Level8 travel gear

Last Updated on March 25, 2026

Best suitcases for style and flexible travel needs

Have you ever stood in an airport Arrivals Hall, watching luggage revolve again and again on the carousel before yours turns up? Most of these suitcases are nothing much to look at; they range from the battered to the boring and occasionally the bizarre. Every once in a while, a beautifully and stylish suitcase has its turn to dazzle the dazed crowd, and when this happens, I keep an eye out for who lifts it onto their trolley. Usually, it is the person who has managed to arrive at their destination looking less crumpled than the rest of us. My suitcase is more likely to be missing a wheel by the time I am reunited with it. Until now. Recently, I was gifted a pair of suitcases from the Level8 range. These are more stylish than I am, so I have had to smarten up my travel outfits so as not to embarrass my luggage.

Level8 was founded in New York in 2008 and is a luggage brand focused on sleek, durable, and functional travel products, including suitcases, backpacks, and travel accessories. The name references the Arabic number 8, which, in horizontal form, represents the infinite possibilities of life, and in this case, of travel. Their design philosophy is one of minimalist luxury, and they have a range of suitcases from elegant navy to a yellow as bright as a sunflower. In addition to being good-looking, the suitcases have luxurious features, including 360-degree spinner wheels, TSA-approved locks, and durable zips. The company has even included a women’s line with a feminine aesthetic – I am rather smitten with the chartreuse suitcase and the pink is pretty too. Their adventure series has reinforced silent wheels and a top-opening design. Having stayed in many hotels that do not have space for the suitcase that opens like a book, I am curious about the Level8 clamshell, top-opening suitcase, which takes up half the space when opened.

The first thing I noticed when the suitcases arrived via courier was that each was packed in its own white bag, like a protective cocoon. This is very handy as I find that after spending months at a time in my loft, my luggage needs a bit of a clean before I get down to packing. Now all I will do is throw the outer bags in the washing machine when I prepare myself for a trip. On my return, they go back in the bag until needed once again.

I find that a darker hue shows less dirt when travelling, although these high-quality German-made Makrolon polycarbonate hard shells are scratch-resistant and just need a wipe down. I was gifted a Luminous textured 2-piece set, 50 and 61 cms in navy. This is a smart, deep blue, hard shell set, comprising a carry-on and a medium-sized check-in. The Luminous range has a diamond-textured shell that minimises visible scratches. When the cases arrived, I realised that they are the exact colour of my Longchamp handbag, my trusty travel companion. With my bag hung on the aluminium, three-step telescopic handle, I have enjoyed wheeling effortlessly through the Departure Hall. So effortlessly, in fact, that I almost lost my head in the Duty Free perfume department.

The two-set comprises a carry-on – it is regulation size yet still wider than my previous cabin bags – and a medium-sized check-in suitcase. The older I get, the less I pack. Partly because no matter how little I take, I still find an item or two unworn on my return. Also, because I have to manage heaving my suitcase up stairs in train stations, it is not only London that lacks step-free access. Hence, I no longer travel with a large suitcase and have not looked back since using smaller ones.

The maiden voyage of the carry-on was to an overnight stay in a boutique hotel in Kensington. This involved a good number of different terrains, all of which the wheels coped with well. My walk to the bus took me down rough pavement with loose paving stones, followed by negotiating the tube stairs and the journey into town, and, lastly, a ten-minute walk along the pavement in Kensington. The handling was easy, and while this carry-on is not the lightest I have used, it was easy to carry and wheeled well on its spinner wheels, with an ultra-quiet, anti-shock design. I had plenty of space for toiletries, a spare pair of shoes, my book and other paraphernalia.

My next trip with the carry-on was a long weekend in Copenhagen, the capital of chic design. The boutique hotel was in a trendy part of town, and I felt rather smug as I checked in with my gorgeous luggage. My previous, rather ordinary carry-on has been to many a smart hotel, but I couldn’t help feeling that it was the equivalent of turning up to the check-in desk with shabby shoes.  For this trip, I had to pack four days’ worth of kit. For any trip under a week, I like to travel smart and not waste time checking in bags at the airport and facing a possible baggage delay on arrival. With a capsule wardrobe folded into packing cubes, I had more than enough space in my carry-on for all my clothes and was still able to fit in a couple of new items I bought while on my trip. One of the features I appreciated was that each half of the carry-on has mesh, zippered pockets, and one side has two smaller, zippered pockets, which are perfect for small items like underwear.  This made it easy for me to grab what I needed out of the suitcase in the mornings and ensured that my belongings were kept neatly in place.

The medium-sized Level8 check-in suitcase will have its first voyage on a three-week, long-haul trip later in the year. Until recently, my husband and I travelled on longer trips with two matching silver suitcases, but mine parted ways with one of its wheels in Sicily. When a suitcase loses a wheel on a trip, it is akin to a heel breaking off your shoe. You are literally stopped in your tracks and can go no further without repair work. Who needs that sort of stress on a holiday? I am confident that the Level8 suitcase will not let me down in this way. Peace of mind is provided by the lifetime warranty that covers any functional damage to the shell, wheels, handles, and zippers, or anything else that impairs your use of the luggage.  

Level8 luggage is built to last – 12,000 handle pulls and 276,000 wheel rotations. The company is concerned about durability but also cares about the environment and has introduced an Eco-Friendly Collection where style remains on top form. The suitcases and backpacks in this range are lined with 100% RPET recycled polyester for sustainable style.

Travellers seem to divide into those who prefer a hard shell and those who opt for a fabric outer casing. I prefer the hard shell option despite it being heavier because I feel the contents have an extra layer of protection, and the shell itself cannot be torn in transit. Recently, I have read about the benefits of a clam suitcase, which makes a lot of sense when hotel rooms are small, as it takes up half the space when the lid is open, compared to a suitcase that opens like a book. Yet, I am used to the latter, and I prefer it because not only can I see more easily what is packed into each half, but I also use one half for my shoes, toiletries, and dirty laundry, which leaves my clean clothing packed separately on the other side.

My medium-sized check-in has zipped-up webbing on both sides. On the one side, there are two further webbed and zipped pockets, which are useful for laundry, or flat items like scarves and accessories. These pockets are large enough to stow a laptop, although I wouldn’t put my laptop in the hold; it is just an indication of the size.

On the Level8 website, there is an impressive range of cases to choose from. From carry-on to 76 cm check-in cases, there are special carry-ons for easy access to laptops, creator carry-ons with USB ports, and a range of styles from bright colours to square aluminium suitcases with wide handles. There are also laptop backpacks, which can be bought in combination with check-ins or carry-ons. A two-set like the one I now have is great value as it works out cheaper than buying separate pieces. You can also buy a group of three cases, which provides great flexibility depending on the nature of your trip. It is also a good option for family travel.

What has impressed me about the suitcases from Level8 is that they not only look good, but they also function well. I have to admit that I now have my heart set on one of the Level8 bright yellow suitcases. Even a red-eye flight would be fun if I were wheeling such a gorgeous piece of luggage through the airport.

You can get a 15% discount on Level8 luggage using code LN15 on the Level8 website.

Level8 luggage is available on the company website and on Amazon.