Updated: 25 August 2026 · Empty weights as stated by manufacturers from our product data, prices "from" at the time of publication; only models available for delivery on the reference date are included.
In short
The lightest suitcases at Markenkoffer start at 1.7 kg in cabin luggage size (travelite Jetpack and Samsonite Lite-Shock), 2.4 kg for medium suitcases (travelite Skaii 67 cm), 2.5 kg for large suitcases (Samsonite Lite-Shock 75 cm), and 4.0 kg for XL suitcases (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: checked baggage allowances are usually 23 kg per item, while cabin baggage is limited to 8 kg with Lufthansa, Eurowings and Condor. Every kilo your suitcase weighs less means more room 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 the manufacturer's 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 in-stock suitcases: Trolleys and suitcases with a capacity of at least 25 litres that had several units in stock on the reference date. Children's suitcases and wheeled holdalls are excluded.
- One entry per model range: Colour variants of the same model are only counted once, with a link to one available version.
The lightest cabin luggage suitcases (size S, up to 55 cm)
| Model | Empty weight | Volume | 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, at 55 cm in height, meet the cabin baggage requirements of Lufthansa, Eurowings and Condor (55 × 40 × 23 cm). For Ryanair (55 × 40 × 20 cm, Priority only), the models with a maximum depth of 20 cm are suitable. Find out more in our airline comparison of cabin luggage dimensions.
The lightest medium suitcases (size M, 56 to 69 cm)
| Model | Empty weight | Volume | 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 luggage from travelite dominates – though the Guess hard-shell suitcase easily keeps pace at 2.5 kg.
The lightest large suitcases (size L, 70 to 79 cm)
| Model | Empty weight | Volume | 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 a Curv hard shell can do: 2.5 kg for 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 | 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 by design; if you need over 80 cm in height, soft-shell luggage is noticeably lighter than a hard shell.
Hard shell or soft shell: which is lighter?
The data dispels a common myth: hard-shell suitcases aren't automatically heavier. In cabin luggage size, the lightest models of both types are tied at 1.7 kg. For medium suitcases, only a few grams separate the lightest hard-shell case (2.5 kg) from the lightest soft-shell case (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 counts: Curv (woven, pressed polypropylene as used in the Samsonite Lite-Shock) and polypropylene are the lightest hard shells, polycarbonate is slightly heavier, and ABS is the heaviest. For soft-shell luggage, lightweight nylon and polyester fabrics with slim frames save weight. For more on what else speaks for or against each construction type, read 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 remains for the contents, while with an average L suitcase weighing 4.6 kg, only 18.4 kg is left – a difference of a good two kilos, roughly a pair of shoes and two pairs of jeans. For cabin luggage with an 8 kg limit, the difference between an empty weight of 1.7 kg and 2.7 kg amounts to a full kilo of packing space. Excess baggage can quickly cost between £10 and £20 per kilo 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 sizes 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 about 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 size, the travelite Jetpack (soft shell) and the Samsonite Lite-Shock (hard shell) share first place at 1.7 kg each. For medium suitcases, the travelite Skaii is the lightest at 2.4 kg; for large suitcases, it's the Samsonite Lite-Shock 75 cm at 2.5 kg; and for XL suitcases, the travelite Crosslite 81 cm at 4.0 kg (as of 25 August 2026, in-stock models only).
Are hard-shell suitcases heavier than soft-shell luggage?
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 size, the lightest models of both types come in at 1.7 kg, while for large suitcases, the lightest hard-shell case (2.5 kg) is even lighter than the lightest soft-shell case (2.9 kg). Only with XL suitcases does soft-shell luggage have a clear advantage.
How much is a suitcase allowed to weigh on a plane?
For cabin baggage, 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 up to 23 kg in Economy Class, and up to 32 kg in Business and First. Every kilo less your suitcase weighs empty 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. Prices and availability are subject to change; the respective product page takes precedence.
