They dont offer any patterns or any bright colors, which is why theyre better suited for professionals, not people who travel for leisure. The metal gets worn down across the nose from the abrasion and inevitably that single piece will fail, more often than not.. Should anything go wrong, you can take advantage of Travelpros generous lifetime warranty, which covers airline damage. 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: (It has also, apparently, been discontinued.). The Baseline by Briggs & Riley is a bit more durable and comes with better features, but it costs double the money. It can increase by another 2 inches in size, courtesy of its expansion option, if you do some shopping while traveling. Frequent flyers especially should place a premium on wheel durability and capacity. Their luggage is durable, lightweight, packed with good features, and backed up by a reliable warranty. We decided that carry-on bags should be capable of holding enough clothes to last you five days with room to spare for miscellaneous necessities. It feels like potentially just one more thing to break. However, in 2019 we noticed a small uptick in Wirecutter reader complaints about zipper tabs breaking. And at 7.8 pounds when empty, this carry-on bag is about half a pound lighter than its predecessor. 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. It ignores the frivolitiescolorful plastic shells, easy-to-maneuver spinning wheels, USB chargingthat many people have come to expect. Due to the larger dimensions, Maxlite can also carry more volume. Its a fairly expensive suitcase, but you can often buy it on sale for under $300. That said, it really depends on which model you choose. Our former runner-up pick, the Travelpro Crew 11 21 Expandable Spinner, has been discontinued. The only large checked bag from Travelpro that is within 62 linear inches is the Travelpro Bold 28-inch checked bag, which measures 59.5 linear inches. After comparing the Crew Expert with our top carry-on pick, the Travelpro Platinum Elite, I can say that the Crew Expert is the stronger of the two bags. While dragging the bag up stairs (which we dont advise doing), we felt more scraping than wed like. Holds 4-5 days worth of clothes, easy to pull in the airport and is covered against any defects with their worry-free warranty. When you're not towing your bag behind you, use the neoprene-cushioned grab handles on the top, front, bottom, and side to move it wherever you like. The 100 percent polyester material is strengthened by a water-repellent coating, which held up beautifully during our waterproof testing. 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 . Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. From all 31 luggage brands that we collected data on, Travelpro scored #8, which is a really good result considering that their luggage is also durable. Programs: AC E75, SPG Plat, HH peon-by-choice (ex Gold). The Travelpro Maxlite 5 hardside is sleeker than the fabric alternative. Replacing the Crew Experts wheels does assume, however, that youre traveling with spare wheels on hand (some crew members do) and that you have access to the tools necessary. If you want to play it safe, there is a non-insignificant number of airlines that restrict depth to less than 8 inches. This top-of-the-line Travelpro suitcase series is ultra-chic and feature-packedthink external ports for USB A and C charging and FAA-compliant storage for your battery pack in an external-access compartment. He created the first luggage with wheels and a vertical handle, which quickly became the standard for all other brands. Thats because their luggage is comparable in quality with premium-class brands, like Tumi, Briggs & Riley, and Away. 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. How to pick between hard-shell and soft-shell luggage. The Platinum Elite Carry-on Spinner also comes with a built-in USB port that lets you charge devices on the go using your own backup battery stored and easily accessible in a dedicated external pocket-making the bag FAA compliant and keeping you connected without a hitch. If youre someone who values durability and practicality over looks, then you might want to consider getting the Travelpro Bold 2.0 carry-on. Wed skip this choice and put the money into something thats built to last. Platinum Elite; Maxlite Crew Versapack . The Crew and Plat are virtually the same bag. It also has only two wheels instead of four to improve its durability. Although it isnt the cheapest one, its extremely durable and comes with a lot of bells and whistles. We looked for options based on their size, organization, and travel-friendly features. Among them were: We asked them what they use when traveling, what features they find vital, and what separates the junk from the quality bags theyve used. (A single screw both holds the wheel in place and serves as the axle.) Worried about luggage going missing during holiday travel? Travelpro's under-seat carry-on is excellent for people who tend to pack light. Even the cheapest options from Travelpro usually have expandable width zippers that allow the suitcase to expand for additional packing space. When it comes to features, Travelpro isnt slacking around. This spinner carry-on offers the best balance of size, value, reliability, and durability, with high-end details. Every detail of this top-rated bag, from the zippers to the wheels to the wrinkle-resistant suit compartment, is made to the highest standards, and we found it has a higher proportion of usable space than any other spinner bag we tested. We only found one carry-on which was within this size limit the Travelpro Crew Versapack 20-inch carry-on. Whether its finding great products or discovering helpful advice, well help you get it