Hello, my wonderful friends, how have you been?
Are you the type of traveler who decides to embark on a journey with just a carry-on suitcase? The experience of traveling without a lot of baggage sure has its ups and downs!
Let me just say this up front: if you’ve ever tried to navigate the chaos of Mexico City’s subway system during rush hour with a suitcase in tow, you already know it’s less of a travel experience and more of a Hunger Games audition.
That’s exactly the crucible where I tested the mettle of the Level 8 Textured Carry-On Suitcase. Spoiler alert: it survived. I nearly didn’t.
So, let’s dive into this review. I’ll walk you through the good, the great, and more of the Level 8 Textured Carry-On Suitcase, with a few personal anecdotes sprinkled in like luggage confetti.
Are you ready, my wonder friends?
A Review of the Level 8 Textured Carry-On Suitcase with Packing Cubes
For my most recent trip to Mexico City, I chose the Level 8 Textured Carry-On Suitcase. This medium-sized 20’ 20-inch suitcase also came with 8 packing cubes so I never had to worry about mixing my socks with my boxers!
After reviewing the large 24’ Hegent Suitcase and the Atlas Backpack, it was now time to complete the Holy Trinity of Travel Luggage and the Textured Carry-On didn’t disappoint at all!
As you well know, when buying a suitcase, there are 7 important key aspects that are the most essential: Size and Capacity, Durability, Weight, Design and Mobility, Safety Features, Compartments, and Warranty.
Here’s how the Level 8 Textured Carry-On Suitcase scores in each of them.
Size and Capacity
First things first: the carry-on is a 20-inch beauty that fits most airline restrictions. I flew into Mexico City via a budget airline, where “carry-on approved” often translates to “pray and push.”
Despite my prayers, I didn’t have to push, it fit in the overhead bin like a dream. Inside, the 40-liter capacity is surprisingly generous. I packed enough for a four-day trip, including three polo shirts way too big for my current weight, a big dose of protein powder, and an emergency poncho I never used but emotionally needed.
The magic, though, is in the six packing cubes. These aren’t just cubes. They’re life-altering, relationship-saving, stress-busting sorcery. With small, medium, large, and extra-large options, I was able to optimize the heck out of my packing. Underwear had its dedicated cube. So did socks. And snacks. Yes, I cube-packed snacks. Nothing like an emergency protein bar to avoid tasteless airplane food!
By the way, this website has an updated, non-exhaustive list of many airlines’ size limits for carry-on luggage. Every airline has some slightly different restrictions so be sure to check them out before your trip to avoid last minute surprises!
Size and Capacity: 5/5
Durability
This is where Level8 deserves real applause. The shell is made from polycarbonate and feels like something you’d expect from one of those spy films.
Between the cobblestone sidewalks of Coyoacán and a particularly dicey moment where a street performer jumped over my suitcase, it came out looking no worse for wear. It even resisted scratches better than my friend’s dignity after she tried to speak Spanish to a taxi driver.
The textured surface helps hide any marks and dirt that come with being dragged through life (and cobblestone streets). Even after being rolled through puddles, knocked over in the metro, and used as an impromptu bench while waiting in line for tacos, it looked like it had just come out of the box.
And yes, it’s kind of hard to find a spot to sit to eat tacos during rush hour in Mexico City so a suitcase is a life saver!
Durability: 5/5
Weight
Weighing in at 7.7 lbs, the Textured Carry-On is very sturdy at the cost of being restrictive since, due to its weight, you now have to bring fewer clothes to still pass the airline requirements.
I appreciated the suitcase’s sturdiness during my ill-advised decision to take the suitcase through the Mexico City subway system in order to save time (rush hour is hell!!!).
If you’re wondering what that was like, imagine being in a mosh pit with wheels. Despite the hustle, I was able to lift it up and down stairs without causing a scene (okay, a minor one), and my arms didn’t hate me the next day. That’s a big win if you ask me.
Weight 4/5
Design
Now, this thing looks slick. Sleek lines, minimalist vibes, and available in a few classy colors. I chose the navy blue version because it matches my jeans and you all know I love matching everything.
