If you’re in the market for a new carry on or larger suitcase, a LEVEL8 luggage set may be just what the doctor ordered. As professional travel bloggers, we fully understand the need for long lasting products you don’t have to worry about on the road.
In this review we share our opinion about the LEVEL8 suitcase sets. Not all travel bags are made equal, but we think this company offers a quality product made from durable materials.
Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post with LEVEL8, but we entered into this agreement with the understanding our review would be based on our honest opinion, good or bad. We only feature products we already own or have used ourselves.
LEVEL8 Product Overview
Created in 2008, LEVEL8 is a New York based company featuring simple yet extremely functional suitcases. We’ll be honest and tell you that we’d never heard of them until we tested their products in 2022. But this brand has since exploded onto the travel scene with so many great reviews and it’s hard not to trust the masses.
If you’ve been following our blog, you know we like to travel with backpacks, especially for longer trips. It’s just so much easier. But as we’ve increased our camera gear over the years, we’ve found suitcases help lighten the load on our backs. So we were excited to try out the LEVEL8 brand.
One thing that really stuck out for us what the different types of suitcases they offered including carry-ons, luggage sets, zipper options, large checked bags and a unique women’s line. Each product is created specifically with the traveler in mind from strong quality materials. As extensive travelers ourselves, we appreciate their attention to detail in order to maximize comfort, functionality and reliability.
Our LEVEL8 review will feature a luggage set from the Matte Collection, but you can visit the official website to see other popular products. Use ‘MORGANS10′ at checkout to receive 10% off your order.
Matte Collection Highlights
Our first thought when we received the LEVEL8 set was both suitcases seemed extremely durable and we absolutely loved the olive color. We always go for dark colored suitcases because they hide normal wear and tear better than lighter colors.
The two piece set comes with one carry-on (20″) and one checked bag (either 24″ or 28″). Or you can purchase all 3 pieces in a set here. The Matte Collection also includes a 4 piece packing cube set to help you organize your gear. Unfortunately, the Matte Collection is very popular and often sold out, but it can be compared to the Luminous Textured 2 piece set.
Here are the official stats:
- 20″ Carry on = 7.7 lbs (21.5” x 14.5” x 9.2”)
- 24″ Checked = 9.63 lbs (26”x17.5”x10.4”)
- 28″ Checked = 12.8 lbs (29.9″ x 19.9″ x 11.8″)
We think being able to choose your luggage size is great because you can tailor it to your needs. We already had a large checked bag at home and we wanted a smaller option for short trips so we purchased the 20″ carry-on and 24″ checked option.
If you live in the US or Canada, shipping is free and typically arrives in 3-6 business days. For international shipping, rates vary so you should check out the shipping page here.
Travel Tip: The most popular suitcase color is black so try to avoid purchasing anything in black. Choose a unique color to help you properly identify your case among the sea of others on the baggage carousel at the airport.
Many of the highlights we discuss in this guide are very similar to other suitcases sold by LEVEL8. Let’s start with the exterior features:
1. Anti-Scratch Waterproof Shell
The LEVEL8 Matte luggage set has a durable polycarbonate hard outer shell crafted from German-made Makrolon® featuring four layers of protection. Each suitcase includes an external protective layer, middle reinforcement layer, internal buffer layer and a special outside layer depending on the one you purchase. They also feature anti-scratch surface technology to help keep your luggage fresh during any trip.
When you first open the suitcase, you’ll also find a thin white protective sleeve which can be used to cover the suitcase when not in use. We love this thoughtful little addition and always put it over our suitcase in the closet when we get back from traveling.
2. Aluminum Alloy Handles
The adjustable handle on the top of both suitcases can be adjusted to 3 different lengths. They are made from aluminum so they feel lightweight yet durable. There are also two outer handles, one on the side and one on the top. This is a great feature because you can hold the suitcase vertically or horizontally if you don’t want to roll it.
Unlike some suitcase models, we think the handles seem pretty tough. They’ve held up over multiple trips with no problems and we’ve never had an issue with them sticking. So far so good!
Ready to buy a suitcase?
Use discount code ‘MORGANS10” to get 10% off your entire order.
Get My Discount Now3. TSA Approved Locking System
Another great feature is the TSA approved combination locking system. It can be found on all suitcases sold by LEVEL8 and it allows you to easily lock both zippers into place. There is no need to carry a key because the universal key hole will allow TSA to gain access if needed. So all you need to do is remember your combination.
Travel Tip: Each suitcase comes with information about how to properly set the TSA lock. Make sure you keep it somewhere safe in case you need to read it again.
