Another thing thats included is a TSA-approved toiletry pouch, which means that you wont need to find a new Ziploc before every flight. Flanking it are four outside buckle straps that block the zipper, which makes it difficult to get things in and out of the bag. Even more, a built-in USB port makes sure your devices are always powered. It hides scuffs and scratches, and is much more versatile than hard-shellstyled bags. This is really useful for return flights when youve bought too many souvenirs and snacks to return home. Thats because spinner wheels sometimes break off because theyre sticking out from the main shape of the suitcase. It always fits.. The exterior is made of a hard-wearing nylon fabric, a key feature of all the bags weve tested. The Vocier can carry a couple of suits, and its more refined styling should appeal to the luxury crowd. 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. 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. Their hardside models are built from polycarbonate, which is the most durable plastic used in luggage. Although Incase makes decent laptop sleeves, its hard to see how an exterior made of 60 percent cotton, 30 percent polyester, and 10 percent thermoplastic rubber will be as tough as a dense woven nylon. Did it have compression straps that would keep things in place? They were beaten only by Briggs & Riley (81 points) and Ricardo (76 points). It weighs so much because it comes with a lot of features, and its built from durable materials. You can fit a weeks worth of clothes in the Baseline Domestic, including some puffy gear for colder weather. In order to find the nearest repair facility to you, please visit www.travelpro.com/repair-center or contact Customer Service at (866) 325-0660 (option #3). The case gained massive popularity among airline pilots and crew, and eventually, Plath founded Travelpro to provide revolutionary luggage items for the general public. 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. The wheels have 360-degree rotation and a unique magnetic technology that helps them self-align for the smoothest possible movement. Wed skip this choice and put the money into something thats built to last. If you are particularly abusive to your luggage, or travel more than 20 times a year, or relish knowing that your luggage is the toughest on the plane, the Crew Expert could be for you. 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. Other ones, like Samsonite, Delsey, Ricardo, Swiss Gear, or Travelers Choice dont stand next to Travelpro in terms of durability. (Pilots might be allowed to have a multi-tool aboard a plane. 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$. "Hard-sided luggage is typically made with 'split construction,' meaning the bag zips down the middle and opens into two shallower main compartments, like a clamshell., If you're basing your decision on durability, you can't go wrong with either. Let us help you. And at 7.8 pounds when empty, this carry-on bag is about half a pound lighter than its predecessor. Very few offer external pockets for storing things like a spare battery pack or a sleep mask. The Platinum Elites plastic baseboard is perforated with holes and secured with a litany of small screws. I got both models of Travelpros Crew suitcases: the one Travelpro sells only to flight crews (the FlightCrew 5) and the new, limited-edition Crew Expert. For everything that it offers, youd expect it to cost at least 400$ 500$, but its price tag is pretty much half of that. 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. Its a buy-it-for life suitcase. 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. . 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). The Maxlite 5 is Travelpros newest model, and while the main difference from Maxlite 4 might be its weight, the Maxlite 5 carry-on is one of the best softside carry-ons you can get. Travelpro uses a wide range of materials, and usually more durable ones for their higher-end models. It also has a TSA-approved combination lock for keeping the contents of the bag secure. 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. A slightly smaller option is the Bold By Travelpro 25-Inch Expandable Rollaboard, which comes in black with stylish navy blue or purple accents. Fly anywhere with the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Carry-on Expandable Rollaboard, which meets carry-on size restrictions for most international airlines. We measured these components and subtracted each from the total volume as well as we could. It combines excellent quality and durability with an affordable price tag, and (like all of the Maxlite collection suitcases) it is incredibly light. Then you push down on the bag, which compresses it as a clip mechanism secures it in place. Its a fairly expensive suitcase, but you can often buy it on sale for under $300. I'm just trying to decide which model would be the best choice. The handles of both Elite models are sturdy without feeling too rigid. But hard-sided luggage simply doesnt perform as well as soft-sided luggage in nearly every other measuresoft-sided luggage lasts longer, accumulates fewer scuffs and marks along your travels, and includes extra features such as exterior pockets and suiters. Though the Platinum Elite rolled pretty well in general, we are still a bit concerned when dragging the carry-on bag up stairs. Thats not to say that the wheels on the Platinum Elite are bad; theyre more than enough for most peoples needs. Its made from military-grade aluminum, thats shaped in a way to improve its rigidness. The Travelpro Crew VersaPack Weekender Carry-on Duffel Bag with Suiter is a must-have for travelers embarking on a weekend getaway. For example, did this bag appear bulkier and more likely to get a person gate-checked? As opposed to the fabric Maxlite 5, the hardside option comes with a TSA-approved combination lock, which is nice. However, the dimensions of the Platinum Elite bag are 18 x 14 x 7 inches. 