When we first started testing the Away in 2016, we found that flexibility to be a liability, especially on airport carpets: The first version of the Away I tested tended to flex into itself and jam up its own wheels when I pushed it in front of me. In the middle-class price range, we think that Travlepro is currently the best choice overall. We measured these components and subtracted each from the total volume as well as we could. Should I get a soft-sided or hard-sided suitcase? An expansion zipper lets you increase storage by about 30 percent in a pinchalthough the bag will no longer be carry-on compliant. Our one critique is the front exterior pocket is difficult to get in and out of due to its shallow construction. Like our other picks, this bag stood out for its high-end components, such as sturdy zippers and wheels that moved as smoothly as those on our soft-sided top picks. Weighing 9.5 pounds by our measure, the Crew Expert is nearly 2 pounds heavier than a similar-size Platinum Elite. "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. In the same way it may seem like overkill to use a Humvee to carry kids to soccer practice, the Crew Expert is too heavy-duty for the job most travelers need their suitcase to do. It provides ample space at 22 x 18 x 11.5 incheswith an additional 2 inches if you use the main compartment's expansion feature. The 20 carry-on that we are reviewing usually goes for around $250. Timbuk2 Copilot: We had high hopes for this one because Timbuk2 has a great reputation for making backpacks and messenger bags. Welcome to FT. While traveling through airports, Ive noticed that flight crews all have luggage thats different from my own carry-on. Which suitcase will work best for you depends on your taste and needs. Alexios is an avid traveler and a freelance writer. Though we generally prefer YKK zippers, which have a very good reputation, Travelpros zipper choice hasnt been enough to change our recommendation. If you plan on using your suitcase as a carry-on, be sure its dimensions adhere to most airlines' luggage size requirements or be prepared to check it at the airport. Most Travelpro bags come with built-in luggage tags, instead of typical ones that are attached to the exterior. If the floor is not properly leveled, the suitcase will start to roll by itself. Full review: Travelpro Platinum Elite 25-Inch Checked Suitcase Review. ", Best Hard-Sided: Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-on Expandable Hardside Spinner at Travelpro, "The 100 percent polycarbonate, scratch-resistant shell makes the case durable. Some customers have mentioned that, when fully packed, the Maxlite 5 didnt pass the travel restrictions. Were the straps thick enough to avoid adding creases to the clothes? While the Platinum Elite is more expensive than the Versapack, it has a longer period of Travelpros Trusted Companion Promise (lifetime versus 5 years for the Versapack collection), which is definitely worth the extra money. There are plenty of reputable brands with lifetime warranties; its generally worth paying a little extra for the peace of mind. eBags Mother Lode Carry-On Rolling Duffel: We like eBagss packing cubes, and the companys wheel-less carry-on bag is a good budget buy, but this Mother Lode was easy to dismiss right away. It combines excellent quality and durability with an affordable price tag, and (like all of the Maxlite collection suitcases) it is incredibly light. International travelers may favor Travelpro models with RFID-blocking pockets to prevent virtual theft of their passport and credit card data. Its wheels chattered over every surface except deep carpet. 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. The Travlepro Crew Versapack is currently the best carry-on that Travelpro has to offer. If she's not working or on the road, you can find her paying yet another visit to one of Berlin's incredible museums, hitting the dance floor, or exploring the city's wonderfully dynamic restaurant scene. It costs more than our main pick, but after using all of these bags side by side, we can see what a difference that extra money buys: The Briggs & Riley garment folder is among the roomiest weve tested, the compression system is superior to anything else weve seen, and the bag has a huge amount of interior spacemore than all the others in this guide. The Crew and Plat are virtually the same bag. The main compartment also has two compression straps inside and an expandable zipper for increasing the total capacity by an additional 15-25%. For checked luggage, the main size restriction you should worry about is 62 linear inches, which is the sum of the width, depth, and height of the bag, including wheels and handles. Travelpro makes suitcases in really professional, minimal style. We measured the external dimensions of the bag, but we also measured the internal dimensions, so that we could see which bag has the most usable packing space for the bags overall size. Its built to last, too, with leather trim, a polycarbonate shell, and an aluminum corner armor. For all intents and purposes, the Flex is the same overall bag as the standard Carry-On except for the expanding center zipper and the price (its $30 more; also, the Carry-On original does go on sale more frequently). Heres how to choose the right one for your travel needs. Looking them over, I found the two bags to be almost identical except for some minor variations in the pocket layout and some additions to the interior of the limited-edition bag that lend it some amenities most regular travelers will appreciate, such as a built-in garment bag and a clear toiletries bag. For instance, the Platinum Elite has a battery pocket with a USB port through its exterior, while the Crew Expert does not. Additionally, it has a DuraGuard coating that makes it abrasion-free. TravelPro Luggage Review In-Depth Platinum Elite sizes The Platinum Elite collection offers a standard carry on, an international carry on, a medium suitcase and a large suitcase. We appreciate the aesthetic appeal of hard-shell suitcases: Their sleek exteriors come in a wider range of colors and prints than soft-case fabrics. Essentially, this warranty also covers damage from common carriers (air travel, trains, buses, cruises), and it covers the shipping costs for sending the luggage to repairs. The obvious difference is that the fabric version is made from polyester while the Maxlite 5 hardside is