If you’re interested in investing in some LEVEL8 luggage, I’m here to share my experience with you!
My name is Jasmine, and I am a professional travel blogger and photographer! Thanks for visiting my site and reading what I have to say about LEVEL8 Luggage. Just so you know, I personally own LEVEL8’s Atlas Laptop Backpack and the 20″ Capture Carry On.
In fact, I took both of them to England and Ireland for a 17-day trip with my husband and two-year-old son! In other words, my family put these bags through the ringer 🙂
I also want to let you know that LEVEL8 paid me to write a post about them. But while this is a paid post, they did not tell me what I can and can’t write. And just so you know, I would not accept payment from anyone to write a post where I can’t say what I want! So, I’m committed to giving you my honest experience with their luggage pieces. They did, however, give me a discount code for you! So you can use code jasminealley10 for 10% off your order on their website!
Does LEVEL8 make good luggage? My Experience
LEVEL8 Capture Carry-On 20″ Review
I’m going to start with my experience with the LEVEL8 Capture Carry On.
Instead of just listing its impressive specs, which you can read here on their site, I’d rather share things that stood out to me.
First, my favorite thing about this piece of luggage is that it rolls extremely smoothly. I brought another 4-wheel carry-on from a different brand and spent much of trip rolling both pieces side-by-side across many different types of terrain. (Uneven cobblestone in London, I’m looking at you!) The LEVEL8 piece was SO much easier to push or pull across different types of terrain than my other luggage piece! That said, LEVEL8’s Capture Carry On’s movement didn’t feel loose or out-of-control. It just felt like a very well-made product!
Also, while LEVEL8 makes stunning hard-shell suitcases, I chose the Capture Carry On very strategically. I love a soft-shell suitcase because it often can accommodate more than a hard-shell suitcase. Flying the airlines I usually fly in the US, like Southwest Airlines and American Airlines, there is no weight check for carry ons. So I always try to stuff my carry on full instead of having to check a bag. That means I love to use the expandable features on my luggage, and this suitcase has an expandable zipper that allows you to fill from 40 – 46 liters. An additional 6L is a lot of extra room!
LEVEL8 Atlas Laptop Backpack Review
Similarly, I thought the Atlas Backpack was excellent (find specs here on their site). My favorite thing about this product is its laptop sleeve within the backpack. This fortified sleeve feels like it really protects my laptop – I’ve never seen insulation like it in a backpack! Also, it can fit both my laptop and my husband’s! This is really important to me since I don’t like bringing an extra laptop carrying case if I don’t have to. Also, our electronic devices are very important for our work. So, keeping them safe and secure in a fortified compartment gave us peace of mind.
LEVEL8 Luggage: My Only Complaint
My only complaint about these pieces is that they take a bit of effort to stack on top of each other even though they are designed to do so. The Atlas Backpack has a pass-through sleeve designed to fit over a rolling luggage’s handle so that you can stack the backpack on top and roll them as one. This is a must-have feature to me since traveling with little ones often means you need to be as efficient as possible with your luggage. However, with how full we stuffed the backpack, we had a bit of a hard time fitting the pass-through sleeve of the backpack over the Capture Carry On’s handle. Eventually, it would always work. It just took quite a bit of wiggling to really fit the backpack on the handle.
However, I imagine that this is designed to keep the backpack very secure and prevent it from sliding from side to side. And I loved the overall design of how the backpack attaches to your luggage handle: there is a genius additional strap that you loop over the top of the suitcase handle! It really kept our backpack securely on our suitcase without leaning forward from the weight of all our stuff in it.
Overall, I highly recommend each of these pieces, and my personal experience with both of them has been excellent! I am seriously looking forward to using these pieces on my future trips!
About LEVEL8 Luggage
LEVEL8 Luggage has carved out a niche for itself with its commitment to creating sleek, functional, and reliable luggage. LEVEL8 has crafted minimalist designs that don’t compromise on quality or durability since its inception in New York City. Their product line, which primarily features hard shell carry-ons and checked suitcases, caters to a wide range of travelers.
