Garment bags are designed to protect your clothing from wrinkles and stains on long flights, train rides and road trips so everything arrives in pristine condition—and there’s no need to bother with ironing or steaming in your hotel room. After comparing several options, we landed on the best garment bags: The Delsey Helium Garment Sleeve is our top choice thanks to its lightweight construction and spacious pockets. For a great carry-on option, the Mark & Graham Garment Bag fits multiple outfits, and for a convertible bag, the July Garment Tote resembles a regular travel tote.
The best garment bags keep your formalwear wrinkle-free while you travel. Here are our top 10 picks.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers
Many garment bags come with built-in organizational systems, utilizing a hanger or clever pockets to ensure suits, dresses, shoes and accessories don’t get jostled in transit. Before committing to a garment bag, consider which features are most practical for the types of clothing you’ll be traveling with. We’ve selected the 10 best garment bags below for a variety of travel needs, all of which have been reviewed and approved by Forbes Vetted senior travel editor Astrid Taran.
Dimensions: 22.5 x 42.5 inches | Materials: Polyester | Organizing system: Hangerhook opening to exterior, foldable, pockets
Best for:
Long weekend trips
Carrying dresses
Holding small accessories
Skip if:
You’re traveling with bulky items, like suits
Thoughtful details are what make Delsey’s Helium Garment Sleeve stand out among the many great garment bags out there. It has a full-zip opening, lightweight construction and spacious zip-close pockets. Space-wise, this pick can fit garments up to 45 inches in length and it also has an exterior pocket for easy access to small accessories on the go. When the bag folds up, its handles fasten together for easy carrying, too.
Halfday
Halfday Garment Duffel 45L
Dimensions: 22 x 12 inches | Materials: Polyester | Organizing system: Two interior hanger hooks, pockets
Best for:
Multi-week trips
Carrying on top of your suitcase
Color coordinating with your luggage
Skip if:
You’re only traveling for a few days
Halfday’s garment duffel bag is big enough to pack several days’ worth of clothing while still meeting carry-on requirements for most airlines. Its hanging compartment can fit a size 50R suit jacket (which is about 33 inches long), and there are two hanger hooks to comfortably add a dress shirt, skirt or blouse to the mix. Once you zip the hanging pocket against the wall of this bag, the large interior then functions as a traditional duffel, with ample space to pack an additional five days’ worth of outfits. Like other options on this list, several smaller pockets keep you well organized, including an exterior zip pocket and two interior shoe pockets. Other helpful features include a padded handle, shoulder strap and trolley sleeve. It comes in nine shades, so you can pick a hue that complements your luggage setup.
Amazon
Travelpro Maxlite Rolling Garment Bag
Dimensions: 24 x 24.3inches | Materials: DuraGuard coated polyester | Organizing system: Interior hook for hanging, garment straps, mesh pockets
Best for:
Those with shoulder pain
Short trips
Those who like having several pockets
Skip if:
You’re already wheeling two suitcases
You need to carry several outfits
Travelpro is a dependable luggage brand that’s incredibly popular with flyers: Its Platinum Elite Carry-On Spinner is our top pick on our list of the best carry-on luggage. This rolling garment bag is ideal for those who prefer not to haul their bags on their shoulders. Its handle locks in two positions to accommodate travelers of different heights. Inside, a foam-padded roll bar keeps wrinkles from forming, while adjustable straps keep your clothes securely in place. There are two accessory pockets as well as a larger mesh pocket for socks, ties and more. Thanks to DuraGuard coating, the polyester material stands up to wet weather.
Made of ballistic nylon, this garment bag is designed to stand up to all kinds of weather and rough handling. The interior features a hook for your clothes hanger, garment straps and a pair of mesh pockets for your accessories. Plus, an external pocket makes it easy to access smaller items on the go. This garment bag is protected by Briggs & Riley’s lifetime guarantee, so you can rest assured it will last you for many trips to come.
Designed to look like a carryall, this handsome yet rugged canvas garment bag keeps clothing protected and organized while you’re traveling. Its spacious main compartment can fit two to three outfits, and there are numerous additional pockets (including a secure zipper pocket) to store a pair of shoes and some accessories. The waxed exterior ages beautifully and you can add a monogram without any additional charge. Best yet, with so much storage, it makes a great carry-on bag for flights.
Dimensions: 21 x 15inches | Materials: Coated canvas | Organizing system: Interior hook for hanging, pockets
Best for:
Travelers who have their hands full
Longer trips
Hassle-free maintenance
Skip if:
You’re a light packer
You want to fit your garment bag in your suitcase
This convertible garment bag looks like a normal travel tote from the outside but unfolds to reveal a traditional garment bag for your clothing. The main compartment is big enough to comfortably fit multiple garments, and there are plenty of interior pockets for accessories, shoes and personal items. Even when the bag is filled with clothing and zipped up, you still have enough space for tech devices, a water bottle and more. There’s a convenient trolley sleeve on the back, and the top of the bag fully zips shut so you don’t have to worry about your belongings slipping out. Also great: The water-resistant coated canvas can be machine-washed if it gets dirty.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers
Dimensions: 18.4 x 12.2inches | Materials: Nylon | Organizing system: Three hook loops, external mesh pocket
Best for:
Storing inside your suitcase
Long weekend trips
Skip if:
You need to carry more than three outfits
You’re traveling with a lot of accessories
If you’re already carrying a few pieces of luggage, having a garment bag that fits inside your suitcase can be ultra-convenient. This pick from Monos folds into three parts, allowing you to easily stow it away before your flight. It has three interior hook loops, as well as a small exterior pocket for accessories. This is definitely one of the more lightweight and pared down options on this list, so it’s recommended most for those who are traveling lightly.
