Let’s talk about luggage. In this guide, I’m going to be breaking down whether or not the Level8 Voyageur suitcase is worth the investment.
Last year, I had some serious suitcase drama involving a broken wheel and a stubborn attitude that caused me to drag said broken suitcase around Southeast Asia for 6+ months. So, when I visited my mom in Hamburg over the summer, I was on the lookout for new luggage.
Little did I know, I would end up with the exact same suitcase set that she has, because a few months after that trip, I got an email from Level8, asking if they could send me a couple of suitcases to try.
Here’s the thing, I’ve been traveling for years now, but I’ve yet to find a suitcase I love or a brand that I’m really loyal to. And I honestly feel like I’ve been going through suitcases way too quickly. Just last year I ended up switching my luggage 2x on a 9 month trip. This experience alone really made me start to think about luggage as more of an investment.
So all of this is to say, it’s about time for me to find something that I love! Let’s explore whether or not that will be Level8.
Disclaimer: Level8 have sent me two of their suitcases to try. The reason I said yes is because they’re the exact cases that my mom already uses. All of the opinions in this post are my own and while this is a collaboration, Level8 have asked for an honest opinion. Thank you for continuing to support my blog.
My First Impressions of the Voyager Cases from Level8
As I said above, I first saw this luggage last year when I was visiting my mom. She brought the Voyager 28” and the Carryon 20” in yellow and black on her trip around Europe with my grandma.
The first thing I noticed about the Voyager was the unique and minimalist design. The case is taller and skinnier than the traditional checked bags that I’ve owned in the past and this is something that stuck out to me immediately.
On most of my trips these days I’m taking a full set of scuba diving gear, and my fins are longer than most checked bags can accommodate. It’s been a challenge finding a suitcase that could comfortably fit them.
I remember telling her that I loved the color, and then immediately asking her to open the case so that I could inspect the inside. I also love a hardshell case because it makes me feel like I’m protecting my dive gear even more when transferring between planes, buses and boats.
Finding a suitcase is all about finding that balance of something lightweight but still very sturdy, that’s going to be able to fit gear that’s always odd in shape and size. What initially stood out to me about Level8 was just the overall unique design and professional look of their suitcases.
There are so many luggage brands vying for our attention these days, so it was cool to see a design that really stood out to me.
The TL;DR
If you just want the short answer, here’s the TL;DR about the Level8 Voyager Suitcases.
✔️This luggage is a great option if you’re ready to invest in something that will last (and with a warranty that covers you in case something goes wrong).
🎒 If you’re worried about the price or you travel ultra-light, without a checked bag and you need a carryon that fits with most restrictive budget airlines overhead storage space, this is not the luggage brand for you.
🧳 I recommend purchasing directly from Level8, I read some additional reviews online and it seems like people have had the best experience buying directly.
💰 When you buy a set, you automatically save $80 (plus you can get an extra discount when you use JUSTYNJEN at checkout).
Voyager 20” & 28” Quick Info:
- Capacity: 43 L & 99 L
- Weight: 8.1 lbs (3.6 kg) & 12.4 lbs (5.6 kg)
- Dimensions of the 20”: 21.3”H x 15.1”W x 9.8”D
- Dimensions of the 28”: 29.1”H x 16.6”W x 13.3”D
- Material: German-made Makrolon polycarbonate
- Available colours: Black, navy, dark olive, yellow black, celadon
These are the dimensions for the two cases that I received. You can learn more about the other sizes on Level8. I got the celadon which I love, and I’ll be interested to see how it holds up to scuffs and marks while traveling. My mom has the yellow and black, which had some scuffs on the yellow from frequent travel but most could be wiped clean.
Key Features of the Level8 Voyageur Suitcases
Let’s talk about how this luggage moves because I am not kidding when I tell you that I dragged a broken suitcase around Asia for months so having a suitcase that moves this smoothly is such a welcome experience for me.
The Voyager suitcase collection from Level8 is already designed in such a unique way.
Wide Trolley Handle
The suitcases are taller than your typical hardcase, and they have a wide handle that spans the entire width. This distributes the weight of the suitcase much better, and it means that you can actually move with ease when your suitcase is heavy or you’re moving across unsmooth surfaces.
I’ll be honest with you, when I first saw this wide-handle design, I just loved the way that it looked. But it actually makes sense from a design standpoint as well. A typical suitcase has to accommodate a handle running down the middle of the case. This leads to the standard design that always feels like wasted space and it’s one of the reasons I’ve never used packing cubes.
But with the Voyager Suitcase, your base inside is totally flat which makes packing a whole lot easier.
For example, when you pack the bag, you don’t have a handle that runs down the middle. This means the inside of your suitcase is a completely flat area with no wasted space trying to accommodate the handle. It’s honestly genius, and I can’t believe no one’s designed a suitcase like this before.
Internal Organization
The Voyager cases from Level8 have all the internal storage options you might need, including a special dry-wet pocket that’s perfect for storing your toiletries. I’ve never seen this before in a suitcase and as someone who’s had a hair mask explode on a flight, this is a really cool feature.
I also think this is the first suitcase I’ve used that’s actually been designed with packing cubes in mind. So while I’ve never been a packing cube girlie before, the Voyager might just convince me that the extra organization is finally worth it.
Also, as someone who frequently leaves on trips that last longer than 3 months and involve traveling with all of her scuba diving gear, I can confidently say that the Voyager 28” checked bag is the perfect size for my needs.
