Introducing the Nike Suitcase Collection: Luggage That Meets Athlete Travel Needs

• Nike is launching hard-shell luggage in three different sizes in spring 2026.
• Each suitcase features 360-degree spinner wheels, a padded handle for comfort, adjustable internal dividers, and a removable and washable liner.
• The suitcases’ design draws heavily from the iconic Nike Air Force 1 shoe.

Athletes will stop at nothing to better themselves, often traveling long distances to run races, compete in tournaments and summit mountains — both literal and metaphoric. While fitness-centered travel offers athletes new opportunities for adventure and growth, it also presents challenges like flight delays, crowded airports, and navigating unfamiliar cities. Sometimes reaching the final destination feels like a marathon in and of itself, demanding athletes shift their focus away from what matters most: their sport.

In response, Nike created a new line of travel gear designed to meet the unique needs of today's athletes. After five years of research, development and real-world testing, the collection launches in spring 2026 with a line of hard-sided luggage in three sizes. Each features 360-degree spinner wheels, a padded handle for comfort, adjustable internal dividers, and a removable and washable liner built to withstand sweaty sneakers and workout clothes.

Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight started an athletic and footwear business more than 60 years ago, which later became Nike in 1971. It has since expanded beyond shoes, innovating in other categories to enable athletes to perform at their highest potential. In the spirit of this philosophy, Nike entered the duffel and backpack market two decades ago. Now, the brand is debuting hard-shell spinner suitcases designed to meet athletes where they are — which is increasingly on the go, not just by bus or car but also by airplane.

“What we noticed is that athletes have evolved a lot. While they used to travel 40 or 50 miles by car to compete and train, now they’re flying — and this is true across all levels and ages,” says Rachel Lipinski, global product director, Nike Bags.

“Elite players are on private jets to get across the world, and similarly, kids playing club sports are flying to compete in weekend tournaments. There are also many everyday athletes who simply want to get a workout in while traveling," says Lipinski. "All of these things have become increasingly prevalent, and we noticed that our luggage hadn’t been updated to meet athletes where they were and where they needed to be.”

Indeed, luggage has become an essential piece of equipment for the modern athlete. As Lipinski and her team developed the line, they considered how they could help athletes recover, reset and prepare to compete by creating suitcases that wouldn’t be a performance distraction or add to the stress of travel.

Then, the team tested multiple prototypes on several international trips, where the bags were dragged over cobblestone streets and through tiled and carpeted airports to ensure each part of the bag — from the handles to the wheels — could deliver the experience they wanted to provide. “If people aren't thinking about their suitcase, it means we've done something right. That was always the goal,” says Lipinski.

The suitcases are offered in three sizes: a large 29-inch size, a medium 26-inch size, and a 22-inch carry-on size, all of which have TSA-approved locks. The bags are constructed with a rugged yet lightweight matte polycarbonate shell with recycled components and an expandable panel.

“If you need to take home some epic awards or medals, you’ve got room,” jokes Lipinski. All of the bags also feature 360-degree spinner wheels for easy gliding, regardless of the weight, and an ergonomic gel-like padded handle, which Lipinski says are two of her favorite features.

Designing the inside of the bag was all about creative problem-solving. Athletes tend to have tons of gear, which presents unique packing challenges. Creating special spots for sneakers (no matter how large or small) and ways to separate sweaty clothes from clean gear were key goals during the design process.

The team realized early on that they wanted every athlete to have the ability to organize their bag in a way that worked best for them. So, they decided to outfit the inside of the bags with adjustable dividers, which Lipinski notes can be moved in countless ways to accommodate everything from basketball sneakers to a growing pile of dirty workout clothing that needs to be kept separate from clean underwear and jeans.

Keeping sweaty sneakers and shorts inside a suitcase doesn’t do the liner any favors — it can harbor bacteria and smells that could later transfer to clean clothing brought on future trips. To address the cleanliness issue, the team added a zip-out liner. “We know that athletes are traveling all around the world, their clothes and shoes are touching goodness knows what — the ground, the sweat, the gym, all of the things,” says Alle Evans, product line manager, Nike Bags. “With the zip-out liner, customers can toss it in the washing machine to ensure it remains clean and ready for their next trip.”

When the team set out to create the luggage, they wanted to be sure that it was unmistakably Nike the moment you saw it. “We looked at all of the products over the past 50 years, and thought about the most iconic, classic, recognizable items,” says Lipinski. “And we kept coming back to the Air Force One.” The iconic sneaker first hit shelves in 1982.

To incorporate an element of the shoe into the bag while maintaining a sleek overall look, the embellishments were thoughtful and minimal. The front features a simple Nike Swoosh, while the back is imprinted with the design found on the sole of an AF1. To bring the Air Force One theme full circle, the phrase “Thank you for flying Nike Air” is printed inside the bag.

Those who prefer a more decorative suitcase can enhance their luggage with the provided sticker pack. “We worked on the stickers with our packaging team,” says Evans. “The designs are pulled from legacy graphics and heritage Department of Nike Archives places that felt really Nike.” Not only do the stickers look cool, but they’re also great for masking the occasional scuff, which the complementary cleaning sponge can help with as well. “We know that bags just get thrown around by TSA and everybody else, so there’s a cleaning sponge in there to get any scuffs off, which is great,” says Evans. The goal of these “extras” is to extend the life of the bag, so it can be an item athletes come back to again and again.

Whether it's a weekend getaway or a globe-trotting adventure, Nike’s hard-shell suitcases are designed to move with you, wherever you go. They will be available in spring 2026 on Nike.com in three sizes and one colorway (black) with prices starting at $260 for the carry-on. Additional colors will be available later in the year.