Is the LEVEL8 Voyageur 28” the Best Suitcase for Long-Term Family Travel?
When LEVEL8 offered to send us a suitcase to review, we were knee-deep in chaos: prepping for long-term travel with two kids, buried in packing cubes, and very much a backpack-first kind of family. But something about the LEVEL8 Voyageur 28” caught our eye, the sleek shell, the “please don’t crack at baggage claim” promise, and a colour that didn’t scream “dad bought this at the TKMax.” (Usually overly flowery) So, we had a mess around with it.
Why This Review Matters
Our usual game plan? Backpack-first, always. But the promise of something that could survive multiple airport sprints, repack meltdowns, and a cobblestoned sprint to catch a collectivo without looking like it belonged on a baggage belt in 2004? We were curious. Plus we will be slow travelling after all, not constantly flight hopping.
This isn’t just a review of a suitcase. It’s a real-life test: can a sleek, structured hard-shell case actually work for long-term family travel?
If you’ve ever wondered what to pack, how to carry it, and whether a suitcase is really worth the checked bag fees, this review’s for you. We’ll cover everything from unboxing to toddler collisions, including what fit inside, what didn’t, and whether it earned a spot on our year-long itinerary to come.
Meet the LEVEL8 Voyageur 28”
LEVEL8 is known for sleek, minimalist travel gear that blends form and function, and the Voyageur 28 check-in is no exception. Built for longer trips, this is their largest checked suitcase and feels purpose-built for families who pack more than just clothes (hello, stuffed giraffe and emergency snack stash).
Here’s what you’re working with:
Size: 28” checked luggage, big enough for family trips but still manageable to handle solo
Material: Durable polycarbonate hard shell, lightweight but tough
Security: TSA-approved combo lock
Mobility: 360° spinner wheels that glide (even when your toddler insists on riding it)
Weight: 10.6 lbs (4.8 kg), not featherlight, but sturdy
Colour: We chose Celadon, a muted sage that stands out just enough
Grab the LEVEL8 Voyageur 28” suitcase here with code TVF10 for 10% off
First Impressions: Unboxing + Design
When the LEVEL8 Voyageur 28” arrived, our hallway turned into a mini unboxing studio (Insert: chaos) two things happened:
The kids immediately claimed it as a race car.
We noticed the build quality straight away, smooth zippers, a sturdy handle, and that satisfying click of a solid lock.
Right off the bat, the Celadon green colour stood out, it’s subtle but stylish, different enough to be instantly recognisable on a luggage carousel without being flashy. The shell has a matte, anti-scratch finish that felt durable yet refined. No plastic shine here.
Build-wise, it was impressive. The zippers are chunky and smooth, and the TSA lock clicks in with confidence. The handle slides out cleanly and doesn’t wobble, a big win if you’re sprinting through airports with a toddler in tow.
The inside layout gave us our first “this could actually work for family travel” moment. With two zipped compartments and adjustable compression straps, it’s not just a big empty box. It felt like the kind of design that thinks about families: people who need to separate clean from chaos, keep socks findable, and maybe hide snacks from the three-year-old.
We didn’t expect to be impressed before even packing it, but it earned some early points. Especially after watching it survive both kids climbing on it and dragging it around the house like it was a pet.
Is It a Good Fit for Family Travel?
We were skeptical…
Could a single suitcase really keep up with the chaos of family travel? The short answer? Surprisingly, yes.
We test-packed the LEVEL8 Voyageur 28” with a realistic setup for one of our longer travel legs: clothes for all four of us, swimwear, a baby carrier, diapers, toys. It fit. Just barely, but it fit, also bear in mind we’re were packing relairvely light interms of clothes, and that made us rethink everything.
The internal layout is designed for people who need structure. One half zips shut entirely (ideal for packing the kids’ clothes so they don’t explode everywhere), while the other has compression straps that compress. Packing cubes slotted in perfectly… no wasted space, no sliding around.
And when it came to rolling it through our very bumpy driveway (a good cobblestone test), the spinner wheels held up. Even our five-year-old could push it upright without tipping. That’s a win when you’re managing a toddler meltdown and airport security at the same time.
We did a quick comparison to our old, cheap suitcase, the kind with one big compartment and no forgiveness. It’s night and day. This feels like a real upgrade for families trying to travel lighter, smarter, and less chaotically.
