The Eddie Bauer Glacier Carry-On 22” is a solid travel bag for those who care more about durability over flashy looks. I spent some time unpacking, repacking and traveling with this suitcase. In this review I’ll cover topics like build quality and materials to real-world performance.
For those who aren’t familiar with the Eddie Bauer brand, durability is practically embedded in their logo. Known for being extremely outdoorsy and rugged, their luggage needs to follow suit.
Does that make it good for travel? Does it hold up once you start throwing it around on the fly? I decided to find out.
In this Eddie Bauer Carry-On review I cover everything from materials to real world use. Find out if this 22 inch bag is right for you!
Eddie Bauer Glacier Carry-On 22″ Luggage
Build Quality and Materials
The Glacier Carry-On does not feel overly heavy nor flimsy. It features a hard-shell exterior with more function over fashion. There isn’t any glossy coating like you would see from other higher-end brands.
Instead, the material has a slightly grainy finish which also helps hide scratches and scuffs better.
This might not seem important but after two or three trips your once shiny suitcase can look kind of beat up. Not with this bag.
When you squeeze the luggage it does not feel like there is a bunch of flex. Ever wary of things being tossed around by airport personnel, it’s nice to know your luggage can withstand some abuse.
Finally, the zipper quality is very good too. They glide along smoothly and are not prone to getting stuck, even when overpacked. Zippers are always the first thing to go with luggage. These are solid.
Material quality is right in line with what you would expect from Eddie Bauer. Nothing fancy but functional and built for use.
Interior and Packing
The inside of the Glacier Carry-On keeps it pretty simple. Two main compartments with the typical split design.
Compression straps live on one side, while a zippered divider lives on the other. Nothing too crazy here. I like the simplicity of it, since it isn’t hard to pack.
Sometimes too many pockets or dividers can cause you to overpack. With just enough room to pack smartly, you’ll enjoy the straightforward layout.
If you plan on traveling with your clothes folded, you’ll be fine. There aren’t any packing cubes or anything like that built in.
As far as 22 inch carry ons go, the capacity is good. I was able to fit everything I needed for a 3-5 day trip with room to spare. Sticking to rolling clothes you can probably squeeze a week out of it if you are traveling light.
One cool feature some bags have is a hidden laundry compartment or wet clothes pocket. Unfortunately, Eddie Bauer does not offer this either. So bring your own packing cubes if that is your thing.
Rolling and Ease of Use
This is typically where mid-tier luggage shines or fails. Thankfully Eddie Bauer passes this test with flying colors.
The spinner wheels roll super smooth on most surfaces. I personally tested it on airport carpet, hotel corridors and even some uneven pavement.
It glided over all of them with ease. While they aren’t the quietest set of wheels I have ever felt, they aren’t loud like some other cheaper brands.
Tracking is great too. I did not experience any weird wobbling or pulling to the side when rolling it alongside me.
The telescoping handle glides open and locks very securely into place. Nothing feels loose or unstable when extended.
There is a slight flex to the handle but that is to be expected and pretty standard for this price range.
Suitcase Size and Compatibility
Being 22 inches, this bag meets carry on requirements for most airlines. Making it ideal if you want to travel with only a carry on.
I didn’t have any problem fitting this on any of the planes I flew on. Though like any carry-on, you still have to watch out for smaller budget airlines.
The profile is also quite compact which helps when overhead bins are getting cramped.
Real World Usage
One thing I really liked about the Eddie Bauer Glacier Carry-On is how it felt when I was actually using it.
There are no super crazy features that wow you. But also no dealbreakers either. Popping open the bag was easy, packing was seamless and rolling was a breeze.
I used this on short city trips as well as some longer weekend getaways. In both scenarios it felt great and did everything I wanted it to.
If you tend to run into more situations with sketchy travel conditions, this bag will feel that much better. Having a durable suitcase really shines when you have to travel long distances on foot, fly with overcrowded airlines or just deal with poor infrastructure in general.
The Glacier Carry-On by Eddie Bauer isn’t trying to be a luxury suitcase. But it sure does the basics really well.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Built to last
- Keeps its scratches and looks better over time
- Wheels roll smoothly on any surface
- Interior is nice and straight forward
- Great value and doesn’t skimp on important features
Cons
- Nothing too flashy
- Lacks interior organization compared to some
- Handle has slight flex
- Not expandable
Similar Luggage Compared
Below is how the Eddie Bauer Glacier Carry-On stacks up against a couple of similar sized suitcases.
| Feature | Eddie Bauer Glacier Carry-On 22″ | Samsonite Omni PC Carry-On | Travelpro Maxlite 5 Carry-On |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Hard shell (textured) | Polycarbonate | Softside polyester |
| Weight | Moderate | Lightweight | Very lightweight |
| Durability | High | Moderate to high | Moderate |
| Wheels | Spinner | Spinner | Spinner |
| Expandable | No | Yes | Yes |
| Style | Minimal, rugged | Sleek, modern | Classic, softside |
| Best Suited For | Practical travelers | Style + durability | Lightweight travel |
If ruggedness and simplicity is what you’re going for, the Eddie Bauer Glacier definitely stands out from the crowd. If you want something with more bells and whistles or lighter to lift, the other bags may be better suited for you.
Best Travelers Suitcase is For
- If you’re someone that values function over aesthetics, this is a great carry-on for you.
- If you tend to travel fairly often and want a suitcase that can take a beating and not let you down, look no further.
- Because of how simple the packing style is, travelers who don’t like too many compartments will love it.
- Lastly, if you pack light or moderately and don’t need the expandable feature, it will work well with that travel style.
Not Ideal For
- Photography lovers and suitcase aesthetics snobs will probably not find what they are looking for with this suitcase.
- If you need tons of packing features or even an expandable bag, keep walking.
- Due to the material, it is not the lightest carry on on the market. So if you need something lightweight you can checkout my favorites here.
Eddie Bauer Glacier Carry-On 22″ Luggage
Final Thoughts
As someone who put this Eddie Bauer Glacier Carry-On 22” through its paces, I would call it reliable and no-nonsense.
It doesn’t try to be something it’s not with flashy features you never use. Instead it excels at being durable, easy to use and simply works.
That’s all most of us need from a travel suitcase anyway.
Would I recommend the Eddie Bauer Glacier? Absolutely. If you’re in the market for a rugged and dependable carry on that just works, look no further.
Do you own an Eddie Bauer Glacier Carry-On? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. I always like to hear how bags hold up after some real world use so others can better decide!
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