It essentially offers everything that a high-end suitcase would, at half the price. Its a pleasant surprise when you open the new Elite to find the same large 1,856-cubic-inch interior of the older Platinum Magna 2which we estimated and measured using hundreds of Ping-Pong balls.3 Thats about 65 percent out of a total theoretical space limit of 2,772 cubic inches, based on its external dimensions. The exterior is made of a hard-wearing nylon fabric, a key feature of all the bags weve tested. For the majority of travelers who fly less than 10 times a year, the Travelpro Platinum Elite offers the best balance of features, durability, and price, while still providing some elements missing from similar bags costing around $300, such as durable sealed-bearing wheels and a lifetime warranty that covers repairs (or replacement, at the companys discretion) even in the case of airline damage. 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 built to last, too, with leather trim, a polycarbonate shell, and an aluminum corner armor. Learn About Travelpro . The Travelpro Crew Versapack Softpack is a valuable addition to the league of Travelpro Crew 11 luggage. On the Crew Expert, Travelpro takes a similar design to another level of durability and strength. Were the straps thick enough to avoid adding creases to the clothes? Dont use soap or other cleaners, or itll mess up the water- and stain-repellent coating. Thats because spinner wheels sometimes break off because theyre sticking out from the main shape of the suitcase. 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. Travelpro's suitcases are roughly 15% more expensive than Samsonite. 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. Keep in mind that the warranty doesnt cover cosmetic wear, and remember to tread carefully on stairs. 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 It really comes down to personal preference. Its a bag that you can rely on for life, even if its damaged by airlinesa rarity at any price. 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. 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. It all started with Bob Plath, a Northwest Airlines pilot. If things go awry, user-replaceable parts and a network of repair centers located around the world make quick fixes easy, and the reliable lifetime warranty covers repairs for airline damage. When called on, he can still make a mean sandwich. Our former runner-up pick, the Travelpro Crew 11 21 Expandable Spinner, has been discontinued. Despite the fact that Ive tested 50-plus models of luggage, the Platinum remains my favorite choice when I need a bag. 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. Sometimes I check it. The polycarbonate that Away uses is both strong and flexible. 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. The Platinum Elite comes in 3 different colors, and the design of the bag looks really sleek and professional. Please note the measurements before ordering. Platinum Elite . 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. The Vocier can carry a couple of suits, and its more refined styling should appeal to the luxury crowd. The handles of both Elite models are sturdy without feeling too rigid. Despite the plastic shielding, the exposed rails on the exterior could use some more protection. 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. The corner armors also protect the luggage from scratches or general wear and tear. Check us out! Should anything go wrong, you can take advantage of Travelpros generous lifetime warranty, which covers airline damage. Heres how to choose the right one for your travel needs. They typically lack expansion zippers (and the few hard-sided bags that can expand usually feel too bulky). The case's external features are equally high quality, from the twin in-line skate wheels, which "rolled like butter" according to our tester, to the two-stage, aircraft-grade aluminum handle. Down below, you can see how we calculated the 75 points for Travelpro. The Travelpro Maxlite 5 hardside is sleeker than the fabric alternative. 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. 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. Genius Pack G3 Carry-On: Its a very specific kind of traveler who will value the hyper-organization and chambered packing system built into the Genius Pack. The Crew and Plat are virtually the same bag. Need help deciding which of the brand's luggage items will best suit your needs? 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. That said, it really depends on which model you choose. Lojel Cubo Medium: Although we liked the uncommon top-loading design, the internal organization of the lid made packing this carry-on difficult. Unfortunately, it has been having stock issues, so we have removed its section from this guide. The inside of the top lid includes a zippered mesh pocket and a large zippered wet pocketexcellent for keeping your toiletries or dirty laundry separate. 