Briggs & Riley
Global 21-Inch Carry-On Expandable Spinner
- Bottom Line
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This softside carry-on spinner boasts premium materials and a clever compression system.
- Pros
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CX compression system expands over 2 inches for packing, then compresses back to original size with a click. Smooth double-spinner wheels feature shock-absorbing design and were effortless to move during testing. We appreciated the included garment bag and internal organization, plus its third grab handle at the bottom. The exterior is made with durable ballistic nylon.
- Cons
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Pricey. Not quite as protective of contents as a hardside. A little heavy when fully packed.
About the product
A luxury bag designed to keep up with the frequent traveler
The Briggs & Riley Global 21-Inch Carry-On Expandable Spinner Suitcase is a premium travel companion designed for travelers who want the very best and are willing to pay for it. The bag costs $699 before tax and is rarely on sale. But that hefty cost is offset by Briggs & Riley’s generous warranty, which promises they will fix the bag for free for as long as you own it.
Eager to find out if the price tag actually matches the quality, the BestReviews Testing Lab put it through its paces. After taking it on a weeklong trip and subjecting it to a battery of tests, including an obstacle course and dragging it over rough surfaces, we came away thoroughly impressed. If money is no object, we can’t recommend this durable, feature-packed bag highly enough.
What is the Briggs & Riley Baseline Spinner?
Product Specifications
Dimensions: 15” W x 11.5” D x 21” H | Capacity: 37 L to 49 L | Weight: 9.9 lb | Material: Ballistic nylon fabric | Expandable: Yes
Briggs & Riley thought of everything when they designed the Global 21-Inch Carry-On Expandable Spinner Suitcase. Made with rugged ballistic nylon fabric and reinforced with impact-resistant corner guards, this carry-on still looked great no matter how much we abused it. The shock-absorbing 360-degree spinner wheels easily glided over uneven sidewalks and rough surfaces during our tests. And no damage could be seen on the bag after we dropped it on concrete from a height of 6 feet.
But what really sets this carry-on apart from others (besides its lifetime guarantee) are some of its premium features. The brand’s CX compression system allows you to bring up to 25% more items without going over the size requirements of most airlines, and an integrated garment folder barely wrinkled our dress clothes. There’s also an adjustable aluminum telescoping handle as well as grab handles on the top, bottom and side for maximum convenience.
To identify your bag, there’s a hide-away ID tag and the option to add a personalized leather monogram nameplate. Briggs & Riley also includes a TSA cable lock and a SmartLink strap, which enabled us to securely transport two bags at once.
Price and where to buy
The Briggs & Riley Global 21-Inch Carry-On Expandable Spinner Suitcase costs $699 and is available at Amazon. If $700 is over your budget, Amazon does offer used options for as low as $630.
Why we like it
Integrated garment carrier
Have you ever seen a carry-on with an integrated garment folder? Using this impressive feature, also known as a suiter, we packed a dress and left it in the suitcase for over a week. When it was finally time to unpack, we couldn't find many wrinkles in the dress.
Innovative compression feature
The CX compression-expansion system is unlike anything we’ve seen. The sides of the bag expand with the press of a button, offering plenty of room to pack for a weeklong trip. Then, by closing the bag and firmly pressing down on it, the air is squeezed out, returning the bag to its original size so that it still complies with most airline overhead bin requirements.
Exterior pockets
The exterior PowerPocket was perfect for storing a battery pack and charging our phone on the go. At the front of the suitcase is a large pocket that grants easy access to travel documents, hat or gloves. The pocket has an orange lining to serve as a visual reminder to close it if you leave it open.
What we don’t like
Very expensive
The Briggs & Riley Global Carry-On is a top-of-the-line bag for those who want the very best money can buy. Due to the bag’s durability, high-end materials, innovative features and an unconditional lifetime warranty, the $700 price tag sounds about right to us. However, you could buy a checked bag plus a carry-on from another brand for less.
Heavier than most
Weighing 9.9 pounds when empty, this bag is at least a couple pounds heavier than the average carry-on. For instance, the similarly sized Away Bigger Carry-On weighs about 8 pounds, the Monos Carry-On weighs 7 pounds and the Travelpro Maxlite 5 International Carry-On Spinner weighs just 5.3 pounds. After we fully packed the Briggs & Riley, its extra heft was noticeable.
Design and features
With a maximum 49-liter capacity, the Briggs & Riley Global 21-Inch Carry-On Expandable Spinner Suitcase held approximately 40 items, including clothing, shoes and toiletries, and it was the only bag we needed for a weeklong trip.
