I’ll be honest. We’re lucky to receive many product review offers thanks to this blog but we rarely accept them. Reviewing products isn’t really my thing but I was happy to make an exception in this case, for the simple reason that LEVEL8 makes beautiful hard shell luggage.
I was particularly drawn to their hard shell carry-on luggage with a laptop pocket. As a full-time travel blogger, my laptop is my most important possession. I can’t run this blog without it so I was stoked to finally have a hard shell suitcase that would keep it well-protected while in transit.
In this LEVEL8 luggage review, I’ll tell you why I love this laptop carry-on and show you two more uber-stylish suitcases that LEVEL8 was kind enough to send us. If you’re in the market for new hard shell luggage, then this review will be of interest to you.
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WHAT IS LEVEL8?
LEVEL8 is a luggage design and manufacturing company based in New York City. A relatively young company established in 2008, their goal is to create simple but stylish luggage, carry-ons, backpacks, and travel accessories.
LEVEL8 luggage looks and feels high-end but they’re moderately priced to make them more accessible to a broader range of travelers. I love that.
LEVEL8 LUGGAGE REVIEW
This LEVEL8 luggage review covers the following products. You can click on the links to jump to any section of the review.
PRO CARRY-ON WITH LAPTOP POCKET 20″
I’m in love with this laptop carry-on. Before I started using this hard shell suitcase, I was carrying around my laptop in a soft backpack so I’d always worry about it getting crushed or damaged, especially in a crowded airplane’s overhead bin.
Thanks to its light and durable aerospace-grade Bayer Makrolon® hard shell construction, it offers extra protection and keeps my laptop, gadgets, and other belongings safe.
I have the grey but the Pro Carry-on also comes in black and navy. Click here for more information.
Laptop Pocket
This Pro Carry-on is basically an upgraded version of LEVEL8’s Road Runner Carry-on. It features a front pocket that gives you easy access to your laptop with the flick of a switch.
I have a 15″ Macbook Pro and it fits snugly in the laptop pocket. The sleeve measures 10.2″ x 14″ and is designed to accommodate up to 15.6″ laptops and tablets. This front compartment also has two smaller pockets measuring 3.7″ x 8.3″ for power banks and other smaller electronic devices.
USB Charging Port
In this picture, you’ll see two major upgrades from the Road Runner Carry-on bag. The Road Runner Carry-on has dual locks – one for the laptop pocket and another for the main compartment.
This Pro Carry-on features a more streamlined design with just one combined TSA lock. Slide it one way to unlock the main compartment and slide it the other way to open the laptop pocket. Jumble the combination lock and both compartments are locked and secure.
It also features a handy USB charging port that you can connect to a power bank so you can charge your mobile phone and other devices. This is a cool new feature that isn’t available in the Road Runner Carry-on.
Open the laptop pocket and you’ll find this cable that you can connect to your power bank. How cool is that? You can easily charge your mobile phone through your LEVEL8 luggage while waiting to board your flight.
Interior Compartment
The Pro Carry-on has a maximum capacity of 35 liters. One side of the suitcase features a zippered compartment with two zippered pockets.
I absolutely love the stylish design of LEVEL8’s suitcases. Each of the ultra-quiet 360º spinner wheels features the “8” symbol in LEVEL8. When viewed horizontally, it represents infinity (∞) and the company’s endless pursuit of perfection.
Pro Carry-On With Laptop Pocket 20″
FEATURES
- Zipperless, lockable, padded front pocket to fit up to 15.6″ laptops, tablets, and magazines.
- Built-in USB port and interior compartment for your power bank, to allow you to easily charge your mobile devices through your suitcase.
- Aerospace-grade Bayer Makrolon® Hard Shell – light, super durable, and made with waterproof material.
- TSA-approved lock.
- Smooth telescoping handle.
- Ultra-quiet, durable, and easily maneuverable 360° spinner wheels.
- Suitable for most aircraft overhead compartments.
SPECS
Capacity: 35 liters
Weight: 9.3 lbs
Dimensions: 14.5” (L) x 9.3” (W) x 21.6” (H)
*Use the discount code willflyforfood10 upon checkout to get 10% off on your purchase.
GLITTER CARRY-ON SUITCASE 20″
I love my Pro Carry-on luggage but Ren wasn’t really feeling its more masculine color and design. Thankfully, there are plenty of other carry-ons for her to choose from so she went with this recently released Glitter Carry-on luggage.
