Multiple Bags No More: This 'Top-Down' Suitcase Is All You Need For Your Next City Break

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It’s time to start expecting more from your suitcases. Point blank. 

Yes, they’re mainly something to store all your things in, and they should do that really well. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be so much more.

There are so many stressful elements of travelling, but for more me one of the worst fears is losing my case, and with it, all my belongings.

I had a near brush with this once when my checked suitcase was irretrievable for four days on a month-long trip to the US a few years ago.

But I must admit I’m always worrying about someone grabbing my carry-on case off a plane or train without my knowing, or even out of a hotel lobby (sorry if this is unlocking a new fear for you).

Thus, anything I can do to abate that fear is top of my list of priorities. So there couldn’t be a more perfect product for me than July’s latest release: a top-down packing suitcase that has a built-in tracking device, so you can always have peace of mind.

As soon as it arrived, I knew we’d be firm and fast travel buds.

My honest review of the July Capsule Carry On Pro 

How I tested the July Capsule Carry On Pro

You would not believe the divine timing on this case – it launched the week before I was set to go on a long weekend trip to Paris, and arrived at my house no more than an hour before I had to leave.

Thus, I had to reorganise my packing from a duffle bag into this case. I took enough clothes for five days (and then some) including my laptop, three pairs of shoes, and plenty of toiletries. 

I travelled on the Eurostar, so this case withstood lots of tube, train, and metro travelling over the course of five days. And, I’m pleased to say, I didn’t take another bag. 

First impressions

 I must admit, I’m quite precious about my clothes and shoes, so when the case arrived with a supremely hard shell made from 100% polycarbonate, I was a happy bunny. I ordered the white version, but it’s also available in tan, black, navy, and green. 

Risky, you might think (my friends and girlfriend have taken to calling it ‘The Kim K’) but even after five days it is barely scuffed, and I think the exterior will be easy to clean when it inevitably gets dirty.

Immediately, I could tell it would have the smoothest glide – and I was right. With a solid build, the case doesn’t topple over unlike other carry ons (which I’ve noticed especially happens when I overpack, weird!). 

It’s also extremely easy to drag, as it comes with completely silent 360 double spinner wheels. I had a lot of fun pushing it ahead of me and seeing how little I could touch it on my journey to and from Paris. 

The handle is easy to open at any given moment, thanks to the button underneath, which makes it intuitive to unlock when you wrap your hand around it. It also has multiple stops, so you can raise it to the ideal height for you.

Next to the handle is a combination code, for extra reassurance that no one is going to take your things en route, and a location tracker.

 Of course, I had to get synced up to that straight away, which you can do with Find My iPhone or Google Hub, and took mere seconds to set up. All you have to do is remove the tab, and add an ‘item’ to your tracker on your phone, which will then pair with your suitcase.

Packing and arrival

Now, probably the most notable thing about the Carry On Pro is that it doesn’t have a front pocket – at least not on the outside.

But when you unzip it (by pressing the button that releases the magnetism on the zippers) you’re met with a handy front pocket that allows you to have access to anything you’ll need on your journey – shoes, book, or laptop.

There’s also a zipper pocket in there for your more sensitive items like passport, phone, and keys. This means you don’t have to open your entire suitcase to reach your essentials on the go.

 To unlock the rest of the suitcase, you simply undo another set of zips to move from the front pocket to the rest of the suitcase.

July describes this mechanism as ‘top-down’ packing, which means essentially there’s only one compartment, rather than two halves, so there’s plenty of volume and depth to fit everything you need in there.

 The other side of the front pocket doubles as a separator with a small and large pockets for things like underwear, toiletries, or whatever else you want. Then there’s the large compartment, which I had no trouble fitting more than enough clothes for a long weekend in.

Plus, there’s a small interior pocket near the wheels so you can hide sensitive items (like travel sex toys... just saying), and a Y-compressor strap to keep everything held in one place.

Final verdict

Pros:

Cons:

I loved the fact that I didn’t have to worry about all of my bits and bobs flailing around from one half of my case into the other. The ‘top-down’ approach is completely intuitive to use, from packing through to travelling, and eventually unpacking.

Then, of course, there’s the fact that you have the security of the location tracker, combination lock, and multiple internal pockets to keep everything safe.

It really is the details the make the difference between easy packing and a chore, which is why I have to give bonus points to the inclusion of a stain-proof laundry bag. 

And, as someone who hates taking a suitcase with me, I appreciated how easy it was to drag this along – it was completely noiseless, I could drag it with two fingers, and you can even lock the wheels while you’re travelling so it doesn’t go flying down the carriage.

My one note would be that there isn’t a side handle, which might make lifting it into the overhead locker quite awkward, depending on how much you’ve packed.

But honestly, that’s being picky, because overall I’d rate this a 4.5 out of five stars, and I’m already raring to break it out for my next trip.