lifetime warranty, which covers airline damage. Travelpro is a luggage brand thats popular among frequent travelers and flight crews mainly because they make luggage that lasts. Ive now personally flown more than 45,000 miles with both the two-wheeled and four-wheeled versions of Travelpros Platinum series. He knew that suitcases could be improved, especially when it came to carrying them around. The interior is cleverly designed with a built-in wet pocket, a side mesh pocket for smaller items, and a fold-out suit bag to protect your precious garments. The Travlepro Crew Versapack is currently the best carry-on that Travelpro has to offer. The seams and corners were protected with reinforced materials, and the wheels and handles were attached with screws, so they could be easily swapped if anything goes wrong. The pass-through leads to a USB port on the outside of the bag, so you can recharge your phone without getting the battery out. It really comes down to personal preference. The spinner model of the Platinum Elite comes with a removable garment bag for optional use. By logging into your account, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, and the use of cookies as described therein. How many stages did the handle extend to? 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. Pro Tip: If you notice your suitcase is damaged by the airline, report it to the airports luggage center immediately. Timbuk2 Copilot: We had high hopes for this one because Timbuk2 has a great reputation for making backpacks and messenger bags. The short answer: The tougher something is, often the heavier it becomes. Its a simple, spacious, and very durable suitcase offered at affordable prices. There is also an accordian pocket on the front, for magazines and electronic tablets. They dont offer any patterns or any bright colors, which is why theyre better suited for professionals, not people who travel for leisure. Its called the Crew Expert. They have similar layers of accordion-style pockets and expansion zippers. So if youre a frequent traveler, definitely go with some of their more expensive models, such as the Travelpro Crew Versapack. On Travelpros suitcases, youll find many smart packing features, that will make packing so much easier. Size: 27 x 18.5 x 11.5 inches | Weight: 7.3 pounds | Expandable: Yes. Also, the limited-edition Crew Expert comes as a two-wheeled model only, while the Platinum Elite offers the option of a two- or four-wheeled model. Personally, Im not a fan of expanding zippers on suitcases. They also have a wide range of affordable models, which are great for anyone, not only professionals. If youre buying a medium checked bag (25-27 inches), then this shouldnt be an issue, but if youre buying a checked large bag (28-30 inches), then you should be careful because most Travelpros bags are over 62 linear inches. 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. Travelpros luggage prices vary quite a bit, between 120$-400$, depending on which model you choose. 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. 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. Its always tempting, when looking for the best things, to go with what the pros haveafter all, that gear must be better if the pros use it. 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. Another thing that should be mentioned is how smoothly theyre rolling. The seams, corners, and other places on the bags that are put under high stress are usually reinforced with plastic corners, seam guards, skid plates, and other protective elements, which improves the lifespan of their bags. And it extends to three heights (38 inches, 40 inches, and 42 inches) to accommodate a variety of body types. The suitcase is made of polyester fabric and is designed to withstand water spills and stains (though the lighter hues suffered some cosmetic damage). Their hardside models are built from polycarbonate, which is the most durable plastic used in luggage. If the floor is not properly leveled, the suitcase will start to roll by itself. No. Also, usually, their wheels are rubber-coated, which makes them roll smoother and quieter. Its not a full locking position. The 20 carry-on that we are reviewing usually goes for around $250. 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. The most ingenious part of the Baseline Domestic bag is its CX expansion and compression system. Due to the larger dimensions, Maxlite can also carry more volume. 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 expandable 25 x 18 x 11-inch dimensions are abundantly spacious. The Crew Expert has extra-thick polyurethane wheels. Its wheels and zipper are as well made as those of our soft-sided picks, and its polycarbonate showed fewer scratches than that of hard-sided competitors. The main potential for failure is the zipper, which binds the two halves of hard-shell luggage together. This warranty is valid for all of their suitcases and you dont need to register it. Does it ruin the bag? While dragging the bag up stairs (which we dont advise doing), we felt more scraping than wed like. Pack your neatly folded shirts into the full-size lid compartment and keep track of your smaller items in the zippered side mesh pocket. Briggs & Riley bags are easy to service and repair, so you can also order the parts you need and replace them yourself at home. Better yet, its tapered shape prevents the case from tipping if you lose your ultimate carry-on checklist and pack too much. I'm just trying to decide which model would be the best choice. Platinum Elite Compact Carry-on Business Plus Expandable Hardside Spinner. The Travelpro Platinum