All of these features add up to a carry-on that is easier to pack than any other bag we tested. The polycarbonate that Away uses is both strong and flexible. Its still true that two-wheeled luggage models have more internal space. But, the Travelpro Maxlite 5 comes with great warranty terms and superb quality. The 100 percent polyester material is water repellent (standing up to a spilled-water test), while the zippered main compartment is expandable by up to 2 inches. Today, Travelpro remains synonymous with quality and innovation. Its a buy-it-for life suitcase. She began writing for TripSavvy in May2018. If youd ask me, thats pretty advanced for a suitcase that costs a bit more than a hundred bucks. These include: TheCrew Versapack and Platinum Elite also have built-in suiter compartments, which keep the suits wrinkle-free. The handles of both Elite models are sturdy without feeling too rigid. In addition to the measurements, we looked at features. Weve found, over the years of traveling with suitcases with expanding zippers, that theyre better used as compression systems than an unexpected source of extra space. These 100 useful things were the most-purchased Wirecutter picks in September 2022. In 2018, Travelpro added a USB pass-through cable to the Platinum Elite, as a way to compete with smart bags. It seems to be the only significant change, beyond aesthetic, to the Elite from the previous Platinum Magna model, and we arent all that impressed. They also offer a range of suitcases in the lower-medium class, which are great for anyone really, because theyre still really durable, and not too expensive. Their luggage is made for professionals and frequent flyers, with quality being the number one priority. It is sturdy and unassuming, and does what it is meant to do without complaint. The suitcase is made of polyester fabric and is designed to withstand water spills and stains (though the lighter hues suffered some cosmetic damage). Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. After five years of testing carry-on luggage, weve learned what makes a good suitcase, which parts break first, and what you should look for when buying a bag. The Versapacks are cheaper, arguably more durable, and the Global carry-on fits within the 22 x 14 x 9 carry-on size requirements of most major airlines. This is an additional enhancement to the normal warranty, but its valid only if you register your suitcase within 120 days after purchasing it. It also has several pockets on the exterior for storing all the items that youll need to access quickly, including a padded laptop pocket. And the Maxlite 5is one of their most affordable models, so you can imagine how durable their more-premium models are. TravelPro Luggage Review In-Depth Platinum Elite sizes The Platinum Elite collection offers a standard carry on, an international carry on, a medium suitcase and a large suitcase. Ive flown with this bag for more than 45,000 miles and havent had an issue, but if youre particularly rough on your luggage or uncomfortable lifting the bag over curbs or up stairs its something to be aware of. On a flat marble ground that isnt perfectly leveled, the Maxlite 5 would start rolling away by itself, because of its smooth spinner wheels. Briggs & Riley Torq, Sympatico: While both of these Briggs & Riley lines seek to solve a different problem, neither are as impressive as the Baseline series. The story of Travelpro begins more than three decades ago, in 1987. We independently review everything we recommend. The interior is pretty spacious, but it also has an expandable zipper, which means that after unzipping it, it becomes even more spacious. Travelpro Crew VersaPack All-In-One Organizer (Max Size Compatible) $45.00 $33.99 Sold Out Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Rolling Garment Bag $550.00 $499.99 Sold Out Travelpro Crew VersaPack Laundry Organizer (Global Size Compatible) $40.00 $29.99 Sale Travelpro Crew VersaPack Laundry Organizer (Max Size Compatible) $40.00 $29.99 It will be familiar to anyone who has used a suitcase before, which means theres no learning curve for optimizing the storage capacity. The Crew and Plat are virtually the same bag. Arent Samsonite, Delsey, or Briggs & Riley better choices? Was it a good-looking bag, or an eyesore? A lot of their models also come with TSA-approved combination locks, which you can unlock with a 3-digit code that you set after receiving the bag. So long as you pack heavy things first (boots, camera lenses, souvenir wine bottles)closer to the handleyou should be fine. The Maxlite 5 that we tested came with four regular spinner wheels, and after several uses on dirt and brick roads, the wheels look brand-new. But now that companies have started building injection-molded pans for their wheel mounts, thickened the overall supports, and increased the diameter of the wheel spindles, the failure rate has reduced considerably. Full review: Travelpro Crew VersaPack 29-Inch Luggage Review. Its wheels and zipper are as well made as those of our soft-sided picks, and its polycarbonate showed fewer scratches than that of hard-sided competitors. If you prefer extra space or wheel durability over maneuverability, then two-wheeled bags are perfect for you. Compared with simple tie-down straps you find in cheaper luggage, the panels do a great job of keeping things compacted without creasing clothesa problem weve encountered in numerous other bags weve tested. 