right (the first time). For ultimate packing flexibility, Crew VersaPack lets you customize the interior of your bag with a variety of Zip-in Organizers, like a Garment Organizer (included), moisture-resistant Organizer, Packing Cubes Organizer, Suiter Organizer and an All-In-One organizer that has both wet and dry storage compartments. The Vocier can carry a couple of suits, and its more refined styling should appeal to the luxury crowd. Were the straps thick enough to avoid adding creases to the clothes? At 5.4 pounds, it's also up to a half-pound lighter than its previous Maxlite 4 collection, making the suitcase part of Travelpro's lightest collection. At Travelpro , innovation continues to be a driving force behind every product we develop, and we will always explore ways to enhance the travel experience. Briggs & Riley bags are easy to service and repair, so you can also order the parts you need and replace them yourself at home. We then double-checked the measurable packable space of our top picks against the manufacturers listed volumes, by filling each piece of luggage with hundreds of Ping-Pong balls: 144 Ping-Pong balls weigh exactly half a pound, and each Ping-Pong ball represents (PDF) approximately 2 cubic inches. Sometimes, you dont need a bulky suitcase, especially if youre going on a weekend trip. 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. The textured finish hides most of the smaller scratches that come naturally with years of use. 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 $30 more; also, the Carry-On original does go on sale more frequently). Two-wheeled suitcases tend to have built-in garment folders, like this one, rather than removable garment bags. For everything that it offers, youd expect it to cost at least 400$ 500$, but its price tag is pretty much half of that. 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. Load the bag as full as you need to, and zip it closed. However, they offer a cheaper model called Maxlite 5, and it's a bit less expensive than most similar alternatives from Samsonite. After we had them all on hand, we weighed and measured the bags to see if they matched each companys claims. 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. It is sturdy and unassuming, and does what it is meant to do without complaint. Similar to our soft-sided top picks, Away bags are backed by a limited lifetime warranty. Rather than folding garments in on themselves to fit in the bag, it bends the suit around the outside of the luggage frame in a U shape. In the middle-class price range, we think that Travlepro is currently the best choice overall. On a flat marble ground that isnt perfectly leveled, the Maxlite 5 would start rolling away by itself, because of its smooth spinner wheels. Pack your neatly folded shirts into the full-size lid compartment and keep track of your smaller items in the zippered side mesh pocket. Personalize the way you pack with the Crew VersaPack - the road warrior's favorite travel companion, giving you total packing versatility with a variety of optional Travelpro exclusive Zip-in organizers (sold separately). Well look at their suitcases durability, features, warranty terms, airline size compatibility, and more. And it extends to three heights (38 inches, 40 inches, and 42 inches) to accommodate a variety of body types. productslearn more about Best of all, the suitcase holds about five days worth of clothes, which should be plenty for a carry-onsized bag. The only difference is the time that the Trusted Companion Promise is valid for, which differs between models. The wheels are protected by crash-guard housings and rolled easily over gravel, hardwood, and cement. The polycarbonate that Away uses is both strong and flexible. How Apples AirTag and Androids Tile Mate can help you keep tabs on iteven when the airline cant. Kit Dillon is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter. The two sizes of the Crew Expert differ in width by an inch and a half, as well. Its a trifold system, and each of the folds has a bit of padding that helps to keep a suit from pinching onto itself and creasing, though much of that depends on how well you pack. Borrowing some features from the brand's carry-ons, this spinner takes it up a notch with a tip-resistant expansion system that offers up to 2 more inches of packing space; a tie-down system; accessory pockets; and a removable, TSA-approved bag for toiletries. And as it turns out, luggage manufacturers do make lines of luggage especially for flight crews, pieces that they usually sell via to-the-industry retailers. Their more premium models are much more durable, but also weigh more. 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. Most lightweight brands usually struggle with durability due to lighter, less-rigid hardware and materials. 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. Was there an easy way to keep smaller items (such as socks and underwear) organized? Timbuk2 Copilot: We had high hopes for this one because Timbuk2 has a great reputation for making backpacks and messenger bags. If you prefer extra space or wheel durability over maneuverability, then two-wheeled bags are perfect for you. prefer the maneuverability of four-wheeled models, Dont Let the Bedbugs, Mosquitoes, Ticks, or Ants Bite, The Best Underseat Luggage and Personal-Item Bags, Apple AirTags Are the Best Luggage Trackers. Its strong yet flexible polycarbonate shell does show more wear than our soft-sided picks. Down below, you can see how we calculated the 75 points for Travelpro. 