If you’re tired of losing half your carry-on space to those annoying internal handle bars, the LEVEL8 Voyageur Carry-On 20″ is a total win. It’s durable enough for a week of skiing in Zermatt and sleek enough for a girls’ weekend in Barcelona.
I’ve spent the last decade testing luggage on everything from Dutch cobblestones to rugged mountain paths. I finally found a carry-on that doesn’t result in tears after sprinting for a train. And plot twist, it’s not the Away.
LEVEL8 was founded in 2008 in the United States. They were recognized early for their innovative, patent-protected compartment designed specifically to protect Apple MacBooks. Since then, they’ve won numerous design awards and are becoming more and more popular amongst the next generation of travelers for their sleek, composed and purposeful design. I love that it’s not flashy, just a simple, high quality product.
This is the biggest selling point for me. Listen up.
Most luggage has two metal bars running right down the middle of your packing space. You have to get clever and find ways to tuck shoes in or layer clothes just right to fill the gaps. It’s like trying to pack around a speed bump. You know exactly what I mean, don’t pretend you don’t.
Worse yet are the suitcases with built-in chargers. Seems like a great idea, but no, it’s not. They steal even more of your precious real estate. The LEVEL8 Voyageur is different. It moves those handle bars to the far edges of the frame. This gives you a completely flat packing surface on both sides – it’s honestly revolutionary. This is a massive win for anyone who uses packing cubes, which is how every pro travels.
So much more capacity, but also added stability. Luxury feature on lock.
The next best luxury feature is the adjustable handle height. I’m not talking two modes, I’m talking many! This is honestly such a welcome surprise for a shorty like me. Being able to adjust the handle height is incredibly helpful for cruising through the airport or train station. It makes such a difference.
A true luxury luggage feature that many brands overlook.
The LEVEL8 Voyageur holds an impressive 43L, while most standard cabin bags only fit about 35 – 38L. Those extra liters are a game changer. I found myself so much less stressed about space than usual.
I’ve already used this as my only bag for two ski trips and a weekend getaway in Spain. It is the most spacious European-approved cabin bag I’ve ever owned.
The real perk comes from that wide-angle handle design. You can truly lay all your items 100% flat on both sides of the bag. A true game changer.
Plus, the bag is flexible. I recently ordered a different suitcase from NOBL and had to return it because it simply had no give. That and a zillion other reasons. The NOBL luggage is truly just a gimmick. No space, just silly little tricks like the cup holder, phone mount and bag hook. All of which would be fabulous, if the bag would actually fit anything inside it. Just 35L, and when the bag is full it’s absolutely impossible to use the front laptop pocket. Such a silly design. Don’t get the NOBL.
The LEVEL8 Voyageur on the other hand is flexible enough for some true retail therapy.
I was worried the LEVEL 8 Voyageur might be too big for short-haul European flights. They keep changing the criteria these days, so you just never know. Smaller and smaller.
Since short-haul European flights are my primary way to travel, a reliable carry-on is crucial. There’s no way I’m checking a suitcase for a weekend trip. Luckily it’s exactly the right size. So far no issues.
The shell is made from German Makrolon polycarbonate. It’s tough as nails but still light. It’s not just your typical plastic, it’s this aerospace-grade material that pops back if dented. While I originally chose this model for the wide handle, the weight was a pleasant surprise at 3.7kg (8.1lbs). It’s not the lightest on the market, but it is comparable to other top luxury luggage brands. Those few ounces don’t make much of a difference.
I put the durability to the test in the most “Amsterdam” way possible: I strapped it to the front rack of my bike to get across the city. It handled the vibration of the cobblestones like a champ. I’ve dragged it through rain, snow, and slush, and it still looks brand new. Plus, the 360° spinner wheels are so quiet you won’t wake up the neighborhood during an early morning departure.
Inside, there’s a dedicated water-resistant TPU pocket. This is a total lifesaver for:
I also love that both sides zip shut. There is no chance of your gear falling out at security. It also has TSA-approved locks for extra peace of mind.
If you’re already sold, use this link and code JADE15 to get 15% off your purchase.
When you’re dropping a few hundred dollars or euros on a bag, you want to know it’s worth it. Here is how LEVEL8 compares to the other “it” bags on the market right now. It’s not the lightest, but the capacity, extra-wide handle and price make it difficult to beat.
| Feature | LEVEL8 Voyageur | Away (The Carry-On) | Horizn Studios (M5 Essential) | NORTVI (Front Pocket) |
| Capacity | 43L | 41L | 37L | 39L |
| Weight | 3.7kg (8.1lb) | 3.4kg (7.5lb) | 3.4kg (7.5lb) | 3.6kg (7.9lb) |
| Handle | Ultra-Wide | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Front Pocket | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Price (Approx) | €259 | €295 | €390 | €289 |
Away is certainly the classic and most popular choice for luxury luggage, especially in the United States. It’s sleek, reliable and has a great warranty policy. Plus their compression system is top-in-class. However, the Away Carry-On still holds less than the LEVEL8, 2 liters! If you are a chronic over-packer, trying to pack for longer trips or heading to cold climates with heavier clothes, those extra two liters in the LEVEL8 make a noticeable difference.
The Horizn Studios M5 Essential has been my luxury carry-on bag for the last 8+ years. I bring it everywhere. I have to say, I’ve never loved the luggage. But after the investment I couldn’t simply jump ship. Horizn Studios does have a great warranty policy and customer service. I had some issues early on and they completely replaced the bag. Later when it was damaged, they repaired it for me. I really appreciate their focus on sustainability and customer service.
That said, the bag has zero flex. The front pocket can truly only fit a laptop and maybe a thin book or notebook. The charging block takes up a huge amount of space, and these days it’s just not as necessary. I’ll take the extra few liters of packing space in the LEVEL8 Voyageur any day.
NORTVI is the local luxury luggage favorite here in the Netherlands. All my girlfriends have the Nortvi front pocket carry-on, and yes I’ve been jealous. Their wheels are some of the quietest, their colors are some of the sleekest, and the bag has a lot more flex than the Horizn Studios luggage. They use the same high-quality Makrolon polycarbonate as LEVEL8. The choice here comes down to the handle and the front pocket. If you prefer the flat-pack interior of the wide handle and 4 extra liters of space, go LEVEL8. If you want a more traditional look, a front sleeve and a slightly lighter bag, NORTVI is a great choice.
So far no issues on my end. LEVEL8 offers free shipping in the US, Canada and Europe. I received my lugage with detailed tracking in about 5 days. From what I understand their customer service has a good reputation and every piece of luggage comes with a lifetime warranty – which honestly, is so important. I’ve had a lot of luggage issues in the past and this gives me full peace of mind.
Is the LEVEL8 Voyageur the best luxury carry-on? Maybe! I’d say there are only a few negatives, but for me, these are not dealbreakers and I’d choose the LEVEL8 over my current Horizn luggage any day.
The drawbacks are:
But for a carry-on, I think that’s quite alright. Plus, there’s plenty of flexibility to throw in a few extra items on your return trip, and remember all that extra space you have inside? 43L, I mean come on.
Overall, the LEVEL8 Voyageur is the most affordable of the luxury luggage I’ve compared – and it fits the most. That’s pretty hard to beat.
Thanks so much, LEVEL8 for this great new luxury carry-on. If you’d like to join the wide-handle revolution, use this link and code JADE15 to get 15% off your purchase.
For more great packing tips, check out my 3-4 day hut-to-hut packing guide and definitely my favorite travel bag for any season.
This post is sponsored, all opinions expressed are honest and my own.
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