I’m a hand luggage fetishist. Anytime I see a compact suitcase or backpack, I immediately start thinking “I wonder if I could use that for a weekend trip?”
So when I spotted this small suitcase at Kmart for $29, I knew I had to have it. And it did indeed prove an ideal size for a quick weekend away in Adelaide, with room for all my clothes and toiletries – and even space for my laptop.
Kmart optimistically describes this a large travel hard case, which seems a stretch for a 34 by 28 by 18cm design.
Honestly, I’ve seen folks carrying bigger lunch cooler bags to work, and much bigger bags onto a plane. But this is really all you need for a couple of nights away.
Like most modern hard-shell cases, the internals are divided into two zipped compartments.
That makes it less flexible if you’re doing a lot of shopping or travelling with large gifts, but ideal for a quick trip. The washbags, cords and other gubbins go on one side.
And the clothes go in the other. (I took this shot at the end of the trip, so everything’s in the laundry bag ready for despatch.)
There’s still space to stash the laptop and a shoulder bag between the two sides and easily zip up.
Handily the whole thing is small enough to fit under your seat, even if you get unlucky and have the in-flight entertainment system taking up some room. Unless I’m flying overseas, I want my baggage with me, so this is ideal.
Criticisms? Nothing major. The miniature pockets on one side aren’t very well elasticated, so when I tried putting pens in there they just fell straight out. But I can live with that.
This case is too small to feature wheels, and as I’ve noted before, those just take up weight anyway.
But it does have an optional clip-on strap so you can sling it over your shoulders if you want both hands free.
Bottom line? This one’s definitely going into the travel rotation. Kmart still lists it as on sale, though as always stock levels are likely to vary at your local store, and I doubt this one will be on sale forever.
For more luggage musings, check out why I usually resist ALDI’s carry-on luggage and the ludicrousness that was the hyper-expensive ABBA baggage tag.
| Angus Kidman: My honest review commitment * I only review products and services I’ve tried myself. * I pay for those products and services myself. * I don’t make any money from affiliate links or promotional deals – my reviews are an honest reflection of my experience. |
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