July
Checked Trunk Suitcase
About the product
We tested the July Checked Trunk and are confident it’s the best trunk out there
Drawing design inspiration from the 1970s, the July Checked Trunk offers a unique, simple aesthetic that's sure to stand out on the baggage carousel. But July isn’t just about good looks. The brand claims its products are unbreakable and will last a lifetime. To pinpoint exactly what customers wanted, July’s team considered 4,000 reviews to inform all aspects of the trunk’s design, from its SilentMove spinner wheels to its scratch-resistant texture.
The BestReviews Testing Lab wanted to put July’s claims to the test. To simulate real-world travel, we conducted drop tests from waist height and tumble tests down a flight of stairs. We dragged the bag over rough surfaces and exposed it to rain for 20 minutes. We also stuffed it with more than 70 items for a two-week trip.
By the end of testing, we were thoroughly impressed by the July Checked Trunk’s durability, maneuverability and performance. If you’re willing to spend more, it’s a great option for frequent domestic and international travelers.
What is the July Checked Trunk?
Product specifications
Size and Capacity: 28.25” H x 16.5” W x 14.5” D; 95 L | Weight: 13.2 lb | Material: Glazed German polycarbonate shell | Expandable: No
The July Checked Trunk provides unbeatable protection for your belongings. Built to last, it’s made from 100% aerospace-grade German polycarbonate reinforced by a rivetless aluminum frame. And unlike traditional suitcases that zip shut, the July Checked Trunk has two latch locks that require a code to open, providing a greater challenge to thieves.
Weighing 13.2 pounds when empty, it has a capacity of 95 liters, so you can really pack in a lot. The lid has a unique 80/20 opening design, which means that, unlike traditional 50/50 clamshell openings, it lets you store bulky items like boots and heavier clothes on the deeper side and lighter items on the shallower side. We were amazed by how much we could fit in its roomy interior, especially bulky items that might not have fit in a standard zippered suitcase. For organization, it has two large zip mesh pockets (one on each side) and a smaller zippered side pocket.
To help squeeze everything in is the July Y-Strap Compression System, which is a heavy-duty strap that you pull down before shutting the bag. This made it much easier to close the bag without any struggle. We also loved the bag’s noise-reducing spinner wheels, which ensure quiet and smooth rolling on any surface, making navigating busy airports a breeze.
The most compelling aspect of the July Checked Trunk is its value. Compared to high-end competitors like Tumi and RIMOWA, July offers exceptional quality at a more accessible price point. Plus, the trunk is backed by a lifetime guarantee, providing long-term peace of mind for your investment.
Price and where to buy
The July Checked Trunk costs $545. It can be bought directly from July’s website or from their store in New York City.
Why we like it
Ease of transportation
Navigating the July Checked Trunk over various surfaces felt effortless. The bag features a multi-stop handle that adjusts to the height that’s comfortable for you. And the rubber handle feels as soft as butter, so it’s lovely to hold. And we didn’t mind traveling through crowded and tight spaces thanks to the silent double wheels. It had us wondering how we ever traveled without them.
Narrow design
During testing, we found that lugging this trunk around was actually easier than lugging a traditional hardside or softside checked suitcase. Despite it being a trunk, the bag is narrow compared to the average extra-large suitcase, but it’s also a few inches deeper, so it can still accommodate what you might pack in a traditional bag.
Small details
When you unbox the trunk, it’s in a white cloth bag, where you’ll find an envelope filled with messages and goodies from the founders of July. In the envelope, there are instructions for how to set the code on the TSA latch locks, a bookmark that doubles as a card where you can write your lock codes and care instructions for the suitcase. A “July customer happiness team” card lets you know you can reach out to them for help on Instagram or contact them through their website.
100% waterproof
The July Checked Trunk is 100% waterproof. We walked it around in the rain for at least 20 minutes, and everything inside stayed dry. The included laundry bag, which can hold a week’s worth of rolled-up dirty clothes, is also water resistant and smell-proof.
Durable
The case is made of 100% aerospace-grade German polycarbonate, which is the same material used to construct the interiors of airplanes. After we dropped the bag from waist height, threw it down the stairs and dragged it over rough surfaces, we didn’t notice any dents in the material.
What we don’t like
Not the best for organization
The 80/20 opening is great for stacking heavier and bulkier items, but the deeper side is so deep that it’s challenging to pinpoint exactly where everything is once the bag is fully packed. Plus, we weren’t able to fit much in the small internal zippered pocket once we had the bag fully packed. If we had used packing cubes in this bag, we would have been able to pack more and feel more organized.
“Magic” eraser doesn’t really work
After our drop tests, including dropping the bag down a concrete staircase, we noticed some paint marks and scuffs that were challenging to remove. The included “magic” eraser didn’t seem to do much when we tried to scrub them away. Fingerprints, however, did easily disappear with the use of the eraser.
