Tested: The 6 Best Garment Bags for Travel

Traveling with your normal, casual apparel is hard enough. But if you’re jet-setting for business purposes, you likely also need to bring a suit and tie along, which poses an even bigger issue: moving your suit from A to B without wrinkling and/or creasing it. But that’s exactly what garment bags are for. If you really care about your formal wear, you might want to invest in a dedicated, purpose-built vessel for transporting it. Below, you can find our favorite garment bags after testing the best ones on the market.

How We Tested

There are a lot of options out there for garment bags. And if you’ve purchased a luggage set, it’s pretty likely that you’ve got one. However, not all of them are created equal. These units can range from the affordable (~$100) to the luxurious (~$2,500). We’ve aimed to explore options at both ends of the spectrum and everywhere in between, as well as tackle what warrants this price range.

To create our shortlist for testing, we really explored this space to figure out which brands were most respected and why. We also looked at some of the lesser-known boutique or heritage offerings from smaller companies you may not be familiar with, looking at materials, construction process, aesthetic, and features. From there, we sourced our units for testing and got hands-on with each garment bag, looking at how well they felt and operated, along with how they looked in person. Our findings and more are detailed below.

What to Look For

Closure: The format of your garment bag will likely determine both how well it keeps your clothes wrinkle-free and how compact it is. However, this is always a compromise, as the two factors are opposing. Some garment bags roll up, making them very compact but increasing the risk of wrinkles. Others offer a more gentle half-fold, but take up more space than their rolling counterparts. You’ll have to decide which is more important to you: fewer wrinkles or better packability.

Exterior Material: You’re probably unlikely to find yourself in a thunderstorm in your travels, but it’s still a good idea to consider the possibility. That means you should pay attention to the external material of your garment bag. Many nowadays are made with coated fabrics that help repel water — keeping your suit safer than it might otherwise be. The tradeoff here is that more weatherproof and durable fabrics tend to be more expensive, so you’ll have to weight the options against your budget.

Interior Lining: Typically, this is not an important consideration, as most every garment bag on the market has a soft liner that’s easy on your delicate apparel. Still, it’s important to be aware of the liner material and how it might affect your travels and your garments. As you might expect, the softer the material, the better it likely is for your suit(s).

Carry Handles: Much like the closure style, the way you carry your garment bag is a fairly big factor to consider. Some offer little more than a pair of suitcase handles, while others might offer wheels and telescoping handles or even backpack straps. If you’re carrying multiple bags through the airport, one of the latter options might be the best. But if you’re only hauling the garment bag, then suitcase handles will work just fine.

Extraneous Details: First and foremost, your garment bag should be a suit-hauler. But they often offer a bit more than can make them all the more enticing for travel. In some cases, they have a couple of extra pockets for accessories and/or other gear. Others are more comprehensive in how much they can carry. It all depends on your individual needs. Just be aware of all these factors when making your considerations.

Halfday Travel The Garment Duffel 45L

Best Budget Garment Bag: Just because you own nice suits doesn’t mean that those suits cost you an exorbitant amount of money. To go along with your budget three-piece is this The Garment Duffel from Halfday Travel, a large-sized 45-liter option made from a water-resistant 420D woven polyester exterior and water-resistant taslan interior. Weighing just 2.3lbs, this two-in-one bag fits a suit in the outer layer like a regular garment bag but then structures itself so you can load five days’ worth of clothing inside like a duffel bag. Currently available in nine different colors, it also comes in at under $100!

The Good

From premium, durable materials to an innovative design that brings a ton of versatility, The Garment Duffel from Halfday is a fantastic budget bag. In fact, I honestly couldn’t figure out why the price tag was so low. In my short time using it, I had essentially no real unexpected complaints. Looks-wise, the Halfday is a classy carry-on with handsome styling and texturing. Plus, I’m a fan of the brand’s attractive logo, which is front and center here.

