Level8 Textured Luggage Set Review: Durable & Stylish Travel

As a regular reader of my luggage reviews, you know I’ve tested pretty much every price point out there. Ultra-budget Amazon brands to fully-loaded premium options like TUMI, Rimowa, and Monos.

Level8 Textured 2-Piece Luggage Set is middle-of-the-road in terms of price but aims to deliver a high-end travel experience with its award-winning minimalist design and upgraded build materials.

I’ve been testing their 20-inch carry-on along with the 24- or 28-inch check-in (varies by set) for some time now. Carried it through several trips for multiple nights in hotels, over staircases, down hallways, up airport walkways, and even some overzealous baggage handlers. Here are my thoughts.

First Impressions

When I first saw the Level8 luggage set, my initial reaction was pretty simple:

Holy crap these bags look expensive.

Okay, more than simple. But you get it.

The minimalist shape, matte finish, and diamond-texture pattern gave them a very modern, almost monolithic appearance. I thought they looked like they belonged in a museum of design or something—wait a second, they won the reddot and the iF award so hells yes they do.

Running my hands along the German Makrolon® polycarbonate shell, I got that familiar lightweight-yet-stiff feeling I’m used to from Samsonite’s higher-end hard-sided cases. Same material, but with an updated, fresh aesthetic.

Build Quality & Materials

As a rule, Level8 has been consistent in using the same Bayer Makrolon® polycarbonate, and it shows. The shell has a nice balance of durability without feeling overly rigid, and the anti-scratch diamond texture is doing its job of hiding scratches.

After a few airport runs, the shell has shown resilience, flexing slightly under pressure but never warping permanently. Exactly how Makrolon is supposed to work, absorb the shock and then spring back.

Internally, the fabric on the walls, pocket, and well is thick and neatly stitched together. Zippers have that premium feel and seal tightly around the edges. It all adds to the top-tier feel.

Luggage Interior & Packing

Level8 did an excellent job with interior design. While keeping things very simple, the bags use the right stuff to make packing easier:

• Left: full-zip mesh divider
• Right: compression pad with X-Strap
• Internal zipper pockets for tech and toiletries or miscellaneous socks
• Deep packing well to take full advantage of that cubic inches

Level8 bags are so nice to pack because of the usable depth. I can pack 3-4 days worth of clothes in the carry-on with enough space for my tech kit and other essentials. And the check-in for longer trips is a workhorse.

Best of all is how structured it stays even when packed full. Some suitcases get that nasty overstuffed-ballooning-out look when fully loaded, but the compression system here keeps that in check.

Rolling & Maneuverability

Level8 shines here.

The company states its wheels are fitted with bi-metal bearings and tested at 276,000+ rotations with abrasion under 2mm. I can’t duplicate their test in a lab but I can say the following:

That is some of the smoothest rolling action I have ever tested in a wheel.

• Whisper quiet on hardwood floors
• Smooth on carpet of average weight
• Astoundingly stable on rocky pathways
• No wobbling at full speed
• Zero snags on cornering

Level8 wheels are honestly some of the quietest-smoothest I have experienced since only testing $600+ suitcases.

Loaded up the big case for a long weekend and even with 10 pounds more in it, the suitcase glided next to me effortlessly.

TSA Locks & Handles

Level8 luggage comes with TSA-approved locks with a flush-mounted design. Three things here I thought noteworthy:

• Zippers slot right into lock tightly
• Rotation has a nice amount of friction, no wiggle
• The aluminum alloy telescoping handle is solid and doesn’t rattle

Handles are often the first thing I notice on lower-priced luggage which starts to feel flimsy or wiggle around when being used. This was the opposite. Solid handle with or without extension.

Real-World Feedback: Luggage Use in Airports, Hotels, Home

A couple of general things I noted after using the set in real-life airport, hotel, and home storage:

Things I loved

• Great nesting capability. 20″ rolls into 24″/28″ perfectly and saves closet space
• Shell shows no visible scratches after dragging over overhead bins and hotel floor-rolling
• Perfect balance, the bags don’t tip over even when packed front-heavy
• Maneuverability is excellent even in tight corners and narrow hallways
• Minimalist style makes these bags look pricier than they are

Minor Quirks

• Small stickers don’t stick to textured shell (same complaint from other reviewers)
• Square shape of carry-on is slightly “boxy” for some airline sizer bins, but no problems on planes
• Handle has two notches instead of three. I think three is better but not a dealbreaker

Level8 Customer Reviews That Align With My Real-World Use

Level8 has quite a few positive reviews and these reviewers zeroed in on precisely what I have noted during real-world use:

Leon: “Wheels roll insanely smoothly…and are super durable…grab this 100%.”

Krista: Loves the design and uses it as a display piece

Valerie: Carry-on fits perfect in airline sizers

ManiacMagic: Switched from Tumi and loved rolling smoothness

Don Recto: Used on multiple trips no sign of wear except stickers sliding off

Same real-world sentiments from me as these travelers: smoothest rolling action, durable case, and high-end vibes.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Wheels are extremely quiet and smoothest I have tested
• Highly durable Makrolon shell with anti-scratch diamond texture
• Beautiful minimalist design that has won top design awards
• Interior packing well and compression system is awesome
• TSA locks + aluminum handle have high-end feel
• Nesting design saves home storage space
• Great value compared to ultra-premium bags

Cons

• The small stickers don’t stick well to textured shell
• Handle only has two-height stops instead of three
• Carry-on is slightly boxy and may appear large but fits overheads just fine

Best Suited For Who?

Great for:

• Frequent travelers that want top-of-the-line quality without the cost of Rimowa
• Couples or families that need both carry-on and matching check-in luggage
• Business travelers who desire sleek professional looking set
• Travelers that value whisper-quiet ultra-smooth wheels
• Travelers who live in small homes or apartments since it nests nicely

Not ideal for:

• Travelers who want softer shells to squeeze into tighter bins
• Frequent flyer decorators who want to plaster their bags with stickers

Overall Rating: 4.6 / 5

The set features a high-quality Makrolon® shell and smooth wheels, as well as a functional interior layout. These features combine to provide a comfortable traveling experience, whether you’re going on a short or long journey. The set’s textured exterior limits its sticker-display capabilities, and the handle height could be more adjustable. 

However, these drawbacks are minimal in light of the set’s overall value. The luggage has a stylish design and feels premium, while also being highly durable.

Final Thoughts

The Level8 Textured 2-Piece Luggage Set was impressively well done.

It hits that sweet spot with premium materials, modern minimalist design, top-tier award-winning aesthetics, and a rolling performance that punches well above its price point when compared to more expensive brands. Took it through a few real-world trips and I am happy to say this is one of the best mid-premium luggage sets you can buy right now.

If you want a set that looks amazing, performs like a champ, and built to last for many years of travel, Level8 hit a home run on this one.

I’d love to hear what you think about this set based on your real-world use after a few flights. Share your stories for future travelers to learn from.