Level8 Luggage Review

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Pros

• Durable full aluminum body that has a contemporary aesthetic
• A 4-piece organizer set included that helps sort your luggage
• 360° spinner wheels
• Easy to use TSA-approved combination locks

Cons

• On the pricey side
• Weighs 10.14 pounds while empty, which limits how much weight you can put in it

Score

Travel Test

In late October of 2021 we took the Level8 on our first travel test. Our tester took it on a 4 day trip to a family reunion. Our tester is a medical saleswoman. While her trips since COVID have been far reduced, over the last many years she has logged tens of thousands of travel miles.

In addition, she owns numerous high-end (and some cheap) luggage pieces. As a result, she has an incredible depth of knowledge on what’s good and what’s bad when it comes to luggage.

Here are her un-edited thoughts

On the positive side:

• Beautiful
• Durable
• Locking
• Always like the hard side easy to keep clean and wipe down to disinfect especially important now
• Perfect size for a quick trip
• Handle on both top and side makes for easy lifting
• Various size Packing cubes included. Love that they match the luggage and love that they were included. Makes packing much easier and more organized

And for the negatives:

• Does not expand so no squeezing in extra items from a shopping trip I took while traveling
• [I don’t like] the things that flip over and hold the items in each section [they are called “mesh pocketed interior dividers”], also [they] don’t really allow for expansion like just an x elastic type strap
• Wish for more color options
• Very industrial looking. So not my favorite style
• Wish handles were more ergonomically designed. Like more rounded so it fit my hand more comfortably
• At times it did not roll as easily as expected. Felt like I was fighting it sometimes
• It’s heavier than I want even when empty.
• Scratches on first trip outside top front. Sure would not expect that from a carry on of that caliber

Level8 Luggage Design

The Level8 carry-on is a rigid aluminum suitcase that is designed for short trips or packing smaller items on flights. On the bottom, it has 360° spinner wheels, and additional features to help make traveling easier.

We will get into more details about the design and functionality of the different aspects of the suitcase below, before we get started, check out these notable features:

• Full aluminum body
• Dual TSA-approved combination locks
• Slow-release rubber handles
• 360° spinner wheels
• Mesh pocket interior dividers
• 4 piece organizer bag set included

The Exterior

The outside of this carry-on suitcase is made of full aluminum. It has a rigid design without flexibility you would expect from typical luggage pieces.

The aluminum body gives it a smooth and hard feel. The glossy outer-shell does pick up fingerprints as it is touched, but can easily be wiped clean.

The suitcase has a mostly rectangular shape with rounded corners and edges. The corners have a riveted section added for extra protection.

The rectangular shape is emphasized by indents on the front and rear of the suitcase.

On the hinge-side of the suitcase are anti-wear stands to prevent the luggage touching the ground directly and reduce potential scratches and scuffs

The Interior

The interior is an open-shell with fully-lined compartments. There are 2 mesh dividers that latch on the inside of the suitcase to help separate your contents and keep contents from shifting.

One of the dividers has a pocket with a zipper for storing smaller objects during travel. Each of these dividers can be removed via snappable buttons.

Combination Lock

The Level8 luggage comes with two TSA approved combination locks on the side of the suitcase. In particular, these help keep your luggage secure while you travel.

The locks themselves are easy to use and have a big button you press to easily open your suitcase.

Therefore, if you are flying with the suitcase, you don’t have to worry about your locks being broken while the TSA searches the bag.

The Handle

There are handles located on the top and side of the Level8 luggage. These handles are a hard rubber that folds to lay flat on the suitcase itself. They have a slow-release function that allows the handle to fold back without making sound, or accidentally pinching your fingers.

The handles are easy to grab, and don’t require additional force when picking up, or setting down the luggage.

The extendable handle has a button on the top, that when pressed, allows you to extend or retract the handle as needed.

The handle can extend to 4 different positions depending on what is comfortable for you.