I’d be lying if I said the zipper design didn’t boggle my mind, and I’m glad I wasn’t the one in charge of figuring out the specific mechanics of such a spiraling setup. I thought it would be difficult to get my suit removed when zipped up as a duffel but this wasn’t a problem. Though I supposed if you had heavier items inside, it could be. Oh yeah, there’s also a pair of shoe sleeves, which easily held my size 12.5 dress shoes, so that’s a definite plus.

Even though I tested this bag in the summertime, it makes a solid winter-spring option with its water-resistant materials. Although, it’s important to note that the zippers don’t claim to be water-resistant.

The Not So Good

If I had to quibble, I’d say The Garment Duffel is a little too easy to unzip. Meaning, it’s intended to retain some structure for doubling as a duffel bag. And since this thing can unfold all the way, that could pose an issue if you only planned on taking out 1 or 2 items without unraveling and spilling its entire contents. However, if you’re just a little bit careful, you shouldn’t have any real issues here.

Also, while pretty durable, the handles on top weren’t the most comfortable to carry, even when wrapped. Likewise, the Velcro wrap was a bit rigid and didn’t feel great in my hand

Verdict: A garment bag with duffel bag versatility, The Garment Duffel from Halfday Travel is a superb bag with a unique design. And if you consider its durable materials and handsome appearance, you’d be shocked to find out that it’s one of the most affordable options out there. We had small complaints about the comfort of the top handles and the zipper, which was too easy to open accidentally, but all systems go for this garment bag.

Henty Wingman Commuter Suit Bag

Best for Commuting: Most garment bags out there are decent for travel but are cumbersome and difficult to manage for just about any other kind of commuting. By contrast, it seems like the Henty Wingman Commuter Suit Bag was made to be good on any kind of transport. With backpack straps, it’s easy to haul around from cab to train to plane and back again, but it still features a roll-style closure that will help keep your suit wrinkle-free. It’s also water-resistant and even has a dedicated laptop sleeve — making it great for bike commuting to and from work in the city, as well.

The Good

If you need to commute with a suit, whether by bike or train, there’s really no better option than the Henty Wingman. The structurally sound bag rolls and unrolls with ease, but the suit itself is hidden inside an accessible zippered pouch with a hanger hole up top. Aside from the laptop sleeve, this bag also comes with plenty of exterior pockets of different sizes. It can also be hung up when unfolded, making these gear pockets even more accessible. There was also a supplementary waterproof duffel that you could use for any extras, like underwear and socks. This can be attached to the Wingman if you so choose.

As a backpack, the Henty is highly comfortable and supportive, with easy-to-adjust straps for the sternum and waist. Even though the bag is water-resistant, it comes with a hi-vis orange poncho that expands to go over the top of the rolled-up pack. While I didn’t use it, there’s also a removable shoulder strap for a more casual carrying option.

The Not So Good

The dedicated laptop sleeve is a really nice touch here but not the most practical when it comes to execution. It adds a stiffness to the back of the bag that messes with its comfortability. I should also point out that this bag is quite heavy, even when empty. Luckily, it’s not designed to store a lot of gear, so there won’t be much added to that weight.

Also, I would’ve liked some sort of clip at the bottom of the garment compartment to prevent my suit from falling down. After all, this is designed to be held sideways. Every time I unzipped the bag, my suit wasn’t exactly how I left it.

Verdict: If you’re going to be doing any commuting with a suit, there won’t be a better option than the Henty Wingman, which can be worn as a comfortable backpack that includes tons of extras like a laptop sleeve, a rain poncho, and several gear pouches. Admittedly, the bag is heavy but you also won’t be putting a ton of gear inside. Also, we may have liked some clothing clips for the bottom of the garment compartment but that’s just a minor complaint for a really superb bag.

Samsonite Armage II Wheeled Garment Bag

Best Wheeled: While most garment bags come as handled options meant to be carried, Samsonite has an impressive wheeled suitcase intended for protecting your finest suits. Building off of the brand’s status as a mainstay in the luggage industry, the Armage II looks like a standard carry-on bag from the outside but inside is purpose-built to keep your garments neat and tidy. Not only does this bag offer enough space for your suit and all the necessary accessories like two pairs of shoes and even some toiletries, but it also features Samsonite’s Tru-Trac GT wheels, sturdy YKK zippers, and a telescoping handle for convenient hauling through the airport, train station, or even city streets. And yes, it’s compact enough that you could bring it into the airplane cabin with you when you travel. Also, this is backed by Samsonite’s 10-year limited warranty.

