In our travels to over 50 countries, we’ve learned that there are few more important things than quality suitcases. I’ve seen enough exploded checked bags at the baggage claim to know the value of a sturdy suitcase! I’ve cycled through brands like Samsonite and Ifly with varying degrees of success, and I recently decided to give a new brand, LEVEL8 Luggage, a try.
*This post was sponsored by LEVEL8. While I received products and payment in exchange for writing this post, all opinions and content are my own. This post does contain affiliate links.*
We Decided to Try Out LEVEL8 Luggage
We decided to try out LEVEL8 Luggage, which is a company we had seen ads for all over Instagram and Facebook. While a bit pricey, we had read good reviews online and figured they would be worth trying out. This post is going to provide a comprehensive review of two of their most popular suitcase models – the Luminous Checked Bag and the Voyageur Checked Bag.
Both bags are pretty similar, and we opted for the largest size of each model. At 28 inches, these bags combine a large capacity with a manageable size. From built-in locks to handy compartments, these bags are full of handy features that I will outline in this post.
We will admit, there were some parts of the website and Instagram that seemed a bit sketchy at first. I was unsure what to expect when the products arrived. However, now that I have received and tested my LEVEL8 suitcases, I have to admit that I am a fan.
Things to Look for in a New Suitcase
When deciding on a suitcase, there’s a lot to consider. You need a bag that is sturdy enough to handle the wear and tear of long trips. But you also need a bag that is light and maneuverable enough to be easily transited through airports to catch a connecting flight or taken onto a city bus.
I am also a big fan of 360-degree spinner wheels. Once I purchased my first bag with four wheels, I vowed to never go back to just two. The same thing happened when I purchased my first hard-shell bag, as I can’t imagine going back to soft-sided luggage!
On top of all of that, one feature that I can’t live without is a zippered cover for each half of the suitcase. I first came across this when I recently purchased some Italian-made carry-on bags in Milan. The ability to zip each half of the bags is a major perk, and I can’t live without it now.
Additional Features of Good Suitcases
To me, these are the necessary features, but there are several other things that are nice to look for in suitcases, too. Having handy pouches and compartments is often a plus if they are usefully designed, and a built-in lock is one of my personal favorite qualities in a bag.
One of the suitcases we ordered from LEVEL8 even has an extra-wide handle, which is the epitome of a space-saving design.
Our Thoughts on LEVEL8 Luggage
As I said, we ordered two bags from LEVEL8 – the 28” Voyageur and the 28” Luminous. There were a handful of other bags we considered ordering with our first purchase, but we decided to stick to these two to get a sense of the company’s quality, trustworthiness, and customer service. A detailed review of each bag can be found below, but in summary, we were very pleased across the board.
LEVEL8 Voyageur: Innovative Suitcase with an Extra-Wide Handle
Of the two suitcases we ordered, I was most excited to get my hands on the Voyageur. Its heralded wide-handle design was something I had never seen before, and its front handle stood out to me as a handy feature, too. Once it arrived, I was just as intrigued as I expected.
LEVEL8 Voyageur Size
The suitcase was smaller than I expected, but to me, this was a major plus. I am a light packer, and I always struggle to fill a massive suitcase. All the Samsonite bags I’ve owned in the past have been too large for my own liking, and I could only ever fit two in my car.
I don’t have a tiny car, either.
While the suitcase was smaller than I anticipated, its actual packable volume is pretty great. The extra-wide handle provides additional packing space, and the handy collapsible barrier optimizes sorting capabilities if you desire without permanently dividing the compartment.
Other Thoughts on the LEVEL8 Voyageur
I am also a big fan of suitcases that have individual zippers for each half, and the Voyageur fits this bill. On top of that, the mesh panels that divide each half of the suitcase are also lined with additional handy zipper pockets, which makes organization even easier.
The suitcase feels very sturdy and offers great maneuverability. The handle seems to be very durable, and its extra-wide design is a major advantage, in my opinion. The appearance, functionality, and sturdiness of this suitcase are all pretty premium, and I’d grade it an A overall.
You can buy the Level8 Voyageur here.
LEVEL8 Voyageur Rating
A
The LEVEL8 Luminous: The Sleek Suitcase with Plenty of Room
When I scoured through LEVEL8’s website, the Luminous really stood out to me for its size. While it doesn’t have the eye-catching wide handle that the Voyageur has, it offers something that its counterpart does not: simplicity.
The LEVEL8 Luminous Trunk Suitcase Shines with Simplicity
The Voyageur’s intricate design and handy features are in no way a disadvantage. However, in certain packing situations, I have no need for bells and whistles. While the Voyageur is perfect if you need to organize your packed items, the Luminous offers a luxuriously barebones alternative.
I really appreciate that the Luminous suitcase is so simple. From the outside, it appears almost identical to the Voyageur. However, on the inside, it is quite clearly different.
Like the Voyageur, each half of the suitcase has its own mesh zipper cover, but unlike the Voyageur, these zipper covers aren’t decked out with pouches and compartments. Rather, there are just two additional zipper pockets on one of the sides. The other half of the suitcase offers a simple mesh zipper cover with no pockets.
On top of that, each half of the suitcase offers an adjustable X belt within the compartment. This helps to keep your items in place during the jostling that occurs when you check a bag.
LEVEL8 Luminous Size
In terms of size, the Luminous is just about identical to the Voyageur. It seems to be slightly larger, but not by much. I could probably fit three of these in the trunk of my car, but still pack everything I need for a trip.
Just like the Voyageur, the Luminous has a built-in lock on the side. This is one of my favorite features in a suitcase. I can’t stress enough the importance of locking your suitcase when you travel, and a built-in lock makes this incredibly easy.
The suitcase feels equally as lightweight and maneuverable as the Voyageur, and its 360-degree spinner wheels seem to roll smoothly on just about any terrain that you’d roll a suitcase on. The handle and sides feel plenty sturdy, too.
Final Thoughts on the LEVEL8 Luminous Suitcase
All in all, I’d say I like the Luminous a bit less than I like the Voyageur, but that is just because I’m a very organized packer. I’d grade the Luminous a B+ in comparison to the A that I gave the Voyageur. This grade could easily be higher for someone who prefers a more barebones suitcase, as that is exactly what the Luminous offers (in the best of ways).
You can buy the Level8 Luminous here.
LEVEL8 Luminous Rating
B+
LEVEL8 Suitcases Shipping Time
LEVEL8 cases arrive very quickly to customers in the US. Many of their products are available on Amazon, which always means quick delivery times. However, purchases directly on the company’s website also include free 3-6 day shipping! My cases arrived in 3 and 5 days from the moment of ordering.
Are LEVEL8 Luggage Prices Reasonable?
There is no beating around the bush. LEVEL8 cases are not cheap. However, I’d argue that the quality measures up to the price!
Samsonite suitcases cost much more than LEVEL8 cases, and I can’t quite figure out why. While the sides are a bit tougher on the Samsonite bags that I own, I can’t imagine that toughness is worth hundreds of extra dollars. LEVEL8 cases appear to be premium bags at a relatively affordable price point.
To make the deal even sweeter, Level8 is offering all of my readers a 10% discount on their first purchase. To take advantage of this awesome discount, be sure to follow this link and use the code at checkout.
LEVEL8 Luggage Warranty
While LEVEL8 cases feel very sturdy, you never know what will happen as you use a bag for the first time. Luckily, LEVEL8 luggage that is purchased directly from the manufacturer’s website is backed by a lifetime warranty! Further details can be found on the LEVEL8 website, but the company pledges to repair any bags that are victims of manufacturer defects in quality or material.
