Those who know me, know I’ve been traveling with a backpack for most of my recent trips. One of the reasons for this is that I only had an old, battered suitcase, which turned out to be too cumbersome anytime I considered taking it. Which luggage is the right one for you always depends on the type of trip you plan. For city trips a suitcase can be more handy, as you don’t have to carry around so much weight on your back.
So it was time for a change. Time to take my luggage to the next level. Time to give a new suitcase a chance.
I’ve decided on a LEVEL8 suitcase set: The Voyageur Set, consisting of a 20” carry-on and a 28” in dark olive. I’ve thoroughly tested it to make sure it was the right decision and want to share all the insights with you in this LEVEL8 luggage review to help you decide on the right travel companion as well.
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LEVEL8 luggage | The company
Who is LEVEL8?
LEVEL8 is a luggage company based in the US with the mission to make travel less of a burden. They’ve crafted suitcases with a sleek and simple design with durable, high-quality materials. This way, they offer reliable items that are not just functional, but also extremely good-looking.
Also, they’ve been awarded the reddot design award several times for different items for its combination of high-class design and functionality.
Sustainability at LEVEL8
The products at LEVEL8 are designed and built to last. Durability is one of the buzzwords you can read the most on their website. According to LEVEL8, their cases are tested to survive 176,000 wheel rotations and 12,000 handle pulls.
Already when I received the luggage, one thing caught my eye: Barely any plastic packaging (except the handle which is separately protected by a plastic cover). The cases come in cardboard boxes and are packed in thin fabric bags instead of any unnecessary plastic wrap.
The interior linings in several product lines are made from recycled PET (including the Adventurer, Polaris, Creator and the Urban Backpack), giving plastic waste a second life.
Taking a look at the company, they’ve participated in tree adoption and planting initiatives for for years. In my eyes, this is the bare minimum, and quite common practice among companies aiming to position themselves in a more sustainable light.
Additionally, they encourage customers to repurpose worn suitcases, e.g. into cat or dog shelters instead of throwing them away. Also, they plan to launch more products with eco-conscious materials and want to continue supporting environmental causes and community initiatives in the future.
There’s still a long way to go to become a truly sustainable company. But I like the first steps they’re doing and the transparent communication on their website.
Sustainability facts in short:
LEVEL8 luggage review | A closer look at the Voyageur Set
Outside: Characteristics & charm
Look | High-end design
One thing is for sure: LEVEL8 luggage is an absolutely stylish travel companion. With its unique color, the LEVEL8 Voyager Set in dark olive directly caught my eye when I browsed their website. My first impression was confirmed after unpacking the suitcases. Both the carry-on and the check-in case look and feel robust and high-quality. Its so-called “micro-diamond finish” creates a refined, but also resilient exterior.
The hard-shell cases feature a modern design that spreads a high-end, elegant vibe. But are they also functional, or just good-looking? Let’s take a closer look.
Material | German-made Makrolon® polycarbonate
Fabricated from Makrolon®, a German-made scratch-resistant and durable polycarbonate material, LEVEL8 luggage is designed to endure the strain in airports, buses and wherever it will inevitably be thrown around. Makrolon® is said to be extremely robust and shock-proof and also resistant to extreme temperatures. At the same time, it’s surprisingly lightweight. This is a huge difference, making it worth investing in a high-quality product instead of one made from cheap plastic.
Security | TSA-approved lock
What comes super handy is the integrated TSA-approved combination lock. This way, you can travel hassle-free through any security checks worldwide, because authorized security staff can open your luggage without having to break the lock. A feature you shouldn’t forgo, especially on international trips.
Suitability | Extra-wide handle
One thing that sets LEVEL8 luggage apart is its extra-wide handle. I’ve never seen such a handle design in any other suitcase, but it’s well worth it, as the innovative wide handle not only provides stability but also maximizes the space inside for packing.
Plus, the aluminum alloy telescopic handle makes travel comfortable for people of all sizes.