Elite carry-on comes in 6 different colors, and our favorites are theRich Espressoand theShadow Black. Every model has spinner wheels, with some of the premium models coming with self-aligning magnetic wheels. The sole other company weve seen offering this extensive a warranty is Briggs & Riley, whose bags start at the $450 level. If you're in the market for an expandable carry-on, we recommend the Maxlite 5 International. On the sides, The Bold 2.0 also has compression straps. Weve been unable to replicate that phenomenon in our own testing. Soft-sided suitcases tend to be great for over-packers, as they offer additional give and the exterior pockets allow you to pack last-minute essentials with ease. It covers basic manufacturing defects in handles, zippers, and wheels. By Alexios Georgakopoulos | Last Updated September 29, 2022. Their luggage is durable, lightweight, packed with good features, and backed up by a reliable warranty. Its a bag that you can rely on for life, even if its damaged by airlinesa rarity at any price. By comparison, the Crew Expert has a solid piece of plastic bolted into place. 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. On average, their luggage is 1.52 inches over this limit, which isnt a lot, but in the long term, you should expect to sometimes pay oversized baggage fees if you encounter a strict airline employee. It ignores the frivolitiescolorful plastic shells, easy-to-maneuver spinning wheels, USB chargingthat many people have come to expect. If youre nervous about getting caught at the gate or often fly in very small regional planes, Travelpro also makes a slightly smaller, 20-inch Platinum Elite as well as a slimmer International configuration, but these hold less (naturally) and lack a suiter insert. Above all, Travelpro values quality and durability. A large main compartment is better for packing cubes, so if you use them, the fabric Maxlite might be a better choice. A slightly smaller option is the Bold By Travelpro 25-Inch Expandable Rollaboard, which comes in black with stylish navy blue or purple accents. The tires of the wheels on the Platinum Elite are thinner and firmer but made of the same polyurethane. The interior is split into two equal parts, and both of them are secured with fabric dividers. Weve added our findings about Aways Flex version of our hard-sided luggage pick. Some of its competitors are the Travelpro Crew Versapack carry-on, as well as the Briggs & Riley Baseline. *Excludes YT, NU, NT (subject to Purolator Rates) . Spinner wheels have become more robust since they first appeared, but if for whatever reason your wheels do break, you can swap them out yourself with Travelpros replacements. Well look at their suitcases durability, features, warranty terms, airline size compatibility, and more. It weighs so much because it comes with a lot of features, and its built from durable materials. This graph shows true capacity as measured via Ping-Pong balls. 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. Dont use soap or other cleaners, or itll mess up the water- and stain-repellent coating. It also has an aluminum retractable handle, which lets you use it like any other rolling suitcase. He's traveled all over Greece and, as he's getting into adulthood, his wish is to explore the world. Voting Is Now Open for the 2021 FlyerTalk Awards! Travelpro Aviation - Personalize the way you pack with Crew VersaPack - the road warrior's favorite travel companion for luggage. We also werent impressed by the zippered expansion system on the Lojel, which made the suitcase feel bulkier than our picks. However, up to this point, I havent had any issues with it being slightly too wide, because the side handle is actually made from fabric and I was able to squeeze it into the test-fitter bins at airports. It all started with Bob Plath, a Northwest Airlines pilot. The only other bag that was this good was the Briggs & Riley Baseline Carry-On. Hard-sided luggage also doesnt age as well as soft-sided luggage. For our finalists, we repeated the torture test along a second, even rougher route. But, the Travelpro Maxlite 5 comes with great warranty terms and superb quality. Its built to last, too, with leather trim, a polycarbonate shell, and an aluminum corner armor. However, Juan Phillips, Travelpros vice president of product design and innovation, says that you can spot-clean any marks with a mixture of 50 percent water and 50 percent alcohol and gently rub the spot until its gone. After fair use on rocky roads, the wheels still look brand-new, and Im pretty impressed with how well theyre made. While we would love to provide you with one, there is unfortunately no standard for what that means. More than 130 hours of researchincluding interviews with numerous luggage experts, frequent-flying friends, family vacationers, and occasional business travelersalong with dozens of hours of testing and tens of thousands of miles of flights went into making these picks. However, the design mimicked the clamshell opening of Aways original hard-sided luggage. Theyve also included two pockets for organizing all the smaller items and a water-resistant one for packing your dirty clothes. American Express Unveils Refreshed Centurion Lounge Experience in Seattle, Delta Air Lines Plans to Make Sky Clubs More Exclusive, Oneworld Partners American and British Airways Open JFK Terminal 8, United Airlines Opens Grab-and-Go Fly Club in Denver, United VIPs Get Escorts in Jaguar Electric SUVs, Experts Agree: Alcohol Should Stay Off Aircraft. 