Innovation Meets Style: A LEVEL8 Luggage Review
- Maria DiCicco
- Nov 12
- 9 min read
Updated: Dec 10
We as travelers spend a lot of time hemming and hawing over luggage. I know I do. Every airline has different bag size requirements, or weight requirements, and it grows increasingly more difficult to determine which bag to pack for which type of trip.
It may be that we need more space for clothes and souvenirs, or perhaps weight is an issue and we need to lighten our load. In other instances style plays a part - I mean, who wants to show up to their Amalfi Coast hotel schlepping their decades-old Walmart roller?
It's only right to have the proper suitcase to fit the proper occasion. So why do we limit ourselves to one or two dusty standbys sitting in the closet?
I'm here to convince you that it may be time to take your luggage game to the next level. LEVEL8, perhaps? I know you've been thinking about it, or you wouldn't be here reading this.
From zipperless vintage modern luggage, to innovative top opening luggage, their wide trolley systems and large capacity carry-ons turn heads in airports.
Below, let me guide you through a series of options for next level luggage from LEVEL8 cases. This LEVEL8 luggage review will dive into technical specs and personal anecdotes so that you can make your LEVEL8 luggage purchase with peace of mind.
Discover the game-changing luggage solutions from LEVEL8 like their top-opening luggage (the Adventure), their chic and retro-modern zipperless luggage (the Freeloop) and the mind-bending bag of your dreams - the Voyageur, which boasts a wide trolley system and an astounding 43L capacity inside.
Note: Always Pack Tissues represents many tried and tested travel sites as what is called an 'affiliate' partner. That means if you click on my ads I may get a commission from a resulting sale. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For information on how this may impact your privacy rights, please consult my privacy policy. This post was created in collaboration with LEVEL8.
Short on Time?Dust off your decades-old luggage and replace it with LEVEL8's innovative and stylish designs like the affordable vintage modern (and zipperless!) Freeloop. Dive deep into your bag without fuss with a top-opening luggage solution called The Adventure suitcase. You can fit an astounding 50L worth of stuff into their carry-on. Or, waltz through baggage claim like a boss with the Voyageur suitcase - a wide trolley system head turner boasting 43L worth of packing space. Read more below or skip straight over to the LEVEL8 website to check photos, reviews, prices and more. Use discount code APT10 to get 10% off at checkout! |
A Brief Introduction to Level8 Luggage
LEVEL8 offers approachable luxury luggage solutions for travelers, businessmen and women, and the movers and shakers always on the go in our society.
New York based, LEVEL8 offers primarily German-made materials with durability and style in mind.
Which LEVEL8 Suitcase Is Right For You?
Note that many of the LEVEL8 styles come in varying carry-on and checking sized bags. Check their website for more information on sizing options. Their luggage has 360 degree spinning wheels, TSA locks, and other savvy features, too.
Below I've rounded up the most coveted bags based on ingenuity, style and first-hand experience.
The Freeloop:
Stylistically, this is a chic "modern vintage" suitcase with a unique feature - its zipperless luggage design!
Perfect for: fashionistas and content creators
Specs: 15.2''L x 9''W x 22.1''H | 8.8 lbs | 37 L
Notes | ||
Vintage Modern Design | X | Chic and so fashion-forward! |
Front Opening | - | No dedicated space for a laptop or tablet |
Top Opening | - | |
Book Style Opening (Clamshell) | X | Takes up the standard amount of space when open |
Zipperless Luggage | X | Retro vibes make opening this suitcase fun and unique |
Wide Trolley System (vs. Regular Handle) | - | |
Capacity | 37L | Fits a lot of stuff! |
Weight | 8.8 lbs | Easy to carry but pushing limits when full (watch airline requirements) |
The Adventure:
This top-opening luggage is built for travelers who need easy-access into their gear. No more clam shell or book style bag openings taking up space! Note that this style is common for soft-sided bags, but rarely seen in hardshell suitcases. Very classy!
