As of: 25 August 2026 · Empty weights as stated by manufacturers in our product data, "from" prices at the time of publication, only models that were in stock on the reporting date have been included.
In short
The lightest suitcases at Markenkoffer weigh, in cabin luggage format, from 1.7 kg (travelite Jetpack and Samsonite Lite-Shock), as a medium suitcase from 2.4 kg (travelite Skaii 67 cm), as a large suitcase from 2.5 kg (Samsonite Lite-Shock 75 cm) and as an XL suitcase from 4.0 kg (travelite Crosslite 81 cm). A typical suitcase in our range weighs between 2.7 and 5.2 kg, depending on size.
A lightweight suitcase is the cheapest way to pack more: for hold luggage the usual limit is 23 kg per piece, for cabin luggage it's 8 kg with Lufthansa, Eurowings and Condor. Every kilogram the suitcase itself weighs less is a kilogram left over for your belongings. We've sorted our entire suitcase range by empty weight – separated by size category, so you're not comparing cabin luggage with XL suitcases.
How we ranked them
- Empty weight as stated by the manufacturer: based on manufacturer specifications in our product data, not our own measurements.
- Four size categories by height: S up to 55 cm (cabin luggage), M 56 to 69 cm, L 70 to 79 cm, XL from 80 cm – as in our guide to suitcase sizes.
- Only suitcases in stock: only trolleys and suitcases with at least 25 litres of capacity that had multiple units in stock on the reporting date are included. Children's suitcases and wheeled holdalls are excluded.
- One entry per model range: colour variants of the same model are only counted once, and each links to one available version.
The lightest cabin luggage suitcases (Size S, up to 55 cm)
| Model | Empty weight | Capacity | Dimensions (H × W × D) | Shell | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| travelite Jetpack 55 cm | 1.7 kg | 41 L | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | Soft shell | £80.95 |
| Samsonite Lite-Shock 55 cm | 1.7 kg | 36 L | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | Hard shell | £304.44 |
| Samsonite Chronolite 55 cm | 2.0 kg | 38 L | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | Hard shell | £229.00 |
| travelite Air Base 55 cm | 2.1 kg | 37 L | 55 × 39 × 20 cm | Hard shell | £129.95 |
| Samsonite Attrix 55 cm | 2.1 kg | 38 L | 55 × 35 × 23 cm | Hard shell | £198.18 |
All five fit the cabin luggage allowances of Lufthansa, Eurowings and Condor (55 × 40 × 23 cm) at 55 cm in height. For Ryanair (55 × 40 × 20 cm, Priority only), the models with a maximum depth of 20 cm are suitable. More on this in our airline comparison of cabin luggage dimensions.
The lightest medium suitcases (Size M, 56 to 69 cm)
| Model | Empty weight | Capacity | Dimensions (H × W × D) | Shell | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| travelite Skaii 67 cm | 2.4 kg | 62 L | 67 × 43 × 27 cm | Soft shell | £129.95 |
| Guess Wilder 64 cm | 2.5 kg | 56 L | 64 × 39 × 28 cm | Hard shell | £167.50 |
| travelite Priima 68 cm | 2.7 kg | 62 L | 68 × 45 × 27 cm | Soft shell | £199.95 |
| travelite Corsiica 67 cm | 2.8 kg | 62 L | 67 × 43 × 27 cm | Soft shell | £109.95 |
| travelite Umbria 67 cm | 2.9 kg | 61 L | 67 × 43 × 31 cm | Soft shell | £89.95 |
In the medium size category, soft-shell cases from travelite dominate – but the Guess hard-shell case keeps pace effortlessly at 2.5 kg.
The lightest large suitcases (Size L, 70 to 79 cm)
| Model | Empty weight | Capacity | Dimensions (H × W × D) | Shell | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsonite Lite-Shock 75 cm | 2.5 kg | 98 L | 75 × 52 × 31 cm | Hard shell | £359.08 |
| travelite Skaii 78 cm | 2.9 kg | 91 L | 78 × 47 × 30 cm | Soft shell | £139.95 |
| travelite Corsiica 77 cm | 3.2 kg | 100 L | 77 × 47 × 30 cm | Soft shell | £119.95 |
| travelite Priima 79 cm | 3.2 kg | 91 L | 79 × 48 × 31 cm | Soft shell | £219.95 |
| travelite Umbria 77 cm | 3.3 kg | 90 L | 77 × 47 × 34 cm | Soft shell | £99.95 |
The Samsonite Lite-Shock shows what Curv hard-shell material can do: 2.5 kg at 98 litres. All models in this category stay under 3.5 kg, leaving nearly 20 kg for packing out of a 23 kg luggage allowance.
