Between commuting to The Everygirl’s downtown Chicago office, jetting off for work trips and social obligations, and—most importantly—making use of our PTO by getting away for a few days, our editors are on the go a lot. So we know first-hand that having the right travel bags often makes the difference between a travel experience that makes you feel flustered, stressed out, and disorganized and one that feels like smooth sailing. No matter where you’re going, travel essentials that are durable, well-designed, and intended to make your life easier are a must. And the brand that consistently delivers on that is CALPAK.
CALPAK luggage has been a favorite of our editors for years, and for good reason. All of their products are designed to get you where you’re going stylishly and efficiently—without skimping on quality. And after years of relying on the brand, we can attest that they make good on this promise.
What Is CALPAK?
First, a little history. The company was started in 1989 by husband-and-wife duo, Edward and Judy Kwon. Originally called California Pak, it was renamed CALPAK in 2013, when the founders’ children, Jennifer and Roy, joined the family business. Today, the company sells a range of travel bags and accessories, including luggage sets, duffels, backpacks, organizers, and more.
Read on to hear our editors’ CALPAK luggage reviews on some of our favorite products.
Our Editors’ Favorite CALPAK Products
Wherever we’re headed, these are the products our editors can’t live without:
My husband and I got these suitcases from our registry and to no one’s surprise, they’re our most-used items from the wedding. We desperately needed luggage, and this set has been the perfect solution. The carry-on gets the most use, but we’ve even lugged out the big one a couple of times. Both are spacious even before you expand them; we took a nearly 3-week European vacation with just these, did a ton of shopping, and still had room to spare on our return trip. There’s a lot of luggage on the market these days, but I love that these feel like luxury items, have little to no frills, and have proven super reliable.
— Garri James, Senior Managing Editor
4 colors available
I’ve had an older version of this suitcase for about three or four years, and I am still obsessed with it. It has never given me any issues and is still in near-perfect condition. I love the extra pockets and the elastic straps that keep everything in place. This medium size is absolutely perfect for every trip I take—I’ve taken it everywhere from domestic four-day trips to 10-day international ones (thanks to its expandable feature!). I’m also a chronic over-packer, so the fact that it’s super lightweight is definitely a plus for me.
— Jessica Welsh, Associate Commerce Editor
4 colors available
There is nothing I love more when traveling than neatly organized bags. Whether it’s a backpack packed with in-flight essentials or a wallet that holds all of my necessary documents, I need everything to have a place. The same goes for my luggage. Nothing grinds my gears like opening my suitcase up and having everything fall out or having to dig through piles of clothes to get to my toiletries. I use these packing cubes for every single trip I take to keep my clothes organized.
— Garri James, Senior Managing Editor
8 colors available
I’ve had the laptop tote bag since 2021 and still love it! It fits everything I need when I travel—laptop, iPad, chargers, notebook, pens, and wallet. The laptop sleeve is removable and has four exterior pockets and four interior pockets, with one being zippered. I can easily pull out the sleeve and have the laptop, charger, and supplies all in one place. What got me most excited is the suitcase handle sleeve! Besides that, it’s high quality, durable, and comes in a variety of colors.
— Mairim Peraza, Director of Human Resources
7 colors available
Several of our editors own CALPAK's car organizer and are willing to rave about it to whoever will listen. Designed with three separate compartments, interior pockets, and a collapsible design, this organizer can take a messy backseat or trunk and turn it into an organized dream. Plus, the handles on the sides make it easy to pick up and take with you wherever you're going. Whether you use it to carry your daily essentials as you commute to work, to hold toys and books for trips with the kids, or to simply organize all the stuff you keep in your car, you truly can't go wrong.
6 colors available
Other Products to Love
But that’s not all CALPAK has to offer. Here are a few other products we’ve got on our wishlists:
Frequent travelers and commuters alike will love this laptop backpack. Made from durable faux leather, it features tons of interior pockets, including a padded laptop sleeve, to keep all your essentials safe and organized. It even has a trolley sleeve so you can slip it over your luggage handle at the airport.
14 colors available
Meet your new favorite belt bag. This one comes in tons of different colors (both neutrals and brights) and is made of a super-lightweight material so it won't weigh you down. Use the hidden exterior pocket to hold your phone or other items you reach for often, and stash the rest inside using the interior compartments.
11 colors available
If you're the type of person who brings their emotional-support water bottle with them wherever they go, you're going to want one of these. CALPAK's water bottle holder features a detachable shoulder strap and tons of pockets, so you can easily carry your favorite bottle as well as sunscreen, hand sanitizer, snacks, and whatever else you need. It's the perfect solution for an afternoon hike, a day at the amusement park, or your daily hot-girl walk.
7 colors available
Perfect for quick weekend getaways and/or trips to gym, this large weekender bag can hold everything you need to get you there and back again. It features a whopping nine pockets (including an exterior zippered compartment for your shoes) so you can keep your essentials sorted while you're on the go.
6 colors available
If you've ever pulled your favorite necklace out of your bag only to find it tangled up in impossible knots, you know the critical importance of keeping your jewelry organized. With snap tabs for rings and necklaces, a removable card for earrings, and a large drawstring pocket for everything else, this case makes it easy to keep all your accessories tidy and tangle-free.
8 colors available