Level8 gifted the products I am reviewing in this article. However, I entered my agreement with them on the understanding that the words I wrote would be an honest and accurate representation of the luggage, for better or worse. Therefore, this Level8 Luggage Review is based solely on my honest opinion. This post also contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I will earn a small amount of commission at no extra cost to you.

Travel in Style with Level8 Luggage

Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or just starting out, finding the perfect luggage can be a daunting task. With so many options on the market, it can be hard to know where to begin. That’s why I’m excited to introduce you to Level8 Luggage. In this post, I will share with you my honest Level8 luggage review, as well as what prompted me to try it in the first place!

Let me start by saying I am not a luxury traveller! I also avoid appearing in photos, which has the added benefit of not requiring 200 different outfits! As such, I have always travelled light, often with just a cabin bag. For my more adventurous trips, I use a backpack, but for city breaks, and especially when I’m travelling for work, I like to use a hard-backed 4-wheel cabin bag. Why four wheels? Because I often find myself sprinting across the airport to catch a connecting flight, I find running with the luggage next to me much easier than behind me!

And it was precisely such an incident that made me realise I needed new luggage! While sprinting across Schiphol with my cheap bag trailing behind me, I noticed something wasn’t quite right. One of the wheels had fallen off!! The bag wasn’t even that old! It was at that point I decided it was time to find something better, which is when I came across Level8 Luggage. As luck would have it, they spotted me too, and reached out to work with me (I do thank my lucky stars; they have a habit of aligning!).

Who is Level8?

Level8 is a New York-based premium suitcase manufacturer that recently started offering free shipping to the UK. Their ethos is to reduce the hassle of travelling by designing simple, stylish and, above all, functional luggage. Each of their cases is made with high-quality materials to ensure the longevity of their products.

To me, good quality materials are not only important from a functionality point of view, but also from a sustainability point of view. Cheap products that don’t last the test of travel not only cost you more money in the long run, but are also more likely to end up in landfill, adding to the ever-growing rubbish problem that we face. Level8 is tackling this issue head-on by ensuring they make products that last! 

My first impressions

Knowing that the luggage was coming from the US, I was prepared to wait a little for its arrival. Had it arrived within a week, I would have been happy. As it happens, my bags came only two days after I shared my address! So 10/10 for speediness of delivery! They also use reputable delivery companies like DPD and DHL, which keep you updated on the delivery status of the parcels. This meant I could ensure someone was available to take receipt of the luggage while I was on holiday.

The luggage arrived in a cotton dust bag, ensuring that it was clean and free of any blemishes when I pulled it out. I also liked the attention to detail. It showed me that as a company, Level8 really cares, not just about functionality but also the experience.

What are the main features of the Level8 Luggage range?

The best wheels you’ve ever seen!

The first thing I did as I was excitedly pulling the cases out of the boxes was to push one of them across the sitting room to my husband, who was keen to check them out too. No word of a lie; the first words that came to my mouth were, “Oh wow! That is so smooth. Push it back, push it back” (so he could experience the smoothness for himself). I don’t know what the technical word is to describe that. In fact, any words I try and use don’t do it justice. “Wheels that work”. Well, you’d hope that was the case for all luggage! But honestly, once you try it, you will know just how good these wheels feel!

Of course, I wanted to use better language as part of this Level8 luggage review, so I went on their website to figure out how they describe it. “The best wheels you’ve ever seen”. We were on the same wavelength! Of course, they also have some more technical jargon: “Bi-metal bearings. 360-degree polyurethane wheels with a Covestro AG Polycarbonate Case.” I’m sure it means as little to you as it means to me, so I will say it in layman’s terms: extremely quiet, super smooth, can handle cobblestone streets and comes with a lifetime guarantee. Big fat tick from me! 10/10 for wheels.

Premium Waterproof Outer

A few years ago, I was sitting on the aircraft watching the ground crew load the luggage. It was torrential rain outside, and the conveyor belt loading the luggage broke. The ground staff took shelter from the deluge while they worked out a plan. Meanwhile, I watched as my bag, which was sitting uncovered on the conveyor belt, got pelted with big, fat, heavy raindrops. I wasn’t so worried at the time as I thought it was waterproof. But when I picked up my belongings at my destination a couple of hours later, everything in my bag was sodden. It was not ideal, considering I was on a business trip and had an important meeting the next day. To add insult to injury, it had been a cabin bag that I’d been forced to check due to the flight being full. Thank you, FlyBe!

