From durability to style, my Level8 Voyageur review has all the info you need to decide if this is the luggage for you.
As a frequent traveller, I’ve owned a lot of suitcases! Yet, I still get giddy when I unbox a new piece of luggage, knowing that it will get to accompany me on some epic adventures around the world. I’ve owned cases from all the big brands over the years, including Antler, Samsonite, Tripp and American Tourister. They’ve all had pros and cons. The reason for buying a replacement? It’s usually to do with mechanics – zips, locks and wheels! They withstand a lot of impact when travelling, so they’re the first things to break.
The more you travel, the more robust your case needs to be. So, for me, I’m looking for luggage that’s really durable, long-lasting, but stylish too. Even better if it’s easy to spot on a conveyor belt at the airport!
Getting such a kick from new luggage, you can imagine how excited I was to road-test the new Level8 Voyageur range. In my review, I’ll share all the essential details. I’m going to dive deep into the specifications, the style, manoeuvrability, quirky features and share some honest opinions on these cases. If you’re deciding whether this is the best suitcase for your travels, this post will definitely help.
Level8 Voyageur Luggage Review
Tell me about Level8 luggage
If you’re on the hunt for stylish, durable, and functional luggage, Level8 is a great choice. It might be a less-familiar brand name than some that I’ve mentioned, but it has built a really solid reputation. The brand was established back in 2008 in New York, and has developed several high-end ranges.
When you see the luggage on the Level8 website, you might be quite surprised by the sleek and modern designs. The shapes are little more interesting, with the larger cases being deeper than many cases on the market. They come in several stylish colours and some even have extra wide handles to maximise space inside the suitcase. I also really like the minimalist logo. It’s fair to say, when you wheel a Level8 case through the airport, you’ll get noticed!
Level8’s cases are also extremely practical. Made from top-notch materials including German-made Makrolon polycarbonate and aluminium, they’ve been designed to be lightweight yet tough enough to handle the wear and tear of travel. I like that almost all the brand’s cases have hard shells and extra reinforcement around the corners.
The insides of the cases are equally well-designed, with several compartments to organise your belongings. Some have been designed with business travellers in mind, and feature pockets for laptops and USB charging points.
So, the brand creates great cases, but how do I feel about the Voyageur set? Time to dive into my new cases and take them for a spin!
An overview of the Level8 Voyageur Range
I was attracted to the Voyageur luggage as it has a hard shell, wide handles and 360 spinner wheels. I really like the stylish appearance and the size options worked perfectly for what I needed.
The Voyageur cases currently come in four sizes:
There’s the 20” suitcase which measures 54.1 cm H × 38.4 cm W × 24.9 cm D. This weighs 3.6 kg and has a capacity of 43 litres. It’s perfect as a carry-on case, although you should always check the dimensions with your airline, as they do vary. As a guide, EasyJet and British Airways limit is 56 x 45 x 25 cm, so this suitcase would be approved to go on board with you!
Next up is the 26” suitcase which is the smallest checked luggage option. This measures 69.3 cm H × 42.2 cm W × 33.8 cm D, weighs 5.3 kg and has a capacity of 93 litres. I’d consider this to be a medium suitcase, so it’s ideal for a week’s holiday for one person.
Next up is the 28” suitcase. This measures 73.9 cm H × 42.2 cm W × 33.8 cm D, weighs 5.6 kg and has a capacity of 99 litres. This might be a good size for a couple travelling together, depending on your packing styles.
Finally, the 30” suitcase is what I would consider large! It measures 81.5 cm H × 42.4 cm W × 33.8 cm D, weighs 6.3 kg and has a capacity of 105 litres. It’s great for families… or over-packers!
I ordered a set of two – the 20” and 26”. They’re really good sizes, spacious inside and will be an ideal combination of a checked suitcase and carry-on option. It’s lovely having a matching set too! I’ll feel much more stylish at the airport now!
Key features of the Level8 Voyageur Range
Wide handle
I’ve never seen a suitcase with such a wide handle. But, the reality is it’s genius! The handle slides down inside the exterior edges of the case, so it’s not taking up valuable packing space in the centre. Why haven’t more luggage brands tried this?! I think it’s a really clever design.
Materials
The suitcases are made from German-made Makrolon polycarbonate, which is renowned for being light yet durable. They feel firm to the touch, but not completely solid. It’s good to have a tiny bit of flexibility for when you stuff your case really full!
TSA Lock
The case comes with a 3-digit code lock, which is also TSA-approved. There are very clear instructions included on how to set this for the first time.
Manoeuvrability
The Voyageur cases all have 360° quiet spinner wheels. They’re great for rolling even the heaviest of cases. They feel sturdier than on my other cases, so I hope they last well.
Interior compartments
The cases have a large compartment on each side. There are also two zip pockets for organising smaller items inside. One is mesh and the other is waterproof. This is another great feature, as it’ll protect your luggage from leaks and spills. I’ve not seen this on other cases. It’s a great feature.
