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As a full-time travel blogger from the UK who is living in Peru and continues to visit new places almost every month, I fly 10–12 times a year. So, having something that is easy to wheel through the airport, secures all of my belongings and isn’t trashed after its first time going into checked baggage is something I’ve learnt is important (and definitely makes the journey way less stressful).
To be totally upfront and honest with you guys, Level8 sent me these suitcases. And, I know what you’re thinking, ‘urgh, another post that’s sure to be biased’, but hear me out.
What this brand didn’t do is ask me to give a false review of them, so everything I’m about to tell you is the honest truth about my experience after taking the Level8 hand luggage (Luminous Textured in 20″) and one of their big suitcase (Luminous Textured 28″) on two flights in January 2026.
Alright, let’s jump into this Level8 Luggage review so that you can decide whether they’re the right suitcases for you!
Quick Verdict
If you’re tight on time, let’s cut a long story short:
✅ Who it’s best for: Those who want to invest in something that actually lasts, and use something that looks stylish
❌ Who should avoid it: Budget travellers who prioritise price over the build of the suitcase
🧳 Verdict: It’s worth the money & I’d honestly recommend buying it
💰Where to buy it: Level8
If you want the detailed stuff, keep reading because I’m going to share my personal experience, the pros, the cons and all that good stuff.
What Is Level8 Luggage?
Level8 is a travel gear brand that started in New York City around 2008. They make luggage, backpacks, and accessories for frequent flyers, digital nomads, or anyone like me who hates dragging a suitcase that falls apart after one trip.
But – what I also love about them – is that their whole approach is about making travel easier, smarter, and less stressful – and they do that with their sleek and lightweight designs that are actually practical.
How I Tested Level8 Luggage For My Review
In January 2026 I flew from London to Madrid with British Airways on a short-haul flight, and then shortly after I flew from Madrid to Lima with Iberia on a long-haul flight. On both flights, I took my small and big Level8 cases.
I intentionally packed both of these to the absolute brim, hitting the maximum airline weight of 23kg for the big suitcase and 11kg for the smaller one so that I could really test these cases out and write this review.
On my short-haul flight, I checked in my big suitcase and made my way to the plane with my smaller suitcase, only to be told it was a full flight. As such, the airline took my hand luggage case during boarding and put it into the hold (without a protective cover). That’s usually when I expect scuffs, cracked corners, or jammed zips – but none of that happened, and I’ll talk more about that later.
On my long-haul flight, I’d managed to book business class using points, so I was able to take my hand luggage suitcase in the hold and check my big suitcase in as priority.
Delivery of Level8 Suitcases
Delivery of any cases ordered from Level8 are free and they ship to the US, Europe, Canada, Oceana, Asia and the Middle East.
I had my cases sent to the UK, which took 5 days, but it can take up to a week.
My understanding is that the couriers they use are DPD, DHL, or Amazon, which are all reliable and regularly deliver to my house without any issues – and this delivery was no different.
Both cases arrived in a sturdy box with a protective cotton bag around the actual case inside.
Build Quality & Durability
Shell material
The shell on Level8’s hardside luggage is made of high-quality polycarbonate, which is often advertised as aerospace-grade polycarbonate, which even just sounds super impressive in my opinion. And to make it even more impressive, some models also combine polycarbonate with other reinforced materials (like ABS blends) for extra durability.
To put it simply, this basically means that it’s got a great chance of surviving checked baggage abuse.
But did that check out for me? Well, after having to check both pieces of luggage in due to the flight being full, I was worried that my cases would come back a bit battered, but they arrived on the belt almost as good as new. There were a few black marks on my green hand luggage case, but these wiped off, and there wasn’t a scratch in sight.
Level8 passed the first test for me!
Zippers
Zippers are usually where my previous suitcases have fallen short – and that’s probably not helped by the fact I really do shove as much in as possible. I’ve even had zippers split mid-trip before, so I deliberately overfilled this case. Even then, the zipper stayed aligned and didn’t bow outward, which is usually the warning sign of failure (yippee!)
You’ll see from the photos that it’s clear that this brand generally uses pretty robust and heavy-duty zips.
Another check in the box for these cases!
Security, TSA Approved Locks & Peace of Mind
I’ll admit, I’m not usually one to lock my suitcases, but for those of you who do, then it’s good to know that both the hand luggage and full-size suitcases have a TSA-approved lock on them.
Whilst I didn’t use them myself, I did test them out because I knew that I would be writing about it in this Level8 luggage review, and I can confirm they were really easy to set up and locked and unlocked just fine.
Telescopic Handle
The telescopic handle on Level8 luggage is one of those features you don’t think about… until it’s not good. On these cases, the handle feels solid and smooth, which is a huge deal when you’re wheeling through airports every few weeks. It’s made from a lightweight but sturdy metal (usually an aluminium-magnesium alloy), so it doesn’t feel flimsy or bendy like some cheap handles do.
With previous suitcases that I’ve had, I’d often overfill the suitcase so much that it would kind of bulge out and prevent the handle from moving up and down, and that’s not a problem with Level8.