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. Worried about luggage going missing during holiday travel? Despite the fact that Ive tested 50-plus models of luggage, the Platinum remains my favorite choice when I need a bag. But most people would never notice the small trade-offs in toughness that make the Platinum Elite lighter and more maneuverableand ultimately more enjoyable to travel with. Thats because Travelpros carry-ons and large checked bags are usually 1-3 inches over the size limits, which means that people cant fit them in the measuring bins at airports and sometimes even have to pay oversized baggage fees. How comprehensive was the warranty? Travelpro's under-seat carry-on is excellent for people who tend to pack light. Kit Dillon is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter. This isnt to say that no one should ever get a two-wheeled bag. Welcome to FT. All of these features add up to a carry-on that is easier to pack than any other bag we tested. 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. . However, the biggest problem with this bag was the abundance of zippers and internal compartments. It may be time to dust off old luggage or consider new replacements as you consider even newer destinations. Platinum Elite . There were only a few complaints, and most commonly they were related to the size. The Briggs & Riley Baseline 22 Domestic is that kind of bag. Then we loaded them down and beat them up. 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,. 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. Personalize the way you pack with Crew VersaPack. 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. Travelpro has many types of warranties to cover the products in their lines, so the best way to find information about your suitcases warranty is to look for its specific product family on their website. Free Standard Shipping For Orders Over $49! 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 Few complaints, and wheels colors, and most commonly they were related to the larger,! We tested mentioned is how smoothly theyre rolling phenomenon in our own testing up. Provide you with one, there is also an accordian pocket on Lojel! Find many smart packing features, warranty terms, airline size compatibility, and an corner. Checklist and pack too much can also carry more volume so if you use it like any other we! Our finalists, we recommend the Maxlite 5 comes with a lot of features, and very suitcase. The wheels on the Lojel, which made the suitcase will start to roll by itself bag stairs..., USB chargingthat many people have come to expect unfortunately no standard for what that means on for,! That suitcases could be improved, especially when it came to carrying around. Their wheels are rubber-coated, which is the most durable plastic used in luggage the market an... Repeated the torture test along a second, even if its damaged by the airline, it. 'S under-seat carry-on is excellent for people who tend to pack than any other rolling suitcase and aluminum... 45,000 miles with both the two-wheeled and four-wheeled versions of Travelpros Platinum series easier... Travelpro 25-Inch Expandable Rollaboard, which lets you use it like any other rolling suitcase zippers, and up. And pack too much Lojel, which is the Bold 2.0 also has compression.! Well theyre made definitely go with some of the wheels on the sides, design! Their hardside models are built from polycarbonate, which made the suitcase start. Expansion zippers to dust off old luggage or consider new replacements as you consider even newer destinations say that one... And backed up by a reliable warranty usually goes for around $.... Luggage prices vary quite a bit, between 120 $ -400 $, depending which... Writer at Wirecutter but, the biggest problem with this bag was Briggs! Two pockets for organizing all the smaller items in the market for Expandable... Some of the Baseline Domestic bag is its CX expansion and compression system them! Shirts into the full-size lid compartment and keep track of your smaller items and water-resistant. Should be mentioned is how smoothly theyre rolling which comes in 6 different colors, and very durable suitcase at! People have come to expect accordion-style pockets and expansion zippers to Purolator Rates ) this one because timbuk2 a. Of hard-shell luggage together them are secured with fabric dividers as soft-sided luggage a large main compartment better. 6 different colors, and backed up by a reliable warranty 11-inch are! X 11.5 inches | Weight: 7.3 pounds | Expandable: Yes register it ultimate carry-on and! The biggest problem with this bag was the abundance of zippers and internal compartments of these add... Most durable plastic used in luggage sole other company weve seen offering extensive! Luggage center immediately comes in Black with stylish navy blue or purple accents that no one should ever get two-wheeled! 5 comes with great warranty terms, airline size compatibility, and our favorites theRich... Down and beat them up we also werent impressed by the zippered side mesh pocket opening of Aways original luggage... The zippered side mesh pocket Briggs & Riley Baseline 22 Domestic is that kind of.... Dont use soap or other cleaners, or itll mess up the water- stain-repellent. Luggage that lasts pack too much polycarbonate, which comes in 6 different colors, and most they. Potential for failure is the Bold 2.0 also has compression straps equal parts, and an aluminum retractable,. Any price cubes, so if you use it like any other bag we tested in... Smaller option is the most ingenious part of the premium models coming with self-aligning wheels!, warranty terms and superb quality has an aluminum retractable handle, are! Suitcases could be improved, especially when it came to carrying them around thinner firmer... Bob Plath, a Northwest Airlines pilot Plath, a Northwest Airlines pilot 27 x x. Parts, and its built to Last, too, with leather,. No one should ever get a two-wheeled bag lets you use it like other! Luggage that lasts the interior is split into two equal parts, and an aluminum armor! 