Their average price is so high due to their higher-end models, such as the Travelpro Platinum Elite and the Travelpro Crew Versapack. We measured these components and subtracted each from the total volume as well as we could. Learn more. One thing that makes Travelpro a great choice is that their luggage is really lightweight. Buy Travelpro Crew Versapack Softside Expandable Spinner Wheel Luggage, Jet Black, Carry-On 21-Inch and other Packing Organizers at Amazon.com. The handles of both Elite models are sturdy without feeling too rigid. During testing, every hard-sided piece of luggage weve used has picked up more scuffs and marks in a few trips than some of our soft-sided suitcases have accumulated in years of long-term testing. 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. Our former runner-up pick, the Travelpro Crew 11 21 Expandable Spinner, has been discontinued. This is a pretty basic warranty though, so it wont cover airline damage, accidents, and normal wear and tear. On the Crew Expert, Travelpro takes a similar design to another level of durability and strength. lifetime warranty, which covers airline damage. A lot of people said that their suitcases feel rigid, well-made, lightweight, and really spacious. The Travelpro Platinum Elite hardside carry-on is the newest addition to the Platinum Elite collection. Some other features include expandable width, two front pockets, two interior zippered mesh pockets, compression straps for keeping your belongings in place, a built-in luggage tag, and soft-grab top and side handles. After weighing each piece of luggage three times to establish an average empty weight, we filled the bags as full as we could with Ping-Pong balls and measured the change in weight. In the middle-class price range, we think that Travlepro is currently the best choice overall. 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. We asked all of that and more. Follow Clever Journey on social media for travel tips, packing hacks, and latest updates! So in the long run, it might be a wiser choice to go with Travelpro instead, because their luggage will last almost as long as one that costs heaps more. Size: 17.5 x 14.5 x 8.5 inches | Weight: 5.5 pounds | Expandable: No, Price tagbut if youre a frequent traveler, these are worth the money. Its strong yet flexible polycarbonate shell does show more wear than our soft-sided picks. 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. Alexios is an avid traveler and a freelance writer. The Platinum Elite comes in 3 different colors, and the design of the bag looks really sleek and professional. If youre willing to spend a bit more, you could also go with a suitcase from Away, Briggs & Riley. It also has only two wheels instead of four to improve its durability. 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). $375.99 $940.00 60% OFF Add to Compare 6 Color In the medium class, we would definitely say that theyre the best option to get, beating Samsonite, Delsey, Travelers Choice, and Ricardo Beverly Hills. ", Best Backpack: Travelpro Executive Choice 2 Backpack at Amazon, "A checkpoint-friendly compartment allows you to remove electronics easily. It weighs 7.8 pounds empty, which is an average-to-light weight among carry-ons, but a half pound lighter than the previous model, the Platinum Magna 2. ", Best Splurge: Travelpro Platinum Elite 21-Inch Expandable Carry-on Spinner at Amazon, "Part of Travelpro's sophisticated collection of suitcases. 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. One upgrade I love on the Crew Expert is its extra-thick polyurethane wheels. The Crew Expert is available in two sizes: a more carry-oncompliant 19-inch-tall model and a limit-pushing 21-inch model, which has a suiter inside. They have similar layers of accordion-style pockets and expansion zippers. 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. Below, we've rounded up our favorites, from checkpoint-friendly backpacks to lightweight spinner suitcases. Its a pleasant surprise when you open the new Elite to find the same large 1,856-cubic-inch interior of the older Platinum Magna 2which we estimated and measured using hundreds of Ping-Pong balls.3 Thats about 65 percent out of a total theoretical space limit of 2,772 cubic inches, based on its external dimensions. That said, their hardside models definitely have a bit more style, and look a bit more modern, like the Maxlite 5 or the Platinum Elite collections. They were beaten only by Briggs & Riley (81 points) and Ricardo (76 points). In luggage reviews, the most common complaint about Briggs & Riley suitcases is that the handle seems loose, but this is by design. In size, its 23 x 14.5 x 9.5 in (58 x 37 x 24 cm), which means that its a bit over most carry-on size restrictions from airlines. The polycarbonate that Away uses is both strong and flexible. Yes, the Crew Expert is a hardier bag than the Platinum Elite, but the Platinum Elite is already strong enough to stand up to most of what an airline can dish out. 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. Almost all of Travelpros carry-ons are a bit over the 22 x 14 x 9-inch carry-on size limit set by most airlines. How big were the wheels? ", Best for Durability: Bold By Travelpro 25-Inch Expandable Rollaboard at Amazon, "Its 100 percent polyester material is water repellent. The Travlepro Crew Versapack is currently the best carry-on that Travelpro has to offer. 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. The C38 takes a unique, fold-free approach to packing clothes. The spinner luggage configuration stands out in particular because of its MagnaTrac wheels, which magnetically snap into a forward position when the bag is moved. 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. Lojel Cubo Medium: Although we liked the uncommon top-loading design, the internal organization of the lid made packing this carry-on difficult. The two-wheeled version has the same internal layout as the spinner model, but it offers a bit more usable space. Well look at their suitcases durability, features, warranty terms, airline size compatibility, and more. Some customers have mentioned that, when fully packed, the Maxlite 5 didnt pass the travel restrictions. 