The Good

In terms of pure capability, the Samsonite Armage II is the best we tested. Not only can it hold several suits if you really want it to (there’s no official capacity but we got 3 inside no problem) but it also acts as a two-sided hanging closet. The left side features a pair of “structured” mesh zippered pockets at eye level, which you can use for rolled ties or handkerchiefs –– things you don’t want to get smashed. I particularly loved the water-resistant zippered pocket on the right side of the bag, which stands about 4″ high and is transparent enough for you to see what you’re grabbing inside.

There are several more zippered pockets on this side of the bag, both mesh and opaque. And if that’s not enough, there’s a sizeable exterior pocket for books, papers, or even an iPad to easily access in flight so you don’t need a second carry-on for these things.

I’m admittedly not super familiar with all of Samsonite’s range but the rolling handle has to be one of the most comfortable I’ve ever used in my hand with its plush padded grip and easy adjustment button. Meanwhile, the wheels are fine but I didn’t notice anything superb to write home about; they were perfectly serviceable.

The Not So Good

For a piece of rolling luggage, the Armage II is rather wide, although 22″ across is pretty standard for a garment bag. I just felt like I was going to trip people as I walked past them. Keep in mind as well, this bag is pretty darn heavy at nearly 11lbs, and that’s when it’s empty!

It’s also important to note that the dedicated shoe pockets at the bottom of the bag are rather small. The site’s picture shows a pair of heels in each pouch but realistically men are going to use garment bags just as often as women. I couldn’t fit my own size 12.5 shoes in these pockets so I wrapped them in a separate shoe bag I have and put them behind the divider on this side of the garment bag, which worked just fine (as long as you’re only traveling with one or two suits).

Verdict: Extremely capable, Samsonite’s Armage II is a carry-on sized garment bag with tons of pockets and compartments, as well as enough room for several of your suits. We loved the dedicated water-resistant wet pocket for toiletries, the structured necktie pockets, and the exterior compartment for any non-garment items for accessing in-flight. Admittedly, the bag is heavy at nearly 11lbs and the shoe pockets will be small for most men’s shoes, but this is a quality bag that does a whole lot that others don’t do.

Satchel & Page Garment Bag

Best Traditional Garment Bag: If you’re looking for a more traditionally-styled garment bag, you could do far worse than this selection from Satchel & Page. Not only is this bag drop-dead gorgeous, but its British waxed canvas and Italian leather exterior is also durable and tough enough that this could end up becoming an heirloom piece you pass on to your children. Of course, it also still has everything you’d expect out of a solid garment bag — like a 600D waterproof nylon lining, organizational pockets, a complete-access opening main compartment, and adjustable leather shoulder straps. The bag also comes with a lifetime warranty from the brand, which is awesome.

The Good

If you’re looking to spend around $500 on a garment bag, you won’t be disappointed with this pick from Satchel & Page. The obvious selling point here is its appearance, with arguably the most handsome exterior on this list, making good use of its leather and waxed canvas shell. The latter isn’t too “slimy” like some waxed canvas products have a tendency to be, nor does it smell waxy, while the leather expresses a beautiful leather aroma that’s among the best I’ve ever experienced. And that’s not to mention the brass hardware that looks like it was actually sourced from antique luggage.

If the outside has a timeless aesthetic that’s worthy of passing down to your children, the interior is all business, with plenty of storage pockets that can be easily accesses when you hang this bag up. The nylon lining feels robust and highly sturdy –– arguably the most so of the units I tested. The shoe pockets were large enough to house one of my size 12.5 shoes each, plus each pocket has a reliable zipper closure.