4. 360° Spinner Wheels
One of our favorite features are the multidirectional spinner wheels. They’re designed with an anti-shock system and very quiet. Overall we think the wheels are tough and glide very smoothly as you pull the suitcase.
Travel Tip: Wheels often break on suitcases because they’re filled with too much weight. Pack lightly to save the extra wear and tear on your luggage, especially the wheels.
5. Deep Inside Pockets
Depending on the suitcase you buy, the capacity will be slightly different. Our 20″ carry on bag has a 40L capacity while our 24″ checked bag has a 68L capacity. If you go for something bigger like the 28″ checked bag, it has a 105L capacity.
As you can see in our photo above, the interior of the suitcase is fully lined with a divider on both sides. We think the inside pockets are made from quality materials and they feel very nice to the touch. The two large pockets make it very easy for us to organize what we need for each trip.
Travel Tip: LEVEL8 suitcases seem to be on the smaller size which is a good thing because you’ll pack so much less. We’ve found that we always pack to the size of the suitcase we plan to use so the best trick is to start with a small bag. Remember, you can always buy clothes when you travel and sometimes that’s half the fun.
6. Polyester Lining And Mesh Pockets
The interior pockets on the LEVEL8 suitcases are made from polyester. It’s a durable material that is strong, lightweight and flexible. We’ve found our suitcases can withstand a lot of wear and tear so we’re very happy with the product.
Many reviews also comment on the zippered compartments. One the left side, there are two zippered pockets for storing smaller items you may need. But we like the large pockets because if you’re an over packer, they will stop you from overpacking because you’ll eventually run out of room.
7. Packing Cube Set
Last but not least, the Matte Collection luggage set comes with 4 packing cubes in various sizes and the set on its own sells for about $50. All four pieces weight approximately 0.99 lbs and here are the official stats:
- Extra large garment cube: 18″L x 12″W x 4″D (46 x 31 x 10 cm)
- Large journey cube: 12″L x 9″W x 4″D (31 x 23 x 10 cm)
- Medium electronics cube: 9″L x 5.9″W x 3.9″D (23 x 15 x 10 cm)
- Small grooming or beauty essentials pouch: 9″L x 5.9″W x 3.9″D (23 x 15 x 10 cm)
We’ve used a lot of packing cubes over the years and can honestly say these are some of the best ones we’ve used. LEVEL8 has put a lot of thought into the details and it really shows. The fabric is made from a two-tone polyester blend featuring anti-mildew and water-repellent qualities. It’s very durable and we love how it feels.
Our favorite feature about these cubes are the detachable rubber patches. They have adorable yellow pictures helping you identify what’s inside the bag. Just see our photo below:
We use these packing cubes any time we travel. They help us stay organized because we like to separate out our clean items from our dirty laundry while traveling. The toiletries cube also has dividers that can be removed based on your individual needs.
The Morgan Conclusion
What we like: We’d recommend you purchase a suitcase from LEVEL8 for a few reasons. We love the spacious interior with zip pockets and the simple lightweight design. It has a durable outer shell to help protect the contents inside and the multidirectional spinner wheels make it easy to transport. We also like the various sizes available.
What we don’t like: There may be a few reasons why LEVEL8 might not be a good choice for you. The hard outer shell may limit the amount you can pack because the suitcase can not be compressed. There are no outer pockets for storage and the exterior shell can sometimes scratch easily depending on what one you buy. The wheels are also externally mounted and may snap off.
Are LEVEL8 suitcases worth it? Overall, we love our LEVEL8 luggage 2 piece set. However, the suitcases are expensive and we highly recommend you do a little research before purchasing. A few years ago, LEVEL8 was still an unknown brand, but they have since become a popular company in the travel world. Many reviews are often positive and we’d have to agree. Our suitcases have held up on multiple trips and they’re still going strong. Sometimes you do have to pay for quality and that’s exactly what you’ll get with a LEVEL8 suitcase.
>> BUY: Official LEVEL8 website | Amazon
If you purchase a suitcase set, you can save up to 20% more than buying a single piece of luggage. You can also use discount code ‘MORGANS10‘ at checkout for an additional 10% off on the official website.
We like LEVEL8 because they offer a lifetime warranty on all of their products. This covers anything functional such as damage to the wheels, shell, zipper or other areas that may break on your bag. You can read more about the warranty here.
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We hope our review featuring LEVEL8 suitcases helps with preparing for your next trip!
Please let us know if you have any questions about this suitcase brand or travel planning in the comments below.
Happy Packing,
Mark and Kristen
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Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.
Where Are Those Morgans has been featured in USA Today, Gestalten, Get Your Guide, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler along with various other publications. Read more about us.