The lightest XL suitcases (from 80 cm)
| Model | Empty weight | Capacity | Dimensions (H × W × D) | Shell | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| travelite Crosslite 81 cm | 4.0 kg | 133 L | 81 × 52 × 32 cm | Soft shell | £169.95 |
| Samsonite Spark SNG Eco 82 cm | 4.3 kg | 156 L | 82 × 56 × 36 cm | Soft shell | £220.00 |
| travelite Dynamiic 81 cm | 5.2 kg | 130 L | 81 × 55 × 34 cm | Hard shell | £159.95 |
| Samsonite Base Breeze 81 cm | 5.5 kg | 138 L | 81 × 52 × 35 cm | Soft shell | £159.60 |
XL suitcases are inherently heavier due to their construction; if you need a case over 80 cm tall, a soft-shell model will be noticeably lighter than a hard shell.
Hard shell or soft shell: which is lighter?
The data dispels a common misconception: hard-shell suitcases aren't automatically heavier. In cabin luggage format, the lightest models of both construction types are neck and neck at 1.7 kg. For medium-sized suitcases, only a few grams separate the lightest hard shell (2.5 kg) from the lightest soft shell (2.4 kg). For large suitcases, the hard shell even wins: 2.5 kg versus 2.9 kg. Only with XL suitcases does soft-shell luggage have a clear advantage (4.0 kg versus 5.2 kg).
The material is what matters most: Curv (woven, pressed polypropylene as used in the Samsonite Lite-Shock) and polypropylene are the lightest hard-shell materials, polycarbonate is slightly heavier, and ABS is the heaviest. For soft-shell luggage, lightweight nylon and polyester fabrics with slim frames save weight. Find out what else speaks for or against each construction type in Hard shell or soft shell?.
What one kilogram of empty weight really means
A calculation example with a 23 kg luggage allowance: with a 2.5 kg suitcase, 20.5 kg remains for your belongings, while with an average L-size suitcase weighing 4.6 kg, only 18.4 kg is left – a difference of over two kilograms, roughly equivalent to a pair of shoes and two pairs of jeans. For cabin luggage with an 8 kg limit, the difference between a 1.7 kg and a 2.7 kg empty weight equals a full kilogram of packing capacity. Excess baggage fees can quickly reach £10 to £20 per kilogram depending on the airline, so a lightweight suitcase often pays for itself on the very first trip.
You'll find all our lightweight models collected in our Lightweight Suitcases category, and cabin-sized luggage in our Cabin Luggage category.
Frequently asked questions about lightweight suitcases
How heavy is a lightweight suitcase?
A suitcase is considered lightweight if it's significantly below the average for its size category: cabin luggage suitcases from around 1.7 to 2.2 kg, medium suitcases from 2.4 to 2.9 kg, large suitcases from 2.5 to 3.4 kg, and XL suitcases from 4 kg. For comparison, a typical suitcase in the Markenkoffer range weighs 2.7 kg (S), 3.6 kg (M), 4.6 kg (L) or 5.2 kg (XL), depending on size.
Which suitcase is the lightest?
In cabin luggage format, the travelite Jetpack (soft shell) and the Samsonite Lite-Shock (hard shell) share first place at 1.7 kg each. Among medium suitcases, the travelite Skaii is the lightest at 2.4 kg; among large suitcases, it's the Samsonite Lite-Shock 75 cm at 2.5 kg; and among XL suitcases, the travelite Crosslite 81 cm at 4.0 kg (as of 25 August 2026, available models only).
Are hard-shell suitcases heavier than soft-shell ones?
Not necessarily. Modern hard shells made from Curv or polypropylene weigh just as little as soft-shell luggage made from nylon or polyester: in cabin luggage format, the lightest models of both construction types come in at 1.7 kg, while for large suitcases the lightest hard-shell model (2.5 kg) is actually lighter than the lightest soft-shell model (2.9 kg). It's only with XL suitcases that soft-shell models have a clear advantage.
How much is a suitcase allowed to weigh on a flight?
For cabin luggage, Lufthansa, Eurowings and Condor allow a maximum of 8 kg at 55 × 40 × 23 cm, while Ryanair allows 10 kg at 55 × 40 × 20 cm (Priority only). Checked suitcases are usually permitted up to 23 kg in Economy Class, and up to 32 kg in Business and First. Every kilogram less the suitcase itself weighs is an extra kilogram you can pack.
All information correct as of 25 August 2026. Empty weights are manufacturer specifications and may vary by a few hundred grams depending on colour and features. Prices and availability are subject to change; the respective product page is authoritative.
