For those who frequently travel with formal attire, finding the right luggage to keep your clothing wrinkle-free can be a challenge. A convertible garment bag is an excellent solution, as it can be easily transformed from a traditional garment bag to a more compact carry-on bag.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to the best convertible garment bags on the market. We’ve researched expert reviews and customer feedback to bring you a list of top picks that offer durability, convenience, and style.
You’ll learn about the features that make each bag stand out, such as multiple compartments, adjustable shoulder straps, and sturdy hooks. Whether you’re a business traveler or someone who attends formal events, this guide will help you find the perfect convertible garment bag to suit your needs.
Pros:
✅ Can fit a lot of clothes
✅ Easy to carry
✅ Has a zipper compartment for small items
Cons:
⭕ Not a lot of pockets.
Pros:
✅ It is durable and lightweight.
✅ You can use it as a briefcase, bag, or a backpack.
✅ It can fit all of your clothes for the weekend.
Cons:
⭕ It does not have any pockets on the inside of the bag.
Pros:
✅ Great price!
✅ It’s large enough for me to pack all my clothes and then some.
✅ It’s very lightweight, so I don’t feel like I’m carrying an additional 20 pounds around with me when I travel.
Cons:
⭕ The material feels a little flimsy, but so far it seems durable enough to hold up for the long haul.
Pros:
✅ The bag is lightweight and easy to carry
✅ It’s made of high-quality materials that won’t tear easily
✅ The zippers are sturdy and don’t break easily
Cons:
⭕ The material can get dirty easily
Introduction
I’ve been traveling with my clothes in a garment bag for years. It’s the best way to keep your suits, shirts, trousers, and dresses wrinkle-free and organized.
But not all garment bags are created equal some are just too small or flimsy for the job. I undertook this review after testing out dozens of models over three decades of business travel. Read on for my top picks.
The test
While durability testing is used to determine the strength and longevity of a product, it’s also a great way to check out how well everything fits inside your garment bag. To do this, we fill up each bag with 15 lbs. of sand or gravel and put them through their paces by squeezing, pulling on handles, and tugging at pockets.
We also test for ease of use by seeing if we can get that perfect fit for our clothes by folding the hanger rod down or extending it out into its full length position, plus we make sure all zippers work smoothly to ensure that nothing gets stuck in there when you’re packing up your dress after an event (or worse while traveling).
Finally, comfort testing is crucial because who wants sore shoulders from carrying around their coat all day? Style is also important because no one wants to be caught dead wearing an ugly dress hanging off their shoulder when they could cover up with something elegant like a blazer or shawl!
A note on price
Price is not an indicator of quality.
While it’s true that, in any given product category, you’re likely to see a correlation between price and quality (in other words, the more expensive products tend to be of higher quality), it’s also true that this isn’t always the case. Many items are available at every price point, from low-quality knockoffs to high-end designer pieces.
In order to be sure that you’re getting your money’s worth with any convertible garment bag purchase, our best advice is to focus on reviews rather than price alone when determining which bag is right for you.
Why you should trust us
We’ve tested a lot of garment bags. When we set out to find the best one, we knew that it would be important to consider both the features and the quality of the product.
We know what makes a good garment bag, and we also know what makes a bad garment bag. The first thing you want is a bag that has enough room for all your clothes without being too big or bulky.
The second thing is durability you don’t want to spend more time fixing your bag than using it! And lastly, when choosing between different models available on Amazon, note how much each model costs before buying anything else (this article will help).
How we picked the best convertible garment bags
To find the best convertible garment bag, we looked at what’s available on the market and talked to experts. We also reviewed user reviews and researched what they had to say about their experiences with these bags.
In addition, we consulted with the manufacturers’ websites to get an idea of the specifications of these products.
The best convertible garment bag overall
You can’t go wrong with the Briggs & Riley Baseline Domestic Carry-On Expandable Upright Garment Bag. This bag excels at its primary purpose of storing garments, but it also has a few tricks up its sleeve.
Its durability, lightweight construction, and lifetime warranty make it an excellent choice for frequent travelers who want a garment bag that can be easily carried on their back or over their shoulder when they’re ready to hit the town.
The best carry-on garment bag should have a few key features.
- Zippers: Look for double-zippered closures that allow you to lock your clothes inside the bag, which is especially important if you’re traveling with expensive garments and accessories like jewelry, watches, shoes, or purses.
- Top handles: A separate handle on top of the bag makes it easier to grab when lifting or dragging it down an escalator or stairs at the airport.
- Removable shoulder strap: This allows you to switch from carrying your bag in hand to carrying it on your shoulder in seconds flat!
- Sturdy construction and thick fabric walls: You want a quality product that will stand up to years of use without breaking down quickly (like our previous winner, the Briggs & Riley Baseline Domestic Carry-On Garment Bag).
If possible, choose ballistic nylon over polyester because it is stronger than polyester while remaining lightweight enough to not add too much weight to your commute home from work or play!
The best extra-large convertible garment bag
If you know a business traveler who travels often, this would make a great gift. The Briggs & Riley Baseline Domestic Carry-On Expandable Upright Garment Bag has so many pockets that it’s hard to keep track of them all.
It can be used as either a backpack or an upright bag, depending on what you need at the moment. (Some people prefer backpacks when they’re running around airports.) This is especially handy if you’re moving quickly; it means that no matter how much stuff you decide to carry with you on your trip, there’ll always be room for more!
The best extra-large convertible garment bag is the Briggs & Riley Baseline Domestic Carry-On Expandable Upright Garment Bag. If your recipient will appreciate having all their belongings organized in one place not just their clothes but also shoes and accessories this bag will do wonders for them.
Care and maintenance advice for your bag
- Do not leave your bag in a hot car. The heat can cause the leather to dry out, which will result in damage to the leather when you try to use it again.
- Do not leave your bag in direct sunlight. Sunlight can fade the color of your garment bag and cause stains on its fabric or stitching, so it’s best to keep it away from direct sunlight as much as possible.
- If you’re traveling somewhere where there could be rain or snow, keep this thing inside an umbrella or put some plastic over it so that it doesn’t get wet (and ruined). If you’re going somewhere really rainy like Vancouver, BC, Canada, then maybe invest in one of those waterproof covers for clothes hangers instead. You can even take them with you if they have separate compartments or zippers to keep everything inside nice and safe.
- Sand is another enemy of good-looking things like this garment bag because sand particles stick to fabrics and make holes in them over time; avoid situations where there might be sand lying around near any part of this item especially around any openings such as pockets or compartments where dirt could get stuck too!
Our testers agreed that the Briggs & Riley Baseline Domestic Carry-On Expandable Upright Garment Bag is the best garment bag. It has a lifetime warranty and excellent build quality, but it’s also durable enough to last for years without showing signs of wear. The bag is expandable and can be easily folded up when not in use, making it perfect for both business trips and weekend getaways.
While there are cheaper options on this list (like our budget pick), we think spending a little more now will be worth it over time, especially if you need something that will last for years or even decades.