Putting it to the test!

So I was very excited when I read that the Level8 Luggage was waterproof. However, I did want to check this for myself, so I filled it with kitchen roll and put it to the test outside with the spray from a watering can. What did I learn?

The outer shell IS waterproof and doesn’t let any water in. The zip and material around the zip are not waterproof. How big a deal is this? If your luggage falls off the boat into the water, everything will be wet (but that is likely the least of your problems!). If it is left out in very heavy rain for a long time, your belongings will also get wet. However, for the average amount of rainfall your luggage will encounter while being transferred from the terminal to the plane, I am sure your belongings will remain dry!

8/10 on waterproofness, but this would not deter me from buying it since I believe that it remains fit for purpose.

Great for short and tall people alike!

The Level8 Luggage is designed to cater to individuals of all heights, thanks to its telescopic handle crafted from an ultra-lightweight aluminium alloy. It boasts multiple adjustable levels, allowing for a personalised fit for anyone who uses it. Whether you’re as tall as my 6’1″ husband or as vertically challenged as me at 5’3″, this luggage works seamlessly for both of us!

TSA-Approved Combination Lock

Increased security is one of the most significant benefits of a TSA-Approved Combination lock. These locks are designed to be opened by airport officials, meaning your luggage can be checked without forced entry. This reduces the risk of damage to your belongings and ensures that your luggage stays secure throughout your journey.

Another great benefit of a TSA-Approved Combination lock is convenience. Combination locks are easy to use and can be quickly reset if needed. You won’t have to worry about carrying a key or remembering a complex code; just set your combination, and you’re good to go.

The bag comes with instructions on how to set the lock. I found the instructions easy to follow. However, I decided to ask my 75-year-old mother to also have a go. Considering she managed to lock herself out of our Airbnb in Gibraltar because she couldn’t use the very simple keypad, I thought she would be a good test. I won’t pretend it was a smooth process, but she still managed it on her own. Another big fat tick from me. 10/10 for the lock, 9/10 for the instructions.

It is super lightweight

The Level8 Luggage range is made from Makrolon®, a super lightweight yet very durable German-made material. With airlines becoming increasingly stricter on their luggage policies, you want the case itself to weigh as little as possible, without ever compromising on the durability and quality of it. At the time of writing this review, I have only been on a couple of trips with my bags. However, I will update this review on how the bags hold up over time. 9/10 for weight.

Easy to organise

The Level8 luggage comes with a mesh pocket divider, two zipper pockets, and straps, all offering a plethora of benefits to the user. The mesh pocket divider is particularly useful in keeping belongings organised and separated, allowing easy and quick access when needed.

Additionally, the two zipper pockets provide ample space for storing smaller items, such as toiletries, chargers, and documents, which can be easily accessed without rummaging through the main compartment. The straps also play an important role in keeping the user’s items secure and minimising the risk of damage during transit.

How these features are designed and positioned within the luggage makes it easy to pack and unpack your items and, ultimately, ensures a pleasant travel experience. 9/10 for dividers.

Easy to store

I love that the sets can be stacked inside each other like Russian dolls to maximise storage space. Such a great space saver for storing them at home! 10/10 for ease of storage.

Standing behind the brand with a Lifetime Guarantee

Level8 Luggage takes pride in providing only the best quality luggage for their customers. Their commitment to quality shines through in the extensive testing their luggage undergoes to ensure it meets their stringent standards. Level8 luggage has a lifetime warranty covering all functional aspects, including the shell, wheels, handles, and zippers. So you can rest assured knowing that your luggage will be there with you, no matter where you go. With their uncompromising approach to quality, you can trust them to provide reliable, durable, and stylish luggage that will stand the test of time.

It is worth noting that the warranty covers only manufacturing defects and does not cover any damage caused by misuse (such as transportation of unusual items), neglect, accidents, abrasion, exposure to extreme temperatures, solvents, acids, water, normal wear and tear or transport damage (by airlines for example). In the event that there is a warranty issue, they will either repair or replace the luggage for you.

Does Level8 Luggage have any cons?

I said from the beginning that my Level8 luggage review would be honest. And one of the downfalls for me with Level8 is that their cabin bags don’t work for budget airlines. We are fortunate in the UK in that we have many affordable short-haul options, but these are often with airlines with very restrictive luggage allowances.

