For the last couple of years we have been travelling with the Level8 Road Runner Carry-On 20” and the Luminous Textured Carry-On 20”. These suitcases have taken us on longer trips to Ireland, short weekend trips down to Las Vegas and Bend, Oregon, as well as local trips where we just chuck the carry-on in the trunk of the car.

But we recently went on an extended trip to Australia, and as much as we love our carry-on suitcases from Level8, we knew we needed something bigger for this trip. And something bigger is what we got our hands on with the Level8 Adventurer Checked 28” suitcase. Having loved travelling with our smaller suitcases from Level8 we were curious to see if Level8 suitcases were still the best lightweight luggage for air travel.

Nowadays there are so many different brands to choose from, and with all these different luggage brands there are a ton of different sizes. You want to pick a reputable brand like Level8 (more on this below), as well as choose the right size. This includes deciding whether you will choose carry-on vs checked luggage. 

As mentioned above, we decided we needed a much larger suitcase for our trip to Australia so we went with the Level8 Adventurer Checked 28” suitcase. After an epic trip over to some of our favourite places like Dunsborough and Esperance, we wanted to write our Level8 checked luggage review and give our honest opinion on our experience using this case. So without further ado please read on to see our in depth review and to see if Level8 still stands as our favourite luggage brand.

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Who is Level8?

Level8 is a luggage company based out of New York, in the US. They offer free shipping to the contiguous US, Canada, the UK as well as across the rest of Europe. They also ship their cases to almost everywhere so no matter where you are, you should be able to get your hands on one of these amazing suitcases. You can see all of their shipping information and rates here.

As a high-end luggage company, Level8 is focused on high-quality luggage using premium and durable materials. This means you won’t be looking for a new case in a couple of years, these will last the test of time. Luckily, you don’t need to take our word for it, your suitcase will be backed by their lifetime warranty. According to their website, LEVEL8 offers a lifetime warranty that covers any functional damage to the shell, wheels, handles, zippers, or anything else that impairs your use of the luggage. It’s nice to know you are not going to be left with busted luggage after purchasing your suitcase.

Feature Overview for Level8 Luggage and Level8 Checked Baggage

Space and Capacity

This was the first time in over 10 years that either of us has travelled with a checked bag. We met backpacking in Australia almost 10 years ago, with backpacks small enough to have as carry-ons. Fast forward to a couple of years ago, and we finally traded in the backpacks for our Level8 carry-on suitcases, and finally we became full grown ups and travelled with a checked bag.

The main reason we needed such a large suitcase is because we were going for our friend’s wedding. So as well as a few weeks worth of holiday essentials, we also had to bring formal wedding clothes and shoes. That’s why we opted for the 28” version of the Adventurer luggage. I will say that this thing is huge, and I would probably recommend the 24” to most people, unless you know you like to travel with half your wardrobe.

One thing I can say without a shadow of a doubt is that you will not be worried about running out of space with this suitcase. It’s already huge, but they have also added in expandable capacity if you really need it. In the 28” version it adds up to a whopping 105l of capacity when fully expanded. The expandable central zippers add an extra 9 litres of space which is incredible.

The exact dimensions, including the handle and wheels, for this suitcase is 29.5”H x 17.3”W x 14.2”D | 13.9 lbs | 96 L, Expanded 105 L. One of the other things we love about this luggage is that despite it being huge, it only weighs 13.9 lbs. Long gone are the days of your parents giant suitcases that weigh a ton. Now you get amazing looking and functional cases at a fraction of the weight.

Organization

For the most part, when you are travelling with a case like this, you are going to one spot, and unpacking completely. Because of this you don’t need the same level of organisation as you often do in a carry-on suitcase. There is just one main large compartment for packing the majority of your clothes, with small zippered pockets on the front side, in the lid, and two small compartments in the compression system. 

One of the features I really like about this bag is that it is built with what they call a “front side-lid opening design”. Basically rather than flipping it completely open in two separate parts, the lid opens from the top for easy access and actually ends up taking a much smaller footprint in your room. It feels a lot more neat and tidy and we found that on our layover in Sydney, it made grabbing our essentials for the night really easy. I would say this design might not be for everyone but it gets a big thumbs up from us. 

The interior is also lined with 100% RPET recycled polyester and we always love a suitcase that has a more sustainable design.