When it comes to handy features, the Briggs & Riley Global Carry-On can’t be beat. For one, its unique CX compression system made packing far easier compared to traditional carry-ons. We simply pressed the button inside the bag and watched it expand; when we were done packing, we zipped it up and, almost like magic, were able to reduce it to its original size by pressing down on it, making it compatible with most airline overhead-bin requirements. Briggs & Riley claims this gives you 25% more space and, indeed, we were able to squeeze up to three more outfits inside.
We were heading to a wedding, so we used the integrated garment folder to secure formal attire, which eliminated the need to carry a separate garment bag or check a bag. Unbelievably, after a week of travel, the dress packed in the garment carrier had minimal wrinkles. And speaking of wrinkles, many bags have a bumpy interior due to the bars of the adjustable trolley handle, but the Briggs & Riley bag has an exterior-mounted Outsider handle so the compartment’s interior remains smooth and flat. Our clothes came out as crisp as they were when we packed them.
Additional features include a TSA cable lock and a SmartLink strap, which allows you to securely transport two bags at once. While most bags have a TSA lock built into the suitcase, it’s worth noting that you could use this cable lock elsewhere while traveling. This bag also comes with plenty of pockets, including two mesh pockets on the inside of the lid, an exterior pocket and a PowerPocket that holds a battery pack and device for quick charging on the go.
Durability and build quality
Though the Briggs & Riley Global Carry-On is a softside bag, it’s made with the best materials to last a lifetime. Its thick ballistic nylon fabric exterior is reinforced by impact-resistant corner guards, which showed zero wear and tear after we took it on our trip.
To put it to the ultimate test, we dragged it over various surfaces, including asphalt, tile, concrete and carpet. We dropped it several times from heights of 3 feet and 6 feet, and we dropped it down a flight of stairs. After all of that, the bag still looked great. The 360-degree spinner wheels rolled as smoothly as ever and the aluminum telescoping handle felt sturdy.
We also overpacked the suitcase to stress the YKK zippers and expansion system. The zippers worked smoothly and didn’t break or jam no matter how full we packed it.
Maneuverability and travel convenience
After we packed, we took the Briggs & Riley Global Carry-On for a spin on various surfaces. We found the 360-degree shock-absorbing spinner wheels to be an upgrade from previous models. They were very quiet and easily pulled behind, next to and in front of us while traveling.
The aluminum telescoping handle didn’t wobble during our testing either. It can be adjusted to multiple stops, which is convenient when trying to find a comfortable height. We also noted that the telescoping handle acts as an additional bumper when dragging the bag over curbs. Retrieving our luggage from an overhead bin felt convenient as well. There are grab handles on the bottom, top and sides of the bag. This is especially helpful when you have a line of passengers waiting for you to get your bag and get off the plane.
As for exterior pockets, we could easily find important travel documents in the large front pocket and charge our phone in the PowerPocket. There’s also an integrated ID tag that slides in and out of the bag for added security. Or, if you prefer a little personalization, you can add a personalized leather monogram nameplate for instant identification at baggage claim.
How does it compare to other suitcases we’ve tested?
We compared the Briggs & Riley Global 21-Inch Carry-On Expandable Spinner to eight other suitcases we tested. If cost was not considered, Briggs & Riley would be our hands-down favorite. It was the only carry-on bag that had an integrated suiter and unique compression system, and its luxurious look and feel are hard to beat.
While the Amazon Basics 20-Inch Hardside Spinner Suitcase does have an expansion zipper, packing the bag very full strained the zipper. We also liked the feel of the Briggs & Riley’s zippers, especially when comparing them to the bulky ones on Away Carry-On Suitcases.
Testing the Briggs & Riley Baseline Spinner
Durability test
To assess the suitcase's resilience to wear and tear, we dragged the bag over different surfaces, including concrete, tile and carpet. We also performed drop tests from heights of 3 feet and 6 feet to simulate the kind of rough handling the bag might experience during transit. Last, we overpacked the suitcase to test the zippers and expansion system under stress.
Maneuverability test
We took the suitcase through a course of tight turns and obstacles and over different types of flooring. We also tested the bag’s stability when fully packed while stationary and in motion. We assessed how easy it was to turn the bag and noted if it tipped over when it was fully packed.
Efficiency and organization test
To determine the suitcase's capacity and the effectiveness of its organizational features, we packed it for a weeklong trip with a variety of items, such as clothing, shoes and toiletries. We used all the compartments and pockets to assess their practicality and accessibility.
Expandability test
To determine the added capacity when expanding the suitcase, we packed it for a weeklong trip and then expanded the suitcase and packed additional items, to test instances in which a traveler adds items while traveling.
Should you get the Briggs & Riley Baseline Spinner?
Without a doubt, the Briggs & Riley Baseline Spinner is an incredible carry-on bag, and the garment carrier is a game changer. Anyone who is willing to invest in their luggage or hopes to fit everything into just one carry-on will get years of use from this feature-packed bag.