The brand’s ethos revolves around the idea of seamless travel. They are all about ensuring that their customers can focus on their destinations rather than their luggage. With a reputation for sturdiness and style, LEVEL8 suitcases are known for:
- their high-quality wheels,
- convenient built-in TSA locks,
- and well-organized compartments.
These compartments include specialized pockets for electronics, like the very secure laptop compartment in my Atlas Laptop Backpack.
They have thousands of positive reviews across multiple platforms. And while they may not be the most budget-friendly option on the market, the exceptional quality of LEVEL8 luggage justifies the investment, especially for those who travel often like me. And compared to other luggage competitors, LEVEL8 actually offers a great price. Plus, I really think you get what you pay for when it comes to luggage. In short, LEVEL8 Luggage stands out for its blend of luxury and practicality, offering travelers a reliable and stylish bag for their journeys.
LEVEL8’s Most Popular Pieces
This luggage brand has many popular pieces of luggage designed for different use-cases. I’ll highlight some of them here.
The Level 8 Voyageur Luggage 2 Piece Set
The Level 8 Voyageur Luggage 2 Piece Set comes with a 20 inch carry on and a 26 or 28 inch checked bag. Reviews highlight the set’s wide-handle design, which not only contributes to a sleek look but also makes for easier maneuvering and packing. Of course, the durable hard-shell construction can withstand much of the rough handling of travel, and the interior pockets with dry-wet separation are really handy.
This set is surprisingly affordable. And with a lifetime warranty, it’s an attractive option for many travelers, particularly those who are starting from scratch or close to it with their luggage. In other words, if you don’t need two pieces, this set is going to be overkill for you. Also, neither piece in this set has an exterior pocket or a compression system. So, if those are deal-breakers for you, then this set isn’t for you.
Road Runner Carry-On
The Road Runner Carry On is great for those specifically looking to transport their laptop and/or tablet in an ultra-durable and stylish carry-on. Reviews highlight its sleek design and sturdy construction, with many appreciating the protection its hard-shell offers. Unsurprisingly, the high-quality wheels are often mentioned as a standout feature, ensuring smooth transit through various terrains. And of course, the built-in TSA locks are a nice security feature.
Of note, the external polycarbonate material, while durable, is prone to scuffing, though it cleans easily. And the handles lack padding, which might affect comfort during prolonged use. However, the general consensus is that the Level8 Horizon Luggage is a solid investment, particularly for frequent travelers who prioritize durability and ease of use.
Luminous Textured 2 Piece Set
This set is another one of LEVEL8’s most popular products. Reviews highlight the set’s hardshell material, which is praised for its light weight and strength. The anti-scratch surface is also a noted feature, enhancing the luggage’s durability and maintaining its aesthetic appeal over time. Users appreciate the smooth wheels, which contribute to the luggage’s ease of maneuverability, making it a convenient option for travelers navigating the varied terrains of airports and hotels.
The interior of the luggage is designed with organization in mind, featuring compartments that help keep belongings neatly arranged and easily accessible. The larger checked bag and the carry-on piece together offer a versatile solution for various travel needs, whether it’s a short business trip or an extended vacation. The set’s expandability is another aspect that reviewers find beneficial, allowing for additional packing space when needed. Security features, such as built-in TSA locks, provide peace of mind, ensuring that belongings are safe during transit.
In terms of aesthetics, the luggage set has a modern and minimalistic design that I really like. The color options and the micro-diamond finish not only add to the visual appeal but also play a role in minimizing the appearance of scratches.
While the price point is mentioned as a consideration, the general consensus among users is that the value offered by the Level8 Textured Luggage 2 Piece Set aligns with its cost, especially when taking into account the features and the quality of materials used.
Overall, the Level8 Textured Luggage 2 Piece Set seems to be a solid choice for those seeking reliable and stylish luggage that can withstand the rigors of travel while providing functional benefits that enhance the overall travel experience.
