After comparing the Crew Expert with our top carry-on pick, the Travelpro Platinum Elite, I can say that the Crew Expert is the stronger of the two bags. Ive flown with this bag for more than 45,000 miles and havent had an issue, but if youre particularly rough on your luggage or uncomfortable lifting the bag over curbs or up stairs its something to be aware of. For instance, they have a special machine for jerking a fully packed case for hours to test its durability, as well as a machine that tests the spinner wheels by simulating a rolling movement on rocky terrains for several hours. It always fits. Brian Lam, Wirecutter founder. It is sturdy and unassuming, and does what it is meant to do without complaint. The handles of both Elite models are sturdy without feeling too rigid. The interior is spacious and fairly simple. It comes with a garment organizer, which helps you keep your suits from wrinkling, but they also offer additional packing options sold separately, like packing cubes and a water-resistant organizer for dirty laundry. Travelpro Maxlite 5 25-Inch Expandable Spinner at Amazon, Travelpro Maxlite 5 International Expandable Carry-on Rollaboard at Amazon, Travelpro Crew 11 25-Inch Expandable Spinner Suiter Suitcase at Amazon, Bold By Travelpro 25-Inch Expandable Rollaboard at Amazon, Platinum Elite 21-Inch Expandable Carry-on Spinner at Amazon, Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-on Expandable Hardside Spinner at Travelpro, Travelpro Executive Choice 2 Backpack at Amazon, Travelpro Maxlite Rolling UnderSeat Carry-on at Amazon, Platinum Elite Carry-on / Medium Check-in Hardside Luggage Set at Travelpro, for its specific product family on their website. Were continuing to monitor reader feedback and online reviews to see if the issue recurs. However, the dimensions of the Platinum Elite bag are 18 x 14 x 7 inches. Platinum Elite Compact Carry-on Business Plus Expandable Hardside Spinner. This is better because theyre pretty much impossible to break off, even if the bag is checked in, so your contact information will always stay on your bag in case it gets lost. ", Best Checked: Travelpro Crew 11 25-Inch Expandable Spinner Suiter Suitcase at Amazon, "Designed to withstand staining and abrasions. And after many weeks of testing all three bags, I think most travelers are better off sticking with our pick, the light but still tough Travelpro Platinum Elite. Instead it feels more like a nudge or subtle push, but thats enough for this bag to stand out from the competition as a top-rated carry-on bag. Weve been unable to replicate that phenomenon in our own testing. All of their suitcases are thoroughly tested in test labs before launching. 20% OFF PLATINUM ELITE HARDSIDES + BUY MORE SPEND MORE! But, the Travelpro Maxlite 5 comes with great warranty terms and superb quality. Then it was time to see how each bag worked. This two-wheeled carry-on bag isnt as maneuverable but offers slightly more space, a garment folder, and larger, more durable wheels. Incase EO Roller: At full price, this stylish bag is $250. After fair use on rocky roads, the wheels still look brand-new, and Im pretty impressed with how well theyre made. Platinum Elite . Expandable Width and TSA-Approved Locks But after several years of testing experience, we think the superior maneuverability of spinner luggage, along with improvements in manufacturing processes, make four-wheel bags a better choice for most people. *Excludes YT, NU, NT (subject to Purolator Rates) . Of course, it still isnt as good as Briggs & Rileys unlimited lifetime warranty and Aways warranty terms, but Travelpros luggage costs much less. Its a simple, spacious, and very durable suitcase offered at affordable prices. However, Juan Phillips, Travelpros vice president of product design and innovation, says that you can spot-clean any marks with a mixture of 50 percent water and 50 percent alcohol and gently rub the spot until its gone. In fact, the Travelpro is less prone to tipping over than many other bags weve tested. Ive personally traveled with a Platinum line bag this size for more than 45,000 miles spread across 50 flights, from regional to long-haul to international routes, and never had an issue fitting within gate-side luggage sizers. The bag itself feels good in the hands, and the wheels are noticeably better than those on any of the hard-sided competitors we tried. Its also true that they use larger, more durable wheels, which roll better over rough surfaces at least in one direction. And its backed by a limited lifetime warranty that doesnt cover airline damage. In the past, we were explicit in our recommendation of two-wheeled models over four-wheeled spinner luggage based on feedback from frequent flyers and interviews with luggage designers. For me, the highest one was just perfect. If you are a frequent flyer and willing to invest in a higher-quality product for your home away from home, we recommend the Briggs & Riley Baseline Domestic Carry-On Expandable Spinner (also available in a two-wheeled version with more capacity). For hard-sided luggage care, Phillips suggests rubbing a solution of mild or gentle soap and water on the affected area with a soft cloth. Travelpro Crew Versapack Max Carry-On Exp Rollaboard, Negro azabache, Crew Versapack Softside - Equipaje vertical expandible. Spinner wheels have become more robust since they first appeared, but if for whatever reason your wheels do break, you can swap them out yourself with Travelpros replacements. From the exterior, its fitted with hand-carry handles on top, side, bottom, and front, so its really easy to lift up to overhead compartments or carry like a duffel. In the nine years weve been covering this category, the products have evolvedand so has our thinking about what makes the best carry-on luggage for most people. How user-repairable was the bag? ", Best Carry-on: Travelpro Maxlite 5 International