I’ve tested enough luggage to know when a spec sheet is lying to me. Frankly, I’m tired of reading generic early Black Friday luggage deal listicles that claim the most expensive suitcase is automatically the best. A 50% discount doesn’t mean a thing if the bag wasn’t worth buying at full price in the first
I’ve tested enough luggage to know when a spec sheet is lying to me. Frankly, I’m tired of reading generic early Black Friday luggage deal listicles that claim the most expensive suitcase is automatically the best. A 50% discount doesn’t mean a thing if the bag wasn’t worth buying at full price in the first place.
That is the standard my team and I are bringing to this year’s early Black Friday luggage deals. As retailers kick off their holiday promotions weeks ahead of schedule, we aren’t just aggregating random coupon codes. We’re tracking the pieces we’ve dragged through airports, crammed into overhead bins, and put through the kind of real-world use that reveals whether a suitcase is actually worth your money.
There’s a good reason to start paying attention now. November is a particularly promising month for travel gear discounts, though the best time to buy depends on what you’re looking for. If you have your heart set on a specific carry-on, color, or brand, an early deal might be worth grabbing rather than gambling on getting a better price later.
I’m keeping a particularly close eye on Away, Monos, Béis, and other brands we’ve spent years reviewing. Some of my favorite luggage isn’t discounted, and I’m not going to pretend otherwise — but the early sales are starting to get interesting.
Here are the deals worth your time — I’ll keep updating this guide as the holiday rush accelerates.
Shop by luggage deals by brand: Away | Travelpro | Samsonite | Monos | Béis | Calpak | Cotopaxi
The best early Black Friday carry-on deals
If I were buying only one piece of luggage for the coming holiday travel season, I’d start with a carry-on bag. It’s the workhorse of the travel setup and the bag whose design flaws will frustrate you the fastest when you’re sprinting across a terminal with 15 minutes to make a tight connection. Fortunately, Black Friday sales are already dropping prices on top-tier brands — including major markdowns running across the Travelpro carry-on collection and discounts live on Samsonite carry-on luggage.
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Expandable Rollaboard 26-Inch
This ultra-lightweight, soft-sided carry-on is designed to meet standard 62 linear-inch airline limits while offering 100 liters of capacity for 5-7-day trips. Features include smooth, ball-bearing wheels, a durable water-resistant polyester exterior, and a 2-inch zippered expansion for extra packing flexibility.
Béis Pro Rolling Backpack
A versatile, hybrid carry-on built from ultra-tough ballistic nylon that transitions from rolling suitcase to hands-free backpack.
Monos Check-In Medium
The Monos Check-In Medium is a moderately sized checked bag with a hearty shell to protect all your belongings.
Calpak Hue Front Pocket Carry-On Luggage
A sleek, expandable hardshell carry-on built to streamline security checks and short-trip travel. Crafted from a durable polycarbonate shell, it features a padded front zip compartment that fits up to a 16-inch laptop, a built-in TSA-approved lock, and smooth 360-degree spinner wheels for effortless navigation.
Travelpro Crew Classic Rolling Underseat Carry-On
This petite rolling bag is surprisingly spacious and packed with useful features like a laptop pocket and a hanging toiletry bag. It’s a great option for those who want to keep their back and shoulders free during travel.
The best early Black Friday deals on personal items, totes, and travel backpacks
I have a soft spot for a truly exceptional personal-item bag. The right weekender, tote, or travel backpack can save precious space in a cramped economy seat, keep your tech within arm’s reach, and spare you from constantly getting up to wrestle a suitcase open in the overhead bin. November is the month to shop travel accessories. I’m tracking high-utility standouts from brands like Away, Dagne Dover, and Monos that are designed to seamlessly bridge the gap between a sleek daily commute, a weekend road trip, and a multi-flight international itinerary with structured interior compartments and trolley sleeves that actually fit securely over your suitcase handle.
Cotopaxi Vaya 18L Daypack – Cada Día
This versatile everyday pack features a large U-zip entry, ergonomic shoulder straps, and a 15-inch laptop sleeve. Built with recycled materials and ample padding, it offers both comfort and performance.
