Whether you’re headed to Boston for a work conference or San Diego for your best friend’s wedding, when traveling with formal attire like suits and gowns, a garment bag is a must-have addition to your travel gear setup.
A travel staple decades ago, garment bags have waned in popularity in recent years. Nowadays, 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 packing cube. Better yet, most airlines consider garment storage bags a carry-on item, which saves 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
One of Amazon’s bestselling 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.
Perfectly preppy, this vintage-inspired garment bag from Pottery Barn is also about the details. We’re loving the waxed canvas exterior, the vegan leather handles and that satin pinstripe lining. In addition to its main zippered compartment, the bag also has two mesh storage pockets and a button closure.
If you use an Away carry-on or checked bag, this garment bag is a good pick. It clips into your existing Away luggage so you don't have to carry a separate garment bag through the airport. Plus, it has two zippered pockets for jewelry and accessories.
Since launching luggage brand Béis in 2018, actress Shay Mitchell has been giving the masses stylish backpacks, suitcases and more — all of which rake in thousands of positive reviews and tags on Instagram. And this garment bag is no different. The bag has three built-in felt hangers, a detachable shoulder strap and pockets for shoes, toiletries and more.
Traditional in its trifold 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, it is chock full of interior and exterior pockets as well.
Well known for its sister product The Travel Pack, which was launched via Kickstarter in 2017, Nomatic has since grown its product roster to include this sleek garment bag. Outfitted with a hook for hanging, the bag can hold up to three suits and has smart stash pockets for everything from sunglasses and ties to shoes. The bag is also water-resistant and has a luggage sleeve.
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.
This is no ordinary duffel-style garment bag. It'll keep your formal clothes wrinkle-free in the garment compartment and has enough space to fix three days' worth of casual clothing and toiletries. If you want a bag that does it all, this is it.
If price is no object, let us introduce you to Bennett Winch, a line of handmade-in-England travel accessories that feature exquisite craftsmanship and luxe materials. The Holdall is innovative in that it includes both a lie-flat garment compartment and a detachable cylindrical bag, which the garments wrap around. The units can be used together or separately.
Rolling garment bags
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 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. It also has an organizational front pocket for keeping your keys, phone and more handy.