If anybody here has trouble with the concept of design humility, reflect on this: It took us 5,000 years to put wheels on our luggage.
William McDonough
In the world of travel, luggage is much more than just a functional item—it’s a travel companion. From the hustle of airports to the quiet moments in hotel lobbies, luggage must withstand the rigors of modern travel while offering convenience, durability, and a touch of personal style. Enter Level8, a brand that has quickly made a name for itself by providing high-quality luggage that merges aesthetics with practicality. Whether you’re traveling for business, leisure, or a weekend getaway, Level 8 has positioned itself as a go-to brand for travelers who want more than just a suitcase.
Founded in the United States, Level8 is a relatively new player in the luggage game, but its impact has been impressive. The brand focuses on innovative design, durability, and functionality. Level 8 is committed to creating luggage that’s stylish yet practical—designed for modern travelers who demand both quality and performance. In this review, we’ll explore our personal experience with two standout pieces: the Road Runner Carry-On and the 26-inch Voyager Check-In.
We are often asked to try various travel products, and in most cases, we refuse unless something stands out as incredibly exceptional about the product. This was the case here after reading many reviews of the luggage. While we were given two kinds of luggage to try, we were not paid for this review. All opinions expressed are based on our honest evaluation.
About Level8: A Brief Overview
Level8’s vision is to create luggage that meets the needs of the modern traveler—sleek, durable, and packed with innovative features. The brand blends cutting-edge technology with refined design aesthetics, appealing to travelers who expect both style and functionality. Level8 offers both hard-shell and soft-shell luggage, using materials like polycarbonate, aluminum, and ballistic nylon. Whether you’re embarking on a business trip or an extended vacation, their luggage is designed to meet the demands of frequent travelers while maintaining a polished, minimalist look.
The brand’s success can be attributed to its attention to durability, lightweight construction, and ease of maneuverability. Whether you’re navigating crowded airport terminals or exploring a new city, Level8 luggage is built to handle it all. With thoughtful designs that prioritize both form and function, the brand has quickly earned a reputation for producing some of the most reliable luggage on the market.
The Level8 Road Runner Carry-On: Our New Favorite Travel Companion
We were eager to test the Road Runner Carry-On due to its reputation for sleek design and practicality. Upon receiving it, we were immediately impressed by its compact yet spacious design and innovative features. We tested the standard Road Runner, but there is also a Pro version.
Design and Build Quality
The Road Runner Carry-On features a hard-shell water-resistant exterior made from polycarbonate and aluminum, which gives it strength. The matte finish lends it a modern look, while the minimalist design ensures it’s stylish and practical. The high-quality materials ensure the Road Runner can protect your contents due to the heavy handling that comes with frequent travel while maintaining an elegant appearance.
Despite being slightly smaller than our previous TravelPro 21-inch carry-on, the Road Runner offers twice the capacity. The interior is well-organized, with compression straps, zippered compartments, and a mesh pocket for small accessories. This thoughtful design allows us to pack efficiently, maximizing the space without overstuffing.
Features We Loved
1. Laptop Front Pocket:
The standout feature of the Road Runner Carry-On is the laptop front pocket. This cleverly designed compartment allows for quick access to your laptop, tablet, or other electronics. The pocket is padded, protecting your devices while ensuring they are easily accessible without having to unzip the entire suitcase. This feature is perfect for business travelers or anyone who needs to pull out their tech on the go. One of the most surprising benefits of this laptop compartment is how easy it makes passing through airport security. Rather than rummaging through the main compartment to extract your laptop, the front pocket allows you to quickly remove the computer and place it in the security bin, saving valuable time and hassle.
Similarly, when you’re on the plane, the front pocket makes it easy to grab your laptop, cords, and accessories without having to take everything out of the main compartment. We were able to fit the laptop, all the cords, a mouse, a second portable monitor, pads, and pens—all neatly organized and easily accessible. It’s a true game-changer for tech-heavy travelers.
2. Stylish Yet Practical:
While performance is undoubtedly the top priority, the Road Runner excels in delivering style without compromise. Its modern design features smooth, sleek edges and a minimalist aesthetic that gives it a refined, sophisticated look. Available in classic shades such as deep black, the Road Runner offers a polished, versatile appearance that complements any traveler’s wardrobe. Its understated elegance ensures it blends seamlessly into any environment while still making a statement about the traveler’s taste and attention to detail.
3. Smooth, Durable Wheels:
The wheels on the Road Runner are genuinely some of the best we’ve ever experienced. The 360° spinner wheels are designed with precision and glide effortlessly in any direction, providing smooth, effortless movement. Whether you’re navigating the fast-paced corridors of a busy airport terminal or rushing through crowded city streets, these wheels ensure you can maneuver with ease and control, even in tight spaces. What’s more, they operate with a level of silence that’s surprisingly pleasant—a feature we didn’t fully appreciate until we experienced it firsthand. No more clattering through hallways or disturbing fellow travelers; the Road Runner’s wheels offer a level of comfort and convenience that truly sets it apart from other luggage options.
A Few Downsides
While the Road Runner is nearly perfect, there are a few drawbacks. The first is its weight. It’s slightly heavier than other carry-ons we’ve used, but this is expected due to its durable hard-shell construction. It honestly is lighter than other hard-sided cases we have tried. It’s not an issue for us, but if you’re prioritizing ultra-lightweight luggage, this may not be the best choice.
