Expandable Width and TSA-Approved Locks So we called up experts to help us narrow the field. 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. The Maxlite 5, for example, is under a Limited Lifetime Warranty that covers repairs and replacements for defects in materials and workmanship. You sacrifice some features and comforts in this tougher version of the bag, as well. Plus, its really light, weighing a bit more than 5 pounds. 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. *At the time of publishing, the price was $315. The retractable handles on Travelpros suitcases are made from airline-grade aluminum, and when extended, they dont wobble. Voting Is Now Open for the 2021 FlyerTalk Awards! Essentially, its a limited warranty thats very similar to what most middle-class luggage brands offer, like Samsonite and Delsey. Keep in mind that the warranty doesnt cover cosmetic wear, and remember to tread carefully on stairs. 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. 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. The Travelpro Platinum Elite hardside carry-on is the newest addition to the Platinum Elite collection. The balance on this bag was decent, and it stood up well unloaded or loaded. Check us out! If you fly more than 25,000 miles per year, its worthwhile to invest in luggage that goes beyond merely being sturdy and will actually improve your overall travel experience. 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. International travelers may favor Travelpro models with RFID-blocking pockets to prevent virtual theft of their passport and credit card data. This warranty is valid for all of their suitcases and you dont need to register it. It weighs so much because it comes with a lot of features, and its built from durable materials. From the exterior, its fitted with two large pockets in the front to organize all of your smaller items. By logging into your account, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, and the use of cookies as described therein. (Update: Away discontinued the line.). 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 . She covers an array of hotels, products, and destinations for TripSavvy. 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. Dont use soap or other cleaners, or itll mess up the water- and stain-repellent coating. Learn more. This carry-on spinner is part of Platinum Elite, Travelpro's sophisticated collection of suitcases. 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. It all started with Bob Plath, a Northwest Airlines pilot. . We noticed, however, that even with this feature the handle sometimes requires gentle guiding to retract all the way. And at 7.8 pounds when empty, this carry-on bag is about half a pound lighter than its predecessor. But we think most people who travel fewer than, say, six times a year will have an easier time navigating crowded terminals and narrow airplane aisles with a spinner suitcase. Travelpro offers two warranties: Travelpros limited warranty and Travelpros Trusted Companion Promise. It comes in a textured diamond-like finish, which looks really interesting. After we had them all on hand, we weighed and measured the bags to see if they matched each companys claims. The Crew Expert also has broader flaps for securing your clothes and packing cubes. Its also available in a two-wheeled version, which we tested and recommended in previous years. Nowadays, Travelpro is widely used by airline staff members of over ninety airlines. Its wheels chattered over every surface except deep carpet. Sometimes I carry it. Size: 27 x 18.5 x 11.5 inches | Weight: 7.3 pounds | Expandable: Yes. Travelpro's under-seat carry-on is excellent for people who tend to pack light. They were beaten only by Briggs & Riley (81 points) and Ricardo (76 points). Then you push down on the bag, which compresses it as a clip mechanism secures it in place. 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. Thats not the case on the inside. 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. The Travelpro Platinum Elite carry-on comes in 6 different colors, and our favorites are theRich Espressoand theShadow Black. Before you can pack the bag, there are two fiberglass rods that you need to install yourself. It will be familiar to anyone who has used a suitcase before, which means theres no learning curve for optimizing the storage capacity. What, if any, extras are included? Travelpros luggage comes with some of the best wheels on the market. How user-repairable was the bag? Then we loaded them down and beat them up. Merchant Video . If you are a frequent flyer and willing to invest in a higher-quality product for your home away from home, we recommend the Briggs & Riley Baseline Domestic Carry-On Expandable Spinner (also available in a two-wheeled version with more capacity). Even though its built from polyester, its really durable. Platinum Elite Women's Backpack 299.99 CAD 254.99 CAD Travelpro x Travel + Leisure Slim Backpack 32 Reviews 300.00 CAD 255.00 CAD Travelpro x Travel + Leisure Women's Convertible Tote 300.00 CAD 255.00 CAD Travelpro x Travel + Leisure Convertible Backpack 300.00 CAD 255.00 CAD Maxlite 5 Laptop Backpack 149.99 CAD 127.49 CAD Sale Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. However, in 2019 we noticed a small uptick in Wirecutter reader complaints about zipper tabs breaking. It comes with various protection elements, like reinforced corners, skid plates, and protective plastic elements. Our one critique is the front exterior pocket is difficult to get in and out of due to its shallow construction. Active travelers, meanwhile, will benefit from designs that allow them to isolate their gear from their clean clothes. Most lightweight brands usually struggle with durability due to lighter, less-rigid hardware and materials. 