My Ultimate July Luggage Set For 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Giveaway: We’ve teamed up with July Luggage to give two readers a July suitcase! Comment on this article letting us know your favourite feature of July Luggage to be in the draw. Entries close at midnight AEDT on 20 November 2024. Full details below.

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Although the idea of never checking in a suitcase is undeniably appealing, for most travellers, it’s just not practical for every trip. Even if you’re not a frequent flyer, investing in a quality luggage set can enhance your airport experience, and is generally more cost-effective than purchasing individually. Not to mention the aesthetics of matching personalised luggage!

Enter July Luggage – the brainchild of Australian travellers Athan Didaskalou and Richard Li, who were tired of clunky, uninspired suitcases that were difficult to manoeuvre. Since launching, July has become known for its durable hardside suitcases with useful features aimed at making travel easier.

I have been travelling with July Luggage for several years now, long before I was invited to test their latest products. In that time, I’ve purchased an embarrassing number of July cases and learned firsthand what separates quality luggage from average options. We first reviewed the Pro SnapSleeve in 2022, shortly after its introduction. Since then, I’ve tested July’s Pro Trunk and Daybreak Backpack, and recently had the opportunity to put the Checked Trunk Set and Everyday Small Duffle through their paces to see if my praise still stands.

Tip: Save on your new suitcase with our July discount codes!

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July offers free shipping and returns within Australia, along with a generous 100-day return policy. If for any reason you’re not satisfied with your purchase, as long as it’s not personalised, you can return or exchange it. There’s also a lifetime warranty that offers repair or replacement for manufacturing issues, including damage to the shell, wheels, zips and handles on your July suitcase.

In this post:

• July Checked Trunk Set Overview
  • Pros And Cons – July Checked Trunk Set
• July Everyday Small Duffle Overview
  • Pros And Cons – July Everyday Small Duffle
• Summing Up: My Take

July Checked Trunk Set Overview

Carry On Trunk

• External size (including wheels): 55cm H x 38cm W x 22cm D
• Internal size: 50cm H x 36cm W x 21.5cm
• Weight: 4kg
• Capacity: 42L

Checked Trunk

• External size (including wheels): 72cm H x 41.5cm W x 37cm D
• Internal size: 68cm H x 39.5cm W x 36.5cm D
• Weight: 6kg
• Capacity: 95L

The July Checked Trunk Set includes a matching Carry On Trunk and Checked Trunk so you’re covered wherever you travel. These glorious 70s style cases boast a clean look, and come in several funky colours, with either a gloss or matte finish.

Perhaps the most distinct feature of both the checked and carry on are the TSA latch locks that open with one click and a three-didget code. Apart from many suitcase zips being easy to penetrate, they are also the first thing to break on most bags. Latches are also so much faster, and trust me, extremely satisfying.

The cases are made from aerospace-grade German polycarbonate, which is lightweight but still impressively durable. Like any suitcase, they will scratch with use, but being colourfast means it is slightly less noticeable. Most should see this as a sign of a well-travelled case, but if marks are annoying to you I would advise selecting the matte finish. July also includes a magic sponge for cleaning and a dust cover to protect your suitcase at home.

The Carry On Trunk is an even 50/50 split, with a heavy-duty compression system on one side, and a clipped net on the other. Opening up the Checked Trunk reveals an 80/20 split with the same compression and net system. Both sides have zippered pockets for loose items.

The nylon lining of July cases is a huge drawcard and quite easy to clean, being both stain-proof and water-resistant.

SilentMove spinner wheels make July cases slice through airports with ease, while the multi-stop telescopic handles mean you can set any desired height, instead of only two options.

Pros And Cons – July Checked Trunk Set

Pros:

• High-quality durable polycarbonate shell
• Quiet and smooth spinner wheels
• Zipperless access with two TSA latch locks
• Multi-stop telescopic handle that can be set to any height
• Thoughtful interior organisation and compression straps
• Stain and water-resistant nylon lining
• Smell-resistant laundry bag
• Ejectable battery with fast charging for carry-on
• Lifetime warranty and 100-day free returns

Cons:

• Premium price point
• Latch lock system isn’t suited to overpacking

July Everyday Small Duffle Overview

• Dimensions: 42.5cm W x 28cm H x 21cm D
• Side handles: 30cm
• Shoulder strap: 78cm to 125cm
• Weight: 1.2kg
• Capacity: 28L

The July Everyday Small Duffle is a versatile, stylish bag that works well for keeping essentials within easy reach when travelling. There’s nothing worse than rummaging through a full suitcase in the middle of the street or plane aisle, so this is my essentials bag. It’s slightly smaller than a weekender, but larger than a tote, with enough space for my laptop, book, camera, jacket and the other items I’ll use onboard the plane.

As far as airline carry on guidelines, many allow a larger suitcase (like the July Carry On Trunk) in addition to a personal item which is loosely defined as something similar to a handbag or laptop bag. The general rule is that personal items must fit under the seat in front, and based on our testing, the Everyday Small Duffle will do just that on many passenger planes.

Minimalistic in true July fashion, the bag is crafted from a TPU-coated cotton, which resists stains remarkably well. It’s also machine washable, making life so much easier when you need a quick refresh. The detachable shoulder strap is comfortable for carrying, though I’d recommend keeping the bag light when using it this way.

July has also added one of my must-haves when bringing a secondary bag onboard, a luggage pass-through band so the Everyday Small Duffle can slip easily onto my Carry On Trunk. Hidden behind the luggage strap is a magnetic pocket offering easy access to my passport.

Each side includes a drink bottle holder, capable of handling even the largest Frank Green you can muster. I’m not really a fan of the extended zippers though, which look trendy but tend to get in the way.

Inside, there is a 14” laptop pocket as well as a zippered divider and two further pockets.

Pros And Cons – July Everyday Small Duffle

Pros:

• Perfect size for an additional carry-on bag, or even a work bag
• Machine washable for easy cleaning
• Pass-through band to easily attach to a suitcase handle
• Discrete magnetic exterior pocket for easy access to a passport
• Dedicated laptop sleeve
• 5-year warranty and 100-day free returns

Cons:

• If you select the black bag, the dark interior makes it hard to locate items
• Only one internal zippered pocket
• Extended zippers can prove frustrating

Summing Up: My Take

So, is July Luggage worth it? That answer of course depends on what you’re looking for, but for travellers who value style, functionality, and durability, July’s Checked Trunk Set and Everyday Small Duffle make an excellent pair.

With premium materials and a lifetime warranty covering nearly every part, July cases are designed to last. Whether you’re a frequent flyer looking to refresh the way you carry, or someone after luggage that feels as good as it looks, this might just be the upgrade you’ve been searching for.

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Full disclosure: July sent us some products for testing, but this article was not sponsored or edited by July.

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We’ve teamed up with July Luggage to give two Flight Hacks readers one July Carry On Trunk suitcase each. Enter by commenting on this article and letting us know your favourite feature of July Luggage. Entries close at midnight AEDT on 20 November 2024.

Giveaway open to Australian residents. Flight Hacks will select twelve comments to enter the random prize draw, to be drawn on 21 November 2024. Winners contacted by Flight Hacks will need to select an available July Carry On Trunk colour and provide their full name, email, phone number and delivery address.

Winners agree to unlimited marketing usage by Flight Hacks, July Luggage and all related parties. By entering this competition, you release Flight Hacks, July Luggage and all related parties from any liability in relation to this giveaway.

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