Additionally, the hard-shell exterior may be prone to scratches, especially when exposed to rough surfaces. While this doesn’t affect performance, it’s something to consider if you prefer luggage that stays pristine.
Despite these minor issues, the Road Runner Carry-On has quickly become our go-to suitcase for short trips and as our carry-on for plane travel. Its compact size, spacious interior, and thoughtful design make it a standout product.
The Level8 26-Inch Voyager Check-In: Space Meets Durability
Next, we tested the Level 8 26-inch Voyager Check-In, designed for travelers who need more space for longer trips or family vacations. Unlike the Road Runner, which is perfect for carry-on travel, the Voyager provides more room without sacrificing maneuverability. It comes in four sizes: 20”, 26”, 28” and 30” and in various colors.
Size and Space
The 26-inch Voyager is impressively roomy. Unlike other brands that offer only 24-inch or 28-inch options, the 26-inch size strikes an outstanding balance between being compact enough for international travel and still providing ample packing space. Inside, it offers compression straps, dividers, and multiple compartments, allowing for easy organization of your clothing, shoes, and accessories.
Features We Loved
The wheels on the Voyager are just as smooth as those on the Road Runner. The 360° spinner wheels allow for effortless movement in all directions. Whether you’re navigating airport terminals or squeezing through crowded spaces, these wheels make it easy to get around without struggling.
The hard-shell rain-resistant exterior offers excellent protection for your belongings, while the reinforced corners provide added durability. The Voyager’s sleek, professional design gives it a polished look, making it suitable for both business and leisure travel.
The extra-wide handle on the Voyager was also a nice touch. It provides a more comfortable grip, which helps when maneuvering a fully packed suitcase. Whether you’re pulling it behind you or wheeling it alongside you, the wider handle offers better control.
A Few Downsides
The main drawback of the Voyager is its boxy profile. While it’s highly functional, the thicker profile makes it harder to fit into smaller car trunks. If you’re traveling with limited trunk space or need to fit your suitcase into tight compartments, the 26-inch Voyager may be a bit too bulky for your needs.
The hard-shell exterior is prone to scratching but seems pretty durable in the flights we have used it on. While this doesn’t affect the suitcase’s durability, it can detract from its appearance if it comes into contact with rough surfaces often. We will update this as we use the luggage more often.
Packing can be challenging at times. Check out our article on how to Pack for Success.
Other Products in the Level 8 Lineup
Level8 offers a variety of other luggage options to suit different travel needs. There are also gift cards available for that traveler in your life. Here are a few noteworthy pieces:
- The Luminous Series: This series has a large loading capacity, which makes it suitable for long trips and family travel. It is made of German Makrolon® Polycarbonate. The Diamond-Textured surface resists scratches. The telescopic handle is made from aluminum alloy—TSA-Approved combination lock. Durable 360° spinner wheels with anti-shock design and, as a result, are ultra-quiet.
- The Freeloop Carry-On: This suitcase is a modern interpretation of classic elegance. Its ultra-quiet 360° spinner wheels and custom-fit telescopic handle make it easy to navigate busy airport terminals. Secure and sleek, it features a TSA-approved lock and a durable, scratch-resistant polycarbonate shell. Lots of fun colors are available, making it an ideal gift for the woman you love.
- The Hegent Zipperless Series: Designed for business travel, the Executive combines a built-in aluminum frame with a durable impact-resistant polycarbonate exterior. The zipperless design endows your luggage with higher safety. Travel in confidence with our dual TSA-approved lock and enjoy our comfortable, easy-grip rubber handle.
- The Accessories: Explore all the travel accessories from LEVEL 8. Discover stylish and durable packing cubes, sleek toiletry cases, sturdy luggage straps, comfy backpacks, colorful luggage tags, portable, soft coolers, and smart tote bags for your travel needs.
Where to Purchase Level8 Luggage
You can purchase Level 8 luggage directly from the Level8 website or Amazon.com. Both offer rapid shipping. Keep an eye out for sales; Level 8 has frequent sales and discounts throughout the year. Level8 Luggage can be shipped to the USA, Canada, UK, and EU.
The luggage is delivered in a sturdy box. The suitcases are wrapped in a cloth cover, reflecting what they take so they arrive in pristine condition.
Final Thoughts
After testing both the Level8 Road Runner Carry-On and the 26-inch Voyager Check-In, it’s clear that Level 8 has earned its place as a top luggage brand. Both suitcases are durable, stylish, and packed with thoughtful features that make travel easier.
That said, the Road Runner Carry-On has become our clear favorite. The laptop front pocket is a standout feature, making it incredibly easy to access our tech during airport security and while on the plane. For travelers who rely on electronics, this alone makes it worth the investment.
Level8 Won Us Over
We’ve tested countless suitcases over the years, but the Road Runner is the one we will keep reaching for. It’s the perfect balance of style, space, and functionality, and it has made packing for trips something we look forward to. While the Voyager Check-In is an excellent option for longer trips, the Road Runner will be our go-to carry-on from now on. Level8 has won us over, and we highly recommend it to any traveler looking for luggage that makes life on the road just a little bit easier.
© 2025 Wanderers Compass All Rights Reserved
**Please note we are affiliates of Level8 and Amazon, and we collect a small fee if you purchase anything through our link at no additional cost to you.**
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