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. Their more expensive fabric models are built from ballistic nylon, which is the most durable fabric used in luggage. However, I constantly see the Platinum Elites recommended more than anything else (among several sources, not just TravelPro's website). Travelpro Platinum Elite-Softside Expandable Spinner Wheel Travelpro Essentials Large Expandable Packing Cube Travelpro Maxlite 4 25-Inch Expandable Spinner Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Lightweight Bi-Fold Travelpro Maxlite Lightweight Laptop Backpack, Fits Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside 2pc Set Travelpro Maxlite 5 Carry-On Hardside Spinner TSA-approved just means that the TSA agents are able to unlock it with special keys in case they need to perform additional inspections while its checked in. Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Expandable Luggage, 8 Wheel Spinner Suitcase, TSA Lock, Men and Women, Vintage Grey, Carry-On 21-Inch Visit the Travelpro Store 3,349 ratings | 364 answered questions -15% $31449 List Price: $369.99 FREE Returns Available at a lower price from other sellers that may not offer free Prime shipping. A key difference from the fabric Maxlite hides inside the main compartment. Also, usually, their wheels are rubber-coated, which makes them roll smoother and quieter. Its the airlines responsibility to cover the fees for the damage that theyve caused! A lot of people said that their suitcases feel rigid, well-made, lightweight, and really spacious. Dont use soap or other cleaners, or itll mess up the water- and stain-repellent coating. After fair use on rocky roads, the wheels still look brand-new, and Im pretty impressed with how well theyre made. 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. Differences: Maxlite Vs Platinum Elite The first difference between the bags lies in their dimensions, as Maxlite measures 21.75 x 15.75 x 7.75 inches. How protected is the bag on the outside? And it has no garment bag. Their luggage is made for professionals and frequent flyers, with quality being the number one priority. Travelpros wheels are similarly impressive. Worried about luggage going missing during holiday travel? The short answer: The tougher something is, often the heavier it becomes. Did the wheels have sealed bearings? It may be time to dust off old luggage or consider new replacements as you consider even newer destinations. However, the Baseline series handle has held up well over nine years now with no jams. There's even a padded laptop or tablet sleeve to protect your personal devices. Another significant difference: The tracks for the handles are on the outside of the bag, which allows for a flat surface in the interior of the bag, with no small crevices to work around for simple packing. On the outside, these two bags look very similar. Theres more to a great in-flight personal item than being small enough to stuff under a plane seat. The Travelpro Maxlite 5 gets top marks for maneuverability, lightweight size (just over 7 pounds), and an affordable price tag that doesn't compromise style or durability. And if you put your bags through the wringer, a lifetime warranty, and reinforced corners should indicate that the suitcase will live a long life. The 21 x 14 x 9-inch Travelpro carry-on is also supported by the brand's PrecisionGlide system and a pull handle for smooth mobility. Sometimes I carry it. 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. Our tester appreciated this suitcase's strong but flexible body, noting that it squeezed into tight cargo spaces. The only important rule? Even though its built from polyester, its really durable. This isnt to say that no one should ever get a two-wheeled bag. 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. ", Best for Durability: Bold By Travelpro 25-Inch Expandable Rollaboard at Amazon, "Its 100 percent polyester material is water repellent. Those looking for larger space can upgrade to checked models, including soft-sided suitcases, hard-case models, and duffels. 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. It also has two smaller pockets on the front for organizing your documents, electronics, and other smaller items. Size: 23 x 14.5 x 9.75 inches | Weight: 8.1 pounds | Expandable: Yes, Sectioned interior might not be ideal for everyones packing style. 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. Having said that, it might be subjected to being sky-checked every-so-often. It has a lifetime warranty, although its many patented parts seem durable. 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. 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. We prefer to use the expansion zipper as something of an ad hoc compression system: We unzip the expansion zipper while packing the bag and then zip it at the end, tamping everything down tight. Hard sided looks better to most people, but soft sided luggage should withstand the bumps and knocks of travel for longer. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. 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. Its easy to pack and has an anchor point for hangers. 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