Tessa Morrow
Runs Gear Verdicts out of Denver. Spent six years writing about outdoor retail before getting tired of press releases and starting a site that buys its own bags.
What Tessa covers
- carry on
- durability
- warranty
7 pieces on Gear Verdicts
- Warranty Claim Walkthrough: The Minimalist Version 2026-07-31
File the airline damage claim at the airport, not at home, since checked-bag windows can be as short as 24 hours and require photos, a report number, and an unsigned acknowledgment form. Manufacturer warranty claims instead need proof of purchase and close-up photos of the actual failure point. Expect repair, replacement parts, or store credit over two to six weeks, not an automatic swap. - Level8 vs Samsonite: Luggage Sets 2026-07-12
The Level8 Grace set wins for most families, offering a padded front pocket for grabbing a tablet or charger without unzipping the main compartment, at around $140 versus Samsonite's roughly $220 for a full set. Its carry-on can measure larger than some airlines' cabin limits, so check dimensions first. Samsonite suits buyers who want decades of established repair infrastructure and slower-developing wear over years of use. - Best Luggage For Family Trips Without Overpaying 2026-07-08
The Grace Luggage Set from Level8 is the best pick for outfitting a family without overspending, running around $180 for a 20-inch carry-on plus a checked piece, with color-coded bags that make baggage claim easier. The tradeoff is zipper hardware: Level8's line has a documented pattern of tabs cracking or metal loops warping, so it suits budget trips more than a decade of heavy use. - Best Duffel Bags With Wheels: Picks That Actually Hold Up 2026-07-02
The Checked Trunk 28" holds up best for wheeled duffels, surviving two checked flights with sturdy wheel housing built for real weight. It's checked-only, so it won't work as a gate-checked bag on a regional jet. Families who want coordinated sizing instead should consider the Winfield 3 DLX Set, which trades individual durability testing for matching pieces and one warranty conversation. - First-Time Flyer's Guide to Traveling With Sports Equipment 2026-05-22
For sports equipment, a hard-shell case wins over soft for skis, boards, and clubs because it protects against drops and being stacked under heavier bags. Choose wheeled models with recessed wheels, since exposed wheels survive baggage handling worse. Weigh the packed bag first: crossing fifty pounds adds an overweight surcharge on top of the oversize fee, sometimes around $100 extra. - Airport Lounge Access Options for Travelers Who Value Their Time 2026-05-03
Capital One Venture X is the best pick for travelers making 2-3 domestic hub trips a month, at roughly $395 a year, since it bundles Priority Pass Select with its own growing lounge network. Heavy international flyers get more value from Amex Platinum (~$695) for Centurion access abroad and shower suites. Flyers under six trips a year should skip annual fees and buy day passes instead. - Best Luggage Sets for People Who Fly Every Week 2026-04-27
Briggs & Riley Baseline wins for people who fly every week, since its complaint volume stays low and concentrated on price rather than actual failures, which matters most for weekly wear. Families on a tighter budget should choose the Level8 Grace Luggage Set instead, but its carry-on piece measures roughly 22 x 14.5 x 10 inches, larger than the 22 x 14 x 9 most major airlines allow.
How we work
- 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.
Full method: How we review. Corrections and questions: editors@outdoorgearverdicts.com.