2023 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company. This is further boosted by the uniquely effective ratcheting CX compression system that allows travelers to fit an entire extra outfit into the same external dimensions as most other carry-ons. When you open up the Maxlite 5 hardside, it divides into two equal parts, as opposed to one large main compartment that comes with the fabric option. How to Earn Airline Miles While Sheltering in Place, We Called and Asked: These European & Middle East Airlines Are Retaining Status, By logging into your account, you agree to our. Keep in mind that the warranty doesnt cover cosmetic wear, and remember to tread carefully on stairs. We prefer to use the expansion zipper as something of an ad hoc compression system: We unzip the expansion zipper while packing the bag and then zip it at the end, tamping everything down tight. We also dragged them up and down two flights of concrete stairs, noting how easy this task was and how much damage the bags sustained. They both offer better warranties, which pretty much cover any defect for a lifetime. The Elite only improves on past iterations in the Platinum line by reducing the size of the stowed handle (which used to jut out about an inch) and adding a second zippered, exterior pocket for easy access on the go and a USB pass-through extension that lets you insert your own battery pack for charging your phone. The Away costs about $40 less than the Travelpro Platinum Elite, and it too is backed by a limited lifetime warranty that protects against defects and parts breaking. Conversations with these experts helped us understand things such as the function behind nylon and polyester, the difference in wheel-bearing designs, why alloys in telescoping handles matter, and more. Top 5 Best travelpro luggage reviews Travelpro lightweight luggage: Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Expandable Luggage Travelpro spinner luggage : Travelpro Unisex Adults Platinum Elite Softside Expandable Spinner Travelpro luggage carry-on: Travelpro Unisex Adults Crew Versapack Softside Expandable Spinner Travelpro luggage hardside: Travelpro bags have user-serviceable parts and multiple repair centers. ", Best Hard-Sided: Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-on Expandable Hardside Spinner at Travelpro, "The 100 percent polycarbonate, scratch-resistant shell makes the case durable. Travelpro is a great choice for someone who is looking for luggage that will last whether youre looking for something to accompany you on frequent business trips or youre traveling really often. How Apples AirTag and Androids Tile Mate can help you keep tabs on iteven when the airline cant. If you travel mostly internationally, within Europe, or within America, its worth looking for specialty luggage sizes. An expansion zipper lets you increase storage by about 30 percent in a pinchalthough the bag will no longer be carry-on compliant. However, it fits into most standard-size baggage caddies at check-in, including Americans and Uniteds. But after several years of testing experience, we think the superior maneuverability of spinner luggage, along with improvements in manufacturing processes, make four-wheel bags a better choice for most people. We even went through independent trials with professional flight attendants and high-mileage flyers at what was then Virgin Americas training center in a model cabin of an Airbus A320 as part of our test procedures. Travelpro platinum elite hardside large check-in expandable spinner This luggage has a high return rate due to the extra large size. If youre nervous about getting caught at the gate or often fly in very small regional planes, Travelpro also makes a slightly smaller, 20-inch Platinum Elite as well as a slimmer International configuration, but these hold less (naturally) and lack a suiter insert. Next, comes the aluminum handle. And at 7.8 pounds when empty, this carry-on bag is about half a pound lighter than its predecessor. Its not a full locking position. Make sure to look up the warranty thats right for your suitcase family. $319.99 $399.99. It also comes in 4 different colors, which are pretty plain but look professional. Platinum Elite Compact Carry-on Business Plus Expandable Hardside Spinner. It provides ample space at 22 x 18 x 11.5 incheswith an additional 2 inches if you use the main compartments expansion feature. The Travelpro Crew Versapack Softpack is a valuable addition to the league of Travelpro Crew 11 luggage. Travelpro's suitcases are roughly 15% more expensive than Samsonite. Its almost the same bag. Essentially, its a limited warranty thats very similar to what most middle-class luggage brands offer, like Samsonite and Delsey. This isnt to say that no one should ever get a two-wheeled bag. The metal gets worn down across the nose from the abrasion and inevitably that single piece will fail, more often than not.. Even though this doesnt make the fabric completely waterproof, its usually able to withstand light rain without letting any moisture inside the bag. How much room was left over? The side handle of the Crew Expert does away with the plastic hinges, which under enough stress may become weak points. Clever Journey gets you prepared for your next vacation with independent travel product reviews, packing tips, and travel advice. Hard-shell bags also miss out on a lot of features that are particularly important for a carry-on. Even though Ricardo gained a slightly better score on our list of the best luggage brands (76 versus Travelpros 75), we would recommend getting Travlepro instead, just because of their durability. This is really useful if youre running low on space in your baggage, but the suitcase may become a bit too large for the size restrictions. Size: 27 x 18.5 x 11.5 inches | Weight: 7.3 pounds | Expandable: Yes. Before you can pack the bag, there are two fiberglass rods that you need to install yourself. If things go awry, user-replaceable parts and a network of repair centers located around the world make quick fixes easy, and the reliable lifetime warranty covers repairs for airline damage. You can push a spinner bag ahead of you, run it along your side, or drag it behind you like a two-wheeled bag if you prefer; the point being, you get to choose what works best in a given situation, and this is often the difference between a stress-free day of travel and a stressed-out day of agitation, caught corners, and annoyed strangers. This is a pretty basic warranty though, so it wont cover airline damage, accidents, and normal wear and tear. It always fits. Brian Lam, Wirecutter founder. "Hard-sided luggage is typically made with 'split construction,' meaning the bag zips down the middle and opens into two shallower main compartments, like a clamshell., If you're basing your decision on durability, you can't go wrong with either. The beautifully designed suitcases in this set have taken everything a traveler needs into consideration: Theres a medium-sized checked bag and a carry-on, so you have your bases covered when it comes to trip length. Our tester appreciated this suitcase's strong but flexible body, noting that it squeezed into tight cargo spaces. On the exterior, its fitted with four self-aligning magnetic spinner wheels, which have been praised by Travelpros customers for their ability to roll on any surface with ease. Not really. Its ergonomic zipper pulls add extra durability. I'm just trying to decide which model would be the best choice. It weighs a pound less than the Platinum Elite, and it has a similar amount of packing space. Similar to our soft-sided top picks, Away bags are backed by a limited lifetime warranty. This sky-blue luggage will put you in a traveling state of mind while youre still packing. Size: 26 x 16.5 x 10.5 inches | Weight: 8.2 pounds | Expandable: Yes, Once expanded, dimensions can size it out of airline restrictions. Its built to last, too, with leather trim, a polycarbonate shell, and an aluminum corner armor. Full review: Travelpro Bold 21-Inch Carry-on Review. And although the wheels dont snap into alignment, they are exceptionally smooth rolling and easy to maneuver. Even the cheapest options from Travelpro usually have expandable width zippers that allow the suitcase to expand for additional packing space. However, for a limited time (how limited isnt yet clear), Travelprothe maker of our top pick in carry-on luggage for six years now, and a company that built its name and reputation on making luggage for flight crewsis selling a version of its professional model to everyone. Genius Pack G3 Carry-On: Its a very specific kind of traveler who will value the hyper-organization and chambered packing system built into the Genius Pack. Prioritizing the strength of a bag almost invariably means making it heavier than most people would prefer. Platinum Elite Platinum Elite Hardside; Maxlite Crew Versapack Bold by Travelpro . We still think most travelers are better off with one of our soft-sided picks than a hard-sided carry-on; soft-sided luggage shows less wear and typically lasts longer than hard-sided luggage. Which suitcase will work best for you depends on your taste and needs. Samsonite's carry-on bags range in price from $80 to $550; Travelpro's carry-ons cost $90 to $320. Krystin Arneson is a freelance editor and writer based out of Berlin, Germany. