extra effort on two wheels.
This splurge-worthy set comes with two trunks: one for carrying onto the plane cabin with you and one for checking. The set looks sleek and oh-so-chic with a crush-proof, glazed polycarbonate shell and two latching locks apiece. We tested both pieces of luggage in our New York City lab, and we were pleasantly surprised at how the glossy exterior had no scuffs or scratches after we threw it multiple times off tables and hit it with a metal baseball bat. We also loved how the handles had customizable height options so you could adjust them to any height you want. It was easy to maneuver the trunks through our obstacle course and over different materials like carpet and concrete pavers, although we noticed they rolled more smoothly on four wheels and slowed down just a little bit on two wheels.
The Details: 21.7 x 15 x 8.7 inches (carry-on); 28.25 x 16.5 x 14.5 inches (checked) | 42-liter capacity (carry-on); 95-liter capacity (checked) | 8.4 pounds (carry-on); 13.2 pounds (checked)
This metallic-finish trunk has matching color components, including a telescopic handle and super smooth-rolling wheels.
The finish shows scratches easily.
Though we didn't test this trunk ourselves, take one look and you'll see that it evokes an earlier, more glamorous age of travel — but it also represents a thoroughly modern version of the trunk silhouette. It has a taller frame, with deep central compartments for carrying bulkier cargo. Anodized corner guards and a break-proof polycarbonate shell stay rugged, and the metallic finish looks downright cool with the color-matched components including the handle, ultra-quiet wheels, and two TSA-approved locks. Plus, this gorgeous trunk is guaranteed for life (and you get 100 days to try it out).
The Details: 29.9 x 15.7 x 14.3 inches | 13.2 pounds | 89-liter capacity
Available in four colors, this aluminum case looks almost as much an art piece as a carry-on.
Scratching can quickly compromise the artful appearance of this piece.
This stunning international carry-on bag boasts an undulating exterior in durable aluminum that evokes ocean waves. It features two TSA integrated combination locks that open with the push of a button, plus protective bumpers, and retractable top and side carry handles. Four dual-spinning wheels roll smoothly, and a three-level telescoping handle system operates with a push button. Inside are two mesh zip pockets and a zip divider. Bonus: use the included vintage-inspired destination stickers to make the spinner your own.
The Details: 22 x 14 x 9 inches | 11.2 pounds | 31-liter capacity
This bag is visually appealing, accessibly priced, and made to last.
Only the frame is aluminum; the main body is made of polycarbonate material.
Not only is this smart-looking checked suitcase made of durable polycarbonate with an aluminum frame, but it also has rugged bumper corners on the shell for extra protection. We researched this piece to see that inside is a thoughtfully designed organizational system for tidy packing, with built-in mesh pockets and carrying bags. Gliding 360-degree wheels, a telescoping handle, and two additional handles on the top and side make the bag easy to maneuver, while TSA locks contribute to peace of mind. The bag also comes with a two-year warranty to protect your investment.
The Details: 32 x 21 x 13 inches | 7.5 pounds | 93-liter capacity
This attractive and smooth-rolling suitcase comes with a three-year warranty.
The largest size is pretty heavy, so it may not be ideal for air travel.
Made with polycarbonate and an aluminum frame, this 28-inch suitcase is a durable, zipperless pick at a large, checked size. We researched this pick to see that it opens and closes with a single press of the latches, and it rolls on eight smooth, quiet wheels so you can glide through airports frictionlessly. Aluminum bumper corners should effortlessly take on impacts and abrasions, and the entire surface claims to be scratch-resistant. The interior features interlocking straps, a zippered divider, and two zippered mesh pockets. This luggage also includes a three-year warranty.
The Details: 21.4 x 12.2 x 29.9 inches | 24.9 pounds | 110-liter capacity
This vintage-inspired trunk is gorgeous and also tricked out with smart features.
This large and spacious trunk can be heavy when fully packed, so mind the potential for overweight fees.
This four-wheeled trunk is the largest available from the SteamLine Luggage brand, which is known for its cool, vintage looks. Rather than zippers, the Editor has a flip-lock closure with TSA key locks. The overall look is giving Jungle Cruise in the best way, with a chic palm-print interior completing the nostalgic look. Inside, a hanging organizer with two zippered pockets clips into the sides of the case over your contents, which also has zippered wall pockets and an inside handle system that allows for a flat and balanced packing surface.
The Details: 22 x 14 x 8 inches | 9.3 pounds
This lightweight and budget-friendly luggage piece looks cool and important in shiny aluminum.
This case may not max out your carry-on capacity, so size up if you need more space.
This affordable luggage piece is as cool looking as it is budget-friendly — in fact, it has serious “Very Important Attache” vibes. This spinner luggage is made of lightweight polycarbonate and a rugged aluminum frame with reinforced corners (which means that, despite the reasonable price point, this bag will hold up through pretty much anything, though we haven't tested it ourselves). Although there are no outside zippers, an interior zipper pocket helps keep everything organized while packing. There are even cross-compression straps on the inside to keep your belongings from flying around on the road or in the air.
The Details: 21.5 x 13.6 x 9 inches | 6.94 pounds | 35-liter capacity
This attractive, affordable, and smooth-rolling bag comes in eight colors that stand out on the carousel.
The locks may not last against heavy usage.
This wallet-friendly zipperless luggage solution comes in eight vibrant colors and three sizes: 20, 24, and 28 inches. The corners are all protected with aluminum corner guards, while the entire surface of the luggage is scratch-resistant and built to look brand new even after years of use. It has double TSA locks and a silent rebound handle as well as four multi-directional, friction-resistant swivel wheels for smooth rolling. Inside, zippered mesh compartments, hanging dividers, and a cross ribbon help keep your things organized. This bag also comes with a two-year warranty.
The Details: 15 x 9 x 21.3 inches; 17.3 x 10.2 x 25.1 inches; 19.3 x 11.4 x 29.1 inches | 7.3 pounds; 8.7 pounds; 10.7 pounds | 38 liters; 60 liters; 90 liters
As with any luggage purchase, consider your usage before settling on a size. How much cargo do you need to haul, and do you plan to check it in or carry it on a plane? And if you plan to go carry-on only, check your airline and route’s specific requirements for maximum luggage size.
With zipperless suitcases, all of the organizational features are generally found on the inside. Look for features like zippered or mesh interior pockets, dividers, and even extras like included laundry bags. While the cases on our list are all free from external zippers, many contain internal zippers for the purposes of organization.
Luggage is subject to serious wear and tear on the road, and — especially if you’ve invested at a higher price point — you want to make sure your investment goes the distance. Some luggage comes with warranties against manufacturer defects or other damage. Make sure you read the specifics of the policy to understand its length and limitations.
While many suitcases close with exterior zippers, zipperless luggage pieces instead use one or more latches, which you can typically lock using a code or a key. Some people prefer traveling with this style of luggage because it’s harder for thieves to get into and also less likely to break. It also has a stylistic appeal.
Many zipperless luggage pieces are made of aluminum or have an aluminum frame. Others are made of polycarbonate. Zipperless luggage is typically made with a hardside shell.
Zipperless suitcases are safer than many zippered softside suitcases because they are outfitted with secure latches and rigid, rugged hardside shells, which makes them harder to break into. Thieves can sometimes slash through zippers.
T+L contributor Alesandra Dubin is a career travel and lifestyle writer and product reviewer. She’s also a frequent traveler with plenty of hard-earned packing experience. For this article, she used her personal experience, T+L testing insights, as well as thoughtful research to determine the best zipperless luggage for travelers.
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