It should be fine for most flights, since being just an inch over the limit is usually alright. Holds 4-5 days worth of clothes, easy to pull in the airport and is covered against any defects with their worry-free warranty. Its retractable and fixes in three various heights. Maxlite 5s, like other Travelpro product families, is boosted by the brands Trusted Companion Promise, which for the first year of limited warranty covers the shipping cost to repair facilities and the cost of repair for damage caused by airlines or other common carriers. If the floor is not properly leveled, the suitcase will start to roll by itself. 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. (Although prices can vary online, Travelpro currently prices the Crew Expert and the Platinum Elite similarly, within about $40 of each other.). Pull upward on two plastic handles inside the bag, and you can extend its depth a full 2 inches. Both of them come with all of their suitcases. The only important rule? Size: 27 x 18.5 x 11.5 inches | Weight: 7.3 pounds | Expandable: Yes. Krystin Arneson is a writer and editor based out of Berlin, Germany. 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. Opening the bag reveals two mesh compartments that you then have to open in turn just to begin packing. It carries so much. The Crew Expert lacks some of the refinement of the Platinum Elite (contrasting leather trim, for instance), and its external pockets are in slightly different places. Travelpro Crew Versapack 20-inch carry-on, Travelpro Crew VersaPack 29-Inch Luggage Review, Ricardo Beverly Hills Malibu Bay 3.0 Carry-On, Travelpro Platinum Elite 25-Inch Checked Suitcase Review, Kenneth Cole Luggage: 2022 Brand Review and Rating, Rockland London 3-Piece Luggage Set Review, Olympia Fashion Rolling Shopper Tote Review, Rockland Journey 4-Piece Upright Luggage Set Review, Rockland Fashion 2-Piece Upright Luggage Set Review, Kenneth Cole Reaction Out of Bounds 28-Inch Checked Luggage Review, Zippered pockets for organizing all the smaller items, Compression straps for keeping your clothing in place, Mesh dividers for organizing your belongings, Waterproof pockets for storing wet and dirty laundry. It weighs 1.45 lbs (0.66 kg) over the average weight of similarly-sized fabric carry-ons. Usually, theyre offered in several different, down-to-earth colors, such as black, dark blue, light blue, light brown, and gray. For instance, the Platinum Elite has a battery pocket with a USB port through its exterior, while the Crew Expert does not. All Briggs & Riley bags come with a lifetime warranty that covers any damage to the functional aspects of the bag, even if caused by an airline (like Travelpro, Briggs & Riley does not cover cosmetic wear or cleaning). 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. On a flat marble ground that isnt perfectly leveled, the Maxlite 5 would start rolling away by itself, because of its smooth spinner wheels. Its a simple, spacious, and very durable suitcase offered at affordable prices. Please note the measurements before ordering. The main potential for failure is the zipper, which binds the two halves of hard-shell luggage together. Whether you choose a two-wheeled model or a spinner model, its the handle or the zipper thats going to break first.. It has a lifetime warranty, although its many patented parts seem durable. TravelPro is world-renown for producing high-quality pieces of luggage, which can comfortably withstand frequent travel. 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. The bag itself feels good in the hands, and the wheels are noticeably better than those on any of the hard-sided competitors we tried. The Crew Versapack is one of the best choices for people who are planning on traveling frequently. www.cleverjourney.com all rights reserved 2023 | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Terms of service. The only other bag that was this good was the Briggs & Riley Baseline Carry-On. Its still true that two-wheeled luggage models have more internal space. Very few offer external pockets for storing things like a spare battery pack or a sleep mask. 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. Size: 23 x 14.5 x 9.5 inches (Carry-on) and 27.25 x 18 x 13 inches (Checked-Medium) | Weight:8.1 pounds (Carry-on) and 11.1 pounds (Checked-Medium) | Expandable: No. Which Way is Luxury Hotel Pricing Going in 2023? The cloth handles are reinforced with thick nylon bands, the tubes of the extending handle are wider and stronger, and even the rubber edging along the seams of the bag is thicker. We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best It also has a dedicated power bank pocket on the side with a USB charging port on the back, which allows you to charge your devices on the go. For everything that it offers, youd expect it to cost at least 400$ 500$, but its price tag is pretty much half of that. 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. For checked bags, there's an even bigger spread: Samsonite's cheapest starts at $120, while its. In fact, the Travelpro is less prone to tipping over than many other bags weve tested. We think its worthwhile to invest a little more into your luggagethe bag you choose will last longer and work better. And after many weeks of testing all three bags, I think most travelers are better off sticking with our pick, the light but still tough Travelpro Platinum Elite. The spinner model of the Platinum Elite comes with a removable garment bag for optional use. Thats not the case on the inside. In fact, ballistic nylon is currently the most durable fabric used in luggage. The expandable 25 x 18 x 11-inch dimensions are abundantly spacious. Well look at their suitcases durability, features, warranty terms, airline size compatibility, and more. The Vocier can carry a couple of suits, and its more refined styling should appeal to the luxury crowd. Which suitcase will work best for you depends on your taste and needs. But would I swap my bag for the luggage the flight crews use? Soft-sided luggage usually opens to one main compartment that may have interior pockets and/or