There are two types of travelers in the world: those who can somehow pack for a three-week trip with a backpack, and the rest of us.
Ironically, I started off as the first. I traveled for an entire year with just a 40L backpack. But since retiring from my backpacking days, I’ve had a surprisingly difficult time replicating that level of minimalism.
While I may not be the traveler hauling oversized suitcases up cobblestone streets in Italy anymore, I am the traveler sitting on top of a carry-on, trying to squeeze in the dozens of outfits I never end up wearing, plus the souvenirs I inevitably picked up along the way.
Somewhere between moving to Brazil, spending weeks at a time traveling across Asia, and embracing a more minimalist lifestyle through yoga, my relationship with packing started to change. I stopped packing for every possible version of myself—like the one who might need that one dress for that one night out that may or may not even happen—and started packing for the traveler I actually am.
Today, I do almost everything I can to travel with just a carry-on.
There’s something incredibly satisfying about walking straight into the TSA line without having to wait at check-in, or gracefully exiting the airport while everyone else crowds around the baggage carousel. I love knowing I can hop on a train, navigate narrow European streets, or climb four flights of stairs to a tiny Airbnb without wrestling fifty pounds of luggage behind me.
Of course, traveling with one bag also means every inch of space matters, which is what led me to the LEVEL8 Voyageur Carry-On.
I’d already reviewed the brand’s checked suitcase and came away genuinely impressed, so I was curious whether their 20-inch carry-on could live up to the same expectations. After using it on multiple trips, I can confidently say it has become my go-to suitcase whenever I want to travel light (which, nowadays, is always).
Here’s my honest review of the LEVEL8 Voyageur Carry-On, including what surprised me most, who I think it’s best suited for, and whether it’s actually worth the investment.
LEVEL8 Voyageur Carry-On First Impressions: It’s Kinda Different, But It Works
I’ve opened a lot of suitcases over the years, and they all look more or less the same. The Voyageur didn’t. The first thing I noticed wasn’t the color or the shell. It was the completely flat interior.
If you’ve ever packed a traditional suitcase, you know the drill. You strategically wedge shoes, sweaters, or packing cubes around the raised handle tubes that run through the middle of the bag, trying to create a flat surface for everything else.
This carry-on offers a different, more satisfying experience.
Because the handle runs along the outer edges of the suitcase instead of through the center, the entire packing area is flat from the start. If you use packing cubes, this design allows each one to sit neatly beside the next.
It sounds like a small design change, but it completely changes the way you pack. I didn’t have to play luggage Tetris or search for the perfect item to fill an awkward gap. I could just start packing.
It was one of those features I didn’t know I needed until I experienced it.
One Thing I Didn’t Expect to Care About: The LEVEL8 Design
I’m not usually someone who buys luggage because it’s beautiful, but I also can’t pretend aesthetics don’t matter to me.
Airports are filled with black hard-shell suitcases that all look exactly the same. LEVEL8’s travel bags manage to feel modern without trying too hard. They’re understated, clean, and thoughtfully designed. The Voyageur looks just as at home in the lobby of a boutique hotel as it does being wheeled through a busy airport terminal.
And while I certainly wouldn’t buy a suitcase just because it’s beautiful, I won’t complain about owning one that is.
The First Packing Test: NYC to Rome
As someone who’s committed to traveling with just a carry-on whenever possible, I don’t pack especially light. I usually travel with my laptop, camera, toiletries, a couple of pairs of shoes, and enough clothing for at least a week, knowing I’ll do laundry if I’m away longer.
My first trip with the Voyageur was from New York City to Rome. It was a summer trip, meaning the clothing was lighter—but it was also Italy, where the pressure to pack the perfect outfits somehow feels a little stronger.
I packed half a dozen tops, a couple of linen bottoms, five dresses, a sweater, pajamas, sandals, sneakers, a pair of heels, toiletries, jewelry, and all of my usual tech accessories. And everything fit comfortably.
What surprised me wasn’t necessarily the 43-liter capacity, but how I was able to use those 43 liters. There were no awkward gaps to work around or wasted corners that somehow never seemed to fit anything. Even after everything was packed, I still had room left over for a few souvenirs on the way home.
