AMERICAN TOURISTER Stratum XLT Expandable Hardside Luggage with Spinner Wheels, Stratum XLT Expandable Hardside Luggage with Spinner Wheels

Product Information

American Tourister has become my go-to recommendation for a well-balanced type of luggage bags. It combines good pricing and quality which is what most of us buyers want. Feel like splurging on a full-size carry-on bag? You’ll be able to fit more in it than you would on Delta or other major airlines. Sun Country has slightly larger maximum dimensions for its paid carry-on bag, so see if you can squeeze by with this 24” x 12” x 12” wheeled duffle bag from Timberland. Sure, it’s 1-inch over in one dimension, but it’s also 4 inches under in the other so you’ll probably be ok. We won’t tell anyone if you don’t.

Perfect for the big kid in all of us, this Star Wars Darth Vader-themed suitcase is fun, funky, and fabulous as always. With a sleek curved design, and gorgeous graphics, this particular model is also available in a 28-inch option, and if a Storm Trooper doesn’t take your fancy, there are Darth Vader, Boba Fett, C3PO, and other famous character versions available, too. Top and side carry handles are easy to grab this case when you need to, while the double spinner wheels make for a smooth ride across the concourse. The retractable, push-button handle is smooth to extend, and the reinforced suitcase corners are well-protected to endure the rough handling of air travel.Made from super-strong polycarbonate materials, the book-style opening offers easy access to your belongings. The large main compartment is perfect for carrying the majority of your items, while the zippered divider offers additional storage space, and a further zippered modesty compartment is included for keeping smaller items safe. I know I’ve said this a couple of times already, but I think it bears repeating – the design of this bag is just magnificent. So simple yet elegant but the pros do not stop there. The American Tourister Stratum XLT has received quite a few complaints about its durability. People were criticizing various aspects of the bag, including its wheels, handles, zippers, and hard shell.

The steel and aluminium handle is sturdy for maneuvering the case, and it stores neatly away when not in use. While these two suitcases might sound better, their warranties are worthless. And even though the Stratum XLT isn’t the most durable suitcase out there, ones from other affordable brands are usually even less durable. So, the Stratum XLT is the best choice if you want something more reliable. Our Verdict This feature is made more impressive from the fact that this bag is hardside which means that the external part is made from a hard shell. Normally, you will only see this expandable feature on bags that are from fabric since those are stretchable enough to allow for expansion. If you want something cheap, they will have an item for you. Same goes if you want something fancier, but I may just direct you to their bigger sister company Samsonite. Not all of us requires fancy and ultra-engineered bag, to be honest. Most of us only travel once or twice per year. In that case, getting an economical bag with a good reputation on quality seems like the wise decision. In that case, American Tourister is the brand to consider. 5 stars. American Tourister Stratum XLT Expandable Hardside Luggage: Product SpecificationFree carry-on size limit: 22” x 14” x 9” with no published weight limit. American Tourister Stratum XLT Expandable Hardside Luggage Single-spinner wheels make for a smooth ride through the airport, and the ergonomic trolley handle is easy to pull and extend in seconds. The technology is shared between these companies even if they’ve always maintained the fact that they are separate entities. However, the carry-on’s durability needs to be improved. Even though customers love the bag, there were plenty of complaints about dents on the case and broken wheels. There’s no use in buying an affordable hardside suitcase if it breaks after a few trips. Hardside suitcases are generally water-resistant. The same is true for the Stratum XLT since the ABS case prevents water from penetrating inside. However, water can still pass through the seams, especially when the bag is expanded. Our experience with affordable hardside suitcases has shown that they’ll keep your clothes dry in light rain; this isn’t true in a thunderstorm. Durability (12/20)

This bag definitely does not have a single selling point. It has plenty of good things going for it. Ever since American Tourister was bought by Samsonite, it has offered the same warranty terms for its suitcases. This is great since Samsonite’s warranty is very reliable. We found two American Tourister carry-ons similar to the Stratum XLT: the Belle Voyage hardside carry-on and the Moonlight carry-on. Another feature I like is the spinner wheels. I’ve always been a fan of this feature because it makes moving the bag a lot easier. You can even move the bag upright, which is considerably easier than having to incline the bag to the wheel side before you can move it. Sure, inline skatewheels can operate with just two wheels but moving the bag with this wheel setup becomes a hassle especially if it’s one of those bigger bags that’s heavy.Free carry-on size limit: 18” x 14” x 8” (personal item). Spirit charges a fee for a standard-sized carry-on bag up to 22” x 18” x 10” with no published weight limit. Ulgoo Travel Tote Bag Carry On This gorgeous carry-on hardside suitcase comes in a beautiful rose gold color for those who really like to travel in style. Perfectly sized to carry the maximum amount of belongings you can fit in an overhead air bin, this case also comes in 24- and 28-inch options.

First and foremost, the Stratum XLT boasts a sleek and modern design that immediately caught my eye. The hardside exterior not only looks stylish but also provides excellent protection for my belongings. Even after enduring the rigors of travel, the luggage remained scratch-free and maintained its pristine appearance, a testament to its exceptional durability. There are 4 multidirectional, oversized spinner wheels for easy transportation, and the push-button extension handle is easy to extend and pull the moment you need to be mobile. But if you think you’ll find no use for the other bags in the set, then by all means, only buy the one you like. It’s really a good deal though, so you have to keep that in mind. Multi-Directional Wheels The Stratum XLT carry-on is made from ABS. It’s the least durable plastic used in luggage, and it’s usually coated with a shell of polycarbonate to be more durable. That said, it’s also the cheapest material in hardside cases, which is why American Tourister opted for it. Many customers noted that Stratum’s ABS is very flexible, while others criticized it for having the quality of a plastic shopping bag.

Our Verdict

And if you decide to pay extra for a larger carry-on bag on Frontier, take advantage of its larger than normal size restriction and splurge on Samsonite Winfield 2 Expandable Hardside Carry-On with Spinner Wheels. Best Carry-On Bag for Hawaiian Airlines