I’ll be honest with you, I used to be one of those people who’d turn up at the airport dragging a scratched-up suitcase that looked like it had survived a warzone.
The wheels would stick on every crack in the pavement, and half the time I’d arrive at my destination wondering if my stuff was still in one piece. It wasn’t a good look, and it definitely didn’t make travelling any easier. But I was on a budget. In more recent years I’ve become somewhat of a luggage connoisseur, and that’s when I started looking into Level8.
I’d heard bits and pieces about the brand. Founded in 2008 in the US, they’d made a name for themselves with some clever design work, particularly their patent-protected compartments with 230 shock-absorbing points originally designed for MacBooks. But what really caught my attention was their Luminous Textured Collection. The diamond-textured shell promised scratch resistance, the German-made polycarbonate sounded properly durable, and the whole thing looked sleek without being flashy.
I ended up testing both the 20″ and 24″ models over several trips, and I’ve got to say, this suitcase has genuinely changed how I feel about travel. Level8 talks about “striving ahead” and being “extraordinary,” which sounds a bit grand, but when you’re gliding through a crowded terminal with luggage that actually works the way it should, you start to get what they mean.
The Luminous Textured Collection comes in sizes from 18″ right up to 28″, all made from premium Makrolon® polycarbonate with that distinctive diamond texture. It’s positioned as affordable luxury, which is exactly what it feels like—high-end features without the eye-watering price tag. And with Level8’s track record (they’ve won Red Dot, iF, and IDEA awards), you know you’re not taking a gamble on some random brand.
First Impressions Matter
After ordering, the box arrived within a few days. The packaging itself was surprisingly minimal, just enough to protect the suitcase without drowning it in unnecessary cardboard and plastic. Level8 clearly thinks about these things.
When I first pulled the 20″ model out, the diamond texture immediately stood out.
It’s not just a visual thing.
You can actually feel it, rough under your fingertips but in a premium way that suggests it means business. I went for the blue option, though they do 6 colours in total (my kids were gutted I didn’t opt for the baby pink), and the subtle Level8 logo kept everything looking refined rather than branded to death.
Weight-wise, the 20″ came in at about 7.7 lbs, which felt impressively light when I picked it up. That’s the Makrolon® polycarbonate doing its job – giving you strength without the bulk. I immediately started thinking about carry-on compliance (Frontier, Southwest, all those budget airlines with their strict rules), and this ticked the box without issue.
Inside the box, there were setup instructions for the TSA lock, which was straightforward enough, and a couple of tags. Nothing complicated, which I appreciated. Within ten minutes of opening the package, I was ready to start packing. That first impression of “this feels solid, this feels like it’ll last” – that stuck with me.
Built to Last (And Look Good Doing It)
Let’s talk about the exterior, because that’s where Level8 has really done something different. The Makrolon® polycarbonate they use is German-made, which immediately sounds expensive, and it’s got this combination of being lightweight, impact-resistant, and genuinely waterproof. I’ve had rain-soaked airport transfers where water just beaded off the surface like it wasn’t even trying.
But the real star is that diamond texture. It’s an anti-scratch surface, and after putting this suitcase through several flights and a fair amount of baggage handler abuse, I can confirm it works.
There are a couple of tiny marks if you look closely, but nothing like the scuffed-up mess my old luggage would have been by now. One guy I saw reviewing his online called it “tough and durable,” which undersells it slightly – it’s borderline indestructible if you’re treating it with even a modicum of respect.
Aesthetically, it’s spot on and I love it…
Level8 has gone for modern minimalism, which means sleek lines, no unnecessary design flourishes, and that subtle luminous sheen that catches the light just enough to make it stand out on the baggage carousel. It’s the kind of suitcase that young, style-conscious travellers gravitate towards—not flashy, just purposeful elegance. I like that it doesn’t scream “look at me” but still manages to feel premium.
I did a few durability tests myself (because I’m that person).
Dropped it from waist height onto concrete – fine.
Dragged it across rough pavement – barely a mark.
I even read about a professional golfer who’d put theirs through heavy travel and still called it indestructible, which tracks with my experience. And if something does go wrong with the functional parts, Level8 backs it with a lifetime warranty, which gives you that peace of mind you don’t always get with luggage.
The interior lining is where things get slightly less perfect. It’s soft enough, but it does feel a bit flimsy, and I’ve had moments where it’s caught in the zippers when I’m closing things up. Not a dealbreaker, but worth mentioning. That said, the mesh pockets inside are genuinely useful for organisation, and the overall build quality still feels premium.
Features That Actually Make Travel Easier
I have to start with the wheels. This is where Level8 has absolutely nailed it. They’re 360° ultra-smooth spinner wheels with anti-shock technology, and they glide like they’re floating. I’ve wheeled this suitcase through busy airport terminals, across bumpy cobblestones, and along those annoyingly cracked airport car park surfaces, and it’s been effortless every single time. No sticking, no awkward pulling, just smooth, quiet movement.