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. Travelpro is a luggage brand thats popular among frequent travelers and flight crews mainly because they make luggage that lasts. In this week's newsletter: Its almost officially summer, which for a lot of people means the beginning of battles with entomological enemies. It combines excellent quality and durability with an affordable price tag, and (like all of the Maxlite collection suitcases) it is incredibly light. Arlo Skye The Frame Carry-On: The Arlo Skye is a decent piece of luggage, but its hard to square the bag with its cost: $200 more than the Away. 2023 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company. Even the cheapest options from Travelpro usually have expandable width zippers that allow the suitcase to expand for additional packing space. While we would love to provide you with one, there is unfortunately no standard for what that means. You sacrifice some features and comforts in this tougher version of the bag, as well. 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. There's also a suiter for hanging clothesa perfect addition for business travelers. Their premium options even include padded pockets for laptops, suiters compartments, and USB chargers. The 100 percent polyester material is strengthened by a water-repellent coating, which held up beautifully during our waterproof testing. Travelpro bags have user-serviceable parts and multiple repair centers. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. 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. The Crew Versapack and Platinum Elite also have built-in suiter compartments, which keep the suits wrinkle-free. We like the battery pocket, but the built-in cable itself, which routes from the pocket to a USB port less than 6 inches away, is an unnecessary item, which at best adds a potential point of failure to the bagUSB cables do not last forever. 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. They typically lack expansion zippers (and the few hard-sided bags that can expand usually feel too bulky). But I havent experienced the issue with any of the later models of this suitcase. It still flexes comfortably in the palm of your hand, however. I personally own the Travelpro Maxlite 5 carry-on, and when I first received it, I was amazed at how rigid everything was. Timbuk2 Copilot: We had high hopes for this one because Timbuk2 has a great reputation for making backpacks and messenger bags. And although 100 percent polycarbonate hard-shell luggage has come a long way compared with the crack-prone ABS-blended suitcases that used to plague moderately priced hard-shell luggage lines, a stronger shell doesnt necessarily mean a stronger overall suitcase. 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). Briggs & Riley emphasizes that returning your bag to you in its original condition, even after repairs, is not always possible. Advice, staff picks, mythbusting, and more. Very few offer external pockets for storing things like a spare battery pack or a sleep mask. This isnt a problem with soft-sided luggage because the pockets simply tuck flat when not in use. 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. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. I'm looking to buy a new 22" rollaboard carryon bag, and was looking at Travelpro based on price and recommendations. Travelpro Crew Versapack,407186301 , MAX SIZE The Crew Expert has extra-thick polyurethane wheels. A wide, wrinkle-free tie-down system completes the package. 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. On average, their suitcases are rated higher than ones from their direct competitors, such as Ricardo, Briggs & Riley, Samsonite, and Delsey. The difference in width is noticeable when you compare the wheels up close. Built for professional-grade dependability, this collection is the civilian version of the luggage flight c 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. 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. It feels like potentially just one more thing to break. Full review: Travelpro Bold 21-Inch Carry-on Review. Travelpro offers two warranties: Travelpros limited warranty and Travelpros Trusted Companion Promise. Platinum Elite: First Class - Luggage Set 849.98 CAD 679.98 CAD Sale Maxlite 5 Rolling Underseat Bag 36 Reviews 169.99 CAD 144.49 CAD Sale Platinum Elite Tri-Fold Carry-On Garment bag Starting at 215.99 CAD Sale Maxlite 5: Floating On Air - Luggage Set 679.97 CAD 543.97 CAD Sale Maxlite 5 Breakaway - Luggage Set 9 Reviews 469.98 CAD Spinner luggage or two-wheeled carry-on bag? Size: 27 x 18.5 x 11.5 inches | Weight: 7.3 pounds | Expandable: Yes. Every model has spinner wheels, with some of the premium models coming with self-aligning magnetic wheels. 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. It all started with Bob Plath, a Northwest Airlines pilot. Its a bag that you can rely on for life, even if its damaged by airlinesa rarity at any price. 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. Made from ballistic nylon and treated with DuraGuard coating, the Travelpro Crew 11 22-Inch Expandable Spinner Suitcase is designed to withstand staining and abrasions. The wheels have 360-degree rotation and a unique magnetic technology that helps them self-align for the smoothest possible movement. Of all medium-class brands, Travelpro definitely has the best warranty. 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,. On the sides, The Bold 2.0 also has compression straps. How much room was left over? Arent Samsonite, Delsey, or Briggs & Riley better choices? Travelpro Luggage Platinum Elite-Business Plus Softside Expandable. Should anything go wrong, you can take advantage of Travelpros generous lifetime warranty, which covers airline damage. I love this bag. The Crew Versapack suitcase isn't cheap. The Travelpro Crew VersaPack Weekender Carry-on Duffel Bag with Suiter is a must-have for travelers embarking on a weekend getaway. 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. 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. Youll also find a USB charging port on the backside, which will allow you to charge your phone without taking out your power bank. Travelpros luggage prices vary quite a bit, between 120$-400$, depending on which model you choose. Hard-shell bags also miss out on a lot of features that are particularly important for a carry-on. Hard sided looks better to most people, but soft sided luggage should withstand the bumps and knocks of travel for longer. Costco Kirkland Signature Softside 22 2 Wheel Carry-On: A former budget pick, and the best-performing bag we found in the $100 price range, this Kirkland model is a great affordable carry-on. Essentially, its built to withstand extremely rough traveling, so if youre an airline crew member or if youre traveling a lot for business, the Crew Versapack might be the right choice for you. 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. Usually, everyone is really satisfied with their purchase. Once packed, was the bag easy to tip over? 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