Small win, but it set the tone for the whole trip.

That’s what pulled me towards Level8 in the first place. The brand’s been around since 2008, starting in the US with this clever MacBook compartment design that had something like 230 shock-absorbing points (bit excessive, maybe, but impressive). They’ve won a bunch of design awards – Red Dot, iF, IDEA – and even did a collab with Jay Chou’s fashion label PHANTACi back in 2018. Not bad for a luggage company.

The Grace series feels like a natural extension of all that. It’s aimed at people who want something functional but stylish, without the eye-watering price tag of some of the fancier brands out there. I’ve been using the Grace EXT Expandable Carry-On (the 20-inch model) for a few months now, and I wanted to share what’s worked, what hasn’t, and whether it’s actually worth your money.

Quick specs: It’s an ABS+PC hardshell suitcase that expands up to 15%, has a front laptop compartment (fits up to 15.6″ screens), weighs around 8.5 lbs, and comes with a lifetime warranty. It’s also airline-compliant, which is always a relief when you’re trying to avoid checked baggage fees.

I’ve taken it to Amsterdam, a quick jaunt to Edinburgh, and a longer trip through Spain. So I’ve got a decent sense of how it holds up. Let’s get into it.

First Impressions

The suitcase arrived in a couple of days – free shipping to the UK, which was nice. Packaging was minimal, just enough to keep it safe without being wasteful. I went for the blue matte finish, and honestly, it looks more expensive than it is. The surface has this slightly textured feel that doesn’t show fingerprints, which I appreciate because I’m constantly grabbing it.

It’s light enough that I can lift it into an overhead bin without feeling like I’m at the gym, but it doesn’t feel flimsy. The expandable zipper sits flush when it’s not in use, so it doesn’t look bulky or weird. I spent a few minutes figuring out the TSA lock (the instructions were a bit vague), but once I set it, it’s been solid.

The front pocket was the first thing I opened, and I’ll admit I was a bit skeptical. I’ve had suitcases with front compartments before, and they usually feel like an afterthought—too shallow, awkward to access, that sort of thing. This one’s different. It’s padded, roomy enough for my 14-inch laptop, and has little pockets for cables and documents. I tried stuffing in a notebook, charger, and headphones alongside the laptop, and it all fit without feeling crammed.

Build Quality

The shell is made from ABS+PC, which is basically a blend of two plastics that are meant to be both lightweight and impact-resistant. I’ve knocked it around a fair bit – bumped it down cobblestone streets in Madrid, shoved it into tight train luggage racks, and watched baggage handlers toss it onto the carousel with zero care. So far, no cracks, no dents. There’s a tiny scuff on one corner from where I misjudged a doorway, but the matte finish hides it well.

I read someone’s post from a few years back about taking their Level8 Grace through Japan – four flights, multiple train rides, and it came out looking pretty much the same. That lined up with my experience. The shell’s sturdy without being heavy, which is the whole point really.

The wheels are another standout. They’re 360-degree spinners, and they actually spin smoothly. I’ve used suitcases where the wheels feel like they’re fighting you the whole time, but these just glide. They’re quiet too, which matters when you’re rolling through a hotel corridor at 6am trying not to wake everyone up. I did notice a bit of noise on rougher pavement – nothing terrible, just a slight rattle – but on smooth airport floors, they’re whisper-quiet.

The handle extends to multiple heights, and it feels solid. No wobbling, no awkward angles. I’m about 5’10”, and the highest setting works perfectly for me. My husband’s taller, and he didn’t have any complaints either.

Inside, the lining is thinner than I’d like. It’s functional – mesh pockets on one side, compression straps on the other – but I did get a small snag when I was pulling out a jacket a bit too quickly. Not a dealbreaker, but worth mentioning. The organisation is decent, though. I can separate clean clothes from dirty ones using the dividers, and there’s enough pockets to keep smaller items from floating around.

One thing I really appreciate is the lifetime warranty. I haven’t needed to use it yet, but I’ve heard from others that Level8’s customer support is pretty responsive. Someone mentioned getting a lock replaced within a week when theirs stopped working, which is reassuring.

Key Features

Expandable Design

The 15% expansion is genuinely useful. I didn’t think I’d use it much at first, but on my way back from Spain, I’d picked up a few bottles of wine (questionable decision, I know) and a ceramic bowl I couldn’t resist. The expansion gave me just enough room to squeeze everything in without having to rearrange the entire suitcase. It’s not going to turn your carry-on into a checked bag, but for last-minute additions, it’s a lifesaver.

