Voyageur Checked 28″ review | Great Suitcase for Travel
By Roberto (Updated Jan 2026)
⏱ 7 minutes
In this post we bring a travel gear review that’s not a photography item. This time we want to talk about a suitcase. After trying in Valencia the Voyageur Checked 28″ from the company Level8, we can firmly say this luggage convinced us and it will be a part of our travel gear for years. Find out why below.
Note: We are doing this post in collaboration with Level8 company yet we are providing our honest opinion about one of their products
Table of Contents
Introduction: finding your right suitcase
When it comes to choosing the best suitcase for travel, many of us just quickly check online or go to the mall to check a basic model. We’ve made this mistake in the past and have suffered from broken wheels, broken zippers, damaged fabrics or other mobility problems of the luggage. We have thrown away three medium-to-big sized suitcases after traveling on dozens of flights, and that’s why we think investing in the right suitcase is truly important.
Choosing the right luggage can make or break your travel experience. You want something that’s durable enough to survive airport baggage handling, spacious enough for all your essentials, easy to maneuver, and stylish enough to not get lost on the carousel. If you want something extra that stands out, and works above the average suitcase, this post is for you.
In this in-depth guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the Voyageur Checked 28″suitcase, from the brand behind it to design features, real world performance, and whether it’s worth your investment for your next trip.
About the Brand: Level8 suitcases
I’m an enthusiast of backpack brands but I didn’t know about Level8 until recently. This luggage brand focuses on combining modern design with functionality. Their collections often feature lightweight yet durable materials (something that we love), intuitive interior layouts, and sleek aesthetics that appeal to both casual travelers and frequent flyers.
The brand offers a variety of luggage series, including:
- Voyageur: versatile checked and carry-on luggage
- Luminous: stylish and scratch-resistant hardshell pieces
- Adventure: optimized for packing capacity and accessibility
- Other Series: from carry-ons to backpacks and accessory luggage packs
Level8 is focused on quality, using premium materials like German-made Makrolon® polycarbonate and they offer lifetime warranties that cover functional aspects of the luggage.
Look and feel:
We both like the Voyageur Checked 28″ design. It is very aestheticly pleasing with a sleek and simple look. It comes in multiple classic and contemporary colors including black, navy, dark olive, and limited editions like yellow-black or celadon. I personally love the yellow-black combination since I get bored of black or very dark suitcases.
The hardshell adds visual appeal but also makes the suitcase feel sturdy. It looks resistant to minor scratches and surface marks. The hardshell has a matte finish and a ribbed surface. It does not look like a cheap material, it simply looks neat and nice.
Design and Build: What we like about the Voyageur 28″
Durable Hardshell Construction
The Voyageur series, including the Checked 28″ we have, uses German-made Makrolon® polycarbonate shell, a material known for its strength, impact resistance, and lightweight properties. I wouldn’t say the suitcase feels very light nor does it feel heavy. I actually expected it to feel heavier than it does.
We personally like (or at least try) to travel light, and we have travelled recently with a basic Samsonite model that only weighs 2.8 Kg, compared to the 5.7 Kg of the Voyageur. Relative to our old model, this suitcase feels heavier. Also, that means we can put around 3 Kg less of items inside. But our Samsonite suitcase has suffered a lot. It has heavily damaged wheels, two broken zippers, and several tattered corners. We are eager to see if overtime, the extra weight of the Voyageur also brings extra protection.
In addition to the hardshell, there are small pads for added protection around the suitcase. These pads don’t ruin the visuals of the Voyageur Checked 28″ but provide support when you put the suitcase on the ground, either on the side or facing up. They are a good add-on for extra protection.
Handling
What is really interesting about the Voyageur Checked 28″ is what they call the wide Voyageur Carry-On wide trolley system. Basically, instead of having a narrow handle, it has a very wide handle, giving you more room inside, and more stability when you’re rolling the suitcase. Perhaps the wide design is not for everyone – I really like it and find the uniqueness of it to be stylish, while Ellen thinks it looks a bit weird. What we both agree is that functionally, it is helpful.
There are three other black handles: on top, on the front, and on the side. Depending on how you want to hold, carry or move the suitcase. They are soft and pleasant to touch – like a soft silicone. They expand when you pull up on them, but then they go return to a tighter original position once released.
Safety
The Voyageur 28″ includes a built-in TSA-approved combination lock, which lets airport security (like TSA in the U.S.) open and inspect your bag without breaking the lock.
