Features

Luggage: Carry on travelling

30 Sep 2016 by Jenny Southan

Louis Vuitton Horizon 55 Rolling Luggage

Looking for a new set of wheels? Jenny Southan checks out the latest cabin cases.

The art of the capsule wardrobe is something every business traveller has to master, especially now that so many airlines charge for checked baggage. Plus, it’s far more efficient to travel with hand baggage only.

However, as we all know, most airlines have restrictions on the size of bag that can be taken on board – generally the height is 55-56cm, while the width is 35-45cm and the depth 20-25cm. Sometimes weight is a factor, too (12kg is the upper limit but it could be as little as 5kg), while carriers such as Easyjet may state that you must simply be able to lift it unassisted. (It also only guarantees to accept carry-on cases in the cabin no larger than 45cm x 36cm x 20cm – bigger ones might have to go in the hold.)

Shopping for a bag that will be accepted on all airlines can be tricky. To help, here is a round-up of the latest cases and holdalls for your next short-haul trip, complete with dimensions, weights and standout features. Just check the limitations set by your carrier before you buy.

SAMSONITE SMARTTOP SPINNER

This durable, softside nylon case has a handy zip-up compartment on top that is big enough to place a passport, phone and bag of liquids for easy access, plus a TSA cable lock for added security,
and a sturdy two-bar handle. Good value for money.

PRICE £135
DIMENSIONS 56cm x 45cm x 25cm
WEIGHT 2.3kg
WHEELS Four
COLOURS Red and midnight blue
samsonite.co.uk

ANTLER ATOM

This new, super-light Antler case has a futuristic look, with its honeycomb hexagon design formed from Armordon (“self-reinforcing thermoplastic”). It has a ten-year warranty, TSA combination lock and smooth-glide wheels with 360-degree rotation.

PRICE £199
DIMENSIONS 55cm x 40cm x 20cm
WEIGHT 1.9kg
WHEELS Four
COLOURS Charcoal, silver, blue
antler.co.uk

REVELATION FINLAY

Revelation is Antler’s budget brand. The Finlay is both stylish and robust, making it great value for money. The ABS plastic exterior
is scratch-resistant, and the case comes with a combination padlock, built-in telescoping handle and side grip.

PRICE £49
DIMENSIONS 55cm x 35cm x 20cm
WEIGHT 2.6kg
WHEELS Two
COLOURS Charcoal and turquoise
revelationlondon.com

TUMI V3 INTERNATIONAL CARRY-ON

Tumi claims that the V3 is its lightest hardside case ever, although it’s heavier than some rivals. The case is made from sleek polycarbonate and has a telescoping handle, TSA lock and three interior zip pockets. Monogramming can be added for free.

PRICE £475
DIMENSIONS 56cm x 35.5cm x 23cm
WEIGHT 2.9kg
WHEELS Four
COLOURS Waterfall stripe, merlot, steel blue, black
tumi.com

BRICS BELLAGIO 2

Made from Makrolon polycarbonate with Tuscan leather trim, giving it the look of a more traditional trunk, this is the “new and improved” version of Brics’ Bellagio case. The front pocket is handy for storing a laptop.

PRICE £475
DIMENSIONS 55cm x 39cm x
24cm
WEIGHT 3.4kg
WHEELS Four
COLOURS Black, olive, tobacco, cream, grey, red
brics.it

TED BAKER BURGUNDY GRAPHITE

The high-street fashion retailer has launched a glossy hard-shell cabin case with a graphite-print front panel and quirky bird of prey lining. It has a 40-litre capacity and features zip-up front pockets, a combination lock and an aircraft-grade aluminium handle.

PRICE £199
DIMENSIONS 54cm x 37cm x 24cm
WEIGHT 2.5kg
WHEELS Four
COLOUR Dark red
tedbaker.com

SERAPIAN EVOLUTION SMALL TROLLEY

Crafted in Milan, this sophisticated case is made from calfskin and has a suede-effect micro-fibre interior accessed via palladium zips, secured with an old-school padlock and key. Its unisex design would work for both men and women.

PRICE e1,485
DIMENSIONS 54.8cm x 38cm x 20cm
WEIGHT 3.5kg
WHEELS Two
COLOURS Black, caramel
uk.serapian.com

BRIGGS AND RILEY SYMPATICO CARRY-ON EXPANDABLE SPINNER

This polycarbonate trolley has a clip-down compression system so you can pack up to 22 per cent more. The telescoping handle is installed without creating ridges inside, so clothes can be placed flat in a built-in suiter.

