Affordable sets of lightweight luggage are hard to find these days. This review will cover the Rockland Fashion Softside 2-Piece Set (20″ upright + 14″ tote bag). When I ordered the Rockland Fashion Softside Set, I had very specific criteria in mind. I needed something lightweight that was cheap to avoid airline baggage fees, and didn’t have to last forever.
After a couple trips (and a lot of research from other people’s reviews), I can honestly say this: the Rockland Fashion 2-piece is a great budget set with some major caveats (if you know what you’re getting into).
It’s not high-end, it’s not indestructible, but it does the job for short trips, road trips, and the occasional flight.
Build & Materials: Lightweight, Basic, But Surprisingly Sturdy (for the Price)
The Rockland Fashion set is constructed from heavy duty polyester with a PVC backing. I wouldn’t call it high quality material, but it is a lot better than the thin, easily scratched up material you get in the really cheap luggage from some retailers.
The 20″ upright features:
- Heavy duty polyester fabric
- Inline skate wheels (standard not spinner)
- Push-button telescopic handle
- Stability bar to prevent tipping
- Ergonomic padded top and side handles
- Two zippered pockets in the front
The tote bag includes:
- Adjustable, removable non-slip shoulder strap
- Spacious main compartment
- Zip pocket on the exterior
- A strap on the back to secure over the upright suitcase handle
The upright measures 20” x 13” x 7.5” (expandable to 10”) and weighs in at about 6 pounds. The tote is only about a pound. Both are extremely lightweight which makes it easy to lift overhead on planes or into the trunk of a car.
The build quality is actually better than I expected for this price. Zippers are not smoothest (they tend to get a little sticky on both pieces) but they haven’t failed yet. The fabric is thin, but survived moving through airports, parking lots and hotel lobbies.
That said, I wouldn’t expect this Rockland Fashion set to last years of rough airline travel. It’s budget luggage—and it acts like it.
Packing & Interior: Small But Smart
The 20″ upright looks small, but is surprisingly spacious. In a test pack for a 5 day trip, I was able to fit:
- 2 pairs of jeans
- 3 pairs of shorts
- 5 shirts
- Pajamas
- Undergarments
- Toiletries
- 1 pair of sneakers
The two zippered pockets on the exterior of the upright are also useful for keeping things like phone chargers, snacks, and boarding passes easily accessible.
The interior features a basic strap system to keep your clothing from shifting during travel, and a large zippered mesh pocket. I was actually very surprised by the space in the tote bag which is much more spacious than you’d think! It fit my 11-inch laptop, along with my makeup, snacks, and phone chargers.
What it does well:
- Smart packing/storage
- Add-on tote bag gives serious bonus storage space
- Expansion zip is awesome for souvenirs/trip-end overflow
Areas for improvement:
- Interior lining is thin and kind of musty-smelling when new
- No extra organizational features (shoe pockets, etc)
Rolling & Handling: Smooth Enough for Casual Use
The Rockland Fashion upright does not have 360 degree spinner wheels. Instead it uses inline skate wheels that you’ll be dragging behind you instead of wheeling around upright at your side.
The inline skate wheels rolled fine on carpet, tile, and sidewalks during my testing. They are clear plastic and felt pretty durable, but you won’t want to use them with a very heavy load over rougher terrain.
The telescoping handle extends smoothly and locks in place securely, though it does wobble a bit when extended fully. Carry handles are padded and comfortable enough for short distances.
Stability was also decent—once I packed the case the stability bar worked well at keeping the case upright and from tipping. That is not always the case with lightweight luggage.
Real-World Feedback: Budget Travelers Love It (But With Caveats)
What People Liked:
- “Perfect for short trips and solo kids travel.”
- “Carried a surprising amount of clothes without need for checked baggage.”
- “Made it through multiple airline trips with no major issues.”
- “Great value for the price, especially when you think about luggage fees.”
Common Complaints:
- “Fabric and stitching are not very high quality.”
- “Zippers are sticky and felt weak under heavy loads.”
- “Inline wheels were difficult to use on uneven terrain.”
- “Smells kind of musty when new inside.”
Note: packing technique does make a difference. I’ve read a few complaints of the case tipping over, but in my experience it’s not a problem if you evenly distribute the weight. The stability bar works well if used properly.
Security & Warranty: Very Basic
The Rockland Fashion Softside Set comes with a tiny key padlock. This is really more for looks than function—you should probably just buy your own TSA-approved lock if you care about that.
Warranty is actually fairly generous from Rockland (via Fox Luggage), offering 5 years limited warranty against material defects with some caveats:
The retailer is the first point of return/exchange if you are within their window.
Warranty claims require you to pay up to $40 to ship the replacement.
They reserve the right to offer a refurbished replacement and not a brand-new item.
Don’t expect to get White Glove treatment here in the customer service department, but you won’t at this price point.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Rockland Fashion Set | Amazon Basics Softside Set | Samsonite Solyte DLX Carry-On |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shell Material | Polyester w/ PVC backing | Polyester | 100% Polyester |
| Wheels | Inline Skate Wheels | Spinner Wheels | Spinner Wheels |
| Expansion Capability | Yes (up to 2.5″) | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (Carry-On) | ~6 lbs | ~7.3 lbs | ~7.1 lbs |
| Tote Bag Included | Yes | No | No |
| Price Range | $ | $ | $$ |
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Final Verdict: Solid Choice for Budget Travelers
The Rockland Fashion Softside Set is a great choice if you want an affordable set of lightweight luggage for road trips, weekend getaways, or even for carry-on only flights and don’t need to be using it constantly every week on cobblestone streets. It won’t last forever, but for $30–$50 you get a lot more in terms of packing space and real-world usability than I expected.
Best For:
- Budget shoppers and families
- Kids’ travel sets
- Weekend trips and road trips
- Carry on only fliers
Not Ideal For:
- Frequent travelers who need more rugged durability
- Heavy packers
- Travelers who really want spinner wheels
Overall Rating: 3.7 / 5
The Rockland Fashion Softside Set isn’t perfect, but if you’re on a budget, it’s a solid little workhorse and a smart choice for cutting out checked luggage fees.
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