We Tested the Travelpro Maxlite 5 25-Inch Expandable Spinner (2024)
We purchased the Travelpro Maxlite 5 25” Expandable Spinner so our expert reviewer could thoroughly test and assess it. Keep reading for our full product review.
Travelpro considers its bags, including the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Expandable Spinner, "the choice of flight crews and frequent travelers." That’s a pretty bold statement to make, considering the wide array of luggage on the market, but it’s one that Travelpro stands by. Needless to say, we were pretty intrigued by the claim, so we decided to take the ultra-lightweight 25-inch suitcase from the brand’s Maxlite 5 collection on a journey to see how well it would perform under tenuous circ*mstances.
Was the popular checked bag as light as travelers claimed? Could it really withstand liquid damage and stains? And what would happen if we dragged the bag’s rotating wheels over gravel and cement? Read on to find out.
Design: Soft-sided suitcase is easy to handle
On first glance, we couldn’t find much to note regarding the shape of the Maxlite 5. This bag looked to us like a standard, rectangular, soft-sided suitcase. However, we quickly realized that the bag is anything but standard. There are actually several interesting design elements to the Travelpro Maxlite 5. The one we found the most intriguing was the weight—or lack thereof. The Maxlite 5 weighs just a bit over 7 pounds, which is nearly half a pound less than the Maxlite 4, the older version of this suitcase. That’s incredibly light for a 25-inch suitcase. Even though it’s too big to serve as a carry-on bag, we tested it out and could easily lift the bag up over our heads to mimic the process of putting it into an overhead bin with no issue. Seven pounds was easy to handle.
Part of the reason the Maxlite 5 is so light is that it’s made of polyester, a material used on the majority of softshell suitcases. In this case, though, the polyester has been coated with DuraGuard to make it resistant to water and stains. Out of curiosity, we spilled some water on the exterior of the Maxlite 5 to see whether the DuraGuard actually repelled water, and sure enough, the liquid rolled right off of the front of the bag like magic. We also dragged the Maxlite 5 over some gravel outside, and other than the expected layer of dust, we found no stains on the polyester material. The dust wiped right off, too.
We were able to extend and collapse the handle easily with just one hand. It would be simple to maneuver in an airport while juggling multiple bags.
But while that 7.3 pounds of DuraGuard-coated polyester makes for a light empty suitcase, what really matters is how heavy the bag feels when filled with clothing. We packed the Maxlite 5 to the brim with jeans, shoes, and toiletries to see if it would still be a breeze to handle. Sure enough, it was. Shaving a few pounds off the suitcase made a huge difference in the overall weight of the bag when full. If you’re looking for a suitcase that’s easy to throw around while full, this is it.
And you really can fill up this suitcase, thanks to two exterior compartments and an expandable compartment. We decided to unzip the expansion compartment to fit even more into the bag. Doing so only gave us about 2 inches of extra packing space—just enough for a couple of extra items. Still, we were impressed by the design of the expansion feature. Rather than using a standard rectangular method of expansion, the Maxlite 5 expansion compartment is tapered, which keeps the bag from getting front-heavy and tipping over. It works, too. Even with our bag completely full and expanded, we had no issues with it tipping over.
One of the weakest design points of the Maxlite 5 design is the interior, which we found slightly lackluster. As with most of the other softshell bags in this price range, the Maxlite 5 is limited to a single interior compartment with elastic tie-downs to secure your things. We had a tough time organizing the goodies we packed into just the two sides of the suitcase. While the Maxlite 5 does come with one separate zippered compartment inside of the bag, it would be nice to have a couple more dividers or pockets for things like toiletries or undergarments. One of the worst things that can happen during travel is an open shampoo bottle, and in the case of the Maxlite 5, the mesh pocket isn’t going to protect your clothes from the spill. That’s the only place to put your toiletries, though, unless you pack them in a separate bag inside of the suitcase.
It would be nice to have a couple more dividers or pockets for things like toiletries or undergarments.
We also weren’t a huge fan of the plaid interior fabric; it almost seemed too playful or juvenile for a bag aimed at regular travelers. The colors match the exterior of the bag, which is nice, but we would have preferred to have a more muted option inside.
Portability: Glides wherever you want it to
The four 360-degree spinning wheels are one of the best features included with the Maxlite 5 25” Spinner. As the name implies, we were able to spin, push, and pull the suitcase every which way, and we tested the durability of the wheels on gravel, cement, and hardwood floors. Other than a couple of rogue pieces of gravel causing a temporary stall, we had no issues getting the Maxlite where we wanted it to go. This bag is built to roll on pretty much any surface. However, the wheels looked a bit fragile to us, so we were hesitant to drag it up or down the stairs out of fear that it would damage the wheels. If you’re using this bag on a normal surface, though, it’s likely to be smooth sailing.
We spilled some water on the exterior of the Maxlite 5 to see whether the DuraGuard actually repelled water, and sure enough, the liquid rolled right off of the front of the bag like magic.
