I used to think a luggage strap was just a nice add-on, until my zipper failed on a crowded airport conveyor belt. One frantic trip later I promised myself I’d never travel without a sturdy strap again. Like many travelers, I’d had a bag burst open or a carry-on jammed, and a quick strap rescue saved my belongings. Luggage straps give extra security and peace of mind, keeping bags closed and visible.
In fact, straps add a critical layer of protection against accidental openings or snoopy tampering. Bright straps even make your suitcase stand out on the carousel, so you spot your bag at baggage claim in seconds. Over the past months I’ve tried many styles, from colorful belts to heavy-duty connectors, to find which ones work best. In this article I’ll share my journey and review nine best luggage straps that earned a place in my own travel kit.
1. Samsonite Luggage Strap with Lock
I started with a classic trusted name: Samsonite luggage strap with an integrated TSA combination lock. It’s a bright midnight-blue belt, 190 cm long (about 75 inches), and made of heavy polypropylene.
From experience, Samsonite’s ABS buckle felt very sturdy, it’s described as “rugged” and built to withstand rough baggage handling. In use, I liked that it was easy to wrap around a big checked bag or even a carry-on stack. The three-digit lock adds a simple security measure; setting the code is straightforward. When flying, I felt reassured knowing I had a TSA-accepted lock built in.
The strap is adjustable up to 72 inches, so it fit all my size suitcases. The fabric was a bit stiff at first, but overall very durable. It never slipped or loosened once locked. As a brand loyalist, I also appreciated the subtle Samsonite logo and how the strap matched my luggage scheme.
What to Consider:
One thing to consider is that this strap is a single 190 cm loop, there’s no extra strap included for smaller items. Also, because it’s Samsonite’s own strap, it comes at a slightly higher price than generic belts.
2. Chelmon (4-Pack)
For a bargain 4-pack, the Chelmon travel straps caught my eye. These are simple 2-inch-wide nylon belts, each about 72 inches long, and come in bright orange. I actually bought the orange set, they also offer green, blue and red, purely for visibility. Putting one on my hardcase suitcase was easy: just buckle around the middle and pull to tighten. They’re TSA-approved in the sense that they can be unbuckled or cut by inspectors if needed; Chelmon bills them as “TSA travel belts.” In practice, I found them handy because the bright color really stands out. My bag’s orange strap got compliments at the airport – and I never mistook my suitcase for the hundreds of plain black bags on the carousel.
That said, these straps are very basic. They have no locks or ID tags, just a plastic quick-release buckle and strap. The buckle is sturdy enough for normal use, but I could feel it was a simple plastic clip. I would hesitate to latch two very heavy bags together with it (it might unclip under extreme stress). Also, because they’re sold in a set, you might only use one or two for your needs, leaving extras unused. Still, for under $9 a pack (often on sale), they’re a great value if all you need is a bright band to keep a suitcase closed or to attach a carry-on onto it.
What to Consider:
No locks or security features (just a buckle).
3. Adjustable Straps & Tags (8-Piece Set)
This set goes a step further by including ID tags. You get 4 straps plus 4 matching tags (the green version I tried). Each strap is the usual 2 inches wide and adjustable to fit big suitcases. The tags slip onto the strap and have little windows for a business card or name label, handy if your bag gets lost. In my tests, fastening these green straps felt similar to the Chelmon: snap the buckle and tighten. The tags were a fun bonus; I wrote my initials on paper and tucked it in. At baggage claim I could glance at the colored tag to spot my suitcase from a distance.
One perk of this pack is the variety, having 4 straps lets you use one horizontally, another vertically, or mix for different bags. They’re TSA-approved style (no locks). Just like the Chelmon, the hardware is plastic. Also, the ID tags are a clever idea, but they’re flimsy plastic; I’d keep an eye that they don’t crack. Overall this set is great if you travel in groups or have multiple bags. You’ll always have a spare strap or a matching tag.
What to Consider:
No built-in lock/security beyond basic buckle.
4. Ajmy Add Bag (2-Pack)
When I first started using this set of TSA-approved luggage straps, I didn’t expect such a simple-looking design to make such a big difference during travel. These straps are made of strong polyester webbing with sturdy plastic buckles, and the build quality genuinely surprised me. The material feels tough but lightweight, almost like the kind of strap used on hiking gear. What I liked most is how the adjustable buckle gives me control over the fit, so I can use it on different suitcases, from my small 20-inch carry-on to my large checked bag. It doesn’t snap or bend easily, even when tightened at odd angles, which gives me peace of mind when my luggage is being tossed around at the airport.
These luggage straps for multiple bags can adjust anywhere between 40 to 78 inches, which means they can connect multiple bags or simply secure one large suitcase. I used them recently to attach my carry-on to my checked luggage while rolling through a crowded terminal, and it made traveling hands-free so much easier. The minimal, all-black look also keeps things sleek and professional, perfect if you’re not a fan of flashy travel accessories.
What to consider:
Plain black design might not stand out on the carousel especially if your own luggage has black color.