Perfect for: travelers who want to maximize what they bring and minimize their footprint in the hotel room
Specs: 20'' Carry-On: 21.3''H x 15.4''W x 10.2''D | 9 lbs | 45 L Expanded 50 L
Notes | ||
Modern Design | X | Ready for adventure look makes this bag a showstopper |
Front Opening | - | |
Top Opening | X | The newest and most coveted style of bag - perfect for easy access to your things |
Book Style Opening (Clamshell) | - | |
Zipperless Luggage | - | |
Wide Trolley System (vs. Regular Handle) | X | Simple to push around an airport, and the handle doesn't take up space in the spine of your suitcase |
Capacity | 45-50L | OMG. SO MUCH SPACE! Need I say more? |
Weight | 9 lbs | A respectable weight, watch the limits per airline once you fill it up. |
A Real Life Testimonial
One of my best friends recently came to visit and I noticed that she had a top opening suitcase like the Adventure suitcase. She is a frequent business traveler and went on and on about the ingenuity of it so I asked her to send me a little testimonial on what makes it so unique.
Here's what she said:
"For luggage, I really like a top loader because I feel like it’s easier to live out of in small spaces. Plus, it's easier in general to pack especially if I have oddly shaped items in souvenirs that I acquire. The ones that require the zip in the middle take up too much space in a hotel room."
There's only one way to find out for yourself!
The Voyageur:
With its unique 'wide trolley' design, the telescopic handle doesn't chew into the bag capacity. It's only 8lbs and carries 43L worth of clothes. Not to mention, it's retro futuristic style and easy gliding capability make this a jaw-dropper in the airport (especially in yellow!)
Perfect for: road warriors who want to pack a lot into a small space (and do it with pizazz)
Specs: 20" Carry-On: 15.1''L*9.8''W*21.3H | 8.1 lbs | 43 L
Notes | ||
Modern Design | X | I chose yellow to turn heads. It worked. |
Front Opening | - | |
Top Opening | - | |
Book Style Opening (Clamshell) | X | Takes up the normal hotel luggage rack space. |
Zipperless Luggage | - | |
Wide Trolley System (vs. Regular Handle) | X | Simple to push around an airport, and the handle doesn't take up space in the spine of your suitcase |
Capacity | 43L | Insert bug-eyed cartoon here. This is so much space to fill! I love it. |
Weight | 8.1 lbs | Lightweight and easy for everyone! |
Other LEVEL8 Styles to Consider
Additionally the below styles are great for affordability, and offer front-opening compartments for business travelers to access their laptops easily on the go:
 Grace:She's beauty and she's Grace...buy a set or a single suitcase...(I see you Miss Congeniality Fans)  Road Runner:The next level design for business travelers  Road Runner Pro:The amped up Road Runner, offering a one-touch button access to your laptop instead of a zipper, as well as a USB charging port |
My LEVEL8 Luggage Review
Let's address the elephant in the room - I got to try out some suitcases from LEVEL8 for free as part of a partnership to share their awesomeness with my readers. Our collaboration has allowed me access to the luggage for free, but these opinions are 1000% my own.
I chose and received three items from LEVEL8 including the Freeloop, the Voyageur and some packing cubes.
Here is where each item made or missed the mark:
The Freeloop Pros and Cons
My initial impression of the Freeloop was a literal "ooh" and "aah" effect. It comes wrapped in a sassy little raincoat for weather protection, and the satisfying click when the briefcase style lid opens epitomizes elegance.
Inside, there are countless subtle touches of class from the Y-strap that reminds me of my kid's car seat buckle, to the little leather nods to the LEVEL8 brand.
PRO: the 360 wheels spin so well, they kept spinning away as I tried to take these photos! Keep an eye out for runaway luggage!
CON: There's some compartments and pieces to the suitcase that I wish had more explanation upon receipt. The website mentions wet and dry storage. It's mostly intuitive but I'd love a little info in the user manual about it!
PRO: Elegant finishing touches and smooth creamy colored texture + it's covered in a protective plastic when you receive it
CON: It's heavier than I expected and may be difficult to lift into an overhead compartment when fully loaded.