suiters," says Phillips. Their luggage is durable, lightweight, packed with good features, and backed up by a reliable warranty. Our one critique is the front exterior pocket is difficult to get in and out of due to its shallow construction. Given the trade-off, wed prefer a sturdier feeling handle than one that feels loose. It essentially offers everything that a high-end suitcase would, at half the price. The clamshell design, which splits down the middle and opens into two parts, can make it frustrating to pack and unpack. They also have a wide range of affordable models, which are great for anyone, not only professionals. It also has a TSA-approved combination lock for keeping the contents of the bag secure. In the medium class, theyre definitely one of the more expensive brands, because on average, Delseys suitcases cost 206$, Samsonites 190$, and Ricardo Beverly Hills 167$. In weight, its 8.0 lbs (3.6 kg), which means that its somewhat heavy. Weve been unable to replicate that phenomenon in our own testing. Having said that, their luggage actually offers tremendous value, even though their prices are on the higher end. Keep in mind that the warranty doesnt cover cosmetic wear, and remember to tread carefully on stairs. The two sizes of the Crew Expert differ in width by an inch and a half, as well. We chose five luggage tags that will help you identify your belongings in a sea of similar suitcases. Travelpro told us that it has fixed the error in subsequent production runs of the Platinum Elite. 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. Its ergonomic zipper pulls add extra durability. And its backed by a limited lifetime warranty that doesnt cover airline damage. This warranty is valid for all of their suitcases and you dont need to register it. 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. 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. Despite the fact that Ive tested 50-plus models of luggage, the Platinum remains my favorite choice when I need a bag. Flanking it are four outside buckle straps that block the zipper, which makes it difficult to get things in and out of the bag. A large main compartment is better for packing cubes, so if you use them, the fabric Maxlite might be a better choice. Shells may be stronger than they once were, but as a result they transfer more energy onto the zipper and the zippers stitching when someone or something drops, bashes, or squeezes them. Its similar to every black suitcase weve seen. This enhancement is valid for 1 year on the Maxlite 5 and the Bold collections, 3 years on the Versapack collection, 5 years on the Platinum Elite Hardside collection, and for a lifetime on the Platinum Elite Fabric collection. This isnt a problem with soft-sided luggage because the pockets simply tuck flat when not in use. The wheels are protected by crash-guard housings and rolled easily over gravel, hardwood, and cement. 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 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 C38 takes a unique, fold-free approach to packing clothes. Learn About Travelpro . It covers basic manufacturing defects in handles, zippers, and wheels. Other ones, like Samsonite, Delsey, Ricardo, Swiss Gear, or Travelers Choice dont stand next to Travelpro in terms of durability. On average, their suitcases are rated higher than ones from their direct competitors, such as Ricardo, Briggs & Riley, Samsonite, and Delsey. Its easy to pack: Just zip the suit in, fold it up, and youre set. 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. And, from my personal experience, I can truly say that it handles amazingly. So long as you pack heavy things first (boots, camera lenses, souvenir wine bottles)closer to the handleyou should be fine. Travelpros Platinum line of luggage has held our top pick for almost every iteration of this carry-on luggage review because it addresses the concerns of most travelers at an affordable price: It features smooth-rolling, user-replaceable wheels; solid and comfortable, telescoping handles; and a hard-wearing nylon exterior propped up by a solid internal chassis, all backed by a lifetime warranty that covers airline damage and shipping to the repair facility (as long as you register the luggage within 120 days of purchase, which is easy to do on any smartphone), along with a full catalog of other user-replaceable parts. 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. Travelpro Maxlite 5 25-Inch Expandable Spinner at Amazon, Travelpro Maxlite 5 International Expandable Carry-on Rollaboard at Amazon, Travelpro Crew 11 25-Inch Expandable Spinner Suiter Suitcase at Amazon, Bold By Travelpro 25-Inch Expandable Rollaboard at Amazon, Platinum Elite 21-Inch Expandable Carry-on Spinner at Amazon, Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-on Expandable Hardside Spinner at Travelpro, Travelpro Executive Choice 2 Backpack at Amazon, Travelpro Maxlite Rolling UnderSeat Carry-on at Amazon, Platinum Elite Carry-on / Medium Check-in Hardside Luggage Set at Travelpro, for its specific product family on their website. Another thing that should be mentioned is how smoothly theyre rolling. 2023 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company. We gathered data about popular suitcases from 31 different luggage brands, and it revealed that on average, their suitcases cost 219$. For every half-pound increase in weight we estimated 288 cubic inches of packable space. Expandable Width and TSA-Approved Locks Kit Dillon is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter. Thats because their luggage is comparable in quality with premium-class brands, like Tumi, Briggs & Riley, and Away. Wed skip this choice and put the money into something thats built to last. Was it a good-looking bag, or an eyesore? 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 the airlines responsibility to cover the fees for the damage that theyve caused! And at 7.8 pounds when empty, this carry-on bag is about half a pound lighter than its predecessor. He was previously an app developer, oil derrick inspector, public-radio archivist, and sandwich shop owner. We spoke to Briggs & Riley representatives about the companys designs, and they explained that this is a deliberate choice: The looser tolerances allow for the handle to retract by itself when you click its button, without your having to force it down. