Category Guide

Best Categories for Luggage & Bags

The top-performing Luggage & Bags product categories for your ecommerce store, ranked by demand, margins, and growth potential.

WISEPIM·
10
Recommended Categories
3-6
Avg. Subcategories
100-2,000+
Typical SKU Range
Top Categories

Best Luggage & Bags Categories to Sell Online

Ranked by market demand, profit margins, and growth momentum

  1. 1
    Travel Backpacks

    Travel Backpacks

    Backpacks > Travel Backpacks

    Travel backpacks are booming as younger travelers choose them over traditional luggage. The segment grew 18% year over year in 2024, boosted by digital nomads and budget airlines. Bags in the 40-50L range that also work as carry-ons are especially popular.

    Demand: High
    Competition: Medium
    Margin: High
    Rising
    Example Products
    Travel packs (40-50L)
    Daypacks
    Hiking packs
    Convertible travel backpacks
    Pro Tip

    Highlight carry-on airline compliance for travel packs, as backpack travelers specifically search for bags that fit overhead bins without needing to check them.

  2. 2
    Checked Luggage

    Checked Luggage

    Luggage > Checked Luggage

    Checked luggage is still a must for long trips and family travel. Even with the rise of carry-on-only travel, checked bags make up over 40% of all luggage sales. Premium hardside checked luggage with spinner wheels earns strong margins and keeps customers coming back.

    Demand: Growing
    Competition: Low
    Margin: High
    Rising
    Example Products
    Medium checked (24")
    Large checked (28")
    Expandable checked
    Extra-large checked
    Pro Tip

    Include both collapsed and expanded dimensions for expandable luggage, as travelers need to know if the expanded bag still meets airline checked size limits.

  3. 3
    Crossbody & Messenger Bags

    Crossbody & Messenger Bags

    Bags > Messenger & Crossbody

    Crossbody bags are the fastest-growing bag segment. Shoppers love the hands-free convenience, and they appeal to all age groups for both casual and professional use. Average order values are strong because buyers often pick up more than one style.

    Demand: High
    Competition: Medium
    Margin: High
    Stable
    Example Products
    Crossbody bags
    Messenger bags
    Sling bags
    Mini crossbody purses
    Pro Tip

    Use lifestyle images showing the bag worn on the body, as crossbody shoppers want to see scale and styling, which reduces return rates by up to 25%.

  4. 4
    Luggage Sets

    Luggage Sets

    Luggage > Luggage Sets

    Luggage sets have the highest average order value in the category, typically 2-3x the price of a single piece. Shoppers love the coordinated look, and sets are among the most popular holiday gifts. Conversion rates for sets are noticeably higher than for individual pieces.

    Demand: High
    Competition: Medium
    Margin: Medium
    Rising
    Example Products
    3-piece spinner sets
    2-piece carry-on + checked sets
    4-piece family sets
    Nested luggage sets
    Pro Tip

    List all individual piece dimensions separately, as buyers compare sets primarily by what sizes are included and need to verify each piece meets their travel needs.

  5. 5
    Wallets & Card Holders

    Wallets & Card Holders

    Wallets & Small Accessories > Wallets

    Wallets are among the highest-margin accessories and sell as gifts all year long. Shoppers are upgrading to slimmer, RFID-blocking designs, which is driving steady demand. Low shipping costs and minimal returns make this one of the most profitable bag categories for online stores.

    Demand: Medium
    Competition: Low
    Margin: High
    Rising
    Example Products
    Bi-fold wallets
    Card holders
    Zip-around wallets
    Money clips
    Pro Tip

    Always include RFID-blocking status as a featured attribute, as it has become a top-3 search filter for wallets and is a key purchase driver.

  6. 6
    Laptop Backpacks

    Laptop Backpacks

    Backpacks > Laptop Backpacks

    Laptop backpacks are now a daily essential for commuters and remote workers. Over 70% of backpack searches include 'laptop' as a keyword. Shoppers filter clearly by laptop size, number of compartments, and material, which makes this category easy to stand out in.

    Demand: High
    Competition: High
    Margin: Medium
    Rising
    Example Products
    Business backpacks
    Tech backpacks
    Commuter backpacks
    Slim laptop packs
    Pro Tip

    Specify the maximum laptop size in inches (e.g., 15.6") prominently, as this is the primary purchase decision factor and the most-used search filter.

  7. 7
    Carry-On Luggage

    Carry-On Luggage

    Luggage > Carry-On Luggage

    Carry-on luggage is the most searched luggage product online. Travelers want to avoid checked-bag fees, and the global market topped $8 billion in 2024. Spinner models make up over 65% of sales. Airline size limits drive strong demand for products with clear, accurate dimensions.

