Travelpro
Platinum Elite Large Softside Expandable Check-In Luggage
- Bottom Line
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With its internal organization, durable soft shell, quiet wheels and outstanding performance, this soft-sided, checked suitcase scored perfectly in all our tests.
- Pros
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The scratch-free, dent-free, scuff-free nylon fabric exterior stands up to rough handling. Smooth spinner wheels lock magnetically in line. They traveled well over all kinds of surfaces during testing. We loved the interior organization and built-in expansion, especially the built-in suiter. Comfortable handles made it easy to maneuver. It earned perfect scores on all our tests.
- Cons
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Somewhat pricey. As a soft suitcase, it doesn’t protect against impacts as well as a hard suitcase would.
About the product
A reliable bag from a trusted brand
Travelpro has long been the suitcase brand of choice for airline crews around the world, and the Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Expandable Check-In Luggage is a good example of what makes it so desirable. The bags are made of an ultra-tough, high-density fabric with a DuraGuard coating that’s intended to resist water, stains and abrasions. It also boasts Travelpro’s MagnaTrac self-aligning wheels and a host of thoughtful features for comfort and convenience on the go.
But is the luggage really worth the top-of-the-line price? To see how the suitcase would hold up in real-world conditions, the BestReviews Testing Lab put it to the test. We stuffed it to capacity for a two-week trip, dragged it over cobblestone streets and threw it down a flight of concrete stairs, and the bag still looked as good as new.
It’s massive, has unique organization features and can withstand the rigors of modern travel. We think it’s the perfect choice if you travel regularly or are planning an international trip.
What is the Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Expandable Check-In Luggage?
Product Specifications
Size and Capacity: 32.5” H x 21” W x 13.25” D | Weight: 11.5 lb | Material: Nylon | Expandable: Yes
The Travelpro Platinum Elite Check-In Spinner we tested is the biggest suitcase in the Platinum Elite Softside collection, which includes six carry-on bags and a medium suitcase. Made with strong, high-density nylon coated with DuraGuard to protect it from stains and scuffs, the bag’s exterior still looked fresh after our multiple drop tests.
This good-looking suitcase features leather accents and shiny chrome zippers, plus a large front pocket and a smaller pocket to stash anything you need easy access to. For convenience, there is an integrated bag tag, a TSA-approved dial lock, handles on three sides and a telescoping handle. When we took it for a spin on the busy streets of San Francisco, the MagnaTrac self-aligning wheels never jammed.
The interior includes a fold-out suiter, which impressed us with the way it kept our clothes neat and wrinkle-free. Multiple pockets and a strap system kept everything in place, and a 2-inch expansion option gave us plenty of room to add souvenirs.
Price and where to buy
The Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Expandable Check-In Luggage retails for $529.99. You can buy it from Amazon.
Why we like it
Expands two inches
This bag offers a generous two inches of extra room to ensure we don’t need to leave anything behind. We appreciated that this expansion feature has a tapered design that’s more balanced and prevents the bag from tipping over.
Organizational options galore
Inside, you’ll find a built-in suiter that keeps clothes free of wrinkles, plus a detachable toiletry bag, two medium-size mesh pockets that double as compression straps and one small internal zippered pocket. On the outside, there is one large exterior pocket and one smaller exterior pocket for items such as passport, charger or important documents. Last, there are small shoe bags, which is a small but nice detail.
Glides smoothly
We were in love with the eight MagnaTrac, self-aligning, 360-degree spinner wheels. They are some of the best suitcase wheels we’ve tested. We dragged the bag over various surfaces, including carpet, cobblestone, uneven sidewalks and hard floors, without a hitch. We found that the bag easily pulled behind, in front and beside us. Plus, the wheels are very quiet.
100-day risk-free trial and lifetime warranty
If your bag fails to meet any of your expectations, for any reason, you can return it for a full refund within 100 days, no questions asked. Travelpro will also pay for the return shipping. This is rare when it comes to luggage. Usually, you can only return unused luggage.
The limited lifetime warranty also covers any reasonable amount of damage to parts, including wheels, zippers, telescoping handle and carrying handles. Just make sure to register the bag within 120 days of the date of delivery.
What we don’t like
Easy to overpack
The bag is very big, and we felt a little uncomfortable navigating it through busy streets. With the 2-inch expansion option and three additional front pockets, it’s easy to overpack this bag. Be mindful when packing, make sure to weigh the bag before you leave the house and double-check the bag weight restrictions for your airline.
