If you’re on a road trip, getting your suits from point A to B unscathed is as easy as hanging them from the oh-shit handle. Air travel, though? Not so simple. Unless you happen to stumble across a carefully curated list of the 8 best garment bags for suits, that is.
And we’re stumbling…
It’s true. You need a good garment bag to keep those pristine suits and dress shirts of yours wrinkle-free and ready to pop on at a moment’s notice. For weddings. For client meetings. For your big presentation to that group about the thing. Good news: Your travel cup runneth over with budget bags, luxury bags, rolling bags, you name it—your new garment bags await.
They hate waiting though, so you should probably hurry up and get in there.
Key Takeaways
My search for the best garment bags for suits involved giving particular attention to thoughtful details, durable construction, and the ability to keep your suits looking as good on the other side as they did when you packed them. The Victorinox Traveler 6.0 Garment Sleeve is an impressive union of form and function, while the Amazon Basics Tri-Fold Garment Bag represents the budget contingent.
The Traveler 6.0 Garment Sleeve from Victorinox is the best garment bags for suits on this list for a handful of key reasons. Chiefly among them is its exceptional attention to detail by way of several thoughtful features and accessories integrated into the bag—no surprise considering it’s from the same company that invented the Swiss Army Knife.
Hanger clamp to help prevent your suit from floundering in-flight: present and accounted for. Foam compression strap to further lock your items into place: that too. There’s also a detachable J-hook for use in your car or hotel room, plus plenty of interior and exterior pockets for storing anything from shoes to casual clothes. This is an approachably priced, one-suit bag that’s perfect for short work trips or wedding weekends.
Material: 100% Nylon | Colors: 1 | Size: 21.3”H x 2”W x 24.8”L | Capacity: Up to 1 suit | Waterproof: No
Copenhagen-based
Point is, this refined Grand Herringbone garment bag is peak luxury that can hold its own next to anything from your formal attire to your travel-ready blazer. It can comfortably accommodate up to three suits and features an outside shoe pocket, solid brass hardware, and full-grain leather trim. And did I mention it’s about as close as a garment bag carry-on can get to being considered sexy? If not… it’s about as close as a garment bag carry-on can get to being considered sexy.
Material: 19% Linen, 50% Viscose, 26% PET, 5% Polyurethane | Colors: 5 | Size: 19”H x 2”W x 21”L | Capacity: Up to 3 suits | Waterproof: Water-repellent
If you’re looking for a minimal-frills garment bag on a budget, you know Amazon Basics has you covered. Its Tri-Fold Garment Bag is a polyester workhorse designed for air travel. It holds up to three suits with plenty of room to spare for shoes, accessories, and a few everyday outfits.
Other travel-friendly features include an adjustable shoulder strap, carry handle, and pockets to accommodate items like pens and earbuds. As you might expect, this is among the least durable options on this list, making it best for the infrequent traveler who takes pride in his various suits but doesn’t find the need to break the bank on a product that’ll end up riding the closet bench more often than not.
Material: 100% Polyester | Colors: 3 | Size: 45”H x 4”W x 23”L | Capacity: Up to 3 suits | Waterproof: No
A strong contender for the best garment bags for suits overall, Zegur comes in hot with a versatile, affordable, feature-rich travel companion. In addition to its three-suit capacity, this bag is lousy with storage options. An interior shoe pocket here. An exterior laptop compartment there. You’d be hard-pressed to find a weekend-travel detail unattended to.
If you’re so inclined to argue with the almost 7,000 5-star ratings on Amazon, hey, do your thing. But, turns out, they might just be onto something. It fits nicely in an overhead bin and has thoughtfully sized pockets, a waterproof exterior, and a detachable shoulder strap—as good a collection of evidence as any.
Material: 100% Polyester | Colors: 2 | Size: 22”H x 4”W x 22”L | Capacity: Up to 3 suits | Waterproof: Yes
The best carry-on garment bag for suits is hands down the Modoker Carry-On Garment Duffel. Like its pricier, higher-quality Shinola counterpart, this bag is part duffel bag, part garment bag that folds nicely together into a compact carry-on that fits perfectly in an overhead bin.
Made of a water- and scratch-resistant material, the bag features an attachment for rolling luggage and includes a shoe pouch in addition to plenty of space for toiletries and a few changes of clothes. It’s all you need for a quick weekend away, regardless of the occasion.
