TL;DR version -- TravelPro makes bags meant to work and live out of. This is no different and fixes three complaints I had about my old Maxlite (2 or 3?):
- The front now has a slant so it doesn't become top-heavy and fall over when fully packed or with your personal bag
- The side carry handle is amazing and 10x more comfortable for getting up and down the airplane
- The soft, rubbery handle peels on the old model and has now been replaced with plain old hard plastic
DO NOTE! There are 2 versions of this bag 21" (international) and 22". They are noticeably different in capacity. If you have a 22" and fill it to the brim, you won't want this version.
Overall, fantastic bag with an incredible warranty. You'll tire of it before you wear it out.
More Context --
As a consultant, I live out of carry-ons (as much as it pains me to type that). When I started traveling heavily about 5-6 years ago, I started paying attention to the frequent travelers and crew members' brands of choice. It was no contest - TravelPro dominated. I picked up the MaxLite 2 or 3 which has taken every bit of abuse I could throw at it over the years with very few complaints beyond what I listed above.
First, I really wanted to point out the size difference. I came from the 1" bigger version and between that and this bag's new "slant", you lose a day's worth of clothes. I can find ways to recover that space because -- for me -- the smaller size of this suitcase fits into the regional / commuter jets I must often take to get back home to Cleveland. However, if you're the type to pack carry-ons full and never take regional jets, you might consider the slightly bigger version.
As light as the old bag is, this one's even lighter. Impossibly light, actually, and it was the first thing I noticed about it. Between that and the 'packing diet' I had to put myself on, it was actually quite pleasant and easy to hoist into the overhead. Beyond that, I cannot speak highly enough of the perpendicular handle. This is one of those silly things that has you immediately wondering "why has no one thought of this before" because your wrist will thank you every time you get on and off a plane.
Beyond that, I have always had a spinner bag and would never go back. It's nice to push the bag through terminals and take the strain off of your arms during longer walks between terminals. These wheels seems easier to get to as well for if/when they get a bit gummed up and need to be cleaned and oiled.
In all, it's a no-frills, professional, ready-for-anything carry-on you'll be happy to own. I really appreciate the new pattern on the interior of the bag as well. In a world of boring greys and blacks, it's nice to see a splash of color when you open it :-)
In sum, TravelPro knows what they're doing when it comes to luggage. This is a rugged, well-built, thoughtfully-executed carry-on you'll be happy to have and own. I'm 100% confident it's ready to work for years to come and, if you do manage to break it, Travelpro backs it with a lifetime guarantee. There's no point in buying some of the ones that cost 2-3x more than these, I literally can't think of anything they could do better. I have been, and will continue to be, a TravelPro fan for life.
I have uploaded two pictures of it next to the bag its replacing to get a feel for how it compares. It's also worth noticing how good of shape the old one is in after about 5 years of use and a ridiculous amount of travel (easily a couple hundred). In the closed picture, this bag has the perpendicular handle and colored "TRAVELPRO". In the open picture, this bag has the nice colored interior and the old one is grey.
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