If you’re someone who has searched for cheap luggages, chances are you’ve stumbled upon the Travelers Club Richmond Carry-On Spinner. Super cheap price point, sleek and modern design.
I decided to test the Travelers Club Richmond for myself, and I took it on a cross-country road trip, literally and figuratively.
Build & Design
The Travelers Club Richmond Carry-On is a softside suitcase with a fully-lined interior and hardy polyester exterior. It may not have a smorgasbord of bells and whistles (Samsonite, Briggs & Riley, I’m looking at you) but the overall build and materials don’t feel half bad. The exterior fabric is smooth and water-resistant, and it also comes in various sassy colors like milk white, rose gold, teal, and navy blue. It has that no-nonsense travel vibe: there aren’t any useless zippers, clips, straps, and other external annoyances.
The primary compartment opens all the way with a zipper, and there’s a zippered accessory pocket in the front of the bag, which is perfect for my phone, chargers, or travel documents. There is also a push-button recessed locking handle system and four 360° spinner wheels.
Dimensions & Specs
Travelers Club reports these specs for the Richmond Carry-On Spinner:
- Size: 22” x 13.5” x 9” (including wheels and handles)
- Weight: Approx. 6.5 lbs
- Material: Durable polyester fabric
- Colors Available: Black, Navy Blue, Rose Gold, Burgundy, Teal, Gray
That makes it officially a 22-inch carry-on which is approved for most domestic (US-based) airlines. This is true: most TSA-approved overhead bins will swallow it up with no problem. However, this is a bit on the larger size, especially for budget or international flights, where the rules are more strict (21.5” or less). This may or may not be an issue depending on the overhead bins on the plane in question.
Interior & Packing Space
As I’ve said, the interior is fully lined with a clean layout. There’s the main large compartment, equipped with elastic compression straps and zippered accessory pocket. The interior was nothing to write home about, but it was functional and far from flimsy.
It’s a small carry-on but the thing that really surprised me was how much I could actually fit in here. This isn’t a bag for long vacations and overpackers, but I tested it out with a standard 4-day business trip packing list:
- 2 pairs of shoes
- 4 shirts
- 2 pants
- 1 sweater
- Toiletries kit
- Packable jacket
- Cords and tech accessories
Compression straps were super useful for keeping things packed and organized. The only thing that I could criticize about the interior is the lining: it’s nothing fancy, but it doesn’t feel cheap and it’s not grossly thin either.
Handling & Wheels
Hands down, the thing I was the most impressed with was this luggage’s handling. I’ve been through many budget spinners in my time, and I was still pleasantly surprised by the 4-spinner wheel system on this bag. It rolled really smooth on surfaces you might find in airports (carpet, tile, concrete, stone) and even on the city sidewalks outside.
I did not, at any point, have to awkwardly drag the bag along the ground, or awkwardly switch wheels around, because it kept a constant, fluid motion throughout the entire time.
The wide wheelbase and somewhat upright design also made this bag far less top-heavy than other budget softside bags I’ve used, and as a result, less likely to tip over. In the midst of a mad dash through TSA or rushing down a train platform, this baby kept its balance and rolled smoothly.
The telescoping handle also locks into place and doesn’t feel too shaky or loose. Shorter travelers will likely be happy, but for taller (6’2”+) people it could definitely use an extra inch or two. The molded plastic top and side carry handles are well-positioned and useful for hoisting it into overhead bins or trunk space.
Real-World Reviews
The real test for me was scrolling through Amazon’s 1,400+ user reviews on the Richmond Carry-On Spinner. I think it’s a fairly safe bet that the average customer writes more honest and objective reviews than most bloggers on the internet. Well, you can imagine my pleasant surprise at how the bag was holding up over time. Users have been using it for years and it seems to have developed a cult following amongst casual travelers and students. Some common themes I saw:
Pros
- Sturdy: multiple users report multiple international and domestic trips with zero issue
- Compact & Lightweight: Most report it fits in overhead bins easily and isn’t heavy at all
- Smooth Roller: The spinner wheels are often remarked to be their favorite feature.
- Value: The vast majority feel it’s a steal at the price point.
- Style: Colors like the rose gold and teal make this bag pop.
Cons
- Zipper Issues: A small minority of users report zippers sticking or misaligning.
- Tight Packing Space: No surprise, but overpackers or people with bulky items will be disappointed
- Handle Quality: Shorter travelers are often fine, but taller users (6’2”+) may find it too short
- QC Complaints: A small minority reported missing wheels or stitching issues when they received their bag.
Ideal For
None of this is to say that the Richmond Carry-On Spinner is perfect. It has its drawbacks and trade-offs, which, like all good things, require some personal sacrifice. Consider some other options if you are:
- Heavy International travelers where carry-on rules vary
- Need luxury, super-premium bags (or hate light colors)
- Packers who value hyper-organization and internal divisions
- Weekly business travelers who want a lifetime-warranty
Best Use Cases
So what exactly is the ideal use case for the Travelers Club Richmond Carry-On Spinner? There are a few, for sure. Here are some of my favorites:
- Weekend getaways
- Backpackers and young professionals
- Everyday carry-on for occasional leisure travelers
- Backup or second bag
- Car travel and road trips
Comparison
| Feature | Travelers Club Richmond | Amazon Basics Softside Spinner | Samsonite Solyte DLX Carry-On |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$40 – $60 | ~$60 – $80 | ~$120 – $150 |
| Spinner Wheels | Yes (4) | Yes (4) | Yes (4) |
| Expandable | No | Yes | Yes |
| Interior Pockets | Basic | Multiple | Multiple + Wetpak |
| Handle Quality | Decent | Moderate | Sturdy Telescoping |
| Warranty | Basic manufacturer | Limited | 10-Year Limited |
Final Thoughts
Needless to say, this is an excellent product for the price. It won’t be at the head of the line against luxury luggage when it comes to cosmetics and durability, but that’s not its purpose. What the Travelers Club Richmond Carry-On excels at is no-frills basic functionality while simultaneously looking sleek, rolling smooth, and not falling apart after a few years of use.
If it were up to me, I would recommend this bag for occasional light packers, or budget travelers. I wouldn’t recommend checking this spinner on multi-stop international trips or to those who need it for frequent business travel, but for weekend getaways or a college student’s go-to bag, it is worth checking out.
Have a Richmond of your own? Tell me your travel tales and see how this bag has held up for you! Real world feedback is the best kind there is!
Overall Rating: 4.1 / 5
Have a Travelers Club Richmond of your own? Share your travel stories and how it held up!
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