Expandable Carry-on Rollaboard at Amazon, "The suitcase is part of Travelpro's lightest collection. The textured finish hides most of the smaller scratches that come naturally with years of use. There is also an accordian pocket on the front, for magazines and electronic tablets. Nowadays, Travelpro is widely used by airline staff members of over ninety airlines. It also has an easy-to-use, removable garment bag. The side handle of the Platinum Elite moves with the help of two plastic hinges. I love this bag. Youll also find a USB charging port on the backside, which will allow you to charge your phone without taking out your power bank. All to find out whether theyre the right choice for frequent travelers. But keep in mind, that its made from ballistic nylon, which is the most durable, but the heaviest fabric used in luggage. Best Overall: Travelpro Maxlite 5 25-Inch Expandable Spinner at Amazon, "Combines excellent quality and durability with an affordable price tag. Travelpro increased the diameter of the wheels on the Elite, making for a slightly smoother ride, and redesigned the top handle to lie flat, which cuts about an inch from the overall height of the bag relative to previous designs. We like the battery pocket, but the built-in cable itself, which routes from the pocket to a USB port less than 6 inches away, is an unnecessary item, which at best adds a potential point of failure to the bagUSB cables do not last forever. And in our tests, after packing 10 bags trying to figure out strategies for each nook and cranny, packing on a broad flat surface felt like a luxury. This is really useful if youre running low on space in your baggage, but the suitcase may become a bit too large for the size restrictions. The story of Travelpro begins more than three decades ago, in 1987. Our testers noted that the internal organization left a bit to be desired in that it was too simple. Heres how to choose the right one for your travel needs. Its serious-looking luggage, there to get a job done, both larger and more utilitarian than the typical suitcase. How many stages did the handle extend to? Its a fairly expensive suitcase, but you can often buy it on sale for under $300. Although it isnt the cheapest one, its extremely durable and comes with a lot of bells and whistles. In this week's newsletter: Its almost officially summer, which for a lot of people means the beginning of battles with entomological enemies. The suitcase is made of polyester fabric and is designed to withstand water spills and stains (though the lighter hues suffered some cosmetic damage). Total packing versatility customized to your individual needs with a variety of optional Travelpro exclusive Zip-In Organizers designed for the way you travel. It carries so much. Travelpro redesigned the top handle of the Platinum Elite a few years ago to lie flat when not in use. Both models perform just as admirably as each other. Full review: Travelpro Bold 21-Inch Carry-on Review. While the Platinum Elite is more expensive than the Versapack, it has a longer period of Travelpros Trusted Companion Promise (lifetime versus 5 years for the Versapack collection), which is definitely worth the extra money. There are some exceptionsfor example, the Briggs & Riley Torq collection features an accessible outer panel that can carry a laptop, a tablet, and a few other gadgets for easy access. Thats remarkably efficient for a bag that does so much. Total packing versatility with Travelpro exclusive zip-in organizers. ", Best Splurge: Travelpro Platinum Elite 21-Inch Expandable Carry-on Spinner at Amazon, "Part of Travelpro's sophisticated collection of suitcases. Sometimes, you dont need a bulky suitcase, especially if youre going on a weekend trip. We also noticed a robust feel to the zippers, which are a self-repairing type made by YKK. We still think its a great option if you can find it. Travelpro's suitcases are roughly 15% more expensive than Samsonite. Originally, spinner models tended to use weaker wheels that were mounted to a basic inner and outer housing at the base of the bag, said Jason Gifford, who was the design manager for eBags when I spoke to him in 2018. Timbuk2 Copilot: We had high hopes for this one because Timbuk2 has a great reputation for making backpacks and messenger bags. Costco Kirkland Signature Softside 22 2 Wheel Carry-On: Travelpro Platinum Elite 21 Expandable Spinner, Travelpro Platinum Elite 22 Expandable Carry-On Rollaboard, A bit more capacity and extra wheel durability, Briggs & Riley Baseline Domestic Carry-On Expandable Spinner, Briggs & Riley Baseline Domestic Carry-On Expandable Upright, More room, bigger wheels, less maneuverability, Our pick for the best carry-on luggage: Travelpro Platinum Elite, Upgrade pick for the best carry-on luggage: Briggs & Riley Baseline Domestic, Also-great pick for the best hard-sided carry-on luggage: Away The Carry-On, Our carry-on luggage picks for international travel. For the majority of travelers who fly less than 10 times a year, the Travelpro Platinum Elite offers the best balance of features, durability, and price, while still providing some elements missing from similar bags costing around $300, such as durable sealed-bearing wheels and a lifetime warranty that covers repairs (or replacement, at the companys discretion) even in the case of airline damage. The garment folder is similar to Travelpros, and thats a good thing. Heres how we put each new bag through its paces. The Crew Expert has extra-thick polyurethane wheels. We think its worthwhile to invest a little more into your luggagethe bag you choose will last longer and work better. We extended and retracted the handles on each one many times over the course of many days and felt for sticking points. Three decades ago, in 1987 and work better then it was time travelpro crew versapack vs platinum elite. 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