Let’s start this Level 8 luggage review by saying that as someone with more suitcases than a person is allowed to have, with 12 of them and using several more during my travels over the past 20 years. I feel I am an expert in finding the best luggage for Umrah and beyond.
When you travel as much as I do—especially for Umrah and with a young daughter in tow—having reliable luggage is not just a preference, but essential.
Recently I have been on the hunt for a hand luggage that is sturdy enough, spacious enough and fun.
I even asked all my online followers for their suggestions because I was fed up with the ones I had bought. For the past 5 years, I have been using soft cases because I only travel with hand luggage, but they never kept their shape and kept falling over (due to my overpacking), making them hard to push.
Enter Level 8, who emailed me asking if I would like to test out their luggage and give my opinion. I have already seen them online during my research, so I was definitely intrigued. So obviously, I was happy to accept the offer, especially after seeing their colours.
Table of Contents
The Search for Perfect Luggage
I decided to test out the Level 8 Voyageur range of hand luggage and the 28″ check-in bag in colour Celadon. Because if you look up at my logo, you will realise these suitcases could have been designed by me, the colours are pretty close.
Additionally, I was particularly intrigued by the wide handle, as I had never owned a suitcase like this before, especially for maximising carry-on luggage space for Umrah.
What initially caught my attention about the Level 8 Voyageur collection:
- The stunning Celadon colour (matches my brand perfectly!)
- Unique wide handle design
- Hardshell construction (after years of struggling with soft cases)
- Modern, sleek aesthetic
Level 8 Voyageur Features: Breaking Down the Specs That Matter
Hand Luggage (20″ Carry-on)
- Dimensions:21.3” x 15.1” x 9.8” ‘ (including wheels)
- Weight: 8 lbs (3.6 kg)
- Material: 100% German Makrolon® polycarbonate shell
- Features: Wide handle design, TSA-approved lock, silent 360° wheels
- Capacity: 43l
Check-in Luggage (28″ Suitcase)
- Dimensions: 29.1” x 16.6” x 13.3” (including wheels)
- Weight: 12.4 lbs (4.9 kg)
- Material: 100% German Makrolon® polycarbonate shell
- Features: Wide handle design, top handle, TSA-approved lock, silent wheels
- Capacity: 99l
Warranty: Lifetime warranty with registration
Overall, for this review, it ticked all the boxes.
The suitcases arrived on time for my trips and were very well packaged, including a dust bag.
The quality of the bags is high, and you can feel it from the outside all the way to the zips used. In all honesty, they are some of the nicest bags I have owned. To some extent, I was sad to use them.
Level 8 Luggage Review Carry-On 20″
I used the 20-inch hand luggage for my 24-hour Umrah. Since they came on time, they were the perfect bag to take with me.
For this 24-hour Umrah, I packed two abayas, three cloth changes, a pj and toiletries plus a pair of Birkenstock sandals, which are my go-to for Umrah.
There was plenty of space if I wanted to pack for longer trips, and for reference, I am size 14-16, so my clothes are not compact.
Not only is the interior great, but I also love that they have a wet pocket. This means I can put my dirty clothes there, especially socks and underwear, and separate them from the clean ones. A bonus.
It is a suitcase that will last you years, and due to cost and quality, I can recommend it.
I could easily pack for a 3-4 day trip in this carry-on without compression bags. For modest Muslim women’s clothing (which takes up more space), it comfortably fits enough for a long weekend trip.
Looking for more Umrah packing tips? Check out my Complete Umrah Packing List.
The Wide Handle: A Game-Changer
What I loved about the Voyager bag is that the handle is wide. I was very apprehensive and spent a good 2 hours deciding between the models, but I wanted to test out something new for this review.
I am so glad I went with the wide handle. I thought it would be a problem to put my backpack down and stay, but due to its size, it fit without me having to hold it.
This also provides space inside, making it more efficient when using only hand luggage for your holiday. This is the main reason why I picked the bag. I travel mostly with hand luggage and I pack for myself and my daughter, so the little extra space in the suitcase counts.
During my Umrah trip, due to the crowd management and the time we arrived at 2 am, the roads were closed, which meant we had a 2km trek to the top to get to our hotel.
I wasn’t sure how the wheels would perform, but they did great. The bag weighed around 19kg, but it was easy to push up the hill.
I remember telling my friend how happy I was that I took it with me instead of my backpack because that would have been very heavy.
The 2km uphill journey in Makkah is about as tough as luggage testing gets! With outside temperatures around 30°C (86°F) and crowds everywhere, the wheels remained smooth and didn’t catch on the uneven pavement.
Many cheaper suitcases would have had their wheels damaged on this journey.
Overall, the bag is excellent for travelling and I would give it 10/10. I would probably go for a darker colour because I feel so sad about the scratches.
Level 8 Luggage Review 28″ Voyager: Gravel and Stones Test
With regards to the large 28″ Voyager Level 8 suitcase, I absolutely love the fact that it has a top handle and it is a little more boxy than the standard rectangular suitcase.
As a woman, I often struggle with pulling the suitcase out of the conveyor belt, especially since it seems that chivalry is dying, and the male species is no longer helpful.
So, travelling with a child and this suitcase makes things a little easier instead of me running to catch my bag on the belt.
Again, the product is super sturdy, and I was really sad I had to take the bag on a trip because I knew it would get scratched and didn’t have time to order a cover.
Level 8 does have covers for their suitcases, and I wish I had bought one.
However, I did manage to clean most of the scratches, and they came off easily.
Interior Space and Organisation
The suitcase is large and, in a way, reminds me of trunk luggage, but it has enough space to fit a month’s worth of clothes for myself and my daughter.
