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Level 8 Voyageur Checked Suitcases Review

My beloved “bumblebee” (the 30” Level 8 Voyageur in yellow and black) has become my loyal sidekick on many recent adventures, but I was curious—what about its slightly smaller siblings? Would they hold their own when it came to performance, design and practicality?

So when Level 8 asked if I’d like to try out two more cases from their Voyageur range—the 28” in Yellow Black and the 26” in Celadon—I didn’t hesitate. Spoiler alert: I think the Bumblebee might have competition.

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.

A Quick Re-Cap on Level 8 Luggage

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.

-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

Meet the New Team Members

Let’s break it down suitcase by suitcase, because while they share the same DNA, each one brings its own personality to the party.

The Voyageur Checked 28” in Yellow Black

voyageur yellow 28 inch upright

This is essentially the little sibling of my original 30” Bumblebee. Still big enough to handle a serious packing session, but a touch smaller and even easier to manoeuvre.

Specs:

  • Size: 28.1”H x 15.7”W x 11.6”D
  • Capacity: 93L
  • Weight: 11.6 lbs

And yes, it’s still gloriously yellow and black. It’s hard to overstate how useful it is having a suitcase that stands out on the carousel like a fluorescent bee in a field of navy.

The Voyageur Checked 26” in Celadon

voyageur 26 inch celadon upright

This one surprised me. It’s smaller, yes, but incredibly sleek. It feels like the perfect size for short-haul getaways or minimalist travellers (aka not me… but I tried).

Specs:

  • Size: 26”H x 14.4”W x 11.4”D
  • Capacity: 78L
  • Weight: 10.1 lbs

The colour is called celadon—a sort of pale, minty green. Chic, calming, and dare I say… a little boutique?

12 Things I Loved About the Voyageur 28” and 26” Suitcases

After testing both bags on two different trips here’s what stood out to me:

1. The Signature Level 8 Aesthetic

Both cases keep the same sleek, minimalist look I fell in love with in my original review. No garish logos or odd add-ons. Just clean lines and functional elegance.

voyageur 26 inch celadon on side

The polycarbonate shell is subtly textured and matte—no scuff-prone glossy surfaces here. They look expensive, feel solid, and both cases held up beautifully after multiple flights and a few too many cobblestone streets.

2. The Standout Colours

Let’s talk about that yellow again. It’s not just good-looking—it’s practical. Spotting your case instantly saves time and stress.

voyageur yellow on side

The celadon green, on the other hand, is quieter but oh-so-lovely. It still stands out, just in a more understated, elegant way. It also photographs beautifully (because yes, my luggage sometimes stars in my travel photos). Interestingly this bag received several unprompted compliments.

3. The Quietest, Smoothest Wheels Ever

I don’t know what kind of wizardry Level 8 uses on their spinner wheels, but they’re almost silent. Even when you’re dragging a nearly full case over less-than-perfect flooring, they glide like butter. Metal double-bearing perfusion wheels = pure rolling joy.

voyageur wheels

The 26” is particularly light and nimble. It practically twirled down the station platform with me barely touching the handle.

4. They Turn Into a Desk (Seriously)

I’ve said it before, but it still makes me smile: the flat tops of these cases are perfect for popping your laptop on for a quick email catch-up in an airport or hotel lobby.

You can also use them as an impromptu table for coffee, paperwork, or a snack. Not many suitcases can claim to be mobile offices.

5. That W-I-D-E Handle

This feature is a total game-changer. The telescopic handle is super wide and sturdy, which gives much better control when you’re wheeling the case alongside you. Plus the bag feels so light when pushing it with the handle so it takes little effort.

voyageur handle

It also helps with stacking another smaller bag or tote on top without it falling off every three seconds. Unsurprisingly it is perfect for my Level 8 backpack but I have also tried stacking non Level 8 bags and it is just as good. This means I can move everything I am travelling with through the airport and beyond with ease.