Comfortability | Smooth 360° wheels
To be completely honest, what has always bothered me most about traveling with a suitcase is the dragging and stumbling, depending on the surface. Sooner or later, especially on city trips, you encounter cobblestones and uneven surfaces. And this is where most suitcases struggle. Not so with the LEVEL8 suitcase and its 360° spinner wheels. And how smoothly it rolls! I’m really impressed.
Another positive feature I noticed is how quiet the wheels are. Even on paved roads, the LEVEL8 suitcase rolls much more quietly than many other suitcases, even when fully packed. This really shows the high-quality manufacturing.
I will continue to update this LEVEL8 luggage review the longer I use the suitcases, so you’ll be the first to know if the durability actually lasts as promised.
Inside: Features & finesse
Compartments
Both the carry-on and the larger check-in case consist of two compartments, helping to organize easily. There are no straps where half of the packed clothes can fall through, but two proper compartments that you can close with a zipper. The check-in suitcase also has a foldable shelf inside the larger providing extra options to organize your clothes.
Storage of the Voyageur Set is also easy, as the 20” suitcase easily fits inside both the 26” and the 28” suitcase. So the smaller carry-on is designed to nest neatly inside any of the larger check-ins.
Zipper pockets
One of the inner features I love the most are the pockets inside. They help you to organize small items separately, such as a charger or books. They don’t get thrown around inside and you can easily reach them instantly when opening your luggage. There’s even a dry-wet separation pocket for clean organization. You can pack your wet bathing suite in here without other stuff getting wet. How awesome is that?
Add-ons
You can also purchase some add-ons to make your trip with your LEVEL8 luggage even more hassle-free:
- Packing cubes – To organize your clothes and belongings even better inside your suitcase
- Protective cover – made from robust fabric to shield your suitcase from scratches and dirt
Models & sizes
The Voyageur comes in 3 standard colors: black | navy | dark-olive
Plus, there are 2 limited editions: yellow-black | celadon
There are 4 sizes (the small one being the carry-on):
| Size | Capacity | Weight | Over dimension (H x L x W) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20″ | 43l | 8.1lbs (3.7kg) |
21.3″ x 15.1″ x 9.8″ (54.5cm x 38.5cm x 25cm) |
| 26″ | 93l | 11.8lbs (5.3kg) |
27.3″ x 16.6″ x 13.3″ (70cm x 42.5cm x 34cm) |
| 28″ | 99l | 12.4lbs (5.6kg) |
29.1″ x 16.6″ x 13.3″ (74.5cm x 42.5cm x 34cm) |
| 30″ | 105l | 13.9lbs (6.3kg) |
32.1″ x 16.7″ x 13.6″ (81.5cm x 42.5cm x 34.5cm) |
I have the 20″ carry-on and the 28″ LEVEL8 suitcase from the Voyageur series. That’s already a very large model for my taste (with 99l capacity). But there’s even one larger size for the packing queens and kings among you. With 12.4lbs (5.6kg) we’re talking about the average weight for a case of this size.
If you’re considering a new carry-on and a larger check-in suitcase, LEVEL8 offers suitcase sets where you can save up to $80.
If you travel a lot for work and value having a separate laptop compartment, the LEVEL8 Road Runner carry-on could be the right choice for you.
Watch out: Every airline has their own requirements when it comes to carry-on. The LEVEL8 Voyageur carry-on fits into the size allowance of several major airlines, such as British Airways, Iberia, Thai Airways or EasyJet. But the allowed sizes vary a lot. So always check before your flight, if your carry-on meets the requirements.
LEVEL8 has an airline carry-on guide covering the majority of airlines and their size allowances that can help. But better check the airline website as well, because the allowance policies are subject to change.
LEVEL8 luggage discount code
We all love to save money, don’t we? With the LEVEL8 discount code “Jillonjourney” you will save 15% on your order.
My conclusion | LEVEL8 luggage review
To wrap it up, let’s take a quick look at the highlights of the LEVEL8 Voyageur suitcases.
Good to know | LEVEL8 suitcase FAQ
Note: This blog post was created as part of a paid collaboration with LEVEL8. Of course, everything I wrote in this LEVEL8 luggage review is my own, honest opinion.
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