Best Features of the LEVEL8 Voyageur 28
When you’re packing for four and moving fast, a suitcase has to do more than just hold stuff. These are the standout features that made the LEVEL8 Voyageur 28” feel like a solid win for family travel:
✅ Spinner Wheels That Actually Spin
360° glide is smooth even when fully loaded
Handles airport floors, pavements, and even semi-rough terrain better than most
Less drag = fewer “Dad, can you carry it?” moments
✅ Smart, Split-Compartment Design
One side zips fully closed — perfect for kid gear or clean clothes
The other side uses compression straps to stop things from shifting
Makes packing for multiple people way less chaotic
✅ Lightweight But Durable
Just 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) — easy to hoist, even when packed
Won’t push you into overweight baggage fees unless you really overpack
✅ Bonus Win: The Celadon Colour
Feels premium without being flashy
Stands out at baggage claim without screaming “steal me!”
For a family suitcase, these features hit all the right notes: practical, durable, and organised, without looking like a rolling bin.
What Are the Downsides of the LEVEL8 Voyageur 28?
No suitcase is perfect and while we genuinely like the LEVEL8 Voyageur 28 check-in Luggage, here’s what didn’t totally win us over:
Size = Strength… but Also Bulk
At 28”, it’s big, great for capacity, but tougher on:
Tight staircases
Small taxis or collectives
Juggling multiple bags and kids at once
- The thing is they sell carry-on cases, though, so problem solved.
Not a Fit for Rough Terrain?
Spinner wheels glide beautifully on smooth surfaces…
…but we need to still stress test this to see if it struggles on cobblestones or gravel
No External Pocket
For quick-grab items (snacks, toys, passports), you’ll still want a backpack or tote handy
If your travel style includes lots of buses, walking, or rustic homestays, you’ll need to pair this with something more flexible. But for airports, Airbnbs, and family-friendly hotels? It holds up strong.
Is the LEVEL8 Voyageur 28” Worth It?
Let’s talk cost vs. chaos management.
At first glance, the LEVEL8 Voyageur 28” isn’t a budget pick, far from it, but for families travelling long-term, it might just be the upgrade you didn’t know you needed. We’ve compared this case to our old knockabout suitcase (the one with the mystery wheel rattle and yes floral pattern), and here’s how it stacks up:
What you’re paying for:
Premium hard-shell design with true durability
Smooth spinner wheels that actually survive airport sprints
TSA-approved lock and expandable compartments for extra “kid stuff”
Peace of mind that your gear won’t explode halfway through the Andes
Who this is perfect for:
Families doing long-haul or multi-country trips
Digital nomads juggling gear, tech, and toddler toys
Parents sick of cheap zippers and handle tantrums (yes, luggage tantrums are real)
- Travellers who want a more flexible approach that is not 100% backpack lifestyle because Instagram tells you it has to be this way.
Would we recommend it? If you’re after quality, design, and a case that doesn’t scream “I bought this in a panic at Aldi,” then yes, especially with our discount code.
Use TVF10 at checkout for 10% off the LEVEL8 Voyageur suitcase
Final Verdict: Will We Travel with It Long-Term?
Absolutely. The LEVEL8 Voyageur 28” has officially earned its spot in the chaos-mobile, aka, our family travel setup for South America and Central America.
We’ll still use our backpacks for short hauls and bumpy bus days, but for international flights, apartment stays, and the kind of packing that involves a surprising number of Lego tubs, this suitcase is staying with us…So all of the Latin American travels where most likely we’ll get 1/2 internal flights.
Dad-approved highlights:
Held up to the kids “testing” the wheels (also dad 6’3 230lbs)
Spacious enough for all our essentials (and non-essentials)
Doesn’t look like every other black bag or floral inspired suitcase at baggage claim
This isn’t just a stylish suitcase. It’s the first one that’s made us rethink our whole packing strategy, and we’re here for it.
One thing I recommend and this is for life in general too, NEVER be set in your ways you can’t be flexible to new opportunities.
Where to Buy + Our Discount
Ready to upgrade your travel game?
You can grab the LEVEL8 Voyageur 28” directly from LEVEL8’s official store and use our exclusive code TVF10 at checkout for 10% off.
Bonus: That discount works across most LEVEL8 gear, not just this case.
Huge thanks to LEVEL8 for partnering with us on this and for making a suitcase tough enough to handle travel with two kids with zero chill.
Expect more to come once we’re travelling and have battle-tested this case.
PIN IT FOR LATER