5. Gorilla Grip Heavy Duty (2-Pack)
For truly heavy-duty luggage straps, Gorilla Grip is a brand I’ve come to trust. I tested their neon green 2-pack (they also sell 4- and 8-packs and other colors). These straps are made of tough polyester webbing and boast a very impressive spec: each strap can handle up to 500 pounds of pull without breaking. In use, I felt the strength, they never creaked or slid, even when I strapped down a fully packed duffel and suitcase. The 2-inch-wide straps covered a large surface and gripped the suitcase to help keep it closed, which echoes their claim of holding luggage closed even if the zipper fails.
The straps are long (36 to 76 inches) and easily fit even oversized checked bags. The buckle is plastic but extremely rigid; each buckle has a big solid clasp that “just feels right” when you hear it click. For Buckle quality this is the best strap compared to previously reviewed straps without combination lock.
What to consider:
Only single straps (no bundle) unless you buy 4- or 8-pack; this was a 2-pack.
6. BILIONE (4-Pack)
I also wanted a colorful multi-pack for variety, so I tried the BILIONE set. It includes 4 straps (Blue, Orange, Rose Pink, and Green) each 79 inches long. They remind me of the Chelmon straps but with a longer length (79″ is about 6.6 ft), ideal for oversize bags. These are simple nylon belts with plastic buckles, and are TSA-approved (buckle closure style). In practice, I used the pink and green ones and loved how long they were.They fit snugly even around deep duffels. The colors are bold, so my duffels were easy to spot from a distance.
Functionally, they work just like the Chelmon straps, so I won’t repeat the tutorial. I will say I liked having four different colors; I mixed and matched two on my main suitcase (one horizontal, one vertical) and still had two to try on another bag. The plastic buckles clipped firmly. As before, no locks or tags. The big advantage here is the length: if you have really large or oddly shaped luggage, these might be the “longest of the lot” among standard straps. They also offer to “add a bag” to checked luggage by fitting around both, similar to the Ajmy 2-Pack Add Bag Strap style in concept.
What to Consider:
Plastic buckles/belts are basic, similar to other budget straps.
7. Untethered (4-Pack)
The Untethered 4-pack is another heavy-duty multi-bag belt. Each strap here is 2 inches by 6 feet long and made to withstand over 400 lbs of tension. The unique thing is the two-stage buckle: it’s a beefy lock mechanism that clicks in twice, so you pull once and then pull again to lock. In my experience, this makes it very secure, you have to press a release to open it, so it won’t come undone on its own. The pack includes 4 straps, enough for two checked bags (since they suggest one per suitcase top and one per side).
I appreciated how heavy the buckles felt, almost metal-like. The straps themselves are thick polyester. I wrapped one around a test bag horizontally and it held rock-solid as I tugged.
What to Consider:
Pricier than generic brands (Untethered feel more industrial-grade).
8. Travelkin Cross-Style Straps:
The Travelkin straps stand out with their aviation-inspired “Air Line Black” pattern (a subtle geometric print on black). This set comes with a built-in TSA key lock (so you lock the strap itself) and two adjustable cross straps for each suitcase. In use, I had one strap go vertically and one horizontally, crossing over the front of my suitcase. The lock was easy to set – it’s a small TSA-accepted combination lock that secures the loose ends together. That’s convenient so you don’t have to juggle a padlock. The buckles here are reinforced, but I found they were plastic, not metal. Still, they clasped tightly.
A big plus is the design, I felt “travel classy” using these straps. The cross-strap approach spreads support over more of the bag. Also, having a real lock is nice for peace of mind (unlike the previous no-lock straps). Travelkin claims a “heavy duty” build; in practice, it held my fully-packed 25 kg suitcase without budging
What to Consider:
- Only holds ~50 lbs load per manufacturer spec, lighter duty than the Gorilla or Untethered.
9. Samsonite Luggage Strap (No Lock):
Finally, I checked out another Samsonite classic, a plain black strap with no lock. This one is minimalistic: a 52-inch long strap (fits up to 72″ bags) made of ultra-durable polypropylene, with a sturdy ABS buckle,. In practice it worked much like the first Samsonite strap, just without the combination lock. I used it as a backup and found it very handy for a carry-on or weekend bag. With its slim 2″ width, it’s lighter-weight than some other straps on this list. I appreciate that Samsonite’s buckle is specifically noted to “withstand the rigors of baggage handling”, which felt true as I yanked and tugged it during a test. The all-black look is sleek, and it blends with any luggage (though ironically that makes it less visible).
This strap’s main advantage is simplicity and reliability. It was easy to throw around a bag, and because it’s so short, it even compresses a very full backpack when strapped horizontally. The quality was exactly on par with Samsonite’s rep: strong buckle, no sharp edges, and smooth operation. My only minor gripe is the length, at 52″ (130 cm), it won’t fit the largest hardshell suitcases. It’s ideal for mid-size luggages, Also, without a lock, it won’t stop a theft, it’s purely to keep a bag closed. But if you just need a basic luggage strap for travel, this Samsonite strap did the job without a fuss.
What to Consider:
- Only one strap (no extras in pack).
- Not as long as some others (may not wrap around very large bags but good luggage strap for carry on).
Conclusion:
When I pack for a trip now, I always consider which luggage strap will serve me best, as this time i have many that i bought just to review for you guys. Whether you need heavy duty luggage straps (like Gorilla or Untethered for big loads), a compact strap for a single suitcase (like the Samsonite (with lock), or an add-on strap for carry-on use, there’s a right choice.