This blog post is in cooperation with Level8. All opinions are my own. You can read our full disclosure policy here.
Something that has always been important to me is traveling the world and seeing as much as I possibly can. When my husband and I added our two kids to our family, we were determined to teach them to love seeing the world as much as we do. I can confidently say that in all of our years of travel, I have learned a lot about what works, what doesn’t, and what products are genuinely worth purchasing.
Whether it’s road trips, flights to visit family overseas, weekend getaways, or longer vacations – we’re on the go several times a year. Over time, we’ve figured out what works and what doesn’t when traveling with kids. Now that my kids are a little older, they’re finally at the age where they can mostly manage their own luggage. This has been a total game-changer.
When we were looking for suitcases for our kids, I had a few non-negotiables.
They needed to be able to last each of my kids a few years without outgrowing them in size or style. So no princess or superhero themes this time (which broke my heart a little, but I’m determined to embrace the stage of life we’re in!)
Our new suitcases also needed to be carry-on size and come with wheels so that my kids can manage them independently in situations like airports or wheeling them from a rental car into a hotel on paved ground.
I believe we have checked almost all of our boxes with Level8 luggage.
My son has the Voyageur Carry-On in navy and my daughter picked the Elegance 20” luggage in pink.
All of these are technically carry-on size, but they are honestly more than big enough to handle clothes for an entire week’s vacation.
The Waterproof Pocket is a Lifesaver
One of my favorite features is the waterproof pocket inside.
It’s ideal for wet bathing suits or sandy flip-flops when you’re heading home from the beach and don’t want everything else in the suitcase getting soggy.
This is great if you want to let your kids swim at the hotel right before checking out to burn off some energy before being cooped up in a car or plane for a day of travel.
Smooth Gliding Without Dragging
I didn’t know what a big difference this would make until I experienced it myself.
These aren’t the kind of suitcases that you have to tip to drag behind you. These roll on 4 wheels next to you and they do it smoothly.
I really love that they glide upright because they aren’t constantly banging into their heels.
This one detail makes these suitcases so transportable and easy to use. Watching my kids easily manage their own luggage for once was such a bittersweet moment.
I love that they’re more independent and that it takes so much off of my plate when we travel, BUT the fact that they’re old enough to do such adult-like things on their own was hard to swallow.
Mature Designs
One of my concerns when we started looking for “real” suitcases for the kids was that they would outgrow the look in a year or two. The colors of these suitcases are great for kids and will continue to fit them years from now.
My daughter chose the blush pink color from the Elegance line and my son has a sleek navy Voyageur. Both are super cool for kids without being too cutesy. I definitely don’t worry about them complaining that their suitcase is too childish for them in a year or two.
I have no doubt that these suitcases will last them for the next few years, even as grueling as our travel plans sometimes are.
TSA Locks – My Kids’ Favorite Part!
Level8 suitcases also come with TSA-approved locks, which from my perspective is an awesome safety and security feature.
From my kids’ perspectives, it is truly the coolest thing they’ve ever seen.
If you were to ask my kids about their new suitcases, the first thing they would tell you about (in great detail) are these locks and just how awesome they are.
The fact that these suitcases have all of these other cool features is just an added bonus to them.
They’re basically a lock with the bonus of a suitcase. Kind of like ranch dressing with a side of salad.
Handle Design
One detail difference that I noticed between my kids’ suitcases is the super wide handle that my son’s has.
This isn’t a flimsy telescoping handle like most other suitcases. It’s substantial enough that if his suitcases is unevenly packed (especially when he packs it himself!), it doesn’t wobble or tilt when one side is heavier than the other.
My daughter’s Elegance suitcase has a regular center handle, but it’s still very sturdy and easy for her to control and push on her own.
The One Drawback
I have yet to meet a perfect product and these suitcases are no different.
The only thing we didn’t love about them is that they aren’t the kind of suitcases your kids can sit on and be wheeled through an airport. They’re sturdy, but definitely not designed to be sat on or pulled with a child on top.
If you’ve got toddlers or preschoolers who are likely to lose their patience in an airport situation or on a long walk with luggage, these probably aren’t the right choice just yet.
Would I Buy These Again?
Yes.
As frequent travelers, we’ve gone through our share of luggage and travel accessories.
I know quality when I see it and these Level8 suitcases stand out. Not just because they’re made of high-quality and durable materials, but because they truly make our travel days easier.
My kids feel so grown up pushing their own luggage around and it lessens the load for my husband and I.
If you’re looking for durable, practical, and actually stylish luggage that kids can handle on their own – without needing to be dragged through the airport when they’re pooped out – these Level8 carry-ons are a solid investment.