Front Laptop Compartment

This is probably the feature I use most. Being able to access my laptop without unzipping the whole suitcase is such a small thing, but it makes security checks so much less stressful. There’s also space for documents, a pen, my passport—basically everything I need to grab quickly. I’ve seen a few reviews where people said this alone convinced them to buy the Grace, and I get it. It’s one of those features you don’t realise you need until you have it.

Wheels and Handle

I’ve already raved about the wheels, but they really do make a difference. I tested them on airport tile, hotel carpet, cobblestones, and even some dodgy pavement in Edinburgh, and they handled it all without much fuss. The only time they felt a bit clunky was on really uneven surfaces, but that’s to be expected.

The handle’s ergonomic, which is a fancy way of saying it doesn’t hurt your wrist after 20 minutes of pulling it around. I’ve had suitcases where the handle felt like it was positioned at a weird angle, but this one’s spot on.

Security

The TSA lock took me a minute to figure out, but once I did, it’s been reliable. I haven’t had to deal with customs opening it yet, but knowing they can do so without breaking the lock is a nice bit of peace of mind. The zippers feel sturdy too – no snagging or sticking, even when the suitcase is fully expanded.

Interior Organisation

The mesh dividers are thin but functional. They’re not going to keep a heavy coat from shifting around, but for lighter items, they work fine. The compression straps are good for keeping everything compact, which helps with the overall balance of the suitcase. There’s also a couple of velcro pockets that I use for socks and underwear, because why not.

Packing and Real-World Use

I packed this for a five-night work trip to Amsterdam: three shirts, two pairs of trousers, a jacket, trainers, toiletries, and my laptop setup. Everything fit in the main compartment with room to spare, and the front pocket held my work stuff. I didn’t need to expand it on the way there, but I did on the way back after picking up some stroopwafels and a couple of books.

The organisation system makes it pretty easy to keep things tidy. I put clothes on one side, shoes and toiletries on the other, and used the mesh pockets for smaller bits. The expansion zip is hidden along the sides, so you don’t notice it until you actually need it. When I did use it, the suitcase still fit in the overhead bin without any issues, though it was a tighter squeeze.

I also took it on a longer trip through Spain—five cities in two weeks. By the end, I’d definitely overpacked (shocker), but the Grace held up. No broken zippers, no busted wheels, no dents in the shell. It got knocked around quite a bit on regional trains, and it still looked fine.

What Works and What Doesn’t

What I Like:

• The front laptop compartment is a genuine game-changer for work trips
• It’s light but doesn’t feel cheap
• The wheels are smooth and quiet on most surfaces
• Expandable design gives you flexibility without adding bulk
• Lifetime warranty and solid customer support
• Looks sleek without trying too hard

What Could Be Better:

• The interior lining’s a bit thin and prone to snags
• If you’re a chronic over-packer, this probably won’t hold everything you want
• The wheels can be a bit noisy on rough terrain
• The front pocket does eat into the main compartment space slightly, though it’s worth the trade-off

Is It Worth It?

For the price, yeah, I think so. It’s not the cheapest carry-on out there, but it’s also not trying to compete with brands that charge twice as much for similar features. The build quality feels premium, the design’s thoughtful, and it actually makes travel a bit easier, which is the whole point.

It’s ideal for short trips – long weekends, business travel, that sort of thing. If you’re someone who needs to pack for two weeks in a carry-on, you might find it a bit limiting. But for most people, it strikes a good balance between capacity and convenience.

The front compartment alone makes it stand out from a lot of other suitcases in this price range. Add in the smooth wheels, expandable design, and lifetime warranty, and it’s a solid investment if you travel even semi-regularly.

Final Thoughts

I’m giving the Level8 Grace a strong 8.5 out of 10. It’s not perfect, no suitcase is… but it’s well-made, practical, and looks good while doing its job. I’ve used it enough now to know it’s not just a honeymoon phase. It’s become my go-to for short trips, and I can see it lasting for years.

If you’re in the market for a new carry-on, especially one that makes airport security less of a faff, the Grace is worth a look. Level8 offers free shipping to the US, Canada, and Europe, and their customer support’s meant to be decent if anything goes wrong.

Set out boldly, as they say. Just maybe don’t overpack quite as much as I do.

The post Level8 Grace Suitcase Review appeared first on Big Little Travels - Your Travel Guide.

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.

The post Level8 Luminous Textured Suitcase Review appeared first on Big Little Travels - Your Travel Guide.