Away The Mini Crossbody
A sleek hardshell case engineered for streamlined travel, with a wide crossbody strap. There’s just enough room for your daily essentials — phone, wallet, sunglasses, and your go-to lip gloss.
Dagne Dover Rhys Backpack
A lightweight, 100% vegan neoprene bag that effortlessly flexes from a comfortable backpack to a convenient tote bag. There’s enough space for a 14-inch laptop, and the drawstring closure keeps most items secure.
Away Transit Canvas Weekender
This hearty weekender is made from durable canvas. Its thoughtful features include an unobtrusive shoe compartment, a separate laptop pocket, and 48 liters of packing space.
Lo & Sons The Rowledge 2
A versatile 23.5L convertible backpack and tote designed with a dedicated shoe compartment, a water-resistant 13-inch laptop sleeve, and nappa leather handles. Built for professional travelers, it combines a sleek, structured profile with smart organization.
Monos Metro Duffel
Monos’ Metro duffel is one of our favorite travel personal items. It’s got a shockingly roomy interior, tons of internal organization, and an external pocket that can convert to a trolly sleeve when needed.
Fjallraven Kånken Totepack
The 14-liter Kånken Totepack by Fjallraven is water-resistant, wind-resistant, quick-drying and features a removable seat pad for on-the-go comfort.
The best early Black Friday deals on checked bags and luggage sets
This is where you have to play chess, not checkers. While deals on travel accessories peak early in the season, massive hardsides and luggage sets often operate on an entirely different retail timeline, with their deepest percentage-off markdowns hitting later in the holiday shopping season. If you have holiday travel on the books for Thanksgiving or winter break, playing that December waiting game is a gamble. That said, there are deals to be found on checked luggage at Monos and Samsonite, two of our favorite luggage brands.
Monos Check-In Large
The Check-In Large is Monos’ biggest carry-on, featuring an 83-liter capacity. It comes in a variety of attractive colors and patterns to match any style.
Calpak Evry Starter Bundle
The 8-piece Evry Starter Bundle has everything you need in one stylish luggage set, including a carry-on, a checked bag, three packing cubes, two pouches, and a luggage tag.
Monos Check-In Medium
The Monos Check-In Medium is a moderately sized checked bag with a hearty shell to protect all your belongings.
How Business Insider Reviews covers Black Friday deals
Navigating Black Friday sales can feel overwhelming, with hundreds of “deals” that aren’t actually discounts. At BI Reviews, our deals coverage is built on three core pillars:
• Price verification: We track historical pricing on all featured products. If a brand claims an item is 50% off, we cross-reference it against its true baseline price over the last 90 days. If it’s not a genuine discount, it doesn’t make our guide.
• First-hand testing expertise: We don’t just aggregate random internet discounts. The brands and models we feature — such as Travelpro, Samsonite, and Away — are chosen because they have spent time in our editors’ hands, passed rigorous real-world testing, and earned our top recommendations.
• Editorial independence: While we do earn an affiliate commission when you click and buy through our links, our editors maintain control over which products and deals make the cut. If a piece of luggage fails our durability or value standards, no discount will get it onto our list.
Read more about how we cover deals at Business Insider
FAQs
When do Black Friday luggage deals actually start?
In 2026, Black Friday officially falls on November 27, the Friday after Thanksgiving. Major luggage brands like Travelpro and Samsonite are rolling out “early Black Friday” deals in early November. Inventory on popular colorways and core models tend to sell out fast, so shopping early is often safer than waiting until
Are early Black Friday deals as good as actual Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals?
For travel accessories, backpacks, and personal items, absolutely. Discount availability peaks from early November to Black Friday weekend. Deals on full-sized suitcases and major luggage sets are harder to find ahead of Black Friday.
Should I buy hardside or softside luggage?
Choose the type of luggage you nuy based on your packing style, and whether you prefer zippered compression or a structured shell. Hardside luggage offers better weather resistance and maximum protection for fragile items, but it usually doesn’t flex. Softside luggage often features exterior pockets for quick-access items (like your laptop or headphones) and has more give if you tend to over-pack.
More early Black Friday deals
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.
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