PRICE £399
DIMENSIONS 53.3cm x 35.5cm x 23cm
WEIGHT 3.6kg
WHEELS Four
COLOURS Blue, burgundy, black
briggs-riley.com

VICTORINOX SPECTRA EXPANDABLE GLOBAL CARRY-ON

This case from Switzerland’s Victorinox has a 3cm zippered expansion section, stabilising straps for holding the case together when opened upright, a 15.6-inch interior laptop slot and pockets for smaller items.

PRICE £315
DIMENSIONS 55cm x 38cm x 20cm
WEIGHT 3.1kg
WHEELS Four
COLOURS Red, black
victorinox.com

DELSEY HELIUM AIR 2 CABIN TROLLEY CASE

A 42.5-litre cabin case with a space-age look. Now in its 70th year, Delsey claims that its high-tech zip is 41 times more resilient than a normal fastener. It also comes with an ID code for online registration, and a ten-year guarantee.

PRICE £169
DIMENSIONS 55cm x 35cm x 25cm
WEIGHT 2.6kg
WHEELS Four
COLOURS White, blue, silver grey, black, tangerine, red, emerald
delsey.com

GLADSTONE G24 TROLLEY

Gladstone produces high-end luggage for lovers of style. This leather cabin case is one of the most expensive and heaviest here, but it has enviable details such as a diamond-cut bolt in brass and plated pewter, handmade by a jeweller in Florence.

PRICE £1,395
DIMENSIONS 53.5cm x 36cm x 20cm
WEIGHT 4.8kg
WHEELS Four
COLOUR Grey
gladstonelondon.com

GATE 8 SPINMATE MULTIWHEEL

Launched last month, this hardside carry-on has a 15-inch, zip-off nylon laptop bag and a clear pouch for toiletries.

Business Traveller subscribers get 25 per cent off via the Business Traveller Plus reward scheme – visit businesstraveller.com/bt-plus for more details, or click on the link below to purchase.

PRICE £159
DIMENSIONS 40cm x 46.5cm x 25cm
WEIGHT 3kg
WHEELS Four
COLOURS Black
gate8-luggage.co.uk

LAT 56 RW-01.1 ROAD WARRIOR 2-WHEEL WITH GARMENT BAG

LAT 56 unveiled its new-generation carry-on in the summer. In addition to the company’s signature water-resistant military-spec moulded EVA foam and ballistic nylon exterior, the case comes with a detachable laundry bag, a suit carrier, a combination padlock and an easily accessible pocket for your liquids.

PRICE £299
DIMENSIONS 55cm x 37cm x 20cm
WEIGHT 3.1kg
WHEELS Two
COLOURS Black
lat56.com

BUGABOO BOXER

Launched last month, this is the first piece of luggage to be designed by Dutch pushchair manufacturer Bugaboo. The product consists of up to two interlocking suitcases (one long-haul, one short-haul) and a laptop bag on a detachable trolley. Mix and match units depending on your trip.

PRICE Chassis and cabin case £790; chassis, cabin case and laptop bag £1,033
CHASSIS 55cm x 35cm x 23cm; 3.2kg
CABIN CASE 51cm x 35cm x 18cm; 2kg
WHEELS Four
COLOURS Black, white, red
bugaboo.com

LOUIS VUITTON HORIZON 55 ROLLING LUGGAGE

Produced in collaboration with industrial designer Marc Newson, Horizon is the first collection of rolling luggage from Louis Vuitton. In Epi leather, the case has an anodised aluminium extendable handle that wraps around the case so there are no internal ridges, plus a TSA zip-pull lock. More private jet than Easyjet.

PRICE £2,560-£3,550
DIMENSIONS 55cm x 39cm x 21cm
WEIGHT 3.3kg
WHEELS Four
COLOURS Indigo, saphir, coquelicot, noir, piment, citron, fuschia, VVN
louisvuitton.com

RIMOWA SALSA AIR ULTRALIGHT CABIN MULTIWHEEL

Rimowa added five new colours to its Salsa Air range earlier this year. Made of polycarbonate, the case is one of the lightest hard-shell options on the market and comes with TSA-approved locks.

PRICE £355
WEIGHT 1.9kg
DIMENSIONS 55cm x 40cm x 20cm
NEW COLOURS Ultra violet, guards red, ice blue, navy, lime green
rimowa.com

HOLDALLS

HUGO BOSS SIGNATURE L B HOLD WEEKENDER

This business-like nylon holdall from Hugo Boss has leather detailing and round stitched handles, as well as a detachable strap.

PRICE £550
DIMENSIONS 48.5cm x 29cm x 26.5cm
COLOURS Black
hugoboss.com

SAINT LUKE ST BARTHS SHORT-HAUL

Each bag is lined with pineapple print fabric, while the “ethical entrepreneurs” at Saint Luke donate US$20 per sale to providing clean water to people in Nepal.