This suitcase also features three handles—you can find them on the top, side, and bottom—which made lifting and setting the bag onto higher surfaces a breeze. The main handle, dubbed the “PowerScope Lite handle,” can be adjusted to 38 inches or 42.5 inches—a nice option for people of varying heights. We were able to extend and collapse the handle easily with just one hand, and we had no issues with it getting stuck at any point. It would be simple to maneuver in an airport while juggling multiple bags. The side and bottom handles were also heavy-duty enough to handle the bag being tossed around from airport to airport or hotel to hotel. Between the rotating wheels, the lightweight design, and the handle system, the Maxlite 5 is the epitome of portable.
Extra Features: Top-notch warranty coverage
The absolute best feature of this bag is the unparalleled limited lifetime warranty. The Travelpro Maxlite 5 25” Spinner comes with the New Trusted Companion Promise, which covers damage done by the airlines or other common carriers.
Color Options: Limited choices with wide appeal
The Travelpro Maxlite 5 25-inch Expandable Spinner comes in five colors: black, azure blue, dusty rose, midnight blue, or slate green. It would be nice to have more color options, but the available hues should have a pretty wide appeal.
It would be nice to have a couple more dividers or pockets for things like toiletries or undergarments.
Price: A quality bag without the high cost
This suitcase won’t set you back too far in price. You can usually find the Travelpro Maxlite 5 25” Expandable Spinner for about $140, which is a steal given the craftsmanship and the warranty.
Competition: The lightest of its kind
There are a number of bags that rival the Travelpro Maxlite 5 25” in the same price range, including the Samsonite Aspire XLite 25” Spinner. Like the Maxlite, the Aspire XLite is a lightweight, expandable polyester bag with spinning wheels that rotate 360 degrees. The Aspire has side and top handles, two locking handle positions, and the ability to roll upright.
There are a few key differences, though: The Aspire XLite weighs about 9.5 pounds, which is about 2 pounds more than the Maxlite 5. Additionally, the XLite warranty only lasts ten years and is meant to cover manufacturer defects in material and workmanship; it does not include the companion warranty that covers damage by airlines or other carriers.
Want to take a look at some other options? See our guide to the best luggage items for under $200.
Worth the dough.
The Travelpro Maxlite 5 25” Spinner is one of the best bags in this price range. The warranty is solid, the workmanship is top-notch, and the bag’s incredibly light weight makes it a good choice for frequent travelers.
Case Dimensions: 19" x 15" x 7.75" / 48.2 x 38.1 x 19.6 cm. Overall Dimensions (including wheels and handles): 21.75" x 15.75" x 7.75" / 55.2 x 40.08 x 19.6 cm.
Overall, Travelpro is an excellent choice for travelers looking for a high-quality luggage brand that focuses on versatility and durability. You may be a traveler who wants to fit all your belongings in one smaller bag for a backpacking trip. Alternatively, you may want a larger suitcase to bring souvenirs back.
How do I identify the model name of my bag? For Travelpro® bags, you will find a label sewn in the lining. This label will identify the model or series name. (For example: Maxlite, Crew VersaPack, Walkabout®, etc.)
The closest competitor to the travelpro.com is briggs-riley.com that ranks 161163 worldwide, 52494 in United States. According to our estimations briggs-riley.com is getting 344.8K visits in April 2023 and the authority score of this domain is 45.
Carry-on: Combined length + width + height of baggage must not exceed 45 linear inches. Individual length, width and height measurements may not exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches, with no weight limit.
A carry-on can't be bigger than 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches including handles and wheels and should fit in an overhead bin as well. If your carry-on is too large or a full flight doesn't have enough overhead space, a flight attendant might make you check your bags at the gate.
Carry-on bags must weigh less than 35 pounds and must not exceed 10 inches deep, 16 inches wide and 24 inches high. Bags must fit in the overhead bins. Checked bags must be no longer than 62 linear inches (length + width + depth) and must weigh under 40 pounds.
1. Briggs & Riley Suitcases: Simply the best quality. If you want the best quality suitcase, one that you'll buy once and never have to buy another, opt for Briggs & Riley suitcases. The first and most important fact is that they come with a lifetime guarantee.
We're proud of our heritage of innovation, but will never rest on these laurels. We're still listening to our customers, observing the world of travel, anticipating and delivering what frequent travelers need, just as we have from the beginning. And we're not about to stop now.
There are several reasons why our Flight Crew may have so many bags, including: Our Flight Attendants and Pilots work multiple-day trips. The typical trip is three days, meaning they must have enough clothes, toiletries, and even food to make it through their trip. Flight Attendants and Pilots must wear a uniform.
Softer suitcases can absorb water and are more susceptible to stains, but they can be cleaned too. If you're traveling through rain or snow, for example, a hard-shell bag will provide better protection for what's inside. A hard-shell bag can be easier to maneuver across gravel or cobblestones too.