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Expanded, it can stow 2,110 cubic inchesor nearly 77 percent of its conceivable available space. Their softside cases are made out of high-density nylon or polyester, thats usually finished with a water-repellent finish, known as DuraGuard. It packs five days worth of clothes into standard US carry-on dimensions1 and has premium build-quality touches youd expect from a $600 bag at about half the price. One upgrade I love on the Crew Expert is its extra-thick polyurethane wheels. Were the straps thick enough to avoid adding creases to the clothes? Plenty of pockets and compartments inside and out keep everything in its place, and the designers have even thought to include a removable hanging wet pocketgreat for cosmetics and toiletries. However, the biggest problem with this bag was the abundance of zippers and internal compartments. It really comes down to personal preference. Opening the bag reveals two mesh compartments that you then have to open in turn just to begin packing. Its easy to pack: Just zip the suit in, fold it up, and youre set. The Baseline by Briggs & Riley is a bit more durable and comes with better features, but it costs double the money. If you want something durable to accompany you on your weekend getaways, you should consider getting the Maxlite 5 tote, as its really durable and it comes with the limited lifetime warranty that every Travelpro bag has. Hard sided looks better to most people, but soft sided luggage should withstand the bumps and knocks of travel for longer. Its made from military-grade aluminum, thats shaped in a way to improve its rigidness. And yet, after years of traveling with both types of bags through overcrowded planes and airports, we couldnt deny the obvious: Its far easier to travel with a four-wheeled piece of luggage than a two-wheeled one. This is really useful for return flights when youve bought too many souvenirs and snacks to return home. Both the Crew Expert and the Platinum Elite have plenty of external expansion and travel pockets, and the two models larger (21-inch) sizes come with identical suiters. Instead of designing a soft-sided suitcase with one large compartment to pack, Away splits the Expandable Carry-On into two smaller, difficult-to-pack halves. Spinner luggage or two-wheeled carry-on bag? We use affiliate links, and receive a small commission if you make purchases through them. Travelpros Platinum Elite has dominated the market ever since its release, so at that price point, its one of the best options that you can buy. Better yet, its tapered shape prevents the case from tipping if you lose your ultimate carry-on checklist and pack too much. The bulk of luggage brands and travelers have moved in this direction as well. Not only are they a dream to wheel around, but theyre also nearly impossible to destroy and, if the impossible does happen, a cinch to replace. If youre not part of a professional flight crew, I think youre better off purchasing our top carry-on pick. Travelpro makes suitcases in really professional, minimal style. It is constructed out of high-density nylon. Check us out! The wheels still had that cheap ball-bearing rhythmic chatter to them. After fair use on rocky roads, the wheels still look brand-new, and Im pretty impressed with how well theyre made. It comes with a garment organizer, which helps you keep your suits from wrinkling, but they also offer additional packing options sold separately, like packing cubes and a water-resistant organizer for dirty laundry. There are some exceptionsfor example, the Briggs & Riley Torq collection features an accessible outer panel that can carry a laptop, a tablet, and a few other gadgets for easy access. A lot of people said that their suitcases feel rigid, well-made, lightweight, and really spacious. Ive personally traveled with a Platinum line bag this size for more than 45,000 miles spread across 50 flights, from regional to long-haul to international routes, and never had an issue fitting within gate-side luggage sizers. We also werent impressed by the zippered expansion system on the Lojel, which made the suitcase feel bulkier than our picks. Merchant Video . We independently review everything we recommend. 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