As of: 25 August 2026 · Empty weights as stated by the manufacturer from our product data; only models available for delivery on the reference date are included.
In short
The lightest suitcases at Markenkoffer weigh, in cabin size, from 1.7 kg (travelite Jetpack and Samsonite Lite-Shock), as a medium-sized 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). Depending on size, a typical suitcase in our range weighs between 2.7 and 5.2 kg.
A lightweight suitcase is the cheapest way to take more with you: checked baggage allowances are usually 23 kg per piece, while hand luggage allowances are 8 kg with Lufthansa, Eurowings and Condor. Every kilo the suitcase itself weighs less leaves more room for your belongings. We have sorted our entire suitcase range by empty weight – separated by size class, so you don't end up comparing cabin luggage with XL suitcases.
How we sorted the list
- Empty weight as stated by the manufacturer: Based on the manufacturer's specifications in our product data, not on our own measurements.
- Four size classes 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 models in stock: Includes trolleys and suitcases with at least 25 litres of volume that had multiple units in stock on the reference date. Children's suitcases and wheeled travel bags are not included.
- One entry per model series: Colour variants of the same model are counted only once, with a link to one available version.
The lightest cabin suitcases (size S, up to 55 cm)
| Model | Empty weight | Volume | Dimensions (H × W × D) | Shell |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| travelite Jetpack 55 cm | 1.7 kg | 41 l | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | Soft shell |
| Samsonite Lite-Shock 55 cm | 1.7 kg | 36 l | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | Hard shell |
| Samsonite Chronolite 55 cm | 2.0 kg | 38 l | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | Hard shell |
| travelite Air Base 55 cm | 2.1 kg | 37 l | 55 × 39 × 20 cm | Hard shell |
| Samsonite Attrix 55 cm | 2.1 kg | 38 l | 55 × 35 × 23 cm | Hard shell |
All five fit within the hand luggage requirements 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 hand luggage dimensions.
The lightest medium-sized suitcases (size M, 56 to 69 cm)
| Model | Empty weight | Volume | Dimensions (H × W × D) | Shell |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| travelite Skaii 67 cm | 2.4 kg | 62 l | 67 × 43 × 27 cm | Soft shell |
| Guess Wilder 64 cm | 2.5 kg | 56 l | 64 × 39 × 28 cm | Hard shell |
| travelite Priima 68 cm | 2.7 kg | 62 l | 68 × 45 × 27 cm | Soft shell |
| travelite Corsiica 67 cm | 2.8 kg | 62 l | 67 × 43 × 27 cm | Soft shell |
| travelite Umbria 67 cm | 2.9 kg | 61 l | 67 × 43 × 31 cm | Soft shell |
In the medium size, soft-shell models from travelite dominate – but the Guess hard shell keeps up easily at 2.5 kg.
The lightest large suitcases (size L, 70 to 79 cm)
| Model | Empty weight | Volume | Dimensions (H × W × D) | Shell |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsonite Lite-Shock 75 cm | 2.5 kg | 98 l | 75 × 52 × 31 cm | Hard shell |
| travelite Skaii 78 cm | 2.9 kg | 91 l | 78 × 47 × 30 cm | Soft shell |
| travelite Corsiica 77 cm | 3.2 kg | 100 l | 77 × 47 × 30 cm | Soft shell |
| travelite Priima 79 cm | 3.2 kg | 91 l | 79 × 48 × 31 cm | Soft shell |
| travelite Umbria 77 cm | 3.3 kg | 90 l | 77 × 47 × 34 cm | Soft shell |
The Samsonite Lite-Shock shows what Curv hard shells can do: 2.5 kg at 98 litres. All models in this class stay under 3.5 kg, leaving almost 20 kg for packing within a 23 kg baggage allowance.
The lightest XL suitcases (from 80 cm)
| Model | Empty weight | Volume | Dimensions (H × W × D) | Shell |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| travelite Crosslite 81 cm | 4.0 kg | 118 l | 81 × 52 × 32 cm | Soft shell |
| Samsonite Spark SNG Eco 82 cm | 4.3 kg | 156 l | 82 × 56 × 36 cm | Soft shell |
| travelite Dynamiic 81 cm | 5.2 kg | 130 l | 81 × 55 × 34 cm | Hard shell |
| Samsonite Base Breeze 81 cm | 5.5 kg | 138 l | 81 × 52 × 35 cm | Soft shell |
XL suitcases are heavier by design; if you need over 80 cm in height, a soft-shell case is noticeably lighter than a hard shell.
Hard shell or soft shell: which is lighter?
The data dispels a common misconception: hard-shell suitcases are not automatically heavier. In cabin size, the lightest models of both types are neck and neck at 1.7 kg. Among medium-sized suitcases, only a few grams separate the lightest hard-shell case (2.5 kg) from the lightest soft-shell case (2.4 kg). With 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 counts: Curv (woven, pressed polypropylene as used in the Samsonite Lite-Shock) and polypropylene are the lightest hard-shell materials, polycarbonate is somewhat heavier, and ABS is the heaviest. With soft-shell luggage, lightweight nylon and polyester fabrics combined with slim frames save weight. You can read more about the pros and cons of each type in Hard shell or soft shell?.
What one kilo of empty weight really means
A calculation example with a 23 kg baggage allowance: with a 2.5 kg suitcase, 20.5 kg remain for contents, while with an average L-size suitcase weighing 4.6 kg, only 18.4 kg remain – a difference of a good two kilos, roughly a pair of shoes and two pairs of jeans. For hand luggage with an 8 kg limit, the difference between 1.7 kg and 2.7 kg empty weight equals a full kilo of contents. Excess baggage can quickly cost 10 to 20 € per kilo depending on the airline, so a lightweight suitcase often pays off on the very first trip.
You'll find all our lightweight models collected in our Lightweight suitcases category, and cabin sizes in the Hand luggage category.
Frequently asked questions about lightweight suitcases
How heavy is a lightweight suitcase?
A suitcase is considered lightweight when it falls well below the average for its size class: cabin suitcases from around 1.7 to 2.2 kg, medium-sized 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, depending on size, 2.7 kg (S), 3.6 kg (M), 4.6 kg (L) or 5.2 kg (XL).
Which suitcase is the lightest?
In cabin size, the travelite Jetpack (soft shell) and the Samsonite Lite-Shock (hard shell) share first place at 1.7 kg each. Among medium-sized 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 size, the lightest models of both types come in at 1.7 kg, while among large suitcases, the lightest hard-shell case (2.5 kg) is actually lighter than the lightest soft-shell case (2.9 kg). Only with XL suitcases do soft-shell models have a clear advantage.
How much is a suitcase allowed to weigh on a plane?
For hand 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 allowed to weigh 23 kg in Economy Class, and up to 32 kg in Business and First. Every kilo less the suitcase itself weighs is a kilo more you can pack.
All information as of 25 August 2026. Empty weights are manufacturer specifications and may vary by a few hundred grams depending on colour and features. Availability is subject to change; the respective product page is authoritative.