    Demand: High
    Competition: High
    Margin: Medium
    Stable
    Example Products
    Spinner carry-ons
    Hardside cabin bags
    Softside carry-ons
    Underseat luggage
    Pro Tip

    Always include exact dimensions in centimeters and map to major airline size limits; missing carry-on compliance data is the #1 cause of luggage returns.

  8. 8
    Tote Bags

    Tote Bags

    Bags > Tote Bags

    Tote bags dominate the everyday bag market across work, shopping, and casual use. The push for sustainable fashion has boosted canvas and recycled totes. Returns are low and there is strong potential for brand differentiation through materials and design.

    Demand: High
    Competition: High
    Margin: Medium
    Stable
    Example Products
    Work totes
    Everyday totes
    Beach totes
    Shopping totes
    Pro Tip

    Indicate whether the tote fits a standard laptop, as many work-tote shoppers specifically need this detail and will skip listings that do not mention it.

  9. 9
    Kids Bags

    Kids Bags

    Kids Bags

    Kids bags cover school, travel, and lunch, with strong back-to-school demand every year. Children outgrow bags quickly, which drives repeat purchases. Licensed character designs boost impulse buys, and parents will pay a premium for bags that are durable and kind to young spines.

    Demand: Medium
    Competition: Low
    Margin: Medium
    Stable
    Example Products
    School bags
    Rolling backpacks
    Lunch bags
    Character bags
    Pro Tip

    Feature ergonomic design details and weight limits, as parents increasingly research back health and will choose bags that emphasize spine support for children.

  10. 10
    Duffle Bags

    Duffle Bags

    Bags > Duffle Bags

    Duffle bags work for the gym, weekend trips, and sport all at once. Their versatility keeps return rates low and volume high. The weekend duffle has grown 25% as travelers look for a flexible alternative to hard-shell luggage for short trips.

    Demand: Medium
    Competition: Medium
    Margin: High
    Seasonal
    Example Products
    Gym duffles
    Travel duffles
    Weekend duffles
    Sports duffles
    Pro Tip

    Feature the shoe compartment and wet pocket prominently, as these are the two features that differentiate premium duffles and justify higher price points.

Performance Overview

Category Performance at a Glance

Compare demand, competition, margins, and growth across all recommended categories

#1Travel BackpacksTravel Backpacks
Demand
High
Competition
Medium
Margin
High
Growth
Rising
#2Checked LuggageChecked Luggage
Demand
Growing
Competition
Low
Margin
High
Growth
Rising
#3Crossbody & Messenger BagsCrossbody & Messenger Bags
Demand
High
Competition
Medium
Margin
High
Growth
Stable
#4Luggage SetsLuggage Sets
Demand
High
Competition
Medium
Margin
Medium
Growth
Rising
#5Wallets & Card HoldersWallets & Card Holders
Demand
Medium
Competition
Low
Margin
High
Growth
Rising
#6Laptop BackpacksLaptop Backpacks
Demand
High
Competition
High
Margin
Medium
Growth
Rising
#7Carry-On LuggageCarry-On Luggage
Demand
High
Competition
High
Margin
Medium
Growth
Stable
#8Tote BagsTote Bags
Demand
High
Competition
High
Margin
Medium
Growth
Stable
#9Kids BagsKids Bags
Demand
Medium
Competition
Low
Margin
Medium
Growth
Stable
#10Duffle BagsDuffle Bags
Demand
Medium
Competition
Medium
Margin
High
Growth
Seasonal
Full Hierarchy

Recommended Luggage & Bags Category Structure

The complete category tree with subcategories for each recommended top-level category

Luggage

Luggage

Carry-On Luggage
Spinner Carry-Ons
Roller Carry-Ons
Softside Carry-Ons
Hardside Carry-Ons
Checked Luggage
Medium Checked
Large Checked
Extra Large Checked
Expandable Checked
Luggage Sets
2-Piece Sets
3-Piece Sets
4-Piece Sets
Travel Accessories
Packing Cubes
Luggage Tags
Luggage Locks
Luggage Covers
Travel Adapters
Backpacks

Backpacks

Everyday Backpacks
School Backpacks
College Backpacks
Urban Backpacks
Travel Backpacks
Travel Packs
Daypacks
Hiking Packs
Laptop Backpacks
Business Backpacks
Tech Backpacks
Commuter Backpacks
Sports Backpacks
Gym Backpacks
Cycling Backpacks
Running Backpacks
Skiing Backpacks
Bags

