Rockland Melbourne Luggage Review: Budget Spinner That Surprised Me (Mostly)

I’ve been wary of cheap carry-ons and checked bags before. Everything from flimsy fabrics to shaky wheels, to the feeling that that the handle is about to snap on me as I switch it from hand-to-arm-to-cart in between flights. So I was a little surprised when I took the 28” Rockland Melbourne Hardside Spinner on a few budget airline trips and a drive up the coast. It ended up holding up much better than I expected… but only just.

It’s one of those bags that looks a little showier on screen with its perky colors and glossy ABS shell, but once in-hand, it still felt fairly solid. I tested the 28” (71cm) version in Charcoal (available in several other flashy colors like turquoise and orange too) and here’s how it worked for me on real-world travels.

Build & Materials: Budget ABS Luggage with a Few Compromises

The case is constructed of ABS plastic, which is not the most impact-resistant of shell materials. It’s the same stuff you’ll find on many cheaper entry-level hardside bags. Lightweight but a little less rigid and durable than polycarbonate, the panels are very slightly flexible when you grab the corners with both hands, but they quickly pop back. It’s a tradeoff for the low weight—only 10 lbs (4.5 kg) for the large checked size.

There’s no extra armor or reinforcements to be found, but it doesn’t feel as light-duty as it looks. The chrome-finish telescoping handle extends and retracts smoothly (most of the time), and if it’s not the beefiest on the market, it didn’t collapse or jam once after carrying it through multiple airports—until it did. More on that in a bit.

Key Specs:

• ABS hard shell (not polycarbonate)
• Telescoping chrome handle with push-button lock
• Expandable zipper for extra space
• Double spinner wheels for multi-directional rolling
• Dimensions: 28” x 17” x 12”; ~10 lbs

It’s surprisingly light for how big it is and how much it can pack, which makes it easy to manage even when full of everything but the kitchen sink. It’s worth noting that ABS shells aren’t as resistant to cracking and breakage as you’ll get with a more expensive polycarbonate suitcase like the Samsonite Freeform.

Interior & Packing: No Fancy Extras, But it Gets the Job Done

Inside the Melbourne, you’ll find it’s not barebones but it’s nothing particularly fancy. It’s split into two separate sections: one with compression straps, the other with a zippered mesh divider. There’s also a small interior mesh pocket but don’t expect any clever organizers or pouches for laundry/shoes, or toiletries here.

I was able to fit it full for a 10-day vacation without any issues—two pairs of shoes, jeans, sweaters, a jacket, plus enough space for souvenirs with the expansion zip at the bottom. The clamshell opening makes it easy to separate dirty clothes/shoes vs. clothing, or split bulkier jackets and sweaters from lighter layers.

As noted above, the interior lining is a bit thin and there’s not a ton of padding around the zippers. There’s no odor-control coating or antimicrobial protection here either, just a plain black interior with the basic expandable features.

What it does well:

• Compression straps are useful
• Plenty of capacity for long trips
• Zippered divider helps keep clothes in place

Where it could improve:

• Lining quality feels budget
• Few bonus compartments/pockets/sleeves
• Lacks extra padding for fragile items

Rolling & Handling: Pretty Smooth, But… Maybe Not Built to Last?

The double-spinner wheels are one of the best aspects of the Melbourne—at least in the first few trips. On flat and smooth surfaces like tile floors, they roll smoothly and quietly with no resistance. You can easily roll it behind you as you walk, or push it upright and in front without much effort.

That being said, after my second trip with it, I started to notice a bit of uneven rolling and resistance. One of the wheels began to develop a small crack and the case would lean to one side when rolling it fully loaded. I’ve also heard from a few friends who use this same spinner series and have found that the large spinner version seems to develop small cracks around the wheel after one or two trips.

I also noticed a little give and play in the telescoping handle after the second trip (mine never completely jammed, but one other user review noted the handle got stuck after their second use).

In short: it rolls well when new but I wouldn’t count on this being a long-term, high-mileage bag.

Real-World Feedback: It’s Love it or Hate it Durability

One thing I noticed as I scrolled through the reviews was people either absolutely love how long their lasted… or they were ditching it after trip #2. Here’s a mixed bag of highlights and head’s up’s I found all over:

The Good:

• “Our lasted five years, used constantly for work trips. Still rolls well”
• “Great value for the money. Fit everything and held up on international travel.”
• “I tend to overpack, and it still zipped without any complaints!”

The Bad:

• “Handle stuck after just one trip—completely unusable now.”
• “Wheel cracked before I even got on the plane.”
• “Shell cracked around the spinner after gentle use—had to repair with fiberglass.”

As I mentioned above, from both my own testing and what I’ve read, it seems like the large 28” checked size is the weakest here. The smaller carry-on has better longevity (probably because it’s not going through the same treatment from baggage handling systems).

Security & Features: Pretty Basic For This Price Point

There’s no built-in TSA lock here, so if that matters you’ll need to pick one up separately. Likewise the zipper isn’t reinforced, and the shell isn’t slash resistant, so I wouldn’t trust it in high-crime areas or with fragile valuables inside.

You’re going to have to check this bag and pray it makes it through unscathed. If security is a major concern, you’ll want to look for bags with more serious protection like the Delsey Turenne or Samsonite Omni PC.

Comparison Table

Feature	Rockland Melbourne	Samsonite Freeform	Amazon Basics Hardside
Shell Material	ABS	Polypropylene	ABS
Spinner Wheels	Double Spinner	Oversized Spinner	Multi-directional Spinner
Handle	Chrome Telescoping	Push-button Telescoping	Standard Telescoping
Expansion	Yes	Yes	Yes
Built-in Lock	No	TSA-Approved	No
Weight (28”)	~10 lbs	~10.1 lbs	~11 lbs
Interior Organization	Basic divider + straps	Divider + modest pockets	Divider + zippered pocket
Price Range	$	$$	$

The Final Tally: It’s About as Tough as you’d Expect

For under $80, the Rockland Melbourne offers a full-sized spinner with a fun look, a great capacity, and handles short-term travel serviceably. If you’re an occasional traveler or in the market for a cheap upgrade on the temp storage, this could be the ticket.

But if you’re a frequent flyer, or have a need for checked luggage you can rely on for regular international travel, you might want to look elsewhere. The lack of reinforcements, dubious wheel lifespan, and issue with the handle make this a questionable long haul suitcase—it’s more of a decent understudy.

Best For:

• Occasional travelers
• Budget shoppers
• Road trips and weekend getaways
• Travelers who need a lightweight bag for short-term/temporary use

Not Ideal For:

• Heavy travelers (especially for checked-in luggage)
• Frequent fliers
• Travelers who need built-in locks or enhanced durability

Overall Rating: 3.3 / 5

It’s not the most rugged spinner out there, but for the money, the Rockland Melbourne is a serviceable travel companion—as long as you know what you’re getting into. It won’t last forever, but if you treat it right, it could go the distance (or at least a few good ones).

Have a Melbourne of your own? Share your experiences below. As always, real-world feedback from regular people helps others make decisions.