The interior is split into two great-sized compartments, and because the handles are further out, there is more inner storage space, so I can easily fit packing cubes or my favourite vacuum bags, so I can fit more clothes in.
There are two zip-up compartments: one for wet clothes or, in my case, dirty clothes, and the other is a mesh version.
Both sides of the suitcase compartments also have closed zippers, so the contents of your luggage will not spill when you open your suitcase.
The material is sturdy and well-made.
This capacity is perfect for modest dressing or family travel to Muslim-friendly destinations. I could pack:
- 7-10 days of clothing for 2 people without vacuum bags
- 2+ weeks of clothing with vacuum compression
- Multiple prayer outfits/abayas without crushing them
Both my trips – Umrah with the hand luggage and Oslo with the large Level 8 suitcase – put these bags through serious challenges.
For the Umrah trip, I walked 2km uphill with the hand luggage. In Oslo, I dragged the larger suitcase over gravel paths to reach my friend’s flat. Despite these tough conditions, the suitcases performed admirably.
The suitcases are genuinely stylish—they look fantastic, and the Celadon colour perfectly matches my Muslim Travel Girl logo! The wheels rolled smoothly without any issues on smooth airport floors and normal roads.
But let’s be honest – when travelling, we rarely stick to perfect surfaces.
My only minor complaint is with the larger 28″ suitcase. It felt slightly harder to manoeuvre when fully packed at around 19kg than the hand luggage at a similar weight. I wish the wheels were just a bit larger, better to balance the suitcase’s boxier shape and heavier load.
I was particularly impressed that even after dragging the wheels across gravel (something I wouldn’t normally recommend!), neither the wheels nor the bottom of the suitcase showed damage. My cheaper suitcases would have been scratched and dented after this treatment.
My daughter had no problems playing her “swing game” with the suitcase during check-in at Oslo airport – the wheels handled this impromptu test perfectly, too!
Despite this minor issue, I would still rate the larger suitcase 9/10. With just slightly bigger wheels, it would be perfect for its size and capacity.
The Pros and Cons of Level 8 Voyageur Luggage
Pros:
- Stunning design and colour options
- Excellent durability (survived 2km Makkah uphill trek and gravel)
- The wide handle creates additional interior space
- High-quality materials and construction
- Separate wet/dirty clothes compartment
- Smooth wheels on all terrains
- Perfect size options for both quick trips and long vacations
- Comes with a dust bag and quality packaging
Cons:
- Light colours show scratches easily
- Wheels on the 28″ model could be slightly larger for better balance
- No protective cover available for the 28″ model
- Premium price point (though justified by quality)
Level 8 Luggage: Is it Worth the Investment for Travellers?
Level 8 suitcases start from £159, depending on size and model.
For travellers who:
- Make multiple trips per year
- Need reliable luggage
- Value both aesthetics and functionality
- Have struggled with cheaper luggage failing
The investment is definitely worth it. Considering I’ve gone through multiple cheaper suitcases in the past 5 years, spending more on one that lasts makes financial sense.
Where to buy
Ready to invest in durable, stylish luggage? Shop the Level 8 Voyageur collection at the Level 8 Official Website. Current prices: £249 (20″ carry-on), £319 (28″ check-in), as a bundle: £489.99
Conclusion
The Level 8 Voyageur luggage performed exceptionally well during both my trips, which were far from typical travel experiences. I’m particularly impressed with the wide handle design, which creates extra interior space – a huge benefit when you’re trying to maximise packing capacity.
This feature is especially valuable for travellers who primarily use hand luggage. Instead of upgrading to checked baggage, you can fit significantly more in this cleverly designed carry-on.
The quality is immediately apparent – from the smooth zippers to the sturdy shell to the well-engineered wheels. You can tell Level 8 invested serious thought into creating these products, which naturally explains the higher price point.
The suitcases are remarkably easy to manoeuvre and come with TSA-approved locks for security. Unlike my previous soft-shell luggage that would tip over whenever I placed my backpack on top, these remain perfectly balanced even with additional bags stacked on them.
While these suitcases are certainly an investment, they’re a worthwhile one if you value the combination of style, security, and durability. After years of struggling with mismatched, lower-quality bags that made travel more stressful than necessary, I’m completely sold on the benefits of investing in quality luggage like the Level 8 Voyageur collection.
FAQ’s about Level 8 Luggage
Is Level 8 luggage good for Umrah travel?
Absolutely! The durability, smooth wheels, and spacious interior make it perfect for Umrah. The 20″ carry-on easily handled a 2km uphill trek in Makkah.
How does Level 8 compare to Samsonite or Away?
Level 8 offers comparable quality to Samsonite and Away, but often at a more competitive price point. The wide handle design provides more interior space than many competitors.
Can the Level 8 Voyageur 20″ be used as a carry-on for all airlines?
Yes, the dimensions (21.3” x 15.1” x 9.8′) meet most international and budget airline requirements for carry-on luggage. They also have the Luminous Textured Carry, which is 18”.
How much can you fit in the Level 8 Voyageur carry-on?
For a 24-hour Umrah trip, I packed two abayas, three outfit changes, pyjamas, toiletries, and Birkenstock sandals with room to spare. For modest women’s clothing, it provides a comfortable fit for a 3-4 day trip. But if you are like me and use vacuum bags, I could squeeze a week of a capsule wardrobe for size 16.
Does Level 8 offer warranty coverage?
Yes, Level 8 offers a limited lifetime warranty with product registration, covering manufacturing defects.
This review contains my honest opinions after testing Level 8 luggage. I received these products for review purposes; however, all thoughts expressed are my own.
Have you tried Level 8 luggage? Are you considering purchasing one for Umrah or other travels? Let me know in the comments!