My Level8 Luggage Review: Quiet wheels, a wide handle that doubles as a coat rack, and kids taking turns riding on it through the airport. Read on for my honest feedback!
Disclosure: Level8 gifted me the Voyageur suitcase featured in this review in exchange for an honest post. Everything you’re reading is 100% my own opinion.
For the past ten-ish years, I have been traveling with a Samsonite carry-on I inherited (borrowed without asking) from my mom… the old-school kind you have to tip and drag behind you.
So, when Level8 reached out and offered me the chance to try their Voyageur carry-on… boyeee I was so excited. I was ready to finally enter the current century of luggage. I’ve used it for about a month now on four different trips, both solo and with the boys, so I’m covering this review from both angles.
Table of Contents
If you need some packing help, check these posts out:
The Family Beach Vacation Packing List You Need
Kids Plane Packing List for Babies and Toddlers
First Impressions: Love at First Sight
The Level8 Voyageur showed up a couple of days after ordering, which was a great surprise. It came packed in a dust bag and inside the box were fun little printouts with simple instructions and the story behind the brand. Being in Marketing, I appreciated that – it’s a small thing but it tells you that Level8 cares about the experience, not just the product.
The first thing I noticed when I pulled it out was the color. I went with the yellow and black limited-edition combo, but if yellow isn’t your thing, there’s also celadon combo, navy, black, and olive to choose from.
The exterior has a Micro-Diamond finish and the whole thing feels solid. Not heavy, but substantial. The shell is made from German-engineered Makrolon® polycarbonate, which sounds very technical, but it’s aerospace-grade material that’s lightweight and tough enough to bounce back if it gets dented.
If you’re coming from an older brand like Samsonite like me or even something like Away, the difference in how this feels is noticeable, it’s a step up in quality.
It fits within standard US carry-on sizing at 15.1″L x 9.8″W x 21.3″H and weighs a measly 8.1 pounds.
The Wide Handle: My New Favorite Airport Accessory
I need to talk about the handle, because it genuinely changed my airport experience in ways I was NOT expecting.
The Level8 Voyageur has a wide aluminum alloy telescopic handle. The width isn’t just a design choice, it’s an engineering one. A wider handle means the force is distributed to the corners of the bag, making it more stable and easier to steer.
But the real benefit for me was what that width meant in practice. I draped my jacket over it. I hooked my backpack on it. I was essentially pushing one single thing through the airport while carrying nothing extra in my hands. My coat, my bag, and my suitcase — all in one push.
But here’s the part that really made me laugh: my kids decided the suitcase was a ride-on toy. Both of them took turns sitting on it while I pushed, and it held them easily. That’s your real-world durability test right there! It’s a fun memory, but it also tells you how solid this suitcase is.
They also loved pushing it themselves, which brings me to another feature I really appreciated. The telescopic handle doesn’t just stop at preset heights, it’s fully adjustable and locks at any point along the way.
I used it pulled all the way out, but the boys pushed it at half height without any issues. It’s completely customizable, which means everyone can use it comfortably. (And we need to be giving these kids more tasks — no free rent here!)
On the Move: Navigating Airports with Kids
The 360° spinner wheels on this suitcase are legit. They use high-precision metal ball bearings, which is the reason they roll so smoothly and quietly. You barely have to push; it just moves with you.
Another detail I unexpectedly loved is how slim the profile of the Voyageur is. Walking down the airplane aisle with it was so easy. It didn’t catch on anyone’s knees or bump into seats, which I did every single time with my ancient Samsonite.
I also want to mention how light this thing is. Despite how much I packed into it, I had no problem lifting it into the overhead bin.
Packing: Don't Let the Size Fool You
I don’t know about you, but I will try to cram everything into the carry-on and backpacks before I take out a full-size suitcase, so maximizing interior space is very important to me.
Here’s the first thing to know: the Voyageur looks smaller than it is. Don’t be fooled — it fits a lot. The reason for that is innovative engineering. Most suitcases have 2-3 inches of wasted space because the internal handlebars run through the middle of the packing area.