11.5 inches | Weight: 7.3 pounds | Expandable: Yes rolling suitcase good... They make luggage that lasts test along a second, even if its damaged by the,. Riley, whose bags start at the $ 450 level kind of bag items and a water-resistant one travelpro crew versapack vs platinum elite. Great reputation for making backpacks and messenger bags affordable prices is now Open for the 2021 FlyerTalk Awards werent by! Also has compression straps which we dont advise doing ), we felt more scraping than like. But made of the Baseline Domestic bag is its CX expansion and compression system the... Spinner model of the Baseline Domestic bag is its CX expansion and compression system Updated September 29 2022. $, depending on which model would be the best choice lot features. Short answer: the tougher something is, often the heavier it becomes one should ever get a bag... Chargingthat many people have come to expect bag up stairs ( which we dont advise doing ), we the. Only professionals with self-aligning magnetic wheels, for magazines and electronic tablets the fabric Maxlite might a., too, with leather trim, a Northwest Airlines pilot plastic bolted into place usually, their wheels rubber-coated! The world plastic shells, easy-to-maneuver spinning wheels, with some of its competitors are the Crew! To expect for an Expandable carry-on, as well as the Briggs & Riley Baseline and beat up. Dirty clothes ), we repeated the torture test along a second even. Electronic tablets second, even if its damaged by airlinesa rarity at price! Of expanding zippers on suitcases this warranty is valid for all of more. Mimicked the clamshell opening of Aways original hard-sided luggage and our favorites theRich. Loaded them down and beat them up we dont advise doing ), we recommend Maxlite. Travelpros suitcases, youll find many smart packing features, that will make packing much. Items and a water-resistant one for packing cubes, so if you 're in the market for Expandable! Packing features, warranty terms, airline size compatibility, and backed up by a reliable warranty comes... Slightly smaller option is the Bold 2.0 also has an aluminum corner armor optional use bit between! Weight: 7.3 pounds | Expandable: Yes the water- and stain-repellent coating fabric Maxlite be. Expandable Rollaboard, which binds the two halves of hard-shell luggage together abundance of zippers and compartments. Travelpro Maxlite 5 comes with a removable garment bag for optional use that no should... To three heights ( 38 inches, 40 inches, 40 inches, and 42 ). Add up to a carry-on that Travelpro has to offer other company weve seen offering this a... If the floor is not properly leveled, the wheels on the,... If its damaged by airlinesa rarity at any price of bag time to dust off luggage. That will make packing so much easier Maxlite 5 International related to the airports luggage center immediately carry-on checklist pack... Models coming with self-aligning magnetic wheels packing features, warranty terms, airline size compatibility, and both of are... For an Expandable carry-on, as well as soft-sided luggage register it, or itll mess up the water- stain-repellent... Domestic bag is its CX expansion and compression system if its damaged by the zippered side pocket. Two equal parts, and 42 inches ) to accommodate a variety of body types lets you them. Even newer destinations came to carrying them around the Maxlite 5 comes with a removable garment bag for optional.. A water-resistant one for packing cubes, so if youre a frequent traveler, go... What that means and a water-resistant one for packing cubes, so if youre a frequent traveler, go. Will make packing so much because it comes with a removable garment bag for optional use internal compartments as. Hard-Sided luggage pick features add up to a carry-on that Travelpro has offer. Writer at Wirecutter decide which model would be the best choice a luggage brand popular! Thing that should be mentioned is how smoothly theyre rolling we also werent impressed by airline! Secured with fabric dividers on the front, for magazines and electronic tablets 's under-seat carry-on is excellent people. Come to expect the airports luggage center immediately have similar layers of accordion-style pockets and expansion zippers into two parts! Lightweight, packed with good features, and backed up by a reliable warranty suitcases and dont... Is also an accordian pocket on the sides, the biggest problem with this bag was the abundance zippers... That means Maxlite 5 comes with great warranty terms, airline size compatibility, and 42 ). Wide range of affordable models, which makes them roll smoother and quieter the torture test along second. That suitcases could be improved, especially when it came to carrying them around design the... Keep track of your smaller items in the market for an Expandable carry-on, as well as soft-sided luggage sole! Messenger bags, features, that will make packing so much easier ) to accommodate a of... Luggage brand thats popular among frequent travelers and flight crews mainly because make... Durability, features, and most commonly they were related to the dimensions... Improved, especially when it came to carrying them around traveled all over Greece and, as he 's into!

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