The Not So Good

The biggest drawback of the Satchel & Page Garment Bag is its availability. At any given moment, the brand’s website will say that the bag is “Out of Stock.” The good news is that it frequently comes back into stock (this back-and-forth happened a couple of times during our sourcing and testing process). Also, many will note that the entryway for the suit compartment is a bit tight, making it a bit challenging to place the outfit inside with ease. However, this isn’t a deal breaker. The bag is also a bit heavy, so keep that in mind as well.

Verdict: Premium in every sense of the word, the Satchel & Page Garment Bag is one of our favorites for how beautiful it looks on the outside while being a total workhorse on the inside –– with top-notch construction for both. Availability will be hit or miss here but keep an eye out on the brand’s website. Also, while the bag is somewhat heavy and the suit entryway can be tight, these aren’t deal breakers for one of the finest garment bags in the game.

Shinola The Convertible Traveler Garment Bag

Best Duffel: Alongside their stupendous watches and vintage Americana-inspired gear, Shinola also makes a wide variety of excellent luggage for travel. As such, it should come as no surprise that they’ve built a spectacular garment bag. Balancing form and function, this three-in-one unit features a folding garment bag snapped against a duffel bag, with both able to be used separately as well. Constructed with canvas and Italian Vachetta leather, either bag can be attached to the removable shoulder strap and is closed up with a brass zipper.

The Good

The Convertible Traveler from Shinola is a unique piece in that it houses a duffel bag and garment bag in one unit, but keeps them segmented in the best way possible. Utilizing heavy-duty snap buttons to attach to garment bag to the duffel, the brand eliminates any ambiguity by making the access point for the duffel a zipper instead. I was never confused when it came to which compartment I was trying to access. Inside the spacious duffel is a sturdy shoe bag and attachable shoulder strap to make this easier to carry. The main hook of this product is that you can use the duffel and garment bag together or separate them entirely. I tried using both of them individually, and had no issues. I especially loved the soft handles on the duffel.

I also loved how the bottom of the suit compartment eliminates the need for clips or harnesses, which could wrinkle the material, in favor of a pinching function that uses the bag’s own weight to keep the suits in place. And I will say, this worked like a charm.

The Not So Good

If you’re looking for extra features inside the garment bag itself, you might be disappointed here. There is only one small pocket at the top. On the other hand, the duffel has some smaller pouches and even a windowed slot for a name tag or business card.

Like most of these high-end garment bags, the Shinola bag is quite heavy. But at least you can shed weight with its different usage options. My biggest complaint is the amount of time it took to pop those snap buttons back on to attach the garment bag back to the duffel. One time I was a single button off and had to start over. Lastly, this bag is a bit pricey for what you get. Sure, it’s unique, but the price tag also feels superfluous.

Verdict: A three-in-one option for those who want some flexibility in their lives, The Convertible Traveler by Shinola is both a duffel and a garment bag, with distinct opening mechanisms (a zipper or snap buttons, respectively) and heavy-duty materials to keep the contents protected. We loved the inherent suit “pinching” feature that used the bag’s own weight to keep garments in place, as well as the spacious duffel bag. On the other hand, it took some time when it came to attaching the two units back together.

Ghurka Packet No. 83 Garment Bag

Best High-End: Far and away the priciest bag on our list, Ghurka’s Packet No. 83 Garment Bag might also be the most beautiful and finest-made on the planet. Crafted in its entirety from top-grain leather, it features a convertible hanging system to meet all your needs (with an included hanger), can fit up to three suits at a time, has a heavy-duty brass zipper, comes with an adjustable shoulder strap, and even comes with its own luggage tag. It’s an investment, to be sure, but this is the kind of bag that will be in your family for generations, so long as you take good care of it. If you want to personalize your bag, the company allows you to customize and monogram your bag as well.

The Good

If you want class, look no further than this Ghurka garment bag, which has a jaw-dropping exterior that felt like a privilege to hold in my hand. The chestnut leather shell isn’t just sturdy (and pleasant smelling) but its stitching is so meticulous, with integrated design via needlepoint as well as subtle embossing. Unlike the Satchel & Page, which boasted a marvelous exterior with a rugged interior, the inside of this bag matches its outside, and without losing any ruggedness in the process. Unzip this part to reveal the handsome cotton twill lining.