TSA-Approved Locks

We’ve all heard horror stories of people’s luggage getting broken into when it has been checked in, so it is nice to have an extra layer of security with built in TSA-approved locks. They won’t stop someone who is determined to get into your bag, but we definitely feel like it provides enough of a deterrent that gives us peace of mind when we check our bags in. 

It is also nice when you are staying somewhere that you can easily lock items in the suitcase when you are out for the day. We also like that it is a coded lock, so you don’t need to worry about losing the key (just don’t forget the passcode). If you are looking for TSA approved luggage then this will check that box for you.

4 Wheel Design

This shouldn’t be my favourite feature of this suitcase, but sometimes it’s the small things that make this the best luggage for frequent travelers. If you are looking for a smooth-rolling suitcase for airports, then Level8 is definitely the brand for you.

They offer dual-spinner wheels with precision ball bearings which ensure a very smooth roll and they claim it also means long lasting durability. The 4 wheel design is in our opinion, way better to travel with than the two wheel design that you have to tilt. It is easier to walk through the airport and we find when you add your small carry-on item over the handle it makes it easier to carry them together. 

They claim they are designed to handle Europe’s cobblestoned streets and we will be putting that to the test this summer as we head to Italy for our wedding. While I love the wheels functionality, I also must say I am a big fan of the yellow logo on the black wheels, they look great. 

Durable Outer Shell

The Level8 website says these suitcases are made with German-made Makrolon polycarbonate, making it lightweight and durable while also being built to last. Having owned this suitcase for a relatively short period of time we can’t comment on long term durability but from what we have seen so far it has been good.

Suitcases take a beating, especially when you check your bag, so this is a very important aspect when looking for long lasting travel luggage. While it is only one trip so far, our Level8 Adventurer 28” has held up nicely. I know it is only luggage, but it is always a shame when it gets banged up the first time you use it. For our hardshell suitcase review I can report it has faired well and is still in excellent condition.

Having put our smaller Level8 carry-on suitcases through the ringer, I can confirm that they have held up great so far. They have come off the plane with some marks a couple of times but these have wiped away, leaving them looking almost good as new so this gives me hope for the durability of this case.

One downside of this bag is that there is no mention of it being water resistant. This isn’t the end of the world as we usually seek out the sun on our travels, but it’s inevitable we’ll get caught in the rain at some point and it’s nice to know your stuff will stay dry in your suitcase.

Wide Handle Design

Another feature on these suitcases that may divide opinion is the wide handle design. As it is such a large case, it is designed to give you more stability and more importantly, slightly more packing room as you don’t have the bump in the middle of the suitcase. 

I do like that it gives a flat surface to pack on but I did find the handle felt a bit weird at first as I wasn’t used to it. By the end of the trip it felt normal but it is a minor thing to be aware of with this luggage. Additionally, if you have a personal bag that you fit over the handle with a trolley sleeve, it may not fit this wider handle model.

Similar to our carry-on suitcases, one aspect of the design I like a lot is that the handle is telescopic, with 4 different heights it can be locked too, making it fit no matter what size you are.

Style and Design

Luggage has come a long way and now the aesthetics are almost as important as functionality. There’s no denying these are beautifully made suitcases that look great as you wheel them through the airport. We chose our luggage in black for long term durability and as mentioned above, I love the yellow logo on the wheels. 

This luggage also comes in “celadon” and “yellowblack” colours if you want to be a little more adventurous, but no matter which case you choose, you will be delighted with the stylish design. Another minor style piece I like is the tan Level8 logo stitched to the inside of the front side-lid. 

Level8 makes some of the nicest suitcases out there and are easily the best looking set of luggage we have ever owned.

Conclusion: Are Level8 suitcases worth it?

I am not at all surprised to be saying this but our newest addition of Level8 luggage is fantastic. They cover every size you could need but if you are planning a longer trip and need the extra space the Adventurer Checked 28” suitcase or the 24” version are brilliant choices. As mentioned above, I would recommend the 24” for most travellers though, as the 28” really is a giant suitcase.

We love the premium look and feel of Level8 luggage and they definitely make packing, unpacking, and travelling through the airport a super easy experience. And for those that don’t like to fully unpack their suitcases (which I’ll never be able to wrap my head around) you will love the front side-lid design for easy access.

Level8 has a wide range of luggage to choose from so make sure to research which one fits best for your style of travel but we can easily recommend the Adventurer.

Follow along on our socials @luke.and.roxy on Instagram and TikTok and keep an eye out for the yellow Level8 logo on our wheels during any of our future travels!