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. You? This is better because theyre pretty much impossible to break off, even if the bag is checked in, so your contact information will always stay on your bag in case it gets lost. She began writing for TripSavvy in May2018. The bulk of luggage brands and travelers have moved in this direction as well. On the sides, The Bold 2.0 also has compression straps. All to find out whether theyre the right choice for frequent travelers. By comparison, the Crew Expert has a solid piece of plastic bolted into place. An expansion zipper lets you increase storage by about 30 percent in a pinchalthough the bag will no longer be carry-on compliant. 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. (Although prices can vary online, Travelpro currently prices the Crew Expert and the Platinum Elite similarly, within about $40 of each other.). But I havent experienced the issue with any of the later models of this suitcase. We also thought the Calpak bags handling felt jittery against normal airport floor surfaces. From 31 different luggage brands that we collected data on, Travelpro scored 6th. Thats remarkably efficient for a bag that does so much. Both models perform just as admirably as each other. In the medium class, we would definitely say that theyre the best option to get, beating Samsonite, Delsey, Travelers Choice, and Ricardo Beverly Hills. Its almost the same bag. Its similar to every black suitcase weve seen. With the collected intelligence from these luggage reviewers, builders, and professional travelers, we zeroed in on some top brands. We asked all of that and more. Just how much would the bag compress? Free Standard Shipping For Orders Over $49! 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. Hard-sided luggage also doesnt age as well as soft-sided luggage. Travelpro is the only middle-class brand that you can go with if youre planning on traveling frequently. 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. We also tried to look at subjective and less-quantifiable factors. After five years of testing carry-on luggage, weve learned what makes a good suitcase, which parts break first, and what you should look for when buying a bag. That said, it really depends on which model you choose. Travelpro covers the Platinum Elite with its best warranty for return, repair, and replacement: If your bag suffers from this (or any other) problem, get in touch with Travelpro, and the company ought to resolve it promptly. 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. Travelpro Aviation - Personalize the way you pack with Crew VersaPack. 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. After traveling with 22 backpacks, wed choose to carry the Cotopaxi Allpa 35L or the Peak Design Travel Backpack 45Lbut we offer other great options as well. One thing that makes Travelpro a great choice is that their luggage is really lightweight. In the past, we were explicit in our recommendation of two-wheeled models over four-wheeled spinner luggage based on feedback from frequent flyers and interviews with luggage designers. Personally, Im not a fan of expanding zippers on suitcases. lifetime warranty, which covers airline damage. The two-wheeled version has the same internal layout as the spinner model, but it offers a bit more usable space. The retractable handles are one of the first things that usually break on luggage, so its nice that theyre using high-quality ones. It feels like potentially just one more thing to break. Although I enjoyed testing the Crew Expert and the FlightCrew 5, and indulging in their absurdly excessive strength, I dont think Id personally like to travel with one. Its valid for a lifetime, but it essentially only covers defects that are caused by manufacturing mistakes and improper use of materials. Travelpro increased the diameter of the wheels on the Elite, making for a slightly smoother ride, and redesigned the top handle to lie flat, which cuts about an inch from the overall height of the bag relative to previous designs. However, after extensive testing and industry improvements in design and materials, we reversed our stance. Their luggage is durable, lightweight, packed with good features, and backed up by a reliable warranty. 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. Full review: Travelpro Crew VersaPack 29-Inch Luggage Review. Full review: Travelpro Platinum Elite 25-Inch Checked Suitcase Review. This two-wheeled carry-on bag isnt as maneuverable but offers slightly more space, a garment folder, and larger, more durable wheels. Its external pockets, as with all the bags we tested, are nothing to write home about, but they do strike a nice balance between protecting and compressing small items (a shaving/sewing kit, say) without showing much extra bulk. Zipper quality has improved slightly, but ultimately theyre still the same as theyve always been, said Jason Gifford, formerly the design manager for eBags. Platinum Elite Platinum Elite Hardside; Maxlite Crew Versapack Bold by Travelpro . 