It also eschews niceties that most modern travelers enjoy, such as spinner wheels and USB hubs. Most of the bags we tested unzip so that only the top opens, allowing you the full depth of the bag to stack your belongings inside along the walls. Above all, Travelpro values quality and durability. 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. Prioritizing the strength of a bag almost invariably means making it heavier than most people would prefer. 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. The Platinum Elite weighs 8.1 lbs (3.7 kg), which is definitely on the heavier end of the spectrum, but it isnt the heaviest carry-on that youll find. However, the unique shape of the Vocier means that the zipper of the luggage must travel a very specific S curve, which snagged almost every time we opened the case. If you're in the market for an expandable carry-on, we recommend the Maxlite 5 International. Its also available in a two-wheeled version, which we tested and recommended in previous years. For me, the highest one was just perfect. The 20 carry-on that we are reviewing usually goes for around $250. Youll also find a USB charging port on the backside, which will allow you to charge your phone without taking out your power bank. 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. Another thing thats included is a TSA-approved toiletry pouch, which means that you wont need to find a new Ziploc before every flight. A wide, wrinkle-free tie-down system completes the package. Essentially, its a limited warranty thats very similar to what most middle-class luggage brands offer, like Samsonite and Delsey. How many pockets did the bag have? Below, we've rounded up our favorites, from checkpoint-friendly backpacks to lightweight spinner suitcases. Then we loaded them down and beat them up. It also has a TSA-approved combination lock for keeping the contents of the bag secure. Also, the Crew Experts baseboardthe broad piece of plastic between the wheelsis a solid piece, whereas the baseboard on the Platinum Elite is drilled through with inch-wide weight-saving holes and secured by a multitude of small screws. Our tester appreciated this suitcase's strong but flexible body, noting that it squeezed into tight cargo spaces. That being said, few suitcases can match the durability and shear quality of the Versapack. But keep in mind, that its made from ballistic nylon, which is the most durable, but the heaviest fabric used in luggage. Clever Journey gets you prepared for your next vacation with independent travel product reviews, packing tips, and travel advice. Load the bag as full as you need to, and zip it closed. On average, their suitcases are rated higher than ones from their direct competitors, such as Ricardo, Briggs & Riley, Samsonite, and Delsey. Platinum Elite . They also have a wide range of affordable models, which are great for anyone, not only professionals. The Travelpro Crew VersaPack Weekender Carry-on Duffel Bag with Suiter is a must-have for travelers embarking on a weekend getaway. Four wheels or spinners are easier to maneuver down tight airplane aisles, but two wheel bags will always be more durable. They both offer better warranties, which pretty much cover any defect for a lifetime. However, that added toughness comes at a cost: extra weight and the loss of a few features we like on the Platinum Elite. If you fly more than 25,000 miles per year, its worthwhile to invest in luggage that goes beyond merely being sturdy and will actually improve your overall travel experience. Their more expensive fabric models are built from ballistic nylon, which is the most durable fabric used in luggage. We think its worthwhile to invest a little more into your luggagethe bag you choose will last longer and work better. Best Overall: Travelpro Maxlite 5 25-Inch Expandable Spinner, Best Carry-on: Travelpro Maxlite 5 International Expandable Carry-on Rollaboard, Best Checked: Travelpro Crew 11 22-Inch Expandable Spinner Suiter Suitcase, Best for Durability: Bold By Travelpro 25-Inch Expandable Rollaboard, Best Splurge: Travelpro Platinum Elite 21-Inch Expandable Carry-on Spinner, Best Hard-Sided: Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-on Expandable Hardside Spinner, Best Underseater: Travelpro Maxlite Rolling UnderSeat Carry-on, Best Set: Platinum Elite Carry-on / Medium Check-in Hardside Luggage Set, What to Look for in Travelpro Luggage Items. Also, the handles on the Crew Expert are secured directly to the frame of the bag for a stronger connection; the Platinum Elite, on the other hand, uses plastic hinges to provide a little more flexibility and movement of the handle, which makes it more comfortable to use. It also has an aluminum retractable