Hegent Carry-On Luggage
The Level8 Hegent Carry-On Luggage 20″ is a piece that stands out for its robust design and functional features. It boasts a zipless design and a moisture-free aluminum frame, which are complemented by corner guards for extra protection, making it extremely durable. The hybrid Y compression strap system, along with wet and dry pockets, offers organized packing options. Its industrial look, with pronounced rivets and a bold LEVEL8 logo, gives it a distinctive style with its matte black finish. I feel like this one is a bit more masculine in its aesthetics. So if you’re looking for a bag with a feminine touch, this one might not be for you.
The suitcase’s hardshell is a hybrid polycarbonate, providing a balance between durability and weight, which is essential for carry-on luggage. The double TSA locks ensure security, while the absence of zippers aims to provide a smoother user experience. The Hegent model is praised for its value especially when compared to the flagship Gibraltar model. Overall, it’s considered a heavy-duty luggage option that doesn’t compromise on style or functionality.
Softside Expandable Carry On
This is the one I have!
The LEVEL8 Softside Expandable Carry On is a piece of luggage that has garnered attention for its functional design and durability. It’s sleek, sturdy, and aesthetically pleasing. Plus, it has an electronics pocket that is well-organized for quick access and space maximization, which is particularly beneficial for those who travel with tech gadgets. The luggage features the same high-quality spinner wheels on their other bags as well as the built-in TSA locks for extra security and convenience.
The luggage’s soft side design allows for some flexibility when packing, and the expandable feature offers additional space when needed. And plenty of reviewers have noted the durability of this carry-on, saying that it showed no signs of damage throughout their trips despite less than gentle handling. We experienced the same thing!
Does LEVEL8 have a lifetime warranty?
All LEVEL8 luggage has a lifetime warranty, which covers any damage to critical parts like wheels, handles, and zippers. All LEVEL8 backpacks have a one-year warranty with the exception of the Atlas backpack which has a lifetime warranty!
But be sure to check their site to for the latest information regarding their warranties.
In any case, I think these warranties show just how much LEVEL8 believes in the quality of their products.
Our Experience Flying RyanAir and Aer Lingus with LEVEL8
Since we took our LEVEL8 luggage to Europe with us, I wanted to share some insight into the strict weight and dimensions that many international airlines have.
Level8 Capture 20″ Carry On
I love that the LEVEL8 Capture Carry On only weighs 8.4 lbs! Since there are strict weight requirements with many European Airlines like RyanAir and Aer Lingus (the two airlines that we flew from London to Ireland and back), I knew that every bit of weight would count. The other suitcase that I regularly bring on trips weighs 10 lbs, so the weight difference here was awesome. (1.6 lbs may seem minimal but trust me, it’s a big difference).
RyanAir, Aer Lingus, and many other European airlines only allow 10 kg or 22 lbs. At the airport, when it was packed to the brim, my suitcase weighed in at 10.6 kg. Fortunately, neither airline had a problem with the extra weight. (Of note: my other suitcase weighed 11.2 kg and it still was allowed without issues!)
One more thing to note is that Aer Lingus checked our suitcase, and it looked great when I got it back (even though I know they threw my suitcase around). Major points for durability there!
LEVEL8 Atlas Laptop Backpack
I was a bit worried that we’d have to pay for our backpack being over the dimensions required for both airlines (RyanAir personal item dimensions are 15.75 in x 10 in x 8 in / 40 cm x 25 cm x 20 cm while Aer Lingus dimensions are a puny 13 in x 10 in x 8 in / 33 cm x 25 cm x 20 cm). The LEVEL8 Atlas backpack’s dimensions are 18.6 in x 12.6 in x 6.5 in.
However, even when stuffed full, neither airline charged us extra or said anything about it being larger than their requirements. Phew!
Is LEVEL8 good luggage? My Conclusion
I hope this article has helped you think through whether the LEVEL8 brand is a good choice for you! I’m a big fan and look forward to using their products on future trips!
Don’t forget to use code jasminealley10 for 10% off at level8cases.com!
Do you have any questions about this brand? If so, let me know in the comments below! I can’t guarantee I can help, but I’d be happy to try!
Safe travels!
Jasmine