Interior Layout & Packing Efficiency
The interior of both of the suitcases is pretty standard, and there’s nothing to really write home about here. You’ve got the two sides that each have belts to secure your items in, as well as a mesh section to zip over the top. One side also has two mesh compartments so that you’re able to add little bits and pieces.
Level8 also sent me their Element Toiletry Case, which, as to be expected, felt high quality and was a nice alternative to my cheap plastic supermarket bags that I usually just shove my liquids into and stuff in my case, nearly always leading to some sort of in-flight disaster and a mess to be cleaned up afterwards.
Because the Element Toiletry Case is made from waterproof Dernizasm membrane fabric, it resists water pressure up to 20 meters to keep your toiletries dry. It’s also free from fluorine, making it a win for both you and the environment.
What I also love is that the bigger case is a unique shape. It’s more deep than it is wide, and this really helped when it came to the efficiency of my packing because I was able to layer two of my bigger packing cubes on top of each other perfectly, rather than having to play Tetris to fit them all in.
I also feel like the shape is what made it easier to push along in the airport, because the weight was distributed better.
360 Wheels & Maneuverability
I’ve saved the best point for last because WOW – every suitcase brand needs to take notes on 360 degree wheels that Level8 are using, because my goodness, do they make a huge difference.
The way these suitcases glided like a dream up and down the curb, across the bumpy areas of the path and on and off the elevator was next level, and I can’t believe I’ve missed out on this my whole life.
I even put my backpack over the handlebars on the hand luggage suitcase, which would usually cause it to topple over at every slight bump. But no. This case handled it like it wasn’t even there – saving me backache and speeding up my pace through the airport.
The only thing I noticed is that the wheels kind of bounce as you push the case, and it feels a little weird, but if that’s the magic that makes it so easy to move around the airport with, I will happily take that.
Weight, Size & Airline Compatibility
One of the biggest problems that you have with hard shell cases is that they’re heavier than material luggage. However, for something that actually protects your belongings well, these suitcases actually come up pretty lightweight and in line with what else is available on the market.
When it comes to the size and airline compatibility, Luminous Textured in 20″ case comes in at 38.5 x 25 x 54.5 cm, meaning it will fit with most of the standard airline cabin limits, which is usually 55 × 40 × 20 cm.
Luminous Textured 28″ is also under the usual90 x 75 x 43 cm dimensions, measuring at 74.5cm L x 42.5cm W x 34cm D, so there’s nothing to worry about there.
I flew with British Airways and Iberia, so I had no issues, and I found that the Luminous Textured in 20″ fit nicely in the overhead bin on my Iberia flight.
Long-Term Wear & Tear
It’s really too soon for me to make any strong claims on this, but what I will say is that there are barely any marks or scratches on my luggage after 2 flights, and that has already impressed me. Could it have been that I got lucky with whoever put my luggage on the plane? Yes. But even coming onto the belt at the other end, I saw them crash down hard, yet they still seem totally fine, so I have strong hopes.
I will 100% be using these cases on all of my trips throughout the next year, so I will report back with an honest review of Level8 cases’ long-term wear and tear.
Level8 Luggage Pros & Cons
Pros
- Sturdy build
- Lightweight without being flimsy
- Smart design
- Useful features
- Suitable size for most airlines
- 1 year warranty
Cons
No suitcase is perfect, and while my experience has been very positive so far, a few considerations are worth noting – especially if you’re deciding between brands in this price range.
- Price (although still cheaper than others on the same level)
- Issues with warranty: some claims out there say if there are issues, the warranty process isn’t that smooth
Who Level8 Luggage Is BEST For
If I had to describe the perfect customer for this brand, it would be someone who flies frequently, wants to look stylish, hates the stress of struggling to get their luggage through the airport and is a medium to heavy packer – so really, I’m the perfect customer.
Who Should NOT Buy Level8
If you’re an ultralight traveller, only ever travel with budget airlines that have really strict dimension requirements, and you’re always looking for something cheap rather than something thats going to last, then this isn’t the case for you.
Is Level8 Luggage Worth the Price?
Although you know that this luggage was sent to me, you should also know that this is the luggage that I didn’t know I needed and could now never live without.
Yes it looks great, but those smooth 360 wheels that make dragging your luggage around an airport way less stressful have me hooked and knowing that this luggage is exceptionally durable based on my flights so far, makes it a worthy investment.
And, let’s be honest, it’s better to spend a bit of money now on something that’s this high quality than to keep forking out for something cheap and tacky. That’s not good for the planet either.
Common Questions
Which country made Level8 luggage?
Level8 luggage is manufactured in China and Cambodia, but it was founded in the US.
How long has Level8 luggage been in business?
They have been operating since 2008.
Does Level8 Have Warranty?
Yes, all of their products come with a warranty, but you should check their website for the latest terms and conditions: Warranty Details
Final Verdict
If it’s not already clear enough from what you’ve read so far in this Level8 review, I would recommend them. As I said, there was no obligation to write something positive here, so everything I’ve told you is truly my honest opinion of the brand and the bottom line is that you’re going to pay a premium price, but you’re got to get something that’s high quality and certainly looks like it will stand the test of time based on how I’ve used it so far.
If you have any other questions, feel free to drop them down below!
Millie / Stay Wild Travels