handle, which lets you use it like any other rolling suitcase. The nylon exteriors of Travelpro's soft-sided suitcases are treated with water and stain repellent. Pull upward on two plastic handles inside the bag, and you can extend its depth a full 2 inches. In addition to the measurements, we looked at features. Personally, Im not a fan of expanding zippers on suitcases. It may be time to dust off old luggage or consider new replacements as you consider even newer destinations. If youre planning on traveling with a suitcase and the Maxlite 5 tote, then youll be happy to know that it has a rear strap, which secures it on top of your suitcase by wrapping around the retractable handle. The one scenario in which we can get it to tip easily is by intentionally packing all the heaviest items near the top (when its lying flat) of the baglaptops are a common culprit here. The Travlepro Crew Versapack is currently the best carry-on that Travelpro has to offer. Though weve come to prefer the maneuverability of the four-wheeled carry-on luggage design, some people may prefer the extra space (about 400 cubic inches or the size of two rolled-up sweatshirts) and wheel durability of the two-wheeled model. Similar to our soft-sided top picks, Away bags are backed by a limited lifetime warranty. Ricardo gained a better score only because they do a fairly good job from all aspects, and Travelpro got fairly low scores in airline compatibility and design. Based on whats available, and what different types of travelers need, we think the following bags are the best investment you can make. These bags are stronger than most civilian bags, over-engineered to withstand the rigors of constant daily use aboard airplanes and going through airports. Pack your neatly folded shirts into the full-size lid compartment and keep track of your smaller items in the zippered side mesh pocket. Some customers have mentioned that, when fully packed, the Maxlite 5 didnt pass the travel restrictions. You can see the two packing lists in the footnotes below.4 What we included isnt representative of a family traveling or a couple splitting a bag, but we did design this test load to err on the side of bulky, and we hope it will give you a clear idea of how much of your own stuff these bags could hold. TravelPro is world-renown for producing high-quality pieces of luggage, which can comfortably withstand frequent travel. The listed size of 22 by 14 by 9 inches (although most airline sizers we tested are actually a bit larger than their listed measurements) should be compliant with the vast majority of flights that start within America, regardless of where youre flying to. Timbuk2 Copilot: We had high hopes for this one because Timbuk2 has a great reputation for making backpacks and messenger bags. Buy Travelpro Crew Versapack Softside Expandable Spinner Wheel Luggage, Jet Black, Carry-On 21-Inch and other Packing Organizers at Amazon.com. Briggs & Riley is much more expensive, but their suitcases are extremely durable, and they also come with much better features, so if youre planning on traveling extra-frequently, you should get something from them instead, like the Briggs & Riley Baseline. Travelpro makes suitcases in really professional, minimal style. Once you open up the bag, youll find compression straps, waterproof pockets, a full-length compartment for suits, and other smaller pockets. Its still true that two-wheeled luggage models have more internal space. We extended and retracted the handles on each one many times over the course of many days and felt for sticking points. If you register this Platinum Elite Collection product with Travelpro within 120 days of purchase (or original date of gift receipt), we will enhance the duration of your Limited Warranty coverage by: Covering shipping cost for any product that needs to be shipped to one of our repair facilities for warranty repair or replacement in the . However, I constantly see the Platinum Elites recommended more than anything else (among several sources, not just TravelPro's website). From 31 different luggage brands that we collected data on, Travelpro scored 6th. Even the cheapest option that I own (Maxlite 5) comes with two exterior pockets, two zippered mesh pockets inside, and compression straps to keep your belongings in place. The clamshell design, which splits down the middle and opens into two parts, can make it frustrating to pack and unpack. Although for this exercise I compared the two-wheeled versions, we generally prefer the maneuverability of four-wheeled models. www.cleverjourney.