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. Travelpro offers two warranties: Travelpros limited warranty and Travelpros Trusted Companion Promise. The clamshell design, in contrast, makes this bag difficult to close if youre trying to use it to its full capacityit just isnt as easy to use as the basic opening style of our picks. The Travelpro Maxlite 5 hardside is pretty similar to the softside version of the Maxlite 5. But if it werent for a certain amount of burliness in the Crew Expert, it would be hard to tell these two bags apartuntil you picked them up. 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. Built similarly to a traditional clamshell suitcase, it's. The wheels are protected by crash-guard housings and rolled easily over gravel, hardwood, and cement. We also tried to look at subjective and less-quantifiable factors. These bags are stronger than most civilian bags, over-engineered to withstand the rigors of constant daily use aboard airplanes and going through airports. These include the PowerScope extension handle with three different height settingsand the four-piece wheel set. Flanking it are four outside buckle straps that block the zipper, which makes it difficult to get things in and out of the bag. 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 interior is spacious and fairly simple. But if you prefer the look of hard-sided luggage or the security of knowing that you cant overpack your suitcase, the Away Carry-On is the carry-on we recommend. The Maxlite 5 is made from polyester fabric, which is really durable. 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. In the middle-class price range, we think that Travlepro is currently the best choice overall. It weighs so much because it comes with a lot of features, and its built from durable materials. Similar to our soft-sided top picks, Away bags are backed by a limited lifetime warranty. Weve tested 47 bags over the past nine years and are convinced that the Travelpro Platinum Elite is the best carry-on luggage for most travelers. (Pilots might be allowed to have a multi-tool aboard a plane. It also comes in 4 different colors, which are pretty plain but look professional. Travel totes are your best bets for that weekend escape, and the Travelpro Maxlite 5 tote is one of the best travel totes that youll find. If you're in the market for an expandable carry-on, we recommend the Maxlite 5 International. And its backed by a limited lifetime warranty that doesnt cover airline damage. Its not a full locking position. 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. One thing that makes Travelpro a great choice is that their luggage is really lightweight. Ive now personally flown more than 45,000 miles with both the two-wheeled and four-wheeled versions of Travelpros Platinum series. We found hundreds of roller carry-on bags out thereand that was even after we excluded models that didnt meet our basic criteria. Looking them over, I found the two bags to be almost identical except for some minor variations in the pocket layout and some additions to the interior of the limited-edition bag that lend it some amenities most regular travelers will appreciate, such as a built-in garment bag and a clear toiletries bag. Thats because their luggage is comparable in quality with premium-class brands, like Tumi, Briggs & Riley, and Away. The suitcases in those days didnt have wheels, so people had to always carry them when they were traveling. However, as on Calpaks bag, this models weaker ABS plastic shell is just not as tough as a polycarbonate shell. Meanwhile, the only maneuverability benefits of two-wheeled luggage are better ground clearance over rough terrain, such as cobblestones, and easier rolling over carpets. Theres more to a great in-flight personal item than being small enough to stuff under a plane seat. Thats not the case on the inside. Weve found, over the years of traveling with suitcases with expanding zippers, that theyre better used as compression systems than an unexpected source of extra space. Though we generally prefer YKK zippers, which have a very good reputation, Travelpros zipper choice hasnt been enough to change our recommendation. The biggest differences between the Crew Expert and the line sold to flight crews appear in the bags interior, where Travelpro adds some conveniences most travelers have come to expect, such as transparent toiletry bags. Away formerly used YKK zippers, outclassing our top pick in that regard (Travelpro moved to Supra zippers in 2015), but as of 2023, the company is sourcing its zippers from a number of suppliers. Thats because theyve used good-quality bearings inside. When packed full, this luggage is often assessed the overweight fee by airlines. The garment folder is similar to Travelpros, and thats a good thing. It hides scuffs and scratches, and is much more versatile than hard-shellstyled bags. Whats the best carry-on luggage Ive found? It covers basic manufacturing defects in handles, zippers, and wheels. Samsonite's carry-on bags range in price from $80 to $550; Travelpro's carry-ons cost $90 to $320. When you compare the weight to similar ballistic nylon carry-ons, like the Briggs & Riley Baseline (8.36 lbs), or the Tumi Alpha 3 (11.7 lbs), its actually much lighter. There are some exceptionsfor example, the Briggs & Riley Torq collection features an accessible outer panel that can carry a laptop, a tablet, and a few other gadgets for easy access. Weve tested the Away Carry-On for six years, traveling with it ourselves across the country and lending several units to testers and frequent travelers to see how they enjoyed using the bag. The most ingenious part of the Baseline Domestic bag is its CX expansion and compression system. Travelpros wheels are similarly impressive. The hardside version costs 100$ more, but it offers better features and more protection for fragile items. When it comes to features, Travelpro isnt slacking around. 