Made with the same German Makrolon® polycarbonate hard shell material, it features a glossy finish that comes in pink or white or a matte finish in black. If you want a more stylish, head-turning suitcase, then this Glitter Carry-on is an excellent choice.
Interior Compartment
Unlike my Pro Carry-on, this Glitter suitcase features two zippered compartments, one with two zippered pockets. It weighs almost two lbs lighter than the Pro Carry-on (7.6 vs 9.3 lbs) but it has a larger capacity at 38 liters (vs 35 liters).
If you enjoy packing light, then this Glitter Carry-on makes for an excellent weekend bag. It’s light and small enough to bring as a carry-on but roomy enough to be your only suitcase for short trips.
Protective Sleeve
The Glitter Carry-on also comes with a stylish luggage tag and this suitcase cover for added protection.
Glitter Carry-On Suitcase 20″
FEATURES
- Made with super durable, water-resistant German Makrolon® polycarbonate hard shell material.
- Glossy finish in pink or white. Matte finish in black.
- TSA-approved lock.
- Smooth telescoping handle.
- Ultra-quiet, durable, and easily maneuverable 360° spinner wheels.
- Mesh pocket interior dividers with dry/wet separation.
- Suitable for most aircraft overhead compartments.
- Comes with a luggage tag and a protective sleeve.
- Lifetime warranty.
SPECS
Capacity: 38 liters
Weight: 7.6 lbs
Dimensions: 14.57” (L) x 8.66” (W) x 21.46” (H)
*Use the discount code willflyforfood10 upon checkout to get 10% off on your purchase.
VINTAGE MATTE CHECK-IN LUGGAGE 24″
We love anything vintage so this stylish suitcase immediately grabbed our attention. It’s a 24″ matte finish check-in luggage that comes in light blue or violet-pink.
On the LEVEL8 website, this matte check-in luggage is labeled as “women’s luggage” – perhaps due to the available colors – but I’d happily travel with this light blue suitcase even without Ren. It’s simple but gorgeous in its color and design.
TSA-Approved Combination Lock
Like the previous two carry-ons, this hard shell suitcase is secured with a TSA-approved combination lock.
Ultra-Quiet 360º Spinner Wheels
Here’s a closer look at those beautiful spinner wheels with the company’s infinity symbol. Thanks to its telescopic handle and smooth wheels, you can easily wheel and maneuver these suitcases through the busiest airports.
Interior Compartment
Like the Glitter Carry-on, this Matte Check-in luggage features two zippered compartments, one with two smaller pockets.
Packing Cubes
I absolutely love these packing cubes. Packing cubes make everything so much more organized and our LEVEL8 luggage included four cubes of different sizes. They also came with these cute velcro labels to help identify each cube’s contents.
Aren’t these velcro labels cute? Aside from their beautiful designs and sturdy build, it’s little touches like this that make LEVEL8 luggage stand out.
Matte Check-In 24″
FEATURES
- Made with a durable, lightweight, and water-resistant German Makrolon® polycarbonate exterior.
- Special anti-scratch hive texture.
- Telescopic handle made from aluminum alloy.
- TSA-approved lock.
- Ultra-quiet, durable, and easily maneuverable 360° spinner wheels.
- Comes with a set of packing cubes.
SPECS
Capacity: 68 liters
Weight: 9.63 lbs
Dimensions: 17.5” (L) x 10.4” (W) x 26” (H)
*Use the discount code willflyforfood10 upon checkout to get 10% off on your purchase.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON LEVEL8 LUGGAGE
All three pieces of our LEVEL8 luggage came in a white cloth dust bag and a sturdy box. Not only did the dust bag protect the suitcase, but it was a nice touch that made them feel even more premium.
LEVEL8 makes quality luggage. From the design to the build to little touches like the velcro labels and branded spinner wheels, I absolutely love everything about these suitcases. If you’re looking for a hard-shell suitcase that’s well-built but still affordable, then LEVEL8 is a great brand to consider.
Visit the LEVEL8 website to see all available styles and designs. Aside from hard-shell suitcases, they make a range of backpacks and travel accessories as well.
If you’re looking to buy more than one suitcase, then be sure to check out the “luggage sets” section of their website. You’ll save on the overall cost if you buy multiple pieces as a luggage set.
Disclosure
LEVEL8 was kind enough to gift us with all three suitcases featured in this article in exchange for an honest review. As always, all thoughts, words, and opinions expressed in this LEVEL8 luggage review are mine and mine alone.
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