Horizn Studios is a two-year-old Berlin-based luggage brand that sources all its leather from Italy, where it is hand stitched, and Hinomoto wheels from Japan. They describe their “smart luxury” bags as “a paragon of sophistication and functionality”. Does the reality match up to the hype?
I tried the Horizn Studios Cabin Model H (they also do the Cabin Model M, which is a hard-shell case with a panel at the front for a laptop). I really liked the simplicity and solid build of the hard-shell Model H trolley, which is built from German polycarbonate and has a waterproof nylon interior
The two halves of the case are of equal depth, and unzip with ease. Inside is a neat zip-around mesh compartment on one side, and a second section with two straps that clip together to hold clothes in place on the other. There is also a large detachable wallet that you can slide a laptop into for easy access.
Its cabin-friendly dimensions mean you should be able to take it on all airlines and store it in an over-head locker. Although you probably won’t check it in to the hold, it does have a TSA-approved lock as well, and a five-year guarantee. (It certainly felt well built and sturdy.)
I was impressed by how much I could pack into the case, and how easily it maneuvered – the wheels were really fast and smooth, even when the case was pushed in an upright position, and especially on polished airport floors. The extendable handle felt durable and strong, and there are handy grips on the top and side for when lifting it.
The best thing, however, about this innovative piece is luggage is the secret compartment in the top that contains a rechargeable, removable battery pack to charge your devices via two USB slots. I found this to be extremely useful when on the road as my iPhone never lasts a full day.
The pack allows you to power your smartphone up to six times without needing to plug the battery into the mains. I wondered if the unit would cause a problem going through security but it didn’t. There is also the option of adding on GPS tracking for €80 but I don’t think this is relevant for a cabin case that you are not putting in the hold.
VERDICT The perfect cabin case – stylish (the Olive Green looks great), ergonomic, tough, affordable and with a built-in battery pack for charging your devices. What more could you need?
DIMENSIONS 55cm x 40cm x 20cm
VOLUME 35 litres
WEIGHT 3kg
COLOUR Night Blue, All Black, Black, Dark Olive
WHEELS 4
PRICE €199
CONTACT horizn-studios.com