Dimensions: 18.8 x 12.5 inches | Materials: Nylon | Organizing system: Interior and exterior hanger hooks
Best for:
Carrying a single outfit
Short trips
Skip if:
You’re traveling with multiple suits or dresses
This sleek garment cover from trusted travel brand Tumi is only big enough to fit one suit or dress, but it’s a great option for short work trips or weekend formal events that only require a single outfit. The all-black nylon looks elegant, and the leather carry handle is comfortable and easy to grab when you’re in transit.
Dimensions: 22 x 39 inches| Materials: Canvas and leather | Organizing system: Hanger opening to exterior, pockets
Best for:
Those who prioritize style in their luggage
Carrying small accessories
Destination weddings
Skip if:
You’re looking for a more wallet-friendly option
This garment bag’s combination of pebbled leather and canvas is stylish but minimal enough to suit most travelers, making it an excellent option for those seeking a bag that emanates quiet luxury. But it’s not just all about looks. Its main compartment can fit up to six dresses (as well as three suits), and two front pockets for shoes are very spacious. There’s a back pocket for additional accessories, too, like ties and pocket squares. The bag’s removable shoulder strap is another smart touch. If you want to arrive to a wedding or vacation in style, this is the garment bag for you.
Dimensions: 22 x 11 x 13.5inches | Materials: Leather | Organizing system: Interior hanger hook, pockets
Best for:
Those who need a polished-looking bag
Business trips
Skip if:
You prefer the feel of fabric
You want a more affordable option
This sophisticated duffel-style garment bag from Hook & Albert is durable, stylish and built with a sturdy structure that fits in an overhead bin. It’s crafted from pebbled leather and also comes with handy organizational pockets for stashing other travel essentials. The exterior zip pocket is specifically designed to hold your tech; there’s a laptop sleeve plus straps for various cords. On top of it all, its main compartment is still built to store your garments and enough outfits for a busy few days of traveling, which makes it worth the investment.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted travel team has researched, written and published dozens of articles about the very best products for travel, from the best luggage for your next trip to the best carry-on backpacks.
The publishing of this article was overseen by senior travel editor Astrid Taran, who has over seven years of industry experience and has traveled to 35 countries and counting.
Chadner Navarro, the author of this story, is a lifestyle journalist with over 15 years of experience covering travel topics. He has traveled with many of the garment bags on this list.
We regularly refresh this story to ensure all selections continue to meet the criteria for their respective categories; we also check all prices and product information for accuracy. It was most recently updated by travel writer Claire Epting in October 2024.
How We Chose The Best Garment Bags
When researching the best garment bags, we first tapped into our industry knowledge to determine a list of reliable luggage brands with excellent reputations, including Travelpro, Briggs & Riley and Monos.
We closely examined each contender, keeping in mind each one’s materials, functionality and use cases.
In order to make the cut, garment bags were required to be versatile enough to safely carry a variety of different outfits and formal wear while also being durable and lightweight enough to bring along as a personal item on any trip.
We included garment bags in a wide range of sizes to accommodate trips of different lengths; you’ll find options for both multi-week trips and short weekend getaways.
What To Look For In The Best Garment Bags
When shopping for a garment bag, there are a few factors you should keep in mind, including size, shape and overall versatility. Here’s what to consider as you weigh your options.
Size
Your garment bag should provide enough space for the type of clothing you’ll need, so before choosing one, consider the length of your trip and what activities or events will be on the agenda. If you’re attending a one-night formal event, a smaller garment bag will suffice, but if you know you’ll need outfits for multiple events or days, a more spacious bag could be in order. Additionally, consider your shoes: If you don’t want to pack your shoes in a separate carry-on, a garment bag with shoe pockets can be helpful.
Shape
An important factor to consider when choosing a garment bag is the shape of the bag and how it will fit onto a hanger or compartment while traveling. If you’re flying in a premium cabin, your airline’s flight attendants will most likely be able to hang your garment bag, meaning you might only need a garment sleeve. However, if you’re driving or plan to stow your garment bag in an airline’s overhead bin, a foldable option or duffel bag is a smart choice.
Versatility
If you’re packing one suit or dress, a straightforward garment bag that you can fold into an easy-to-carry shoulder bag might be all you need. But choosing a convertible option provides you with more options. A piece that converts into a duffel bag could be your best bet since it comes with the most pockets and is essentially a two-in-one bag. Choosing a carry-on that comes with its own garment bag compartment can also minimize the number of bags you have to haul during your trip.
