Level 8 Luggage Review: 16 Things I love about the Voyageur Check In and Atlas Laptop Backpack

My big Lipault case was on its last legs when I received an email from Level 8 asking if I would like to review their products. I normally say no when I get these types of emails for reviews as they are not worth the time and effort and are seldom products I really want. But once I had checked the Level 8 website I realised their products were exactly what I was after.

So I requested their biggest bag (I don’t pack light!) the Voyageur Check In and an Atlas Laptop backpack. Here is what I found.

Full disclosure: Level 8 provided me free of charge with their luggage to review as well as a payment for this review to appear on my website. I only agreed to work with them as I really liked their products’ look and the positive online reviews. My views are still my own. And this article does contain affiliate links. That means if you click on the links to Level 8 and make a purchase I may receive a commission. You will also receive a discount by using the link.

Get 10% off your order of Level 8 luggage when you use the code theboutiqueadventurer10.

Level 8 Luggage Review

About Level 8

Level 8 is a US-based luggage brand that was established in 2008. Their emphasis is on efficient traveling – which I love! The brand lives and breathes this with everything from having a flat panel on the top of its luggage that you can use as a little table (I love this) to putting small ridges on the top of the cases so when you combine it with the handle you can place a screen at an angle.

Here are some other key things to know about Level 8 Luggage:

-all Level 8 luggage is built with a German-made Makrolon polycarbonate hard shell for long life. However, it is also quite light in weight. This is super useful if, like me, you tend to overpack and are always knocking up against weight restrictions on airlines.

-which is probably why all bags come with a lifetime warranty that covers any functional damage to the shell, wheels, handles, zippers, or anything else that impairs your use of the luggage. All LEVEL8 bags and accessories (Except LEVEL8 Atlas) are protected by a 1 year warranty. A lifetime warranty protects the LEVEL8 Atlas backpack.

-all Level 8 luggage has TSA approved locking systems

-all Level 8 luggage has 360 degree spinner wheels

-they ship to the USA and Europe

8 things I really like about the Voyageur Check-In 30 inches

30” Checked Overall: 32.1”H x 16.7”W x 13.3”D | 13.9 lbs | 105 L

I am afraid I am not good at packing light. Also, as a travel blogger, I go on quite a few long press trips with multiple stops that often involve different climates and very different activities. This means I need a suitcase that can handle a lot of stuff. Plus, I want a suitcase that allows me to organise all of those different requirements for easy access. I am quite demanding!

I ordered the Voyageur Check-In 30 inches in yellow and black and immediately christened it the bumblebee. I will refer to it as such for the rest of this article. I have now taken on a 5-night trip to Barcelona and a two-week trip to the country of Georgia for a mix of city and snowy mountains.

Here are 8 things I love about my bumblee after traveling with it:

1. The Design

Level 8 cases have a sleek, minimalist aesthetic going. The design is modern and simple and I think quite stylish.

2. The Colour

Generally Level 8 suitcases come in either very dark (black, navy) or very light shades (grey, pale blue). I chose their brightest shade by far, yellow, as well I like yellow. The unexpected big positive of this colour has been the way it almost jumps off the baggage carousel – I can spot my bag from afar!

4. The Oh So Quiet 360 Wheels

The wheels of the bumblebee are metal double-bearing perfusion – doesn’t that sound impressive? These are heavier wheels and that translates into a smoother performance. Honestly, the bumblebee just slides through airports on its 360-degree wheels. And it is like a stealth suitcase barely making any noise! I can gently push it and off it goes, silently.

5. It makes a great mobile office.

It was an unexpected pleasure to discover that the bumblebee turns into a desk when you’re on the move. The top of the case has been specifically designed to make it quite easy to pop your laptop on. I often end up stuck in odd spots with my luggage and am always trying to use this time to catch up on work so this was such a great surprise.

I believe that Level 8’s carry-on bags actually have these small ridges on the top so you can sort of slot in the bottom of a Kindle or iPad and then rest it on an angle against the handle. The bumblebee doesn’t have the ridges but it does have a top handle that can be sort of used in the same way. I haven’t tried this out to be honest as I am more into using my laptop in this way but it is a good option.

And the flat broad top with the handle on the side means it is also great for carrying purchases at the airport!

6. The Handle

The aluminum alloy telescopic handle has a three-in-one design of a wide pull rod, handle, and bracket. It also has a press and pop-up multi-functional wide pull rod design. I got that impressive information from the Level 8 website! What this means is that the bumblebee has the widest handle I have ever seen on a suitcase.

Initially I was unsure what to make of this. However, the benefits became clear once the bumblebee and I were on the move. With a light tap, the handle kicked in with those fab 360 wheels, and the case virtually pushes itself. I have never used so little effort moving a suitcase through an airport! And as I mentioned earlier with the wheels, it is oh so quiet.