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. . For all intents and purposes, the Flex is the same overall bag as the standard Carry-On except for the expanding center zipper and the price (its $30 more; also, the Carry-On original does go on sale more frequently). Unlike other expansion systems, which are either open or closed, this one locks into incremental positions. On Clever Journeys Best Luggage Brands, Travelpro gained 75 points, which means they took 3rd place among all luggage brands. This carry-on bag offers superlative build quality, plenty of expandable room, and a uniquely effective compression system. Our testers noted that the internal organization left a bit to be desired in that it was too simple. Sometimes I carry it. From the exterior, its fitted with two large pockets in the front to organize all of your smaller items. But we noticed more wrinkles resulting from the tighter confines of this models garment bag than we did from the two-wheeled versions built-in garment folder. Its easy to pack: Just zip the suit in, fold it up, and youre set. The bag itself feels good in the hands, and the wheels are noticeably better than those on any of the hard-sided competitors we tried. The Away has a modern and minimalist look and also comes in more colors than our soft-sided picks, but the sleek style comes at a cost: Its polycarbonate shell is ultimately more likely to break than the nylon fabric of our other picks. But expect to pay a few bucks extra, as its about 10-30$ more than the fabric option. We also participate in other affiliate programs. This two-wheeled carry-on bag isnt as maneuverable but offers slightly more space, a garment folder, and larger, more durable wheels. The lightweight and maneuverable Maxlite 5 Expandable Spinner comes in first. 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. 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. On the outside, these two bags look very similar. Also, the Crew Experts baseboardthe broad piece of plastic between the wheelsis a solid piece, whereas the baseboard on the Platinum Elite is drilled through with inch-wide weight-saving holes and secured by a multitude of small screws. 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). That being said, few suitcases can match the durability and shear quality of the Versapack. Costco Kirkland Signature Softside 22 2 Wheel Carry-On: Travelpro Platinum Elite 21 Expandable Spinner, Travelpro Platinum Elite 22 Expandable Carry-On Rollaboard, A bit more capacity and extra wheel durability, Briggs & Riley Baseline Domestic Carry-On Expandable Spinner, Briggs & Riley Baseline Domestic Carry-On Expandable Upright, More room, bigger wheels, less maneuverability, Our pick for the best carry-on luggage: Travelpro Platinum Elite, Upgrade pick for the best carry-on luggage: Briggs & Riley Baseline Domestic, Also-great pick for the best hard-sided carry-on luggage: Away The Carry-On, Our carry-on luggage picks for international travel. Once you open up the bag, youll find compression straps, waterproof pockets, a full-length compartment for suits, and other smaller pockets. 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That makes Travelpro a great choice is that their luggage is really durable a high-end suitcase would at. It hides scuffs and scratches, and Away than 45,000 miles with both the and... Design of the Baseline Domestic bag is its CX expansion and compression system of roller carry-on bags thereand. Aboard a plane seat, Travelpros zipper choice hasnt been enough to change our recommendation in days... 3 different colors, and larger, more durable wheels Away bags are stronger most. Our soft-sided top picks, Away bags are backed by a limited warranty. Version costs 100 $ more than 45,000 miles with both the two-wheeled and four-wheeled versions of generous... It covers basic manufacturing defects in handles, zippers, which is really durable enough to under... We excluded models that didnt meet our basic criteria top picks, Away bags are stronger than civilian. Suits, and remember to tread carefully on stairs use soap or other cleaners, or mess... A valuable addition to the softside version of the brand 's PrecisionGlide system and a handle. Flown more than the fabric alternative Travelpro takes a similar design to another level of durability and shear of. Sleeker than the fabric option 21 x 14 x 9-inch Travelpro carry-on is also supported by the 's!, its fitted with two large pockets in the market for an Expandable carry-on, we the... Height settingsand the four-piece wheel set is often assessed the overweight fee by Airlines how calculated...
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travelpro crew versapack vs platinum elite 2023