As a travel writer averaging over 6 international trips and a dozen domestic trips per year, finding the right luggage is imperative for my lifestyle and sanity. Over 70 countries and hundreds of flights later, I confidently say Travelpro makes the best and most durable carry-on bags for frequent travelers like me.
I‘ve tested over 10+ pieces of luggage from various Travelpro lines over the past 15+ years. Across budget-friendly models like the Maxlite 5 to premium Platinum Elite spinners, I keep coming back to Travelpro for their unbeatable quality construction and luggage-specific conveniences.
While new "smart luggage" brands tout tech features, that‘s never been my priority. As someone who spends more time in airports than my own house, sturdy wheels, expansion zippers, and lightweight-yet-durable fabrics matter most. Through harsh baggage handlers, cramped overhead bins, torrential downpours, and even food stains, my Travelpro bags endure every trip.
So whether you‘re looking to invest in your first premium suitcase or replace your old beat-up carry-on, let my first-hand Travelpro luggage reviews help guide you!
Travelpro Background in Numbers
While Travelpro doesn‘t get as much buzz as trendier brands, their dominance among flight crews speaks volumes:
- 85% of airline pilots and flight attendants rely on Travelpro Luggage
- 2010 victory dethroning 30+ year industry leader Samsonite for pilot/crew bag partnerships with Delta, American Airlines, and Southwest.
- Average 4.6/5 star rating across all Amazon listings
- Over 95% of ratings on their website are 4-5 stars across thousands of reviews
As flight crews haul gear across hundreds of airports each year, no brand compares to Travelpro‘s durability and packing perks tailored specifically avid travelers.
My Travelpro Carry-On Recommendations
Here are the top 5 Travelpro carry-on models I always recommend based on my extensive first-hand testing:
| Travelpro Platinum Elite 21" Spinner | Sleek hardshell design, external USB port, suiter system, and expansion capabilities make this my top premium choice. |
| Travelpro Maxlite 5 21" Softside | Proven lightweight durability through years of my own trips plus thousands of 5-star reviews cements this as the best budget pick. |
| Travelpro Crew Versapack 21" Spinner | Highest quality materials like stain-proof DuraGuard fabric and durable PowerScope handle make this very versatile for all situations. |
| Travelpro Maxlite 5 25" Softside | Unbeatable size-to-weight ratio by maximizing interior capacity yet weighing just 6.7 lbs makes it the perfect checked bag companion to any carry-on. |
| Travelpro Walkabout 5 17" Softside | Compact enough to fit smaller regional jets yet spacious enough for longer trips makes this an ideal secondary/personal bag. |
I could elaborate for hours about durability field-testing or handy features on each Travelpro model I‘ve used extensively. So the rest of this review will focus specifically on my long history and tips for three of my favorites.
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Carry-On Review
The Travelpro Maxlite 5 21-inch expandable carry-on spinner is my ol‘ reliable suitcase I always take on shorter weekend trips or as my secondary bag for longer journeys. Here are the key reasons why:
Light Yet Durable Fabrics
Weighing just 6 pounds but made from durable, rip-proof polyester, it‘s stood up to my tossing around on dozens of trips over 7+ years now with only minor exterior scuffing. The water-repellent coating even protected contents when I got caught in torrential Bangkok monsoons!
Details Designed By Travelers Like Me
From the recessed, adjustable PowerScope handle minimizing wobble to the padded laptop sleeve handy for quick TSA scans to the add-a-bag strap securely attaching a duffel bag on campus, every detail is purpose-built for travelers.
I also appreciate nuances like the bottom grab handle centered around the expansion zipper, allowing easy access to those just-in-case items I squeeze into every spare inch.
Trusted Reputation Backed By Reviews
With over 5,000 worldwide 5-star reviews on Amazon and a decade of praise among frequent travelers, the Maxlite 5 checks all the boxes combining price, durability, and packing conveniences. I wholeheartedly agree with one verified buyer‘s summary after using the bag for years:
"Compact and complete. Has everything the frequent traveler needs…The bag travels well and handles the rigors of frequent packing and unpacking, cramped overhead storage bins, mileage tracking stickers, etc."
My Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On Review
When I need to make a good impression such as for a media trip, I break out my Travelpro Platinum Elite expandable carry-on spinner. The polished scratch-resistant lawsuit with leather accents looks elegant while still maintaining Travelpro‘s signature durability.
High-End Materials & Performance
The Platinum Elite features higher quality nylon fabric with a special water and stain-resistant coating. Rather than noisy plastic wheels like budget models, sealed ball bearing wheels mean a quieter and smoother ride.
I also appreciate thoughtfully designed details suited for business trips like the handy suiter perfect for keeping dress shirts wrinkle-free and an external USB port for charging devices en route.
Premium Look Worth The Price Tag
While roughly double the price of the Maxlite 5, I find my Platinum Elite‘s sleeker styling and extra features worthwhile for client trips where making an impression matters.
Over 4 years trotting around the globe, it still looks elegant like new after a quick wipe down thanks to the durable scratch-guard bumpers and high-quality nylon. Combined with Travelpro‘s lifetime warranty, this investment piece will last me a decade or more.
Packing Example With Travelpro Crew Versapack
To give you a real example just how much you can fit into a 21-inch Travelpro carry-on model, check out this 10-day fall trip packing list!
I packed the following into my rugged Travelpro Crew Versapack carry-on spinner:
| Clothing |
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| Shoes |
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| Accessories |
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| Tech |
|
The key was using packing cubes, compression, and the various pockets efficiently!
All these essentials packed into my Travelpro Crew Versapack 21" carry-on!
Other Longtime Travelpro Users Agree
One question I often get asked: "Wow, you use Travelpro bags for that many trips every year? How do they hold up compared to other brands?"
My insider expertise flies out the window here – I haven‘t subjected other brands to such torture testing!
So instead, I‘ll share a frequent flier named Amy‘s long term review:
"For work and personal, I easily average over 75 flights per year. I quickly wore out the wheels and handles of cheaper brands like Delsey and Samsonite.
Once I bought my first Travelpro suitcase 8 years and hundreds of flights ago, I became a customer for life. I‘m tough on bags forcing them under cramped regional jet seats, packing as much as possible, checking them through ice and snow, and cramming them into packed overhead bins.
Through it all, my four Travelpro suitcases now look almost new after a wash except for some minor staining. But the handles still glide like butter and wheel noiselessly unlike other brands after a couple years.
I always get compliments on the look and functionality of my Travelpro luggage from seatmates too! Yes, they are pricier upfront than brands like Samsonite but they last three times as long for me. Combined with their warranty, I know I get my money‘s worth out of Travelpro."
Amy‘s experience mirrors my own. By investing just a bit more upfront into Travelpro‘s durable construction and warranty, their bags weather trip after trip without issues.
Travelpro Review Conclusion
While new luggage brands boast flashy tech features and stylish designs to capture headlines today, Travelpro remains the gold standard for frequent travelers in the know. Durable fabrics withstand harsh baggage handlers while convenient details minimize hassles and maximize packing efficiency long term.
Across budget friendly options like the Maxlite 5 to premium Platinum Elite spinners, I can personally attest to their unmatched quality through years of testing and abusing Travelpro luggage across six continents. Rave reviews from globe trotting flight crews and thousands of experienced travelers reaffirm my own endorsement.
So for readers preparing for their next adventure asking me what luggage lasts longest term, I confidently recommend Lifepro for unmatched durability, packing convenience, and overall value. Let me know if you have any other questions before your upcoming trips in the comments below! I‘m happy to offer specific advice drawing from my years of travel writing experience.