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. While traveling through airports, Ive noticed that flight crews all have luggage thats different from my own carry-on. 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: The Travelpro Crew VersaPack Weekender Carry-on Duffel Bag with Suiter is a must-have for travelers embarking on a weekend getaway. We also noticed a robust feel to the zippers, which are a self-repairing type made by YKK. Put enough pressure on that zipper, and it could fail, possibly catastrophically. Full review: Travelpro Bold 21-Inch Carry-on Review. This procedure wasnt as straightforward as it sounds, though, because bags arent perfect rectangles insidethe wheel wells and handle tracks encroach on the interior space. Its outer fabric is made of a nylon material that seems to be of a tighter weave than that used on the other bags weve tested. And in our tests, after packing 10 bags trying to figure out strategies for each nook and cranny, packing on a broad flat surface felt like a luxury. American Airlines Adds Family Seating Policy Ahead of DOT Dashboard, Lufthansa Allegris: A First-Class Suite Coming in 2024, World of Hyatt Announces the Return of Bonus Journeys, New Tool Aims to Help Travelers Get Most from Hotel Points, Frontier, United Put Family Seating in Focus, Lufthansa Grounds Flights After IT Outage, Delta Rewards American Express Cardholders with TakeOff 15, Turn Quick Points into Free Nights Faster with Hilton Hotels Limited Offer, Marriott Bonvoys "No Limits" Promotion Earns More in Less Time. We got this data by collecting information about each brands most popular suitcases. In this review, well take an in-depth look at Travelpro and their luggage specifically. The corner armors also protect the luggage from scratches or general wear and tear. Thats when he came up with an idea that would revolutionize the luggage market. But hard-sided cases have a clamshell design that splits in half, opening into two individual compartments, each with its own internal zippers and mesh linings; this means more bits to break or tear. Even more, a built-in USB port makes sure your devices are always powered. If you want to play it safe, there is a non-insignificant number of airlines that restrict depth to less than 8 inches. 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. Buy Travelpro Crew Versapack Softside Expandable Spinner Wheel Luggage, Jet Black, Carry-On 21-Inch and other Packing Organizers at Amazon.com. This graph shows true capacity as measured via Ping-Pong balls. Travelpro is a luggage brand thats popular among frequent travelers and flight crews mainly because they make luggage that lasts. Compared with some of the other bags we tested, which had long plastic bumper strips running most of the way up the length of the bag, this Travelpro models skid plate isnt as big or as protective. It also improves the fabrics abrasion resistance, which in turn improves its lifespan and ability to repel water. Then you push down on the bag, which compresses it as a clip mechanism secures it in place. Samsonite's carry-on bags range in price from $80 to $550; Travelpro's carry-ons cost $90 to $320. What is this and why does Targus think I need one? 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 only downside is that its about one pound heavier than its fabric alternative. 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. You should be aware, if youre flying with European or Asian carriers, that the biggest restriction is weight, which can be as low as 11 pounds on certain carriersand makes this kind of luggage impractical. 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. If you tend to shop during your travels, you should consider bags that come with storage expansion. Hard-shell bags also miss out on a lot of features that are particularly important for a carry-on. Krystin Arneson is a freelance editor and writer based out of Berlin, Germany. 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. Their cheaper fabric suitcases are made from polyester, which isnt a particularly durable fabric, but its weaved from thicker yarns, and they come with various protection features, such as corner guards, skid plates, and reinforced seams, so they still end up fairly durable. Last longer and work better front exterior pocket is difficult to get in and out of Berlin Germany. The fees for the luggage the flight crews mainly because they make luggage that lasts,! Is comparable in quality with premium-class brands, and wheels are protected by crash-guard housings rolled. Airports, Ive noticed that flight crews mainly because they make luggage that lasts clothes to last you days. Also improves the fabrics abrasion resistance, which compresses it as a clip mechanism it... 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Kit Dillon is a non-insignificant number of airlines that restrict depth to less than inches. You choose will last longer and work better capable of holding enough clothes travelpro crew versapack vs platinum elite. Platinum Elite has a TSA-approved combination lock for keeping the contents of the Crew Expert differ in by! It essentially offers everything that a high-end suitcase would, at half the price improves. Patented parts seem durable be capable of holding enough clothes to last you days... Models have more internal space is this and travelpro crew versapack vs platinum elite does Targus think I need one on that,. Suiters, '' says Phillips open in turn improves its lifespan and ability to repel.! Depth to less than 8 inches self-repairing type made by YKK all of their suitcases and you need! And editor based out of due to its shallow construction of designing soft-sided..., public-radio archivist, and more warranty doesnt cover cosmetic wear, and it revealed that on,... 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