6. Lightweight But Built Like a Tank

Despite the generous internal space, these cases are surprisingly lightweight. That’s thanks to the German-made Makrolon polycarbonate shell, which is durable without being bulky.

voyageur 26 inch with black cat
My cat Alexei conducting an inspection of the Voyageur 26 inch

The reinforced corners (rounded, not riveted) give you extra protection without sacrificing space inside.

7. Incredibly Clever Organisation

Level 8’s designers are clearly obsessive organisers, and I love them for it.

Each suitcase has two large compartments, each with its own zippered mesh cover. One side also includes a compression strap—great if you tend to overpack or are packing bulkier items.

voyageur interior compartments

The right-hand side has a waterproof pocket for wet swimsuits or leaky toiletries. The mesh pockets are perfect for sleep gear, tech cables or the all-important ‘airport outfit’ for the journey home.

I am a huge fan of packing cubes and they work super well in these Level 8 suitcases.

voyageur compartments zipped

8. TSA-Approved Lock System

Confession: I still rarely use suitcase locks, but for those who do, these bags include a built-in NEC smart TSA lock. You can open it with a mobile phone or use the traditional code.

voyageur tsa lock

For trips to the US especially, having a TSA-approved lock is a must. It saves you hassle if your case gets opened for inspection.

9. The Sweet Spot of Sizes

What I liked most about these two cases together is how perfectly they slot into different travel needs:

  • The 28” is big enough for a week or longer—without being too oversized for tighter European hotel rooms or smaller car boots.
  • The 26” is my new go-to for long weekends or 4-5 day trips where I don’t need everything but still want options. Also ideal if you’re a smarter packer than me.

Together, they form the perfect combo for couples or solo travellers who want size options without sacrificing style or quality.

My last review covered the 30” Voyageur. As I have now travelled with all three sizes I thought I would put together a quick comparison of the three different suitcases.

SizeBest ForProsCons
26”Long weekends, light packersCompact, chicMight be small for overpackers
28”5–7 day tripsBalance of size and portabilityCan fill fast
30”10+ day trips, multiple climatesHuge capacityCan feel big in tight hotel rooms

10. How Much Stuff I Can Fit Inside

Many suitcases are surpisingly tight on space as the mechanics of the bag can take up quite a bit of space. But there is none of that with these Level 8 suitcases. The structure of the bag is quite light takes up the bare minimum of space inside so I can fill up every inch with all the different outfit combinations I like to take to cater for all weather situations. As well as of course my toiletries bags, multiple shoe options, my travelling coffee bags etc etc.

11. Siberian Cat Approved

If you’re also a cat owner you’ll know how much they love enclosed spaces. Plus anything you own of course owns to them and as cats they will need to inspect all items. So my Siberian cats, Alexei and Vladimir, put both Voyageur suitcases through their paces. They want to make sure I return home safely as anything else could compromise their luxurious and quite frankly perfect existence.

voyageur 26 inch with cats

As you can see Alexei decided that the 26” celadon was his preferred case after a very thorough inspection. Alexei takes these things very seriously so Vladimir was appointed as security during his inspection. Alexei is the king of our household and the surrounding geographical area so I am afraid Vladimir didn’t get to offer his opinion in this review.

12. Surprisingly Affordable Luxury

Let’s be real: good luggage isn’t cheap. But Level 8’s pricing feels fair considering the quality, and you do get a lifetime warranty covering functional damage.

They also offer regular sales and bundle discounts—and don’t forget my code for 10% off!

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

voyageur 26 inch interior

Final Verdict

If you’ve been considering upgrading your suitcase game, I can wholeheartedly recommend both of these Voyageur checked models. They’re:

  • Stylish without being flashy
  • Durable without being heavy
  • Organised without being over-engineered
  • Siberian cat approved
  • And just downright enjoyable to use

Between the bumblebee (30”), the mid-sized 28”, and the elegant 26” celadon, I feel like I now have a suitcase for every kind of trip—short, long, or somewhere in between.

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.

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