The Wheels

The wheels on the Level8 suitcase are 360° spinner wheels that allow you to roll the luggage in any direction without having to tilt it.

The Accessories

This suitcase comes with the Level8 Organizer Bag set, which includes 4 bags of different dimensions to use as you see fit.

Below are the dimensions of the different bags:

• Extra Large Cube: 18”x12”x4” (46x31x10 cm)
• Large Cube: 12”x9”x4” (31x23x10 cm)
• Medium Travel Cube: 9”x5.9”x3.9” (23x15x10 cm)
• Cosmetic Bag: 9”x5.9”x3.9” (23x15x10 cm)

These travel bags are made of a waterproof material to help protect whatever items you put in them.

They also have a spot on each bag for an interchangeable Velcro sticker. These stickers can be removed and exchanged as needed, and it comes with extra stickers to help you identify what is in each bag when you pack.

However, the zippers on the bags slide easily but can sometimes snag on the corners.

Build Quality

The overall build quality of the Level8 luggage is exceptional in my opinion.

The full aluminum body offers a durable, minimal design. The riveted corner sections, folding handles, and combination locks add some texture to the suitcase while not compromising the modern look.

The metal shell can pick up scratches and dings as you travel, but that won’t compromise the integrity of the suitcase.

How Heavy Is Level8 Luggage?

Level8 aluminum carry-on is 10.14 lbs.

An important factor of the full aluminum design is the weight. While the aluminum shell is one of the more durable materials, it does increase the weight of the suitcase.

There is a 50 lbs. weight limit for bags to fly without extra fees, for this reason, this may be something you want to consider when choosing the suitcase that best fits your needs.

Is The Level8 Carry-On Good Value?

The Level8 suitcase could be an excellent choice if you travel a lot. It is designed to be durable and last years of abuse and travel, all while maintaining the modern aesthetic.

Ultimately, this is a very expensive, very high-end piece of luggage. For those who need a high-performance carry-on that’s as functional as it is beautiful, the Level8 is a perfect fit. However, if you fly infrequently it just might not be worth the high price.

Other Level8 Luggage Options

Level8 has other luggage options as well depending on your travel needs. If you are looking for a full aluminum body, the carry-on is currently the only option they have.

However, if you don’t require the aluminum body, there are many options available.

Suitcases	Size	Weight	360° Wheels	Laptop Pocket	TSA Locks	Bag Set
Full Aluminum Carry-On	20″	10.14 lbs	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Matte Carry-On	20″	7.71 lbs	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Textured Carry-On	20″	10.44 lbs	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Pro Carry-On	20″	9.3 lbs	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Road Runner Carry-On	20″	8.9 lbs	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Vintage Carry-On	20″	6.8 lbs	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Matte Check in	24″	9.63 lbs	Yes	No	Yes	No
Textured Check in	24″	13.1 lbs	Yes	No	Yes	No
Voyageur Check in	24″/26″	13 lbs	Yes	No	Yes	No
Trunk Check in	28″	11.5 lbs	Yes	No	Yes	No

Which Level8 suitcase is right for you?

Need help deciding which suitcase is right for you? Check out these tips to help you decide

The Carry-On’s are best for:

• Carrying on small items for a flight
• Short overnight trip
• Packing small items for a child
• 2-3 day work trip

The Carry-On’s with a Laptop Pocket is best for:

• Carrying on small items for a flight
• Short overnight trip
• Packing small items for a child
• 2-3 day work trip
• Securing a laptop

The Check in’s are best for:

• 4-5 day trip for 1-2 people
• Family suitcase for a shorter weekend trip

The Larger Check in’s are best for:

• 7-10 day trip for 1-2 people
• Family suitcase for 3-5 day trip

Final Thoughts

Overall, I was impressed with the Level8 carry on luggage we tested. It has a durable build that looks good, and includes a lot of practical features to help make packing and traveling easier.

The price is steep, but if you travel a lot for work or pleasure and need a TSA approved suitcase, then the Level8 Luggage would be a great option to choose.