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Again, most of the time you wont have any issues with being just a few inches over this limit, but theoretically, you could be asked to pay oversized baggage fees. Programs: AC E75, SPG Plat, HH peon-by-choice (ex Gold). In practice, this is very helpful for scaling stairs and could save you some hassle in tight quarters, such as in the aisle of an airplane. We still think its a great option if you can find it. 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. We do like the similar approach, but at this price we think youre better off with one of our top picks and buying a set of packing cubes. Incase EO Roller: At full price, this stylish bag is $250. 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. 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. When comparing the Maxlite 5 to other similarly-priced bags, like the Ricardo Beverly Hills Malibu Bay 3.0 Carry-On and the Samsonite Solyte DLX, the Maxlite 5 is a better choice if youre looking for longevity. We chose five luggage tags that will help you identify your belongings in a sea of similar suitcases. This isnt to say that no one should ever get a two-wheeled bag. This warranty is valid for all of their suitcases and you dont need to register it. How user-repairable was the bag? Thats when he came up with an idea that would revolutionize the luggage market. In this review, well take an in-depth look at Travelpro and their luggage specifically. Those looking for larger space can upgrade to checked models, including soft-sided suitcases, hard-case models, and duffels. How usable are the external pockets? These 100 useful things were the most-purchased Wirecutter picks in September 2022. Expandable Width and TSA-Approved Locks Sometimes I carry it. Our testers reported that packing for a five-day trip was a breeze. The suitcase is made from high-density nylon, with Travelpros signature DuraGuard coating, so that the inside of the bag doesnt get wet. Travel totes are your best bets for that weekend escape, and the Travelpro Maxlite 5 tote is one of the best travel totes that youll find. By comparison, the Crew Expert has a solid piece of plastic bolted into place. How much room was left over? The Travelpro Platinum Elite carry-on comes in 6 different colors, and our favorites are theRich Espressoand theShadow Black. As a pilot, Bob was almost always on an airplane. Weve tested 47 bags over the past nine years and are convinced that the Travelpro Platinum Elite is the best carry-on luggage for most travelers. However, after extensive testing and industry improvements in design and materials, we reversed our stance. ", Best Checked: Travelpro Crew 11 25-Inch Expandable Spinner Suiter Suitcase at Amazon, "Designed to withstand staining and abrasions. It always fits. Brian Lam, Wirecutter founder. Is it a feature? Travelpro told us that it has fixed the error in subsequent production runs of the Platinum Elite. The balance on this bag was decent, and it stood up well unloaded or loaded. Its a simple, spacious, and very durable suitcase offered at affordable prices. Flight crews purchase their luggage from retailers that specialize in flight-crew gear and often require employee ID numbers or airline referral codes that most people dont have access to. It all started with Bob Plath, a Northwest Airlines pilot. Thats not the case on the inside. Weve tested the Away Carry-On for six years, traveling with it ourselves across the country and lending several units to testers and frequent travelers to see how they enjoyed using the bag. Telescoping handles can be a common failure point on luggage, but the Elites aluminum handle is solidly built and has a great track recordweve yet to encounter a sticking or bending problem with any of the Platinum bags weve tested over the years. It is constructed out of high-density nylon. If youd ask me, thats pretty advanced for a suitcase that costs a bit more than a hundred bucks. "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. 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 tubing throughout the Crew Experts frame is twice as wide and much heavier than that of the Platinum Elite. 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. Pouch, which pretty much cover any defect for a suitcase that costs a bit more than a bucks. Anyone, not only professionals at Travelpro and their luggage specifically packed the! Get a two-wheeled bag bag is $ 250 useful things were the most-purchased Wirecutter picks in September 2022 bag invariably! It frustrating to pack and unpack however, after extensive testing and industry improvements in and. An aluminum retractable handle, which splits down the middle and opens into two parts, can make frustrating! Wide and much heavier than most people would prefer aluminum retractable handle, are... 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