Durability and build quality
One seriously tough trunk, this case is made of 100% aerospace-grade German polycarbonate and reinforced by a rivetless aluminum frame. We inspected the bag’s durability and build quality for any damage following numerous drop tests, focusing on the integrity of the latch locks, handles and wheels. We found no significant damage and were pleasantly surprised by the build of the July Checked Trunk.
The outer shell of the suitcase resisted any dents from our staircase drop tests (in which we threw the bag down a flight of stairs and dropped it from waist height on a wooden floor). However, we did notice some scuffs caused by the drops. We also noticed some fingerprints on the shell, but these were easily removed by July’s eraser. Last, when we exposed it to a 20-minute walk in the rain, all of the contents stayed 100% dry.
Design and features
A perfect combination of style and functionality, the July Checked Trunk provides travelers with an 80/20 lid opening to accommodate oversize items without squishing them. During testing, we were able to store bulky items like boots and heavier clothes on the deeper side and lighter items on the shallower side. We also found it’s easier to close this suitcase because the shallow half is simple to flip shut compared to a traditional 50/50 suitcase.
Heading to New Zealand, we were able to pack more than 70 items in the July Checked Trunk, including some warm clothing, such as boots and coats, as well as miscellaneous items like a drone. Empty, this suitcase weighs 13.2 pounds; however, fully packed, it weighed nearly 49.7 pounds. Two large interior mesh zippered pockets and a smaller side pocket are also provided for organization.
July also offers extensive personalization options, allowing travelers to customize their luggage with a variety of colors and fonts, in gloss or matte, to make it really stand out on the baggage carousel.
Maneuverability and travel convenience
July calls their wheels “SilentMove 360” wheels and, after rolling the bag across various surfaces, we can confidently say their name suits them. July designed the wheels in-house based on customer reviews. And they claim “they can handle the cobblestones of Europe,” so we put them to the test on the cobblestones of San Francisco. It’s confirmed: they’re amazing. They easily and quietly glided over any surface.
Another small detail that July customized for travelers is the multi-stop handle. No matter your height, it adjusts to where you need it to be, up to 20 different positions, with a simple press of the button in the center of the handle. This stands out from most other suitcase handles that offer two or three options. And, as mentioned, the handle is extremely soft. As for the handles attached to the suitcase, we weren’t as impressed. They weren’t as comfortable as holding the adjustable handle, making lifting the trunk tricky.
We liked that the trunk has a perfectly flat top surface. We could easily stack our personal items on top of it — plus a coffee — while waiting in line at airport security.
July Y-Strap Compression System
Inside the trunk, you’ll find the July Y-Strap Compression System, which provides a heavy-duty strap that pulls everything (on the 80% opening side) down to create more space in the bag. We weren’t able to fit more in because it was already stuffed to the brim, but it did make closing the suitcase feel a lot easier.
Twin TSA-approved latch locks
Instead of traditional zippers, the July Checked Trunk comes with two integrated TSA latch locks. These locks are built into the bag, and we found they didn’t burst open even when the bag was overpacked. Each one requires a code to open that you set yourself. Not only was the sound of the lock satisfying, but we also had peace of mind knowing we didn’t have to worry about zippers breaking.
How does it compare to other luggage we’ve tested?
We compared the July Checked Trunk to eight other suitcases we tested. July’s wheels were our favorite overall compared to the wheels of the Samsonite’s Omni and Freeform checked bags.
July was also a clear winner when it came to small details, and small details turn a good suitcase into a great one. The July Checked Trunk is the only bag with a multi-stop handle that adjusts to suit your height. And we also appreciated the laundry bag and eraser, which were included with the trunk.
When it comes to internal space, the July bag stores the same amount as the other checked bags we tried, including the Travelpro Platinum Elite Check-In hardside and softside bags. However, it felt like a tighter squeeze when closing the lid.
Testing the July Checked Trunk
Design and features
To examine the trunk's design features, including the twin latch locks and 80/20 opening, we packed it with oversize items like boots and heavy clothing.
Durability and build quality
To test the Checked Trunk’s durability, we dropped it down a flight of concrete stairs, dropped it from a height of about three feet, and dragged it over sidewalks and rough surfaces. We also took it on a 20-minute walk in the rain on city sidewalks to test its water resistance.
Capacity and packing
To see how much we could fit in the bag, we packed for a two-week trip. We filled the bag with more than 70 items and used the July Y-Strap Compression System.
Maneuverability and travel convenience
We rolled the suitcase through various scenarios, including crowded areas and tight spaces. We assessed how convenient it felt to walk with the suitcase full of belongings over various surfaces.
Should you get the July Checked Trunk?
As a premium luggage option, the July Checked Trunk comes with a higher price tag, so it’s an investment. It’s designed for travelers who value both style and functionality. If you have plans to pack bulkier items on your next trip and want to stand out at baggage claim, this bag is for you.
It also comes with a lifetime warranty, a 100-day return policy and free shipping in the United States.