As a travel creator who’s spent the last 15 years living out of suitcases, I’ve inadvertently tried out more suitcases than I can count. And honestly, I didn’t expect LEVEL8’s Adventurer luggage line to be all that different from the rest.
Think about it–most suitcases follow the same basic formula: clamshell design, two compartments split by zippered pockets, a compression pad to smush everything down, a built-in TSA lock, etc. What usually helps them stand out from each other are the exterior material and the colors they come in.
But then I got my hands on the LEVEL8’s Adventurer Carry-On—and I was genuinely surprised by how different this one was. The design felt fresh in a way I wasn’t expecting at ALL. It’s sleek, thoughtfully built, and packed with smart features that actually make traveling easier, not just flashier.
Here’s why this suitcase has officially earned a permanent spot in my travel rotation.
Table of Contents
The front side-lid opening makes it easy to grab your essentials.
Let’s start with the most obvious: have you ever seen a suitcase open up like this? Pure innovation!
If you’re someone who doesn’t really benefit from the traditional split-in-half suitcase design, the Adventurer is going to be your new bestie. The front side-lid opening maximizes space in the main compartment, which is great if you prefer one large area to stow your stuff instead of two smaller halves.
Personally, when I’m packing for a week and using my larger packing cubes, I often run into issues with standard carry-ons. The cube ends up too tall, and I either have to press down hard to force the suitcase shut, or start playing Tetris by moving things to the other side. It’s annoying, especially when I just want to zip it up and go.
The Adventurer solves that problem. I’ve had zero issues fitting my largest cube, plus bulky items like my Blundstone boots and sweaters. It all fits without a fight.
And here’s something I didn’t realize I needed until I had it: the lighter top lid design.
Since the opening flap doesn’t carry half the weight of your packed items, opening and closing the suitcase is way easier. No more struggling to hold it up while digging for your iPad—I can stash my most-used items near the top and get to them without everything tipping over.
The expandable feature adds extra capacity when you need it most.
Honestly, I’ve never owned an expandable luggage before this. Clearly, I was missing out.
I might be late to the game compared to some of you who’ve been using expandable suitcases for years, but now I fully get the hype. Having that extra space for souvenirs means I no longer have to pull out my emergency tote bag to carry all the random stuff I’ve picked up during the trip.
Even when I’m not towing souvenirs/treats, the expandable feature still comes in handy!
I’m not someone who carefully refolds dirty laundry, especially when I’m in a rush to check out. So when it’s time to pack up and move to the next hotel, I just unzip the suitcase to make it larger, toss everything in, and go.
For reference, this is how much extra space you’ll get by enabling the expandable zipper:
- 20″ Carry-On: adds about 5 liters (1.3 gallons)
- 24″ Checked Luggage: adds about 7 liters (1.8 gallons)
- 28″ Checked Luggage: adds about 9 liters (2.3 gallons)
You can actually open it when it’s standing upright.
If you’ve ever tried opening a regular suitcase while it’s upright, you know how useless that move is. The second you unzip one side, everything comes tumbling out (ask me how I know—I’ve attempted the lazy grab more times than I’d like to admit, and it never ends well).
The way that the Adventurer suitcases are built, you can actually access the interior without everything avalanching out! Thanks to the compression straps that buckle up to keep everything in place, you can open your suitcase up to access the two smaller mesh pockets on the right or the flat pocket on the left.
I use those nifty pockets to store things I need easy access to while traveling—lip balm, chargers, tissues, headphones, a book or two, and my tablet.
The suitcase colors are cute and easily recognizable.
Struggling to identify your suitcase at baggage claim? Not with the Adventurer. For anyone willing to skip the sea of black luggage, the yellow/black combo or the celadon/blue combo makes a bold (and easy to spot) statement.
My personal favorite is the celadon, pictured above. It’s a calming mix of slate grey and sky blue that’s easy on the eyes and easy to recognize from a mile away.
I was already a fan of LEVEL8’s single-color options (still obsessed with the matcha-colored Luminous Textured Carry-On), but this two-tone design takes things to a whole new level of cute.
It has all the bells and whistles of a modern suitcase.
On top of all the stuff I just mentioned, the Adventurer has everything else you’re probably looking for in a suitcase.
The Adventurer expands when you need more room—up to 9 liters, depending on the size—so you’re not stuck cramming things in at the last minute. It rolls smoothly on dual-spinner wheels that handle bumps and uneven ground without a second thought.
The built-in TSA-approved lock makes keeping your belongings safe effortless, and it’s made from lightweight but tough polycarbonate, so it holds up well without adding extra weight. Inside, the compression system keeps your stuff in place and helps you stay organized on the go.
The suitcase comes with a lifetime warranty.
These days, I avoid investing in anything that doesn’t come with at least a “limited lifetime warranty”. LEVEL8 does one better–their suitcases come with a lifetime warranty.
It covers functional damage to the shell, wheels, handles, zippers—basically anything that prevents you from using the suitcase as intended. That includes manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship.
Just keep in mind (and this is standard across almost all luggage brands): the warranty doesn’t cover normal wear and tear, airline handling damage, misuse (like transporting weirdly shaped items), neglect, accidents, or exposure to extreme conditions.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a suitcase warranty that goes beyond that, so LEVEL8’s policy is about as solid as it gets.
My Other LEVEL8 Picks (That I Actually Use!)
This isn’t my first time at the LEVEL8 rodeo. I’ve known about the brand for years and have even gifted their suitcases as white elephant contributions (because it wouldn’t be on brand for me not to bring something travel-related). People always go wild for them!
Over time, I’ve built up a little collection of LEVEL8 gear that I’ve become a genuine fan of. Here are two other products I personally use and recommend:
Luminous Textured Check-In Suitcase
Okay, this luggage barely scuffs—and I don’t know how they do it.
I’ve used the Luminous Textured 28″ as my main check-in bag over the last 3 years. It still somehow looks great, even after all the manhandling it goes through.
Honestly, I don’t even try to take care of it. I don’t baby it by covering it with a suitcase cover or wiping it down every time I check it. Yet it looks so new, even after all the manhandling it endures!
Yes, there are minor white marks here and there, but wow, LEVEL8 wasn’t lying when they said that the Luminous line was made with anti-scratch tech.
The suitcase features diamond-shaped textures and provides real anti-scratch protection. And the 360° spinner wheels? Incredibly smooth—better than some of the most expensive luggage I’ve tried.
Compression Packing Cube Travel Set
The compression power of these packing cubes is seriously impressive.
When you’re just packing smaller stuff—like socks and underwear—they zip down to almost nothing. But when you call on them to carry your bulkier items (sweaters, shirts, or pants), they somehow fit way more than you’d expect.
I also like the soft, silky feel of the water-resistant fabric (they’re machine washable too!), and how they’re virtually weightless when empty.