Material: Polyester, Jacquard | Colors: 8 | Size: 11.8”H x 11”W x 22.8”L | Capacity: Up to 2 suits | Waterproof: Yes
Which brings us to the best garment bags for men’s suits in the rolling category—the Travelpro Platinum Elite 50-Inch Rolling Garment Bag. What else can I say that the oh-so-clever title hasn’t already? Let’s see, it’s got an integrated lock, a padded roll bar that helps prevent wrinkles, and pockets of all sizes located strategically throughout the bag.
The wheels, unlike those on many other rolling bags, are made with sealed ball bearings to ensure longevity and durability. If you can think of a detail that does everything in its power to help you travel better, this thing’s got it.
Material: 100% Nylon | Colors: 1 | Size: 24”H x 10.5”W x 24”L | Capacity: Up to 3 suits | Waterproof: No
Founded in 2015, Away is a relative newcomer to the travel gear scene and has since gained massive (and deserved) popularity. The brand’s luggage is designed with the modern traveler in mind. It’s water-resistant, features interior and exterior zip pockets for shoes and other personal items, and has an integrated clip for attaching it to rolling luggage.
You can stash up to two suits inside and it’s available in black and navy. This is the bag you get if you’re looking for something handsome and functional that’s going to last for years of travel.
Material: Nylon, Leather | Colors: 2 | Size: 22.5”H x 3.35”W x 20.5”L | Capacity: Up to 3 suits | Waterproof: Water-resistant
Shinola’s Convertible Traveler Garment Bag is not only a stylish addition to any luggage collection, but it can do it all. What you’re working with is a seamless combination of a duffel bag and garment bag made of a water-resistant canvas that’s been accented throughout with Vachetta leather.
The duffel itself features strategically placed pockets and brass hardware and comes with a shoe bag. The two-suit garment bag is an open compartment with an interior slip pocket and a leather card pocket. When the occasion calls for a bag full of long-weekend gear plus a suit or two, just snap the garment bag portion onto the duffel and hit the road.
Material: 90% Canvas, 10% Vachetta Leather | Colors: 2 | Size: 14”H x 10”W x 22.7”L | Capacity: Up to 2 suits | Waterproof: Water-resistant
What To Look For In The Best Garment Bags For Suits
Function
There are several types of garment bags, each suited to different types and lengths of trips. If you’re traveling to a black-tie affair, you’re going to have different needs from a bag than if you just need a few Oxford shirts and some nice pants. From rolling and convertible bags to traditional garment bags and carry-ons, you’ll want to pair the function of the luggage with the actual trip you’re taking.
Capacity
If you’re more of a one-suit-fits-all-occasions type of guy, more power to you. Almost any garment bag will do since they all hold at least one suit. But if work takes you away frequently, for instance, and requires you to travel with suits, go for either a larger rolling bag that can accommodate multiple looks or an open-compartment garment bag with plenty of volume. Protip: Make sure there’s room to stash away a few travel-friendly non-iron dress shirts, too.
Material
Depending on where and what time of year you travel, you’ll want to spend some time thinking about what your garment bag is made of. Rainy environments or wedding weekends in a rustic mountain environment call for water-resistant, durable materials like polyester or ballistic nylon. If luxury travel is more your speed, you can easily get away with all-leather luggage, for example.
Final Verdict
To get the most longevity out of your garment bag, choose an option that fits the frequency with which you travel and is capable of standing up to the elements that your destination dishes out. You can’t go wrong by turning to durable bags with thoughtful features like the ones found on my top pick—the Victorinox Werks Traveler 6.0 Garment Sleeve.
FAQ
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Garment bags protect your suits and all styles of shirts from damage during travel and limit harmful exposure to pests, mildew, and the sun. As long as your garment bag is constructed of a breathable, durable material, there are few downsides to using one.
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If you mainly use garment bags for suit storage, opt for a breathable fabric like cotton. If you’re looking for the best garment bag for suits for short-term travel, a water-resistant nylon or canvas bag will serve you well.
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Most garment bags can fit anywhere from one to three suits. A bag’s capacity depends on factors like its purpose (carry-on, travel, etc.) and overall width.
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