There are no such guidelines and restrictions whether you have soft-side or hard-side luggage. The airlines don't choose sides when it comes to luggage. It is entirely your choice whether you'd like to carry hard-sided or soft-sided luggage for your journey.
Can a 24 inch luggage be a carry on? Unfortunately no, the standard carry-on size is typically 22” x 14” x 9”, so a 24 inch bag is too large to bring on board of most economy standard airlines. 2.
Soft shell cases with a higher denier should be higher quality and better made. For hard shell luggage you will notice materials are polycarbonate, TPO, ABS and polypropylene. You can also source aluminium shells or frames, while durable this can add weight to the bag.
Polypropylene luggage is made from thermoplastic polymers through the chain-growth polymerization of mono polymers. They lie between polycarbonate plastic and ABS luggage which gives them the best of both sides. They are more durable than ABS and lighter than polycarbonate luggage.
The Platinum Elite 21″ Expandable Spinner weighs less than 8 pounds when empty, and it holds five days' worth of clothing while also fitting comfortably in standard US airline overhead bins.
Liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz are not allowed in carry-on bags and should be placed in your checked bags if possible. TSA officers may instruct travelers to separate items from carry-on bags such as foods, powders, and any materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine.
On domestic flights within the United States, a carry-on bag that's smaller than 22 x 14 x 9 inches (45 linear inches), including handles and wheels will meet the size restrictions of all major airlines, such as United Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
These sizes are the most popular size of luggage to check. They are ideal for trips of 5 to 7 days, or longer, depending on how you pack. They have a large capacity for multiple outfits, shoes, and toiletries.
If your carry-on is too big, you will either have to pay penalty fees or check your luggage. Checking your luggage means that your carry-on won't be traveling with you but will instead be sent to the airplane cargo, and you will be able to claim it once the plane lands.
Domestic carry-on policies. A good rule of thumb is that if your carry-on bag fits under the seat in front of you, it's considered a personal item. This includes small backpacks, purses, briefcases, laptop bags, etc. Larger bags, including suitcases, must fit in the overhead bin compartment.
There are three sizes of suitcase: large, medium and cabin. A large case is often suited for a 2 week or longer trip, or a family wishing to pack more and a medium case is better suited for a week away.
Although there is no structural reason to restrict the weight of passengers' carry-ons, heavier bags might slow the boarding process and create an issue for cabin crew when passengers are unable to stow heavy cases in the overhead locker.
Most airlines allow backpacks as carry-ons, but size and weight restrictions vary depending on the carrier. Typically, the bag must be within the cabin baggage dimensions of around 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 22 cm), commonly considered the standard size for carry-on.
Checked Bags: The general rule for domestic flights is you can check 3 bags and carry-on none, check 2 bags and carry-on one, or check one bag and carry-on two. The checked bags cannot exceed 70 pounds per bag, and the dimensions cannot exceed 45" x 55" x 62" for the largest bag.
Take that into consideration if you enjoyed having tons of room in that interior lid compartment. Dimensions: 22" x 14" x 9" (Dimensions do not include wheels, feet, carrying handles, front pockets, etc.) 23.5 x 14 x 9.5 overall outside dimensions.
As their regular everyday bag, pilots use a special bag called a “pilot's bag”. Essentially, it's a small wheeled suitcase, a backpack, or a handheld bag that fits next to the pilot's chair in the co*ckpit. Pilot bags come in various sizes, and most commonly range between 10 x 8 x 6 inches and 18 x 14 x 12 inches.
The Travelpro FlightCrew5 21" Rollaboard is exactly the same as the flagship 22" model, just one inch smaller. New and improved features include: anti-crush extending handle with three stops, reinforced, gusseted back pocket, and padded laptop and tablet sleeves.
What Luggage Do Flight Attendants Use? Similar to pilots, flight attendants use two bags: A wheeled suitcase for their overnight items and a smaller flight bag for all the in-flight items, such as electronic flight bags, documents, make-up, snacks, food, etc.
Though you might find an inch or two of a difference with various airlines, the standard domestic carry-on luggage size is 22" x 14" x 9", which includes the handle and the wheels. This size limit ensures your bag — and ideally everyone else's — will be able to be stored safely in the overhead bin for your flight.
International carry-on sizes are generally larger than the US domestic limit of 22 x 14 x 9 inches or 45 linear inches. Carry ons for international flights are usually between 22 and 15.7 inches tall, with varying depth and width limits.
Most domestic airlines publish checked baggage size limits as a single dimension: 62 linear inches total. International airlines vary slightly, but the 62-inch rule is the most common standard worldwide. Bags larger than 62 linear inches can still fly, but they may be subject to additional fees.
Introduction: My name is Kimberely Baumbach CPA, I am a gorgeous, bright, charming, encouraging, zealous, lively, good person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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