made from a polycarbonate hard shell. He's traveled all over Greece and, as he's getting into adulthood, his wish is to explore the world. It weighs so much because it comes with a lot of features, and its built from durable materials. Thats not the case on the inside. Hard sided looks better to most people, but soft sided luggage should withstand the bumps and knocks of travel for longer. That being said, few suitcases can match the durability and shear quality of the Versapack. They were beaten only by Briggs & Riley (81 points) and Ricardo (76 points). Its easy to pack and has an anchor point for hangers. In fact, ballistic nylon is currently the most durable fabric used in luggage. Its a buy-it-for life suitcase. The hardside version costs 100$ more, but it offers better features and more protection for fragile items. And then we wheeled each loaded bag around the neighborhood on the exact same route, looking at how well each bag rolled, and how well it handled broken sidewalks, uneven pavement, grass, bricks, dirt, and curbs. Travelpro Platinum Elite 21" Expandable Spinner Review A super versatile and functional bag that is durably built and makes travel easy $314 at Amazon Price: $370 List Manufacturer: Travelpro By Myrha Colt Review Editor Sep 26, 2022 84 OVERALL SCORE RANKED #2 of 9 Ease of Use - 35% 8.5 Design - 25% 7.8 Packability - 25% 8.3 Durability - 15% 9.0 Better yet, its tapered shape prevents the case from tipping if you lose your ultimate carry-on checklist and pack too much. Both the Crew Expert and the Platinum Elite have plenty of external expansion and travel pockets, and the two models larger (21-inch) sizes come with identical suiters. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. On the other hand, that rigid exterior makes hard-shell bags unable to be compressed to squeeze into tight spaces like soft-sided bags are more apt to allow., Its also important to consider what each format offers interior-wise. If you prefer more packing capacity (the equivalent of squeezing in two more sweatshirts), larger wheels that run more smoothly over rough terrain, and a more protective built-in garment folder,2 we also like the two-wheeled 22-inch version, especially for longer trips. If you want something durable to accompany you on your weekend getaways, you should consider getting the Maxlite 5 tote, as its really durable and it comes with the limited lifetime warranty that every Travelpro bag has. We gathered data about popular suitcases from 31 different luggage brands, and it revealed that on average, their suitcases cost 219$. This two-wheeled carry-on bag isnt as maneuverable but offers slightly more space, a garment folder, and larger, more durable wheels. I personally own the Travelpro Maxlite 5 carry-on, and when I first received it, I was amazed at how rigid everything was. And the Maxlite 5is one of their most affordable models, so you can imagine how durable their more-premium models are. Meanwhile, the only maneuverability benefits of two-wheeled luggage are better ground clearance over rough terrain, such as cobblestones, and easier rolling over carpets. 20% OFF PLATINUM ELITE HARDSIDES + BUY MORE SPEND MORE! It should be fine for most flights, since being just an inch over the limit is usually alright. So I compared a limited-edition professional-grade suitcase, Travelpros Crew Expertwhich the company is now selling to regular peoplewith our top pick for carry-on luggage (as well as an actual flight-crew bag) to see how it stacked up. Usually, brands only reimburse for return shipping costs, and airline damage isnt covered, which is what makes Travelpros warranty better than what youd get from other brands. Two testers, one male and one female, packed a bag individually as if headed to the same wedding. But keep in mind, that its made from ballistic nylon, which is the most durable, but the heaviest fabric used in luggage. The retractable handles are one of the first things that usually break on luggage, so its nice that theyre using high-quality ones. 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. But after six years of testing multiple models, our testers have found that the Away is capable of enduring most of the trials of travel with fewer scratches than the other polycarbonate models weve tested. Does it ruin the bag? The inside of the top lid includes a zippered mesh pocket and a large zippered wet pocketexcellent for keeping your toiletries or dirty laundry separate. Simply drop-off your defective luggage at one of authorized repair centers for prompt assessment and handling. The Crew Expert has extra-thick polyurethane wheels. We chose five luggage tags that will help you identify your belongings in a sea of similar suitcases. But I havent experienced the issue with any of the later models of this suitcase. Many customers have said that the bag has very durable zippers, and they also praised the durability of the main shoulder strap. TravelPro is world-renown for producing high-quality pieces of luggage, which can comfortably withstand frequent travel. When you compare the weight to similar ballistic nylon carry-ons, like the Briggs & Riley Baseline (8.36 lbs), or the Tumi Alpha 3 (11.7 lbs), its actually much lighter. We found hundreds of roller carry-on bags out thereand that was even after we excluded models that didnt meet our basic criteria. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Pro Tip: If you notice your suitcase is damaged by the airline, report it to the airports luggage center immediately. The main potential for failure is the zipper, which binds the two halves of hard-shell luggage together. They typically lack expansion zippers (and the few hard-sided bags that can expand usually feel too bulky). It comes with various protection elements, like reinforced corners, skid plates, and protective plastic elements. 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. On average, their suitcases are rated higher than ones from their direct competitors, such as Ricardo, Briggs & Riley, Samsonite, and Delsey. Meanwhile, the self-aligning spinner wheels will glide smoothly through even the busiest airports. It always fits.. The Platinum Elite comes in 3 different colors, and the design of the bag looks really sleek and professional. The Platinum Elites plastic baseboard is perforated with holes and secured with a litany of small screws. 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