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. Videos for related products. Hard-shell bags also miss out on a lot of features that are particularly important for a carry-on. The Crew Versapack is one of the best choices for people who are planning on traveling frequently. However, as on Calpaks bag, this models weaker ABS plastic shell is just not as tough as a polycarbonate shell. Briggs & Riley emphasizes that returning your bag to you in its original condition, even after repairs, is not always possible. 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. From the exterior, its fitted with hand-carry handles on top, side, bottom, and front, so its really easy to lift up to overhead compartments or carry like a duffel. Two testers, one male and one female, packed a bag individually as if headed to the same wedding. (Update: Away discontinued the line.). Free Standard Shipping For Orders Over $49! All these details do make the Crew Expert stronger and more durable, but the Platinum Elite is already plenty strong enough for most travelersI've been using versions of the Platinum line for six years, taking between three and eight flights a year, with no trouble at all in either strength or durability. Though the Platinum Elite rolled pretty well in general, we are still a bit concerned when dragging the carry-on bag up stairs. Other features include dual self-aligning spinner wheels, expandable zippers for an additional 25% packing space, and a USB port for charging all of your devices. Having said that, it might be subjected to being sky-checked every-so-often. Packing cubes help, but after years of packing and unpacking soft-sided luggage with a single lid, I definitely find a clamshell design to be more finicky. The wheels have 360-degree rotation and a unique magnetic technology that helps them self-align for the smoothest possible movement. [Our] soft-sided bags are made with high-density nylon fabric, and our hard-sided luggage is made with a lightweight polycarbonate shell.. However, the dimensions of the Platinum Elite bag are 18 x 14 x 7 inches. Travelpro is the only middle-class brand that you can go with if youre planning on traveling frequently. The 100 percent polyester material is water repellent (standing up to a spilled-water test), while the zippered main compartment is expandable by up to 2 inches. The wheels still had that cheap ball-bearing rhythmic chatter to them. Travelpros luggage prices vary quite a bit, between 120$-400$, depending on which model you choose. Was the garment bag big enough, or would it crumple finery? Registering is an easy process: Take a picture of the registration code thats shipped with the luggage, text the photo to a phone number thats provided, and fill out the form in the response link. If you like to stay connected when you travel, models that boast USB ports, internal batteries, and padded sleeves for your electronics are essential. Its obviously more rigid but obviously heavier as well. Thats because theyve used good-quality bearings inside. For the most recent round of testing, once wed narrowed our search down to 10 bags, we called each in from the manufacturer (or, in some cases, purchased them from retail stores). You sacrifice some features and comforts in this tougher version of the bag, as well. Travelpro Platinum Elite 22 Expandable Carry-On Rollaboard A bit more capacity and extra wheel durability This two-wheeled carry-on bag isn't as maneuverable but offers slightly more space,. Keep in mind that the warranty doesnt cover cosmetic wear, and remember to tread carefully on stairs. I got both models of Travelpros Crew suitcases: the one Travelpro sells only to flight crews (the FlightCrew 5) and the new, limited-edition Crew Expert. Weighing 9.5 pounds by our measure, the Crew Expert is nearly 2 pounds heavier than a similar-size Platinum Elite. Did the wheels have sealed bearings? The Best Carry-On Luggage for Men of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, The Best Luggage Sets of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, The 8 Best Checked Luggage Bags of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, The 9 Best Luggage Items Under $300 of 2023, The 11 Best Hardside Luggage Bags of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, The Best Lightweight Luggage of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, The Best Carry-On Luggage of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, The 9 Best Samsonite Luggage Items of 2023, The Best Underseat Luggage of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, Travelpro's Maxlite 5 Expandable Carry-On Spinner Is Sturdy but Sleek, We Tested the Travelpro Maxlite 5 25-Inch Expandable Spinner, Travelpro Crew 11 21" Expandable Spinner Suiter Review, The Best Rolling Duffels of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, Travelpro's Bold Expandable Rollaboard Is a Smart Buy, Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. The Crew Expert has extra-thick polyurethane wheels. A soft-sided suitcase usually has a single compartment that you access through a single main zipper. And at first glance, the handle feels loose and shaky for a $500 bag. Thankfully, somebut not allof our picks are available in slimmed-down and shorter versions for major international carriers: If the best possible suit-packing experience is all you want, or if you regularly travel with two suits and moneys no object: The Vocier C38 is worth a look, despite a few flaws. The exterior is also quite thin, which leaves your crease-free suit vulnerable to sharp objects. She covers an array of hotels, products, and destinations for TripSavvy. If youre willing to spend a bit more, you could also go with a suitcase from Away, Briggs & Riley. Unfortunately, it has been having stock issues, so we have removed its section from this guide. It carries so much. (Pilots might be allowed to have a multi-tool aboard a plane. 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