Whether you’re headed to San Diego for a work conference or to Boston for your best friend’s wedding, when traveling with formal attire such as suits and gowns, you want to opt for a garment bag. A travel staple decades ago, garment bags have waned in popularity in recent years, but they’re making a comeback for one big reason — they work!
Available in a slew of sizes, styles and price points, all good travel garment bags should keep your clothes flat, clean and wrinkle-free — rather than, say, folded tightly in a compression packing cube. And most airlines consider garment storage bags a carry-on item, thus saving you the hassle and cost of checking a bag. But the real upside is that upon arriving at your final destination, your wardrobe will be crease-free and ready to go — and not desperately in need of ironing.
We’ve rounded up some of the most highly rated garment bags on the market, from traditional carry-on varieties to duffels and rolling options.
Carry-on garment bags
Traditional in its tri-fold design, this garment bag from Calpak is diminutive enough to fit into your luggage but durable enough to travel on its own, too. Made from water-resistant ripstop nylon, the Compakt is chock full of interior and exterior pockets and comes in light pink, walnut, black, orchid, daisy and leopard prints.
Speaking of style, this garment bag from MZ Wallace has loads of it. Awash in the brand’s signature quilted texture, the bag has a sleek silhouette with one main compartment, one exterior compartment and a zip-top closure.
One of Amazon’s best-selling garment bags, the Zegur is a favorite because it’s packed with pockets galore (zippered, mesh and Velcro), shoe slots, three clothing tie-downs and even a luggage strap for easy transport on your rolling suitcase. We also love the big front pocket that has tons of space for your business cards, pens, notepads and snacks. Our favorite detail, however, is the price. At just $60, you can add this travel essential to your must-bring list.
Amazon knows a thing or two about making quality, affordable products, and never is that more apparent than with its garment bag for travel. Clocking in at just $40, this bag is a workhorse with more than 3,000 positive reviews. Top details include two clothing tie-down buckles, multiple mesh pockets and a big ol’ organization pocket on the exterior for handy access to headphones, pens and more.
Garment duffel bags
Boasting more than 7,000 positive reviews and a 4.5-star rating, this garment duffel is beloved on Amazon because of its smart design, plentiful pockets and small size when zipped into its duffel format. Made from water-resistant, rip-proof nylon, the bag also has a detachable strap and comes in six colors and patterns. Oh, and we’re not mad at that price tag of just more than $40 when it's on sale, either!
Rolling garment bags
Rolling garment bags are a thing, people, and we’re on board with this concept! Taking the heavy lifting off our shoulders, this option from Travel Select has more than 14,000 positive Amazon reviews, and for good reason. It offers the space of a traditional rolling suitcase, but with the internal design of a garment bag — the piece is the ultimate twofer. It comes loaded with zippered pockets, clothing tie straps, a sturdy center hook for hangers and durable inline skate wheels for easy maneuvering.
This sleek rolling garment bag from luggage maker Delsey is packed with interior organization bells and whistles like foamed bars, corner pockets and shoe pockets. The roomy bag has a built-in hook for hanging over a door or on a rod and an extender panel that can accommodate longer hanging items.
You’re going to pay a premium for a Briggs & Riley piece, but trust us, the premium is worth it. Made from a ballistic nylon fabric that is water- and abrasion-proof, the garment roller can accommodate several suits and it has myriad internal pockets for shoes, ties and all your other must-haves and an organizational front pocket for keeping your keys, phone and more handy. Want a bigger, checked option? Briggs & Riley has you covered with the Large Spinner.
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