A rigid or semi-rigid rectangular case with a hinged lid carries folded clothes and personal items for a trip. That case is a suitcase. Wheels and telescoping handles have made it the default luggage style for many travelers.

Hard-shell cases protect fragile contents; soft-sided cases flex to fit overhead bins more easily. Internal compression straps and packing cubes help organization. Airline size and weight limits strongly influence which suitcase a traveler chooses for a given journey.

Checked suitcases free the passenger from carrying weight but introduce the risk of delay or loss. Carry-on sized suitcases avoid that risk at the cost of stricter packing discipline. Durability of wheels and handles often determines how long a suitcase remains usable.

• Rectangular case designed for carrying clothes while traveling
• Usually wheeled with a retractable handle
• Available in checked and carry-on sizes
• Chosen for protection, capacity, and airline compliance