Luggage stand
The cases have small stands so you can place your luggage on the ground without scuffing it.
What colours are available?
This suitcase range comes in five colours right now, two of which are limited editions. They are:
- Black
- Navy
- Dark Olive
- Yellow and black – limited edition
- Celadon (pale blue) – limited edition
I went for the yellow and black option, as I love how eye-catching they are. After years of searching for black and navy luggage on the airport conveyor belt, it’s great to have something that I’ll see from a distance!
My personal opinion of the Level8 Voyageur Range
First impressions were strong! Each suitcase arrived packaged in its own cardboard delivery box, and came wrapped in a soft white fabric drawstring bag. As an unboxing experience, the products felt premium and luxurious.
Once I got them out, I noticed vibrant labels hanging from each one, containing information and instructions. I really liked the chic design of the luggage. They’re way more stylish than other suitcases I’ve owned. I’ve owned several cases with textured exteriors, but this design is plain. However, it’s more elegant and obviously, it fits more inside by not having big ridges across it!
I like the little details, such as the little yellow 8s on the wheels, the wide handle and the minimalist logo. As mentioned above, it’s the first time I’ve come across a wide telescopic handle like this. It moves really easily and I could easily adjust it to the height I needed. I think it’s a savvy design as it’s maximising space inside the case. You’ve probably never really thought about it before, but the mechanism for the handle takes up a chunk of the central section of the average suitcase.
Internally, this case has one brilliant feature. The waterproof compartment! Honestly, I have no idea why more cases haven’t been designed with one of these. It’s big enough that you could do without a wash bag, and simply place a few small bottles of toiletries in there.
The two main compartments are spacious. The zips are of decent quality too. As mentioned, these smaller mechanical elements are the parts I judge a suitcase on, as they’re often the first things to break.
As for the colour? It’s a wonderfully warm shade of yellow. It screams holidays and sunshine! It feels like the perfect companion for a summer trip! I can already picture myself wheeling it towards a beautiful beach resort.
What don’t I love about my Level8 case?
There’s very little I don’t love about this case. If I had to say anything, it’d be that the 26” case is narrow but very deep. It’s got an ample capacity, but we have a small car and I fear it might be an awkward squeeze when we have multiple cases in the boot.
I also worry that the yellow polycarbonate exterior may mark or scratch over time. I’m going to try my best not to let that happen though!
While I think the wide handle is a really great feature, some people love hooking backpacks over narrower suitcase handles. This wouldn’t be possible with this case.
Are Level8 suitcases worth the price?
When this review was written, the total cost was £529 for the 20” and 26” Voyageur set. Separately, the 20” was £239.99 and the 26” was £289.99.
I think good luggage is worth spending money on. While the small case on its own feels a little on the pricey side, there are often deals on the sets, which makes it much better value.
I think the larger cases are great value. They’re super-sturdy, made from great materials and feel like they’ll last a long time. Plus, did I tell you about the genius wide handle? Oh wait, I did… several times! I still can’t get over how brilliant that design is though!
What other cases do Level8 offer?
Voyageur luggage is just one of the many options in the Level8 range. If you’re looking for carry-on luggage, these are the options you can choose from.
Luminous Textured – Quite similar to the Voyageur, available in multiple colours and sizes. This case doesn’t have the wide telescopic handle of the Voyageur, but the 20” case nests within the larger cases.
Hegent – Zipperless with a chic design and aluminium frame.
Adventurer – Wide handle, rugged appearance, and a front opening method. It’s expandable too.
Creator – Great for business travellers, this case has built in USB ports and a laptop pocket.
Road Runner – Another case ideal for business, this case has a quick access sleeve area for both a laptop and tablet.
Freeloop – Another great option for style-conscious travellers, this one has a zipperless design, aluminium frame and cushioned leather handle. I love the colour options for this one, which comes in sage green, dark green and coconut white.
Polaris – Wide handle and a range of cute colours, make this a stylish luggage option.
Captain Aluminum Pro – One of the most expensive cases I’ve come across, this chic case is made from Aerospace-grade aluminium magnesium alloy.
Gibraltar Aluminum – This is also made from Aerospace-grade aluminium magnesium alloy, but is a fraction of the cost of the Captain!
Capture – The only soft fabric case made by Level8, this one is made from 1680D high-strength nylon, has lots of nifty pockets and an expandable zipper.
If you’re looking for checked baggage, the following are available in larger sizes too.
- Luminous Textured
- Hegent
- Road Runner
- Adventurer
- Gibraltar Aluminum
- Freeloop
Level8 Also make the Atlas Laptop Backpack, which has a capacity of 31 litres. It’s got a laptop compartment, padded straps and over 20 different pockets, so you can organise all your items on the go.
Level8 discount code
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my review of the Level8 Voyageur luggage. There are lots of great features, but only you can decide if it’s right for you! I can’t wait to take it on more adventures soon!
If you’re keen to buy some Level8 luggage, you can bag yourself a 10% discount right now with this code wanderlustchloe10. Happy shopping!