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. 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. 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. 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. Travelpro Platinum Elite is our most loyal travel companion. 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. Weve been unable to replicate that phenomenon in our own testing. The small tracking assistance makes a large difference when youre navigating the Elite through a crowded airport or down a busy street. Worried about luggage going missing during holiday travel? The removable garment bags in Travelpros spinner suitcases are, in general, tight in the shoulders, which can cause wrinkles. Weighing 9.5 pounds by our measure, the Crew Expert is nearly 2 pounds heavier than a similar-size Platinum Elite. In fact, the Travelpro is less prone to tipping over than many other bags weve tested. We gathered data about popular suitcases from 31 different luggage brands, and it revealed that on average, their suitcases cost 219$. $319.99 $399.99. 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. Next, comes the aluminum handle. The Vocier can carry a couple of suits, and its more refined styling should appeal to the luxury crowd. According to our measurements, the bag, unexpanded, offers 1,905 cubic inches of storage room (and that accounts for the space occupied by the wheel wells and such). However, that added toughness comes at a cost: extra weight and the loss of a few features we like on the Platinum Elite. Even the cheapest option that I own (Maxlite 5) comes with two exterior pockets, two zippered mesh pockets inside, and compression straps to keep your belongings in place. TravelPro is world-renown for producing high-quality pieces of luggage, which can comfortably withstand frequent travel. The 100 percent polyester material is strengthened by a water-repellent coating, which held up beautifully during our waterproof testing. This is a pretty basic warranty though, so it wont cover airline damage, accidents, and normal wear and tear. It is sturdy and unassuming, and does what it is meant to do without complaint. ", Best for Durability: Bold By Travelpro 25-Inch Expandable Rollaboard at Amazon, "Its 100 percent polyester material is water repellent. The suitcases in those days didnt have wheels, so people had to always carry them when they were traveling. Spinner luggage or two-wheeled carry-on bag? For instance, they have a special machine for jerking a fully packed case for hours to test its durability, as well as a machine that tests the spinner wheels by simulating a rolling movement on rocky terrains for several hours. Their more premium models are much more durable, but also weigh more. The case gained massive popularity among airline pilots and crew, and eventually, Plath founded Travelpro to provide revolutionary luggage items for the general public. 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). Its a unique design and very satisfying to use. . 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. The short answer: The tougher something is, often the heavier it becomes. Below, we've rounded up our favorites, from checkpoint-friendly backpacks to lightweight spinner suitcases. Let us help you. Travelpros Platinum Elite has dominated the market ever since its release, so at that price point, its one of the best options that you can buy. In weight, its 8.0 lbs (3.6 kg), which means that its somewhat heavy. 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. When we first started testing the Away in 2016, we found that flexibility to be a liability, especially on airport carpets: The first version of the Away I tested tended to flex into itself and jam up its own wheels when I pushed it in front of me. Basic warranty though, so people had travelpro crew versapack vs platinum elite always carry them when they were beaten by. Their clean clothes been unable to replicate that phenomenon in our own testing the Calpak bags handling felt jittery normal! 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With RFID-blocking pockets to prevent virtual theft of their passport and credit card.! And unassuming, and remember to tread carefully on stairs lightweight brands usually struggle with durability due lighter... Bag that does so much 2021 FlyerTalk Awards the heavier it becomes then you push on... ; Maxlite Crew VersaPack 29-Inch luggage review of expanding zippers on suitcases zipper tabs breaking doesnt! It offers a bit more than 5 pounds for optimizing the storage capacity luggage,... Ninety Airlines the luxury crowd hand, we 've rounded up our favorites are theRich Espressoand Black. Also weigh more more durable, lightweight, packed with good features, and it stood up well unloaded loaded., weighing a bit more usable space will benefit from designs that allow them isolate... In previous years reliable warranty personally, Im not a fan of expanding zippers on suitcases 've! Suitcases in those days didnt have wheels, so it wont cover airline damage, accidents, and wear. 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