They’re double wheels too, which gives you extra stability. I noticed this particularly when the suitcase was fully packed and slightly top-heavy – it never felt like it was going to tip over, even when I was turning sharp corners.
Other people have mentioned this as well; one review I came across specifically praised how quiet and smooth they were, which is something you only really appreciate when you’ve dealt with wheels that sound like they’re grinding against the pavement.
The telescopic aluminium handle is sturdy and slim, with multiple height positions so you can adjust it to whatever feels comfortable. It’s not the widest handle I’ve used (some Level8 series have a wider design for extra stability and storage), but it does the job. My only slight gripe is that when you’re grabbing it quickly to move the suitcase, you sometimes need to fiddle with the button positioning. Minor, but I had to mention it.
Security-wise, you’ve got TSA-approved locks that are genuinely easy to set up. I’m not great with fiddly combination locks, but these were straightforward, and knowing that airport security can inspect without damaging anything is reassuring. The build quality on the locks feels solid—I’ve not had any issues with them failing or feeling loose.
Inside, you get a clamshell design with mesh dividers, which is standard but effective. The larger sizes come with X-strap compression, which helps keep everything in place when you inevitably overpack (we’ve all been there). There are pockets for smaller items, which I used for chargers and toiletries, and everything felt logically laid out.
Packing It Up and Putting It to the Test
The 20″ model has about 40 litres of capacity, which sounds modest but actually feels surprisingly spacious once you start packing. For a week-long trip, I managed to fit clothes, shoes, toiletries, and a few extras using packing cubes. The key is working around the handle assembly inside, which does take up a bit of room, but once you get the hang of it, it’s fine.
I tend to put bulkier items such as jumpers, jeans on one side, and use the mesh compartments for smaller stuff. The compression straps help keep everything tight, and zipping it up has never been a struggle, even when I’ve pushed my luck with how much I’ve crammed in there. If you’re an over-packer, you’ll appreciate how forgiving it is.
I took the 28″ model on a longer trip to Colorado, and it handled everything I threw at it. Hiking gear, multiple layers (because mountain weather is unpredictable), and even a pair of walking boots all fitted without issue. The middle-opening design means you need to lay it flat to access everything, which isn’t ideal if you’re trying to grab something quickly, but for proper packing and unpacking at your destination, it works brilliantly.
Another trip to Jamaica with the 20″ model as a carry-on was seamless. Enough room for a week’s worth of clothes and beach essentials, and it fit perfectly in the overhead locker. No stress, no last-minute repacking at the gate, just smooth sailing.
How It Performs on the Road
Airports are where luggage earns its keep, and this is where the Level8 really shines. Navigating through crowds at Heathrow, weaving between slow-moving tourists at JFK, sprinting to catch a connection in Amsterdam – the wheels handled all of it without breaking a sweat. No catching on cracks, no awkward pulling when you’re trying to move quickly.
The scuff resistance held up brilliantly. After multiple flights, including one particularly rough baggage handler situation where I watched my suitcase get chucked onto the conveyor belt, it still looked almost brand new. A few minor marks if you scrutinise it, but nothing that screams “this has been battered.”
Weight-wise, it’s heavier than a soft-shell suitcase, which you notice if you’re hauling it up stairs. But for a hard-shell in this price range, it’s actually on the lighter end. And the wheels are so smooth that the extra weight rarely feels like an issue when you’re rolling it around.
The Honest Verdict
Let’s break it down. The Level8 Luminous Textured suitcase delivers on pretty much every front. Exceptional durability, genuinely smooth wheels, spacious enough for most trips, and priced at a point where it feels like you’re getting high-end quality without the high-end cost.
Added to that, the lifetime warranty on functional parts is reassuring, and from what I’ve seen, their customer support is solid if you ever run into issues.
The cons are minor but worth mentioning. The interior lining feels a bit flimsy and can catch in the zippers and the handle assembly inside does reduce packing space slightly, though certainly not enough to be a dealbreaker.
But here’s the thing, this suitcase makes travel easier. It glides when you need it to glide, it protects your stuff, and it looks good doing it. Level8 has positioned itself as a brand for young, style-conscious travellers who want optimism and fearless courage (their words, not mine), and while that sounds like marketing speak, it’s not entirely wrong. There’s something about having luggage that actually works that makes you feel more confident when you’re travelling.
Who’s it for? If you’re someone who travels fairly regularly, values style and functionality, and doesn’t want to spend a fortune, this is a solid choice. It’s ideal for short to medium trips, weekend getaways, or anyone who likes to travel light. If you’re a chronic over-packer who needs massive suitcases for every trip, you might want to look at the larger models in the range, but for most people, the 20″ and 24″ will cover your needs.
Final rating? I’d give it a solid 9.5 out of 10. It’s not quite perfect, but it’s pretty damn close for the price point. Level8 has built something that genuinely elevates your travel experience without making a big fuss about it, which is exactly what good luggage should do.
If you’re in the market for a new suitcase, check out the Level8 website.