7. The Amount I Can Fit Inside It

I like to overpack so I need a bag with a lot of space and the bumblebee delivers. The lightweight exterior means that the bag itself takes up very little of the bag’s space. According to the website it has rivetless metal corner guards created through a metal casting process. And all 12 edges use 20 mm rounded corners. I think this ends up meaning that all the things that make the suitcase durable take up as little room as possible so you can fill every corner with stuff you probably won’t wear on your trip.

When I open the bumblebee one half goes to each side so to speak, unlike old school suitcases where all the space was on one side only. Again, the benefit of this is that it allows you to use as much space as possible.

The left side of the bumblebee also comes with an interior compression system. This involves straps on both side of the case that can be pulled across to compress your items.

8. How Organised It Makes Me

It’s great to have all that space but I hate constantly rummaging through a suitcase to find what I need for the day. So I was delighted to find that the bumblebee has several compartments, pockets as well as open space.

Both the left and the right compartments have a zipped cover of sorts so you can separate your items. I like to do this if I have a trip of two halves eg a city and a beach break.

The left side has a light mostly mesh cover and within it is the compression system. This makes it most appropriate for anything you won’t be using short term.

The right side of the case has a clever cover with two separate compartments. One is designed for wet items – perfect if you’re leaving a beach holiday and your swimsuit hasn’t finished drying. The second compartment is mesh and perfect for things like your sleep gear for a first evening or that first change of underwear.

Top Tip: I am a huge fan of packing cubes – I love dividing my wardrobe up into tops, bottoms, underwear etc. I like to turn the bumblebee into an on the go suitcase. Level 8 also have some fab packing cubes you might want to check out.

I have to admit I am terrible when it comes to luggage locks. I never use them. So if I am being honest I haven’t actually used the lock on the bumblebee. BUT I have checked it out. It is an NEC smart customs lock that can be easily unlocked with a mobile phone. And it is also TSA-approved which means no hassles at airports in the United States.

8 Things I Really Like about the Level 8 Atlas Laptop Backpack

As I type this review, my level 9 backpack sits next to me at my gym. I have become quite attached to it! Here are 8 reasons this backpack has now become my go-to when on the go at home in London as well as when traveling:

1. The Top handle

I love the soft structure around the top handle of the backpack – this makes it super easy to pick up and put down the bag

2. Laptop Compartment

My laptop not only has a space-efficient area of its own, but that area has extra padding (3D EVA foam) for its protection. This space covers laptops in size from 13 to 16 inches. It is in the back of the pack and has its own checkpoint-friendly tab. This makes it super fast and easy to get your laptop out in a security queue or any time.

In the space area where my laptop is, there is also space for papers and other flatter items, which is very space-efficient. Also, this compartment unzips all the way to the very bottom of the pack, making it much easier to access the space and avoiding all those bits of rubbish and crusty stuff that often get in the bottom of backpacks.

3. The Second long vertical space

Normally, a backpack only has one large vertical space, but the Level 8 pack has 2. The second space is also the same height as the actual backpack. It has two separate compartments within it, one with a zip and one with a velcro fastener. Best of all the bottom has a clever tab that can be pulled down for extra space or pulled up for space efficiency

4. The Top Load Compartment

One of the areas I use the most is the top-loading small purse-like section of the backpack. I store my keys, small wallet and sunglasses in here. It is perfect for the items to which you need regular easy access.

5. Front storage space

The fourth storage area within the pack is at the very front. This section is about 3/4 of the height of the total pack and nearly the same width. It has a compartment with a zip, spaces for pens, a small area with a Velcro closure that would be perfect for keys, and a small mesh-fronted open flap.

6. Adjustable Side Pouches

One of my favorite things about this backpack is the side pouches. There are two, and each one zips up and has a mesh panel inside for stretch. If you want your pack to be the smallest size possible, it is very easy to zip these up. However, if you are like me and take a water bottle everywhere, these are perfect as you can adjust the fit of the bottle (up to 500 ml) into the pouch for a snug fit that stops it from falling out. I also use these pouches for my umbrellas.

7. Water Protection

The fabric of the pack is water-repellant. I live in London!

8. So Comfy!

The pack is very comfortable to wear thanks to its ergonomic carrying system. The heavily padded back straps really make a difference when it comes to comfort.

And the Level8 Atlas backpack comes with a lifetime guarantee!

• Capacity: 31 Liters
• Size: 12.6”L x 6.5”W x 18.6”H 
• Weight: 3.33 lbs

Get 10% off your order of Level 8 luggage when you use the code theboutiqueadventurer10.

I, of course, only reviewed the items I have from Level 8. You may well be a much more efficient packer than I am and not need a bag the size of the bumblebee. Don’t worry, Level 8 still has you covered with a great range of carry on bags that have many of the same benefits – and one comes in yellow!

Please note this article does contain affiliate links. If you click on the links within it and end up buying some Level 8 luggage I may receive a small commission. This will not affect the price you pay – indeed, if you use my code, you will get 10% off. Please know I would not have written this article if I didn’t really like the products. I say no to most offers like this.