How The Voyaguer Carry-On Performed on the Road
A suitcase can look great sitting in your bedroom—and the LEVEL8 Voyageur really does. But the real test begins once you leave home.
I wheeled it through airports from New York to Rome, then Atlanta, back to New York, and finally Rio de Janeiro. It rolled over uneven sidewalks, through train stations, in and out of taxis, and across long airport terminals. Even when fully packed, it moved effortlessly.
A few things stood out along the way:
- The 360° spinner wheels are impressively quiet and smooth, and the wide handle made the suitcase feel noticeably more stable when weaving through crowds or navigating uneven pavement.
- The telescopic handle offers multiple height settings, which made it comfortable whether I was rushing to a gate or strolling to my hotel.
- Despite being fully loaded, the suitcase never felt cumbersome. I also had no trouble lifting it into the overhead bin, where it fit snugly on every flight I took.
Features I Appreciated Most
While the Voyageur has plenty of thoughtful design elements, the features I appreciated most were the ones that genuinely changed the way I packed and traveled:
- Wide handle
- Wet/dry separation pocket
- Compression system
The Wide Handle
I’ll admit that I originally thought the wide handle was mostly a bold design choice. It certainly gives the suitcase a different look. Some people will love it immediately; others may need a little convincing.
For me, it wasn’t until I actually traveled with the suitcase that I understood why LEVEL8 designed it this way.
Beyond creating a completely flat packing surface, the wider handle makes the suitcase feel noticeably more stable. Even when fully packed, it glided smoothly through airports and didn’t have the slight wobble I’ve experienced with other carry-ons.
The Wet/Dry Separation Pocket
This ended up being one of those features I didn’t think I’d use much, but now I don’t really want to travel without it.
Whether it’s a damp bikini, sweaty workout clothes, or socks that are best kept away from everything else, having a dedicated compartment to separate them keeps the rest of my clothes feeling fresh and organized.
It’s a small detail, but one that makes a big difference on longer trips, especially when I’m doing laundry along the way.
The Compression System
I don’t know what kind of sorcery is happening here, but it works.
Once everything is packed, I zip up the compression panel and somehow end up with noticeably more room than I expected, every single time. More importantly, it made closing the suitcase much easier, even when I’d probably packed a little more than I should have.
As someone who typically has to sit on top of a suitcase just to get it shut, I appreciate every bit of help I can get.
A Few Things To Consider
Every product has its highs and lows, and there were a few things I found myself wishing the Voyageur had.
The first is a front laptop pocket. Caveat: I’ve actually never owned a suitcase with one because I’ve always preferred hard-shell luggage, but I can definitely see the appeal, especially as someone who travels with a laptop, camera gear, hard drives, and more charging cables than I’d like to admit.
The second thing to consider is the wide handle itself. Because it’s wider than a traditional telescopic handle, some backpack trolley sleeves won’t slide over it.
That said, I found an easy workaround. I simply rested my backpack over the handle as though I were wearing it, and it stayed surprisingly secure. In fact, because the top of the suitcase is wider and flatter than most carry-ons, different personal item bags sat securely on top without constantly sliding off.
It took me a couple of hours to get used to the different handle design, but once I did, I actually started preferring it. The added stability more than made up for the adjustment.
Finally, at 8.1 pounds, it’s not the lightest carry-on on the market. But considering the thoughtful design, extra packing space, and overall durability, I think the trade-off is well worth it.
Is the LEVEL8 Voyageur Carry-On Worth It?
If you’re someone who travels once or twice a year and simply needs a basic carry-on, there are certainly cheaper options. But if you travel often, appreciate thoughtful design, and want a suitcase that genuinely makes packing easier—not just prettier—the Voyageur is worth the investment.
I am genuinely surprised at how much easier it has made my entire travel experience. Packing feels less frustrating. Moving through airports feels a whole lot smoother. And for someone who’s spent years trying to become a better carry-on traveler, that’s exactly the kind of motivation I need.
I’ll still occasionally overpack. Old habits die hard. But thanks to the Voyageur, I’m getting a little better at traveling with just one bag.
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