Durability and build quality
Softside suitcases have a reputation for being less durable than hardside luggage, but that isn’t the case here. The material is high-density nylon with a DuraGuard coating, which is intended to act as a water and stain repellent. To assess the durability of the materials, zippers, wheels and handles, we dropped the bag from heights of three and six feet and sent it tumbling down a flight of concrete stairs. We couldn’t find any damage.
The SUPRA zipper heads were also impressive. We repeatedly opened and closed the zippers to evaluate their durability while the bag was fully stuffed and they worked perfectly. In addition, the suitcase’s durable lining is made of 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles to help reduce environmental waste. It’s also treated to be moisture-resistant.
Design and features
This thoughtfully designed suitcase offers an abundance of handy features for the frequent flier. Its best interior feature is, by far, the built-in, detachable suiter, which is intended to keep clothes from wrinkling. Our tester left a dress in the bag for over a week, and when it was finally time to unpack, there were zero wrinkles. If you don’t need to pack dress clothes for your trip, it easily zips up and can be used as an additional pocket.
A detachable bag was nice for keeping toiletries separate from our other belongings while traveling. Two medium-size mesh pockets double as compression straps; however, we found it challenging to store much in those pockets because they’re obstructed by what’s already packed in the bag. We also felt that the exterior pockets were a bit unnecessary: when filled, they make the bag bulkier.
The 2-inch expansion feature is tapered so that it’s visibly bigger at the bottom, which is intended to balance the bag. Though this gave the bag a peculiar shape, it didn’t tip over or appear unsteady. Thanks to all that extra room, we easily packed over 60 items, including several outfits, jackets, shoes, toiletries, a drone and numerous miscellaneous items. Empty, the bag weighs 11.5 pounds; after we packed it, the bag weighed nearly 52 pounds, so we needed to remove a couple of items to comply with the 50-pound limit of most airlines.
Maneuverability and travel convenience
When you have a large bag, it needs to be easy to maneuver. To test its MagnaTrac self-aligning spinner wheels, we dragged the bag over various surfaces, including carpet, cobblestone, uneven sidewalk and smooth floors. It glided so quietly and effortlessly on its eight wheels that this suitcase was our favorite to maneuver of all the bags we tested.
We also walked through crowded spaces, picked up the packed bag and carried it up stairs, as well as lifted it into the trunk of the car. The contoured telescoping handle is made with a grip texture that’s easy to hold, and it helped us make tight turns with ease. It has four stops at 36, 38, 40 and 42.5 inches to accommodate people of various heights. We also found the leather handles attached to the top, side and bottom of the suitcase to be a really nice touch, especially when compared to the stiffer handles on the Travelpro’s hardside bag.
How does it compare to other luggage we’ve tested?
We compared the Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Expandable Check-In Luggage to eight other suitcases we tested, including the Travelpro Platinum Elite Hardside Expandable Check-In Luggage. If we had to choose between the two Travelpros, we prefer the softside over the hardside. Especially in the comfort and functionality category, the softside offers nice touches, including leather grab handles and an ergonomic telescoping handle, which made maneuvering the bag feel effortless. When listening to the sound of the wheels, we found that the Travelpro Hardside was louder as well. However, the Travelpro Softside costs about $50 more than the hardside.
Testing the Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Expandable Check-In Luggage
Capacity and organization test
To assess the suitcase's total capacity and the effectiveness of its organizational features, we packed for a two-week trip, using all compartments plus the 2-inch expansion feature. We stuffed it with a variety of clothing, shoes, toiletries and travel essentials.
Maneuverability test
To evaluate the smoothness of the spinner wheels and how well they could handle different surfaces, we took this suitcase for a ride on smooth floors, carpet, cobblestones and uneven sidewalks. We also evaluated the telescoping handle’s comfort and stability.
Durability test
To assess the durability of materials, zippers, wheels and handles, we dropped the suitcase from three feet and six feet. We also dragged the bag over rough surfaces to test the abrasion resistance of the fabric. We conducted a tumble test and dropped the bag down a flight of concrete stairs. Last, to evaluate the durability of the zippers, we repeatedly opened and closed the bag while it was fully packed.
Weight and balance test
We measured the suitcase's weight when empty and when fully packed. We wanted to determine if the suitcase remained within airline weight restrictions when fully packed as well as assess its balance.
Should you get the Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Expandable Check-In Luggage?
If you’re ready to invest in the suitcase that’s going to take your travel to the next level, we recommend the Travelpro Platinum Elite Softside Expandable Check-In Luggage. It’s everything a frequent flier or international traveler needs, and a little more. This bag is for anyone who values durability, packing space and functionality and loves to stay organized.