- Bottom Line
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The Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Expandable Check-In Luggage combines durable construction, excellent organisation, and smooth performance, making it a top choice for travellers.
- Pros
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Its exterior is crafted from a tough fabric that resists scratches and scuffs. We appreciated the smooth spinner wheels that effortlessly navigated various surfaces. The interior layout is well thought out, particularly with the expansion feature and built-in suiter, which helped keep our clothes wrinkle-free.
- Cons
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While it offers great features, the suitcase comes at a higher price point, and being a soft-sided bag, it doesn’t provide the same level of impact protection as hard cases.
About the Product
A Reliable Choice for Travellers
The Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Expandable Check-In Luggage is a preferred choice among airline professionals, known for its durability and smart organisation. Constructed from high-density fabric with a protective DuraGuard coating, it resists water, stains, and abrasions.
We tested this suitcase under real-world conditions, fully packing it for a two-week trip and subjecting it to various travel trials, including navigating cobblestone streets and handling rough treatment. Impressively, it remained in excellent condition throughout.
With its generous capacity and innovative features, we believe it’s an excellent investment for anyone who travels frequently or has international plans.
What is the Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Expandable Check-In Luggage?
Product Specifications
Size and Capacity: 32.5” H x 21” W x 13.25” D | Weight: 11.5 lb | Material: Nylon | Expandable: Yes
This suitcase is the largest in the Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside collection, featuring six carry-on options and a medium bag. Its robust exterior still looked pristine after rigorous testing.
With stylish leather accents and functional pockets, it includes an integrated bag tag, TSA-approved lock, and multiple handles for easy lifting. During our testing in busy urban environments, the self-aligning wheels performed flawlessly.
The interior boasts a fold-out suiter that kept our clothing wrinkle-free, alongside various pockets and a strap system for optimal packing. The additional 2-inch expansion option provided the extra space we needed for souvenirs.
Price and Where to Buy
The Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Expandable Check-In Luggage is priced at $529.99 and is available on Amazon.
Why We Like It
Expandable Design
This bag offers an additional two inches of space, allowing us to pack everything we needed without leaving items behind. The tapered design also helps to keep the bag stable.
Organisational Features
The interior includes a built-in suiter that maintains creases in formal wear, a detachable toiletry bag, and multiple mesh pockets that function as compression straps. The exterior pockets are useful for essentials like passports and chargers.
Effortless Glide
The eight MagnaTrac wheels are exceptional, allowing for smooth movement over various terrains. We appreciated how quietly the suitcase rolled, making it a pleasure to transport.
Generous Return Policy
Travelpro offers a 100-day risk-free trial, allowing returns for any reason, along with a lifetime warranty covering reasonable damage to the suitcase.
What We Don’t Like
Overpacking Potential
Due to its spacious design, it’s easy to overpack this suitcase, which can be cumbersome in busy areas. We recommend checking the weight before leaving home to ensure compliance with airline limits.
Durability and Build Quality
Despite the common belief that soft-sided luggage lacks durability, this suitcase challenges that notion. Its high-density nylon with a DuraGuard coating effectively repels moisture and stains. Our drop tests confirmed its resilience, showing no signs of damage.
The SUPRA zipper heads functioned flawlessly throughout our evaluations, even when the suitcase was fully packed. The interior lining is made from recycled materials, contributing to environmental sustainability.
Design and Features
This suitcase excels in design and functionality, especially with its detachable suiter that kept our clothes wrinkle-free during a weeklong trip. When not in use, it easily zips away to serve as extra storage.
While the detachable toiletry bag was practical, we found the mesh pockets somewhat limited in storage due to their position. Additionally, filled exterior pockets added bulk, making the suitcase less streamlined.
The tapered expansion feature adds balance to the bag, preventing it from tipping over while allowing us to pack a significant amount of clothing and essentials. The suitcase weighed 11.5 pounds empty, but after packing, it approached the 50-pound airline limit.
Maneuverability and Travel Convenience
With a larger suitcase, manoeuvrability is crucial. We found the MagnaTrac wheels allowed for effortless movement across diverse surfaces, making this our preferred choice for navigation.
During our tests, we carried the packed bag through crowded spaces and lifted it into vehicles with ease. The adjustable telescoping handle extends to accommodate different user heights, while the padded leather handles added comfort during transport.
Comparative Analysis with Other Luggage
We compared the Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside with several other models, including the hardside variant. Although the hardside is robust, we preferred the softside for its comfort and additional features, despite the slight price difference.
Testing the Suitcase
Capacity and Organisation Assessment
We packed this suitcase for a two-week journey, utilising all compartments and the expansion feature to gauge its capacity and organisational efficiency.
Maneuverability Evaluation
We tested the smoothness of the spinner wheels over various surfaces, assessing the comfort and stability of the telescoping handle.
Durability Examination
Our evaluations included drop tests and abrasion resistance checks to ensure the suitcase could withstand rough handling.
Weight and Balance Check
We measured the suitcase’s weight both empty and fully packed to ensure it adhered to airline restrictions and maintained balance.
Should You Invest in the Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Expandable Check-In Luggage?
If you’re seeking a suitcase that enhances your travel experience, we highly recommend the Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Expandable Check-In Luggage. It meets the demands of frequent flyers, delivering durability, ample packing space, and superb organisation.