Level8 moved those bars to the edges, giving you a completely flat packing surface. Every single inch is usable. For reference, I was able to fit four small packing cubes on one side.
The suitcase splits into two full compartments and there’s a zippered divider for each side. There’s also an interior compression system to keep everything snug, and a dry-wet separation pocket that I used for dirty clothes, keeping them separate from the clean things.
And yes, I did sit on it to zip it up after packing a little too enthusiastically. And also yes, it zipped up perfectly.
I do wish it were just a tiny bit bigger because I’m an over-packer by nature. An exterior pocket or two would also be helpful. Those are my only two notes on an otherwise great carry-on.
Durability: Built for Real Family Life
I already mentioned that my kids rode on it and it held them. But let me give you the full picture.
The Makrolon® polycarbonate shell is the same material used in aerospace engineering. It’s designed to flex rather than crack, which means if it takes a knock (and it will, because airports are not gentle places) it pops back into shape rather than staying dented.
I actually got to test this in a way I didn’t plan for. On my Dallas to Missouri trip, the plane was full, and they offered free checked baggage at the gate. I volunteered my carry-on, fully expecting to pick it up at baggage claim with a few new battle scars. It came out without a scratch. After a full month of travel including that checked bag moment, there was one scuff mark, which I wiped off easily.
Level8 also backs the Voyageur with a lifetime warranty covering the shell, wheels, handle, and zippers. For a piece of luggage you’re investing in, that gives you real peace of mind.
One more thing worth mentioning: Level8 uses recycled materials in their production and offsets carbon emissions from shipping. For anyone trying to make more thoughtful choices, that’s a nice plus.
Features I Haven't Tried Yet — But I'm Intrigued
Being completely honest, there are two features I haven’t had the chance to try yet.
The first is the TSA-approved combination lock. I haven’t needed to use it yet, but it’s good to know it’s there. The second is the charging port, which I spotted and immediately thought was cool. I’ll be diving into how that works, but as a mom who is always hunting for a plug at the airport, I have a feeling it’s going to come in handy.
The Wrap Up: Level 8 Luggage Review
So if the Level Voyageur worth it? Yes, without a doubt.
I went from a 10-year-old hand-me-down I had to tip and drag, to a carry-on that glides effortlessly, held my kids when they wanted a ride, kept my coat and backpack on the handle, survived being checked on a full flight without a scratch, and after a full month of travel had exactly one scuff mark that wiped right off.
At $259.99 it’s a premium carry-on — but with a lifetime warranty and the kind of build quality that means you buy it once and keep it, it’s an investment that makes sense, especially for families who travel regularly.
The wins: Wide handle (coat rack, backpack hook, and kids’ ride-on all in one), smooth quiet wheels, flat packing surface that maximizes every inch of space, surprisingly lightweight, beautiful color options, checked bag that came out flawless, lifetime warranty.
The wishlist: A touch more size and an exterior pocket or two.
Perfect for: Traveling moms, parents navigating airports solo with kids, anyone upgrading from an older brand like Samsonite or Away who wants something that genuinely performs better.
Quick Specs at a Glance
- Suitcase: Level8 Voyageur Carry-On
- Price: $259.99
- Dimensions: 15.1″L x 9.8″W x 21.3″H (including handle and wheels)
- Weight: 8.1 lbs (3.7 kg)
- Capacity: 43L
- Material: German-made Makrolon® polycarbonate
- Wheels: 360° quiet spinner wheels with high-precision metal ball bearings
- Handle: Aluminum alloy wide telescopic handle
- Lock: TSA-approved combination lock
- Interior: Two compartments + compression system + dry-wet separation pocket
- Exterior: Micro-Diamond finish
- Colors: Yellow/Black (limited edition), Celadon (limited edition), Navy, Black, Olive
- Warranty: Lifetime (shell, wheels, handle, zippers)