For example, the dimensions of the Lelve8 Luminous Textured 20″ luggage is 27cm x 23.5cm x 54.5cm. Ryanair’s dimensions are 55cm x 40cm x 20 cm. So it works height and width-wise, but it is too deep. And for anyone who has flown with Ryanair, you will know they make their money by pulling you up for oversized luggage.

However, if you mainly fly with more premium airlines such as British Airways, then the dimensions work. If you are unsure, Sky Scanner has a brilliant guide of all airline luggage dimensions.

The perfect luggage for every occasion

I have four very different travel styles:

1. Adventurous trips that require a backpack. This includes travel to off-the-beaten-path destinations where it is easier to carry the luggage than trying to drag it. For example, Sierra Leone. This is not Level8’s remit.
2. Short-haul city breaks that I travel to with a cabin bag, such as visiting the Christmas Markets in Gdansk. The Level8 Luminous Textured Bag would have been perfect for this.
3. Longer trips where extra space is a necessity, such as long road trips. I really wish I’d had my Level8 luggage when I made my 17-week US trip last year.
4. Short-haul business trips that require me to travel with my laptop. This is where I feel Level8 really excelled for me. I will explain why it was so handy to have my Level8 Road Runner for my most recent business trip to the Netherlands further down.  

The perfect short-haul cabin luggage: Level8 Luminous Textured 20” Luggage Review

If you’re only travelling for a few days, you want to avoid being weighed down by a bulky suitcase. Level8 Luggage offers a great range of cabin bags perfect for short trips. They are lightweight and compact, making them easy to carry around.

I’ve been testing the Level8 Luminous Textured 20” Bag, which includes all the features I mentioned above. I would have no qualms recommending this bag, which is highly functional and looks really smart. It has a diamond texture for a luxurious feel and anti-scratch technology to keep it fresh. I plan on putting this to the test as I am rough with my luggage! I will update this review once I have spent more than just two trips exploring with it.

Check out the Level8 Luminous Textured 20″ luggage online.

The perfect luggage for longer trips: Level8 Luminous Textured 24″ Bag

If you’re travelling for an extended period, you need a bag that can fit all your essentials. Level8 Luggage’s large suitcases are perfect for this. They are spacious and durable, with plenty of compartments to keep your items organised. The bags also have four wheels, making navigating through crowded airports easy. I’ve been provided with a Level8 Luminous Textured 24” Bag. This has all the same great features already mentioned, with the added benefit of having that much extra space. I haven’t yet had a chance to use it, but I will certainly update this review once I have.

If, unlike me, you like to take lots of changes of clothes with you, then this is the bag for you! If you buy the Level8 Luminous Textured luggage as a set, you will also save a significant amount of money! At the time of writing this review, you would be saving yourself £50!!

Check out what savings they are offering right now!

The perfect luggage for business trips: Level8 Road Runner 20″ Cabin Bag

I find business travel a nightmare as I need to take a carry-on bag with my clothes and toiletries, a laptop bag with all my electronics, notebooks and other stationery. And lastly, I also have my handbag. The problem is that most airlines are very strict and only allow one bag, or maybe one bag and a small handbag. So I am forever either being told off, or having to squeeze everything in with my clothes only to pull it back out again as soon as boarding staff are out of sight.

Level8 has the perfect bag to overcome this issue: The Level8 Road Runner 20” Cabin bag! THIS is the bag that has made me fall in love with Level8. Not only does it have the same amazing wheels and features that I have already shared above, but it also has a quick-access sleeve that can hold a 17″ laptop and a 10.9″ tablet.

The “business compartment”, as I like to call it, also has two additional smaller pockets to keep stationary, business cards and phone chargers neatly stored. This bag has been a complete game-changer, and I cannot recommend it highly enough!

If you travel with a laptop, this is the bag for you! And best of all, I have a discount code for you to use! Use the code FIVEOFF to get 5% off your first purchase!

Level8 Luggage review conclusion – my final thoughts!

If you’re looking for a reliable, stylish, high-quality luggage brand, look no further than Level8. They have a great range of bags that cater to different travel needs, and their prices are very reasonable. My standout feature is their wheels, which make travelling with their luggage a breeze. I also like the thoughtfulness that has gone into each of their bags to ensure they meet travellers’ needs. And in case I wasn’t clear enough, the Level8 Road Runner is a real game changer if you travel with a laptop!

I will continue to update this review the longer I use the luggage so that if any further developments happen (for good or bad), you can be fully aware of them. But for now, two trips in, I am very happy!

Explore the full Level8 Luggage Range here.