Is This £445 Carry-On Case Worth The Premium Price Tag?
This month we were fortunate enough to receive the range-topping carry-on suitcase from the team over at Carl Friedrik. To test it out, we took our Carry-On Pro down to London for an early Christmas getaway in the Big Smoke. Here’s how we got on and our thoughts on this premium cabin luggage.
We had a lot of different activities lined up for our trip and so there was plenty to pack, including multiple outfits, gifts, tech devices and sportswear. It’s fair to say that we packed enough to put this compact case through its paces.
What We Love About The Carry-On Pro
The premium experience already starts when opening the package: unboxing the product reveals the bespoke sleek, soft storage bag that protects the suitcase. The overall feeling of luxury is there from first glance and is undeniably impressive. The build quality immediately feels high end and it is clear straight away that this is a serious piece of kit! On first impressions, the Carry-On Pro seems a good size, and the stylish design matches well no matter the outfit.
There are a number of colour variants for the Carry-On Pro, and our selection is the gunmetal grey with cognac leather accents, the combination of which gives the case a clean and elegant appearance. It really looks the part – so much so that, after arriving to London and meeting up with our friends, they instantly commented on our swish-looking case. This is easily the most handsome piece of luggage that we have ever used. Until such time as we have a second, we now have to deliberate over who gets to use it!
One of our favourite things about this case is the dedicated front-pocket access for essentials such as travel documents and portable electronic devices. We know this will be a total game changer for passing through airport security controls as it serves to make retrieving laptops and electrical devices from the case so much quicker.
Another super handy feature relates to the lack of a conventional main zip on the Carry-On Pro. Carl Friedrik instead opted for a central clasp function that locks the main compartment with a personalised code. We love this feature because this clasp design means that accessing the main luggage compartment is not only more secure but also a lot faster and less fiddly, especially considering that zips can be a common point of failure on cases like this.
All the cognac accents are genuine Italian leather, which gives a really high-end feel to the design. Marching around London with this case really provides a sense of class and James Bond vibes – for a brilliant moment we get to feel like we have our lives together!
The hard-shell exterior is made from a durable polycarbonate material, which feels lightweight but strong and robust. Our case is also supplied with the optional dotted texture feature applied to the outer shell, which we find to be a great addition because it helps to weather the trials and tribulations of long-term travel invisibly. Marks and blemishes are better concealed by the dotted texture so that the case will be kept looking pristine and unscathed for as long as possible throughout our trips.
One of the first things we noticed when taking the bag out of the house was the wheels. No longer will we have to worry about waking the neighbours up at 04:00 AM as we pound towards a taxi to catch those early morning flights! These wheels are of a silent-run design originating from Japan, and we can safely say that they really live up to their name. They glide quietly and seamlessly across the ground, even when the bag is loaded at full capacity.
When it comes to the inside of the case, the luxury design doesn’t stop there. The inside lining is beautifully patterned with colours to match the outer design. The retention straps are thick and durable, and the compression pad makes the interior feel spacious and organised – packing all the essentials for a trip is nice and straightforward. There are also a number of secret zip compartments inside to store smaller, harder-to-organise belongings like toiletries, underwear, jewellery and personal items. There is even an integrated cable enabling a power bank to be connected to charge your phone battery up from within the case itself.
So Is It Perfect?
Nothing in life is perfect, and there are a few reasons as to why the Carry-On Pro isn’t quite a solid 10/10. As this product does come with a premium price tag, we feel there are a few aspects that could have been slightly improved to make this impressive case even better.
We wish the lovely leather from the carry handles was also applied to the extendable rack handle as well. In our opinion, the plastic rack handle and the sturdiness of the extendable mechanism itself do let the overall feel of the case down. This handle is not as comfortable to hold when rolling the bag for some time. The extension mechanism for this main handle does not quite match the high-quality standards that are prevalent throughout the rest of the design. Seeing as this is one of the most used features of a wheeled case, although this has little bearing on the look of the bag, it is something to consider.
Another thing to bear in mind is that there is no solid divider between the main compartment and the front quick-access pocket so for those who struggle to pack light (don’t we all…?!) then filling the main section to the brim may impact the availability of space in the front pocket.
It is also worth noting that the front pocket is not protected by the passkey security locks that enclose the main section of the bag, meaning that valuables may be easily accessed if the case were left unattended for any time during a flight or long journey.
Verdict
Coming in at £445, this is definitely a premium price tag for a hand luggage case. However, the age-old mantra of “you get what you pay for” holds true with the Carry-On Pro as this piece of luggage stands head and shoulders above any other case that we have used in the past. Various small ease-of-use features incorporated into the design culminate to make a big difference in quality of life and simplicity when travelling. Most will agree that travelling can be stressful and arduous at the best of times, and so products that can make life easier when passing through airports etc. are very welcome additions to the arsenal!
The stand-out aspects that really set this case apart in our opinion are:
- Omission of a zip in favour of the lock closure
- Dedicated and separately accessed pocket ideal for airport security checks
- Smooth wheel movement that glides even when the case is fully loaded
Carl Friedrik also offer a 100-day trial on all products so that customers can experience the items for themselves. A lifetime guarantee is also included with each purchase so it is great to see that there is no limited warranty period once the product has been received.
For anyone with this budget available to invest in a cabin bag, whether for yourself or as a stellar gift for someone this Christmas, the Carry-On Pro definitely deserves your attention.
Check out yours at this link here.