Bags

Tote Bags
Everyday Totes
Beach Totes
Shopping Totes
Work Totes
Messenger & Crossbody
Messenger Bags
Crossbody Bags
Sling Bags
Duffle Bags
Gym Duffles
Travel Duffles
Weekend Duffles
Sports Duffles
Garment Bags
Suit Bags
Dress Bags
Rolling Garment Bags
Briefcases & Work Bags

Briefcases & Work Bags

Briefcases
Hard Briefcases
Soft Briefcases
Attache Cases
Laptop Bags
Laptop Sleeves
Laptop Cases
Laptop Messengers
Portfolio & Document Bags
Portfolios
Document Folders
Padfolios
Specialty Bags

Specialty Bags

Camera Bags
Musical Instrument Cases
Tool Bags
Medical Bags
Cooler Bags
Pet Carriers
Wallets & Small Accessories

Wallets & Small Accessories

Wallets
Bi-Fold Wallets
Tri-Fold Wallets
Zip-Around Wallets
Card Holders
Passport Holders
Key Cases
Coin Purses
Money Clips
Kids Bags

Kids Bags

School Bags
Lunch Bags
Rolling Backpacks
Character Bags
For detailed categorization rules and attribute guidelines for Luggage & Bags products.View the full Luggage & Bags Categorization Guide
Start Here

Which Categories Should You Start With?

Choose your starting categories based on your catalog size and growth stage

Starter (under 100 SKUs)

Pick one core category, such as carry-on luggage or laptop backpacks, and go deep with multiple price points and materials. Strong depth in one category builds your reputation faster than spreading thin across many.

Carry-On Luggage
Laptop Backpacks
Wallets & Card Holders
Growth (100-1,000 SKUs)

Expand into categories that complement your core travel or everyday carry range. Add accessories and sets to lift your average order value through cross-selling.

Carry-On Luggage
Laptop Backpacks
Travel Backpacks
Crossbody & Messenger Bags
Duffle Bags
Wallets & Card Holders
Enterprise (1,000+ SKUs)

Cover the full luggage and bags range with detailed subcategories. Invest in airline compliance data, advanced dimension and feature filters, and cross-category merchandising to maximize discovery.

Carry-On Luggage
Laptop Backpacks
Travel Backpacks
Crossbody & Messenger Bags
Luggage Sets
Duffle Bags
Wallets & Card Holders
Tote Bags
Checked Luggage
Kids Bags
Menu Tips

How to Order Categories in Your Store Menu

Practical tips for organizing your navigation to maximize clicks and conversions

1

Lead with your highest-demand categories

Put "Carry-On Luggage" and "Backpacks" before niche categories like "Garment Bags" in your main menu. Most travelers already know whether they want a suitcase or a backpack.

2

Add a "Shop by Use Case" filter

Let customers browse by occasion (Business Travel, Weekend Trip, Daily Commute, Outdoor Adventure). This complements your product-type categories without adding extra levels to your navigation.

3

Feature dimension and compliance filters prominently

Airline size compliance and laptop fit are the most-used filters in luggage and bag stores. Keep them visible on category pages, not buried in an advanced filter panel.

4

Keep your top-level menu under 7 items

Group related categories under a parent item (e.g., "Bags" containing Totes, Crossbody, Duffles). Too many top-level options overwhelm shoppers and reduce clicks.

5

Rotate seasonal categories to prominent positions

Move luggage sets higher during holiday gifting season and travel backpacks higher in spring when vacation planning peaks.

Seasonal Planning

When Each Category Peaks

Plan your inventory and marketing around seasonal demand shifts

Spring (Mar-May)

Peak Categories

Travel Backpacks
Carry-On Luggage
Duffle Bags

Vacation planning peaks in spring, so ensure travel bags and carry-ons are prominently featured from March onward.

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak Categories

Carry-On Luggage
Checked Luggage
Kids Bags

Peak travel season drives luggage demand. Family travel boosts checked luggage and kids bags significantly.

Autumn (Sep-Nov)

Peak Categories

Laptop Backpacks
Briefcases
Luggage Sets

Back-to-school drives backpack sales in September. Black Friday is the biggest luggage set buying event of the year.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Peak Categories

Wallets & Card Holders
Luggage Sets
Tote Bags

Wallets and small leather goods peak as holiday gifts in December. January sees strong luggage set sales for New Year travel planners.

