I’ve been traveling ever since I was child. Actually, my first overseas trip to Greece from Chicago took place when I was 4. As I grew older, my favorite part of the trip was planning what to pack, how to pack, and what luggage to use.
Things have changed a lot since then. No more bringing as many suitcases as you want. I remember we used to arrive at Athens Airport – back then located in Glyfada by the sea – with at least four huge pieces of luggage! Not to mention hand bags, back packs, and packages of goodies for family.
Fast forward 50 years, and travel today means finding luggage that is reliable and adaptable to modern travel needs. Plus, it should:
- be effortless and easy to use
- be sustainable because materials do matter
- look beautiful (who isn’t proud of their suitcase?)
- be lightweight (this matters much more when you get older!)
- work as a carry-on when needed
- be versatile… which means it can be used for all styles of travel… flying, cruising, by train or bus, on ferries and road trips
- and above all, especially for a dedicated traveler like myself, be durable enough to survive abusive airport handling.
I’m lucky to have found luggage that checks all those boxes, and I am going to share it with you. In today’s post, I will be presenting LEVEL8 – a company that takes pride in its luggage and travel accessories – and two premium suitcases that have been my companions on my trips across Greece, Europe and the US, on cruises abroad, and during my travels for work.
Over the past months, two LEVEL8 suitcases have traveled with me across Greece and Europe, and on cruises abroad, work trips, ferry rides to the Greek islands, and weekend escapes.
I should mention that these two elegant travel companions were gifted to me by LEVEL8. However, this post is based entirely on my personal experience using them in real travel conditions, so if you’re considering upgrading your luggage soon, I hope this review helps you decide whether LEVEL8 is right for you.
👉🏼 Find the best hotel deals for you
Love at First Sight
If, like me, you see travel as a gift, a luxury, and an adventure – whether for work, vacation, or visiting family – then your suitcase should feel like a special gift to yourself too.
When my elegant 24-inch Luminous Textured suitcase and lightweight Grace 20-inch expandable carry-on arrived, both in a chic dark metallic blue (very much one of The Greek Vibe colors), I was ecstatic.
Everything impressed me: the meticulous packaging, the protective dust covers for storage between trips, the luxurious minimalist design, the color, and the overall attention to detail.
LEVEL8 Luminous Textured 24-Inch Suitcase
I’ll start with the LEVEL8 Luminous Textured 24-inch suitcase which I use at least twice a month. It strikes an excellent balance between durability, smooth handling, and practical design without ever feeling overly bulky. It’s basically just the right size for a longer trip.
What stood out during my real-world testing was how lightweight it feels for a medium-sized, hard-shell checked suitcase. The 3-layer polycarbonate shell offers protection, but it doesn’t feel cumbersome when I had to lift it into taxis, trains, at the airport and cruise terminals, or onto hotel luggage racks.
At just under 10 pounds, it’s much lighter than many hard-shell suitcases I’ve owned in the past — something I appreciate even more now that I tend to return home carrying souvenirs, gifts, local foods, wines, and memorabilia from my trips.
One of this suitcase’s strongest features is its maneuverability. The eight double-spinner wheels glide quietly and smoothly across almost every surface I tested: airport floors, hotel and cruise ship carpets, sidewalks, train and bus stations, and even uneven cobblestone streets.
Many suitcases perform well in ideal airport conditions. This one still handled beautifully during transfers, crowded terminals, escalators, elevators, and tight spaces without constantly tipping or catching. It also worked well in cruise cabins and narrow train aisles where maneuvering luggage is often a headache.
The telescoping handle deserves a mention too. It feels sturdier than many others in this price range, with very little wobble when fully extended, even with a backpack attached. The two-level adjustments also make it comfortable for travelers of different heights.
Inside, the layout is simple but functional. The split-compartment design keeps packing organized, while the zippered divider and mesh pockets help separate clothing, shoes, chargers, and smaller essentials. If you’re like me and rarely unpack completely during a trip, this makes a huge difference.
► Off to Greece? Make Sure to Pack These Useful Items
Although the 24-inch model itself is not expandable, the 65L capacity is generous enough for roughly 4-7 days of travel depending on the season and your packing style.
Another thing I liked was how well the exterior has held up. After numerous flights, it still looks clean aside from a few minor marks that wipe away easily. The textured shell hides scratches much better than glossy luggage.
For those of you doing multi-stop itineraries, train travel, cruises, or international routes where you’re constantly handling your own luggage, this suitcase is ideal. It’s durable without being heavy, and stylish without sacrificing practicality.
The built-in TSA lock, reinforced handles, smooth zippers, and protective side bumpers round out the details that make it feel thoughtfully designed for frequent travelers rather than simply attractive in photos.
Overall, the LEVEL8 Luminous Textured 24-inch suitcase is for me practical, lightweight, reliable, durable, and genuinely enjoyable to travel with.
Best for: Cruise travel, long or overseas trips, families, heavy packers
Could be improved: I would have loved one additional horizontal zip pocket inside for smaller items.