Overall: The elegant trim and vintage feel make this suitcase a great companion for a girls trip, Las Vegas getaways or overnight staycations locally. It's likely not the most practical bag for heavy air travel due to the weight, but perfect those trips where you want to stand out. This suitcase is sturdy and of high quality design inside and out - it's just a bit of a delicate flower, one that I'd prefer to use for weekend trips and fancy hotel stays.
Below: the Freeloop with it's fancy little raincoat
The Voyageur Pros and Cons
The Voyageur, on the other hand, is a total workhorse and just unboxing it I could tell it was going to be a solid choice for my style of air travel.
It's spacious, hearty, and the wide handle design is really cool. My kid wanted to keep it for herself!
PRO: the big zipper pulls are strong
CON: side by side with the Freeloop, the Voyageur is noticeably larger in width and depth. I felt the need to measure it, meaning I will need to be sure about the dimensions for every airline because eyeballing it, it looks big!
PRO: Striking color and material make this bag a standout in airport crowds
CON: It will definitely show wear and tear on the chosen color (yellow) after awhile
Overall: This workhorse suitcase may seem simple on the inside, but it's huge luggage capacity is a major draw for me. I'm excited for this bag to come on many adventures - it has the stamina to last a long time, and the space for more than enough clothing and souvenirs.
How are the LEVEL8 Packing Cubes?
In a word - amazing. I know that most shoppers didn't come to this article to read about the packing cubes, but I feel like the LEVEL8 packing cubes might be the best I have ever owned.
The packing cube travel set that I received comes in a sultry olive green, with six cubes in the set. Running at about $70, these cubes come at a premium price tag, but for good reason.
I have literally purchased brands from Marshall's or Ross at around $12-16 and come home to pack them and they rip. Their flimsy design doesn't even last through the packing phase, let alone travel. What a waste of money. I've probably burned through a few rounds of useless packing cubes this way.
But now, with LEVEL8 packing cubes in hand I feel like I'm a new woman! I've always been a staunch proponent for packing cubes (you can read about some of my packing hacks here), but these are next level, once again. LEVEL8 keeps surprising me!
Look at these two cubes above, I packed 6 days of clothes in each of them. The beauty is - they come with an extra compression zipper. Mind blown, really. They are also super soft and luxurious. I feel like I could use one as a pillow if I had to!
Bottom line - I'm in love with the packing cubes and I'd recommend these hands down over buying and breaking several blah brand cubes that will eventually rip.
FAQs
Is LEVEL8 a luxury brand?
Yes and also no. LEVEL8 targets a class of travelers who appreciates quality, durability and style. Their target market is travelers from 20-60 years old - travelers they know are hitting the road, seeing the sites, and who need a sturdy and stylish travel companion.
Their accessible styles and cost points are perfect for everyone, while still retaining an air of exclusivity. Are they a luxury brand in that sense? Sure. But you won't see luxury price tags here, so treat yourself.
How does LEVEL8 compare to other brands?
LEVEL8 stands out as a next level brand for a few reasons - namely their affordability, innovation and style.
I personally haven't seen a lot of brands offering wide trolley handle systems, a feature I find to be exceptionally different.
The top opening luggage and front opening compartments - styles typically reserved for soft sided bags - illustrates a renaissance for hard shell suitcases that we didn't know we needed until now.
And, this goes for zipperless luggage too - LEVEL8 is embracing a style of the past and fusing it with their superior and modern aesthetics for a standout design with their Freeloop bag.
I have in my attic the Samsonites, the Travelpro bags, the wine suitcase and countless other brands like Ciao and iT, and each one was more or less chosen because of the price tag.
With LEVEL8 you get the low price tag and innovative solutions for travelers.
How does LEVEL8 compare to other brands? They really do operate on another level.
Still not sure?
Head over to LEVEL8's website and start browsing. Don't forget to use my personalized discount code APT10 at checkout for an additional 10% off of your purchase!
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