Hana Vance

Associate Editor · Gear Verdicts

Price-band and value coverage. Tracks what the same bag costs across a year.

What Hana covers

Aluminum Look Showdown 2026-05-18
Travelpro's Platinum Elite wins this comparison, backed by its limited lifetime warranty and a handle that locks at height without wobble, making it the pick for travelers who check bags into rough handling systems. Samsonite's aluminum look holds style appeal but suffers the worst wheel failure rate of the group. Level8's Carry-On costs about $140 and offers the most laptop-friendly interior, though its zipper pull needs gentler handling.

We buy every bag we write about with our own money. We do not accept review samples, loaners, gifted product or paid placement, and we keep the receipts.
Use periods and trip counts are real. If a review says a bag went through nine flights and a season of airport tile, that is what happened.