TSA Lock
This suitcase also comes equipped with a TSA lock and this is something that I actually always look for in a suitcase. It’s important to have that added layer of security, especially when you’re traveling on multiple planes, buses and boats to get to your final destination.
You can always add your own lock to a suitcase, but when you use a TSA-approved lock, airport security can check your bag without damaging your suitcase or your lock. I personally don’t like to think about airport security rummaging through my personal belongings, but apparently we have to leave them with the option to.
And I actually have had this happen once! Traveling through the US, I collected my bag and when I opened it at the hotel, there was a note inside informing me that the TSA had searched my bag.
How does the Level8 Voyageur Compare?
In the past couple of years I’ve owed luggage from American Tourister and Heys (based in Canada).
My Heys suitcase was definitely an investment for me, which made me even more disappointed when the wheel broke only one month into owning it. I was so disappointed (and stubborn), that I continued to use the bag for months without a back wheel and tried on multiple occasions to fix the bag. Unfortunately, all of the wheels that I could find didn’t fit this specific style.
I eventually bought a cheaper American Tourister suitcase to replace my broken Heys bag.
So, how does Level8 compare to these other suitcases that I’ve owned most recently? Design-wise, I love the Voyager. It looks so unique compared to any case I’ve owned before and the wide-handle actually makes packing so much easier. The size is better for me as well, because even though my American Tourister is 97 L compared to the 99 L Voyager, the length of the Voyager actually fits my fins so much better.
The only downside is the weight. My American Tousister weighs in at 4.2 kg whereas my Level8 Voyager is slightly heavier at 5.6 kg. That extra 1.5 kg can make a difference when you’re packing for a long trip with heavy gear.
Who is the Voyageur Suitcase Perfect for?
If you want luggage that’s going to last, investing in a couple of pieces from Level8 is a great option. While I only just started traveling with these suitcases, my parents have been using them for years without a problem.
I would recommend these suitcases to my fellow digital nomads who aren’t ‘backpacking’ anymore. We’re traveling for a long time, we need to bring a few more luxuries than most people. We need the space and we’re not afraid to check a bag. I think the Voyager Suitcase is perfect for digital nomads, slow travels and those travelers who like to scuba dive and want to bring their own gear.
If you’re on a budget, you’re frequently taking budget airlines or you don’t pack a lot of stuff, these suitcases will definitely be too much for you.
Pros & Cons of the Voyageur from Level8
Let’s do some quick pros and cons, because I do want to be transparent with you about what I loved about these suitcases and what I didn’t.
Pros
- flat interior
- wide-handle stability (and design)
- durable polycarbonate
- smooth wheels
- minimalist design
Cons
- the weight (weighing in over a kg more than other bags I’ve used)
- price (this luggage is definitely more of an investment)
My Final Verdict: Is the Level8 Voyageur Worth It?
It should be no surprise to you by now that I would say yes, the Voyageur is worth it.
Learning about Level8 came at a time when I was ready to invest in higher quality luggage that was going to last. And getting a firsthand review from my mom meant that I would have most likely bought these cases for myself if Level8 hadn’t reached out to me at just the right time.
I really do think that these cases are super innovative with their wide-handle design and I can’t get over the length (I’m not kidding when I tell you the length is a gamechanger for my Fourth Element Rec fins). Having a suitcase that has the same internal volume as my American Tourister, but with a design that makes packing so much easier, it’s been a gamechanger.
And I will be using the carryon for all of my adventures around Europe. I’ll definitely keep you all posted on how these cases actually hold up over time. Because in the past, I’ve found a suitcase that I love, only to have it break after a couple weeks of use. So periodically as I use these suitcases, I’ll update my review to reflect my thoughts.
Quick FAQ
Is the LEVEL8 Voyageur carry-on airline approved?
Unfortunately, these days there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ policy for airlines and their carry-on bag limits. Especially when you’re traveling in Asia and Europe, it’s going to depend on what airline you are flying with. Please always check with the specific airline before you travel, but from my mom’s experience, she was able to take this carry-on with her on United, Lufthansa and a Eurowings flight.
How much can the LEVEL8 Voyageur hold?
In my personal experience, the 28” Voyageur can hold everything I need for a four month trip around Southeast Asia where I am traveling with all of my diving gear. And I would use the smaller 20” carry-on for all of my camera gear, laptop and personal items when traveling. However, it’s also the perfect size case for me to spend a week in London or even a month in Switzerland. Keep in mind that aside from diving gear, my husband and I travel very light.
Is LEVEL8 luggage durable?
I will update this question as I use the suitcase more! But my parents have been traveling with these exact cases for almost two years now without any problems.
Is polycarbonate luggage worth it?
Polycarbonate is lightweight and extremely durable, though polycarbonate luggage does come with a higher price tag. That being said, when you’re ready to invest in higher quality luggage, I would say yes, polycarbonate luggage is 100% worth it.
If you do decide to invest in a Level8 Voyageur Suitcase, make sure to use my code JUSTYNJEN10 when you check out. It’s a super simple way to support my blog (it costs you NOTHING and gets you 10% off!)
And if you have any questions, please let me know in the comments below.
Here’s my scuba diving liveaboard packing guide. And I’ll be sharing a full packing guide soon that includes everything I’m taking with me to spend another four months in Southeast Asia.