One small detail I really dug was the dual-fastening hanger loophole, which allows you to remove your suit without having to lower the hanger into the compartment and risk wrinkling your outfit. Like the Shinola above, the lower portion of this bag features a band that pinches your suits at the bottom without the need for extra clamps.

In terms of function, this bag is superb as well, albeit simple and straightforward in a good way; there’s just the right amount of extra pockets and compartments. Likewise, the zipper construction on this bag happens to be the breeziest to use without being too loose. The brass zipper never got stuck despite the curves of the bag. Aside from being able to hold three suits, which is around the most on this guide, the No. 83 also has a large front pocket and some

The Not So Good

With the meticulous design methods used by Ghurka and the steep price tag, it’s hard to imagine that anything would need to be changed with this garment bag… aside from the price tag itself. Admittedly, $2,500 is a lot of money for a mere garment bag but if class is what you’re after, you’ll be willing to pay the cost.

Verdict: Steeply priced at nearly $2,500, the Ghurka No. 83 Garment Bag is at the top of its class for a reason with beautiful design points and strategically integrated stitching. Inside holds a trio of suits, along with some extras thanks to its external pockets. We loved the smooth zipper action of the brass hardware as well as the clever hanger removal system.

Garment Bags Comparison Chart

Garment Bag	Size	Materials	Suit Capacity
Halfday Travel The Garment Duffel 45L	22″ x 12″ x 12″	Water-resistant 420D woven polyester	1 + other clothing and shoes
Henty Wingman Commuter Suit Bag	9″ x 11″ x 22″	Water-resistant polyester	1
Samsonite Armage II Wheeled Garment Bag	10″ x 17.5″ x 22″	Recyclex polyester	3+
Satchel & Page Garment Bag	20″ x 22″ x 2.5″	Waxed canvas and Italian leather exterior with 600D waterproof nylon lining	2
Shinola The Convertible Traveler Garment Bag	14″ x 22.75″ x 10″	Canvas and Italian Vachetta leather	2
Ghurka Packet No. 83 Garment Bag	23″ x 18″	Leather with cotton twill lining	3

What Is A Garment Bag?

Most suitcases, backpacks, and duffel bags do a pretty good job of hauling gear to and from various destinations. However, they were not made for transporting suits. Typically made of high-end fabrics, suits are actually a bit more delicate than most other menswear and, as a result, are prone to wrinkling and creasing. Garment bags, however, were made specifically to minimize that possibility. Their format is well-suited to suits, no pun intended, by offering the ability to store them without folding them in a way that might crease or wrinkle them. Even still, some are better than others.

Types of Garment Bags

Folding: Like a bi- or tri-fold wallet, folding garment bags will have creases or perforations where you’re supposed to fold them. These are the most common type of garment bags.

Rolling: As opposed to folding bags, rolling bags are intended to literally roll up your suit, not dissimilar to a sleeping bag. These will be much thicker but also won’t crease your suit as easily.

2-in-1: Exactly what it sounds like, a 2-in-1 garment bag is good at being folding or rolling bags, and can serve both purposes.

Packable: Unlike other options that are meant to stand on their own, packable bags are intended to fit inside your suitcase for travel. It should also be noted that many folding options can be packable as well.

Honorable Mentions

Away makes some of our favorite suitcases and also has a classy yet straightforward garment bag option, with a fair price to boot. We couldn’t get hands-on with this bag but still wanted to mention it.

Like Away, TUMI is a force to be reckoned with in the luggage world. As such, it makes a solid wheeled garment bag option as well, with a quartet of omnidirectional wheels. However, we opted for the Samsonite above for all that it can do.

While it won’t look as good as some of the others I found, Eagle Creek makes a super cheap option in their Pack-It Specter Medium Garment Bag.

Briggs & Riley also makes a classy-looking bag in their Baseline, but not quite on the same level as a couple of the ones we included above.

Mark & Graham’s Commuter 2-in-1 Garment Bag looks more like a duffel bag than a garment bag, despite the name. Nevertheless, the Shinola above is a better “duffel” option even if it is a bit pricier.