This TSA-approved lock deters casual theft. However, as with most suitcase locks, it doesn’t make the contents impenetrable to a determined thief. Hence, while this type of lock won’t prevent professional theft, it will deter casual tampering.
Smooth Mobility
Another feature that feels great the moment you use the suitcase are the wheels. They feel really smooth and let the suitcase spin and move really easily. We didn’t have any problem carrying it through dirt paths or bumpy roads. The wheels didn’t get block by any fluff, and they seem resistant. We need more time to try them through harder terrains but we could say that the 360° spinner wheel system make the suitcase one of the smoothest rolling and easiest to maneuver suitcases that we have tried.
Size, Capacity and Interior Design
The Voyager Checked 28″ size strikes a balance between ample storage space and airport compatibility. It’s a medium-to-big suitcase that you would bring on a long weekend trip for two people or on a 7-10 day trip for one person. Here’s how it measures up:
- Overall dimensions: Approx. 29.1″H x 16.6″W x 13.3″D
- Capacity: ~99 L
- Weight: ~12.4 lbs (5.6 kg) on paper – 5.8 Kg on our scale.
Interior Organization
One of the biggest benefits of the Voyageur Checked 28″ is how the interior is laid out. The suitcase has two large compartments that help separate clothes and accessories. The big compartment has two pockets on the cover. One has a translucent film that lets you see what’s inside (toiletry, damp items or documents) and the other is made from fabric. Inside, there is considerable space to fit whatever you need for a suitcase of this volume and compression straps to hold your clothes or packing cubes.
One thing that I like is since they used a wide handle, the bars of the handle don’t go in the center, giving you more space to put the clothes evenly. The smaller compartment has no pockets and it’s quite simple. Perhaps too simple because I miss the compression straps here for clothes.
This luggage doesn’t have additional front pockets or elements. Level8 has other models that offer more key features like the Adventure Check-in.
Who is this suitcase for?
After trying this suitcase out in the real world, we can say that the Voyageur Checked 28″ is a great option for those who seek a suitcase that can help you explore the world. It is especially a good option for:
Travelers who want a durable suitcase with hardshell
Since it is not a cheap option, it may not be the best option for those who need a simple suitcase to fit equipment inside or for some extra space because you bought many things while traveling and need somewhere to put them. The Voyageur Checked is a serious option if you’re considering a long lasting suitcase, with a good warranty and extra protection. Again, it is not for those who like expandable bags or duffle bags. The Voyageur, with the polycarbonate shell, has a robust outer layer that protects belongings and will be more durable in your adventures.
Those who seek style and functionality
If you personally like the concept, with a wide handle and the design, go for it. We find the design stylish and it comes in a variety of color options. As we mentioned before, the wide handle has some advantages over traditional designs and we find it quite practical.
Globetrotters that want a medium-big luggage
Lastly, the Voyageur Checked comes in different sizes, but the one we got, 28″, is a medium-big size. Its large capacity and simple (but smart) organization features make it perfect for medium-long vacations, business travel, or family trips. In case you want something smaller, check other alternatives.
Pros and cons of the Level8 Voyageur suitcase
Of course, traveling with a hard-shell suitcase has lots of benefits but it has some cons as well. Here are the main pros and cons that I have found, after traveling with it for an entire month:
Pros
- Stylish.
- Durable.
- Optimised internal space thanks to the wide handle.
- Easy maneuverability
- Multiple sizes available (in case you need extra or less space) and various colours.
- Handles on both top and side help to lift the suitcase.
- Simple but not too simple, with internal compartments plus 2 pockets.
- TSA lock for extra protection.
- Easy to clean.
- Lifetime warranty for any functional damage to the shell, wheels or handles, that make it difficult to use the luggage.
- Free shipping to the US and Europe.
Cons
- Cost, +300 €
- Doesn’t feel lightweight.
- Black scratches can be visible on yellow shell.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?
If your priority is finding your best suitcase for travel that balances durability, style, capacity, and maneuverability, the Voyageur Checked 28″ from Level8 is a compelling choice. It’s especially well-suited for travelers who want reliable performance without compromising on design.
Like any luggage purchase, weigh your personal travel needs and budget, but based on its features, materials, and user feedback, the Voyageur 28″ earns a strong recommendation for most travel scenarios. We are going to keep using it on our next adventures 🙂