It doesn’t scream “look at me!” which is great when you’re trying to blend in while wheeling luggage through narrow markets full of breakable pottery.
The handle is a dream. It glides in and out smoother than my pickup lines at the airport bar. The wheels? Quiet and smooth, until I hit a cobblestone street and they sounded like maracas. Still, they held up.
Inside, there are zippered compartments and mesh dividers that made me feel more organized than I’ve ever been in my life. This is seriously THE best carry-on suitcase I have ever had in my decade of traveling.
Design 5/5
Security Features
There’s a TSA-approved lock built right in, which made me feel like a responsible adult, even though I almost forgot the code once and had to Google “how to reset TSA lock without crying.”
It also gave me peace of mind when I had to leave my suitcase at a hostel while exploring. The hard shell is tamper-resistant, too, which is comforting when you’re worried someone might want to steal your artisanal chocolate stash.
Outside of someone trying to break the suitcase with Thor’s hammer, I can’t seriously imagine a realistic scenario in which a thief might be able to access the contents of the suitcase.
Security Features 5/5
Compartments
In a few words, this suitcase knows how to optimize the life of the average traveler to make finding stuff easier.
The inner mesh divider is perfect for separating clean from dirty clothes—or, in my case, “worn for Zoom calls” versus “sweated through in the summer heat.”
I even managed to bring my Nintendo Switch and my Darth Vader-shaped tinbox where I put all of my chargers and extra batteries.
Combine that with the six glorious packing cubes, and you have an organization system so efficient you could probably file taxes in there.
Compartments 5/5
Warranty
Level 8 offers a lifetime warranty, and I believe them.
If this thing can survive Mexico City, a cobblestone street festival, and a 30-minute lunch while being used as a bench, then yeah, it’s built to last.
And knowing they stand behind the product just makes it easier to invest in something that feels like it’ll be around longer than my current travel obsession with spicy mango lollipops.
Level 8 has a 1-year warranty for all suitcases, which is a good enough timeframe for testing the suitcase out in case there’s an imperfection that can be fixed.
You can read the full details of the Warranty here on the Level 8 Website.
Warranty 5/5
Rating of Wonders of Level 8 Hegent Suitcase:
Size and Capacity: 5/5
Durability: 5/5
Weight 4/5
Design 5/5
Security Features 5/5
Compartments 5/5
Warranty 5/5
Final Verdict: Must-Buy.
So, is the Level8 Packing Cube Travel and Textured Luggage Combo worth it?
Absolutely.
It’s sturdy, stylish, thoughtfully designed, and built for people who don’t want their luggage to become the villain of their vacation. The cubes are a game changer. The suitcase is a beast in disguise, lightweight but strong, sleek but scratch-resistant.
Would I recommend it? Yes, especially if your travel style falls somewhere between “needs order” and “accidentally books a hostel with bunk beds.” Just… maybe don’t test it in the Mexico City subway unless you’re ready to duel with a mariachi band for elbow room.
Overall, this suitcase exceeded my expectations. It turned what could have been a chaotic mess of rolled-up clothes and broken zippers into a smooth, almost elegant experience.
From wheels that take on everything short of lava to compartments that make you feel like you’ve got your life together, it’s a standout performer.
The Level 8 Textured Carry-On Suitcase has a Weight of 7.7 lbs and its dimensions are: 14.6”L x 9.3”W x 21.5”H.
The six packing cubes included are: 1xSmall, 2xMedium, 1xLarge, 2x Extra Large. The combined weight of all of them is 1.93 lbs.
You can purchase it and many more here on the official Level 8 site. And on Amazon as well. You can use the discount code JourneyWonders10 to get an exclusive 10% off when buying from the Level 8 Website.
I hope you have enjoyed this review of the Level 8 Hegent Suitcase. Don’t forget to subscribe to get more awesome updates and tips straight to your email!
What’s your favorite suitcase brand? How often do you change suitcases? Share your thoughts and let me know what you think!
Until next time, my friends!