Cross-Sell

Categories That Sell Together

Pair related categories to increase your average order value

Carry-On Luggage
Carry-On Luggage
Packing Cubes
Packing Cubes

Packing cubes are the #1 accessory upsell for carry-on luggage, adding 15-20% to order value.

Laptop Backpacks
Laptop Backpacks
Wallets & Card Holders
Wallets & Card Holders

Commuters shopping for laptop backpacks frequently add a matching wallet or card holder.

Travel Backpacks
Travel Backpacks
Carry-On Luggage
Carry-On Luggage

Frequent travelers often purchase both a travel backpack and a carry-on for different trip types.

Duffle Bags
Duffle Bags
Crossbody & Messenger Bags
Crossbody & Messenger Bags

Weekend travelers pair a duffle with a smaller crossbody bag for sightseeing and day trips.

Checked Luggage
Checked Luggage
Luggage Tags & Locks
Luggage Tags & Locks

Checked bag buyers nearly always need luggage tags and TSA-approved locks for their trip.

Avoid These

Common Luggage & Bags Category Mistakes

Mistakes that hurt your discoverability, SEO, and conversion rates

  • Mistake

    Creating size-based categories (Small Bags, Medium Bags, Large Bags) instead of organizing by bag type

    Better approach

    Use bag type as the category (Carry-On, Checked, Duffle, Backpack) and add Volume in liters and Dimensions as filterable attributes. Size is relative and inconsistent across brands.

  • Mistake

    Omitting exact dimensions, making it impossible for customers to verify airline carry-on compliance

    Better approach

    Always include Height, Width, and Depth in centimeters as required attributes. Add Total Linear Dimension and map to major airline size limits. Missing dimensions are the leading cause of luggage returns.

  • Mistake

    Mixing casual and professional bags in the same categories without a clear use-case split

    Better approach

    Use specific subcategories that reflect the intended use (Business Backpacks vs Urban Backpacks, Work Totes vs Beach Totes). If a product serves both, categorize by primary positioning and add a Use Case attribute.

  • Mistake

    Using material (leather, nylon, polycarbonate) as a category level instead of a filterable attribute

    Better approach

    Keep material as a filterable attribute with standardized values and denier ratings where relevant. This lets shoppers compare across materials and scales easily without restructuring your categories.

  • Mistake

    Not including empty weight, leaving customers unable to calculate their total packed weight against airline limits

    Better approach

    Include Weight (Empty) as a required attribute for all luggage and bags. This is critical for air travel where weight limits are strictly enforced.

Set Up Luggage & Bags Categories with AI

Get your Luggage & Bags product categories organized in minutes, not days

1

Import your luggage & bags catalog

Upload your product data by CSV, Excel, or API. WISEPIM automatically picks up luggage-relevant attributes such as dimensions, volume, material, and airline compliance from your existing product information.

2

AI categorizes your products

WISEPIM's AI reads product titles, descriptions, and images to classify each item by bag type and use case. It tells carry-ons from checked luggage, business backpacks from travel packs, and places every product in the right category.

3

Review, refine, and publish

Review AI suggestions in bulk, check dimension data and airline compliance, then push your products to all your sales channels. Categories and attribute mappings stay in sync as you add new products.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about choosing Luggage & Bags categories for ecommerce

Best Categories for Other Industries

checklist.html
  • Inventory all product sources
  • Define your attribute schema
  • Normalize brand names
  • Add alt-text to every primary image
+ more steps in the attachment
Printable checklistHTML · 8 steps

Luggage & Bags: the category expansion checklist

Actions:8Phases:4Format:HTML · print → PDFOwners included:Yes

Eight concrete tests before you push a new category live — from demand validation and product readiness to a named owner and a returns policy that exists before the first sale.

  • Validate demand with 1-2 quarters of search-volume data
  • 20+ real products ready before you list any
  • Name a category owner before launch, not after

One email, no follow-up spam. Print it and get to work.

wisepim-starter.xlsx
skunamebrandmaterialsize
FA-001Linen shirtYour brand100% linenM
Starter templateXLSX · 25 columns

The Luggage & Bags PIM starter template

Sheets:6Columns:25Format:XLSX · Excel/SheetsLocalized:EN + NL

The right attributes for luggage & bags get you from 0 to 20+ products faster. This CSV has everything this guide recommends, pre-sorted with a worked example row.

  • 7 required + 7 recommended
  • Opens in Excel or Sheets straight away
  • One example row + one blank row — edit in place

We email the file once. No drip sequence.

Ready to Organize Your Luggage & Bags Catalog?

WISEPIM uses AI to automatically categorize your products, set up attributes, and sync across all your sales channels.