► You can find the LEVEL8 3-piece Luminous luggage set here and the 24-inch Luminous here.
LEVEL8 Grace 20-Inch Expandable Carry-On
Now for my other travel companion: the LEVEL8 Grace 20-inch Carry-On.
This sleek carry-on is designed for people like me: frequent flyers, content creators, business travelers, who are constantly moving through airports with a laptop, chargers, travel documents, and just enough clothing for a few days away.
After using it on short flights, day trips, cruises, ferry trips, and bus journeys, what stood out most was the combination of expandable storage, smart organization, smooth shock-absorbing wheels, durable shell construction, and the extremely practical front tech compartment.
The feature that separates the Grace from standard carry-ons is this front laptop compartment.
If you’ve ever had to unzip your entire suitcase at airport security just to pull out your laptop from between clothes, makeup bags, and shoes, you’ll really appreciate this design. The front compartment opens separately and lays almost flat, making it very easy to reach electronics, passports, chargers, and travel documents without making a mess of your other packed items.
It comfortably fits a 15.6-inch laptop plus an iPad or smaller devices, and the built-in sleeves help keep everything protected and organized. For business trips or international flights where you are always reaching for devices, this setup is much more practical than a traditional clamshell carry-on.
► Flying to the Greek Islands: Airports and What to Expect in 2026
The suitcase itself is lightweight and sturdy. The ABS and polycarbonate shell balances flexibility and durability very well, and personally, I love the reinforced metal corner protectors. Frequent flyers will understand exactly why. Even after overhead-bin shuffling and airport handling, it still looks polished and solid.
The spinner wheels are another highlight. They roll quietly and smoothly across airport floors, cruise ship corridors, sidewalks, train platforms, and hotel lobbies with very little effort. In tighter spaces like airplane aisles, European elevators, or crowded terminals, the suitcase remains easy to control and maneuver.
The rubber-covered wheels absorb vibration much better than my previous gear, which makes a real difference on uneven streets and ferry ports around the Greek islands.
The retractable aluminum handle also feels strong and secure, with minimal wobble and comfortable height adjustments.
Inside, the packing layout is wonderfully efficient. The split-case design includes a zippered divider, mesh compartments, and compression straps that make organization easy.
What makes this carry-on especially versatile is the expandable section. Since I almost always return home with more than I left with, the ability to expand from 36L to 42L is incredibly useful for shopping, gifts, and all the little extras we inevitably collect while traveling.
For European travel and stricter airline carry-on rules, the dimensions work very well while still maximizing usable packing space.
The built-in TSA zipper lock, breathable interior lining, and minimalist aesthetic complete the package. It looks sleek and modern without being flashy, and more importantly, it performs extremely well where it matters most.
Overall, the LEVEL8 Grace Carry-On is thoughtfully designed for travelers who value organization, mobility, and convenience.
Best for: Frequent travelers, weekend trips, business travelers, digital nomads, light packers, solo travelers
Could be improved: The zippers could feel slightly smoother, although I never experienced any actual problems.
► The LEVEL8 Grace Carry-On is a great buy and the LEVEL8 Grace 3-piece luggage set (20/24/28 inches) is also a great option.
Maria’s LEVEL8 Real-World Experience
For families, couples, or anyone who travels frequently in different ways: cruises, business trips, road trips, international travel, or weekend escapes; investing in durable luggage is both more affordable and practical.
Sometimes, like in winter when you have heavier clothes, a carry-on won’t do the trick. In this case, a larger suitcase like LEVEL8’s Luminous 24 inch is perfect. Having multiple sizes gives you flexibility depending on the type of trip. Plus, I have to admit that I love it when all my suitcases match and can also be stored easily.
Now, for those of you who just need one suitcase or wish to test it first, yes buying a single piece is fine as long as you know exactly the size that will suit your travel style and meet your packing needs.
Gone are the days when any basic suitcase would do. Modern travel, especially airline travel, demands luggage that can survive rough baggage handling, changing weather conditions, ferries, train platforms, and constant movement. That is why I believe spending money on good luggage matters. That way you save from having to buy new luggage every time you come home from a trip and your old suitcase is in tatters.
Maria’s Final Verdict
From flights across Europe and the US, to ferries around the Greek islands, luxury and river cruises, road trips to my mother’s village, mountain bus journeys, and even summer camping trips, my LEVEL8 luggage has handled every type of travel exceptionally well.
For me, durability remains the number one priority in a suitcase, and LEVEL8 combines that durability with functionality, elegant design, lightweight construction, and smart organization.
In short, these are the ingredients of the perfect piece of luggage because travel should be easy, smooth, comfortable, carefree, and yes, affordable.
👉🏼 Dream of visiting Greece? Start planning
♫ I end today’s post with a song by one of my favorite Greek singers. Tolis Voskopoulos sings in 1972 about a suitcase! “I Valitsa” – to the music of the great George Zambetas and the lyrics of Alekos Sakellarios.
Be well. Keep travel!
❤️ Follow The Greek Vibe on TikTok too!
Enjoyed this Post? Share and Pin it!
