ROAM luggage review: Gorgeous, custom luggage at a steep price

I’ve always dreamed of finding the perfect carry-on bag. Already used Becoming a seasoned traveler before the pandemic)—I never saw the point. The luggage was incredibly surreal.. Even when I lived in the UK and traveled frequently across Europe and back to the US, luggage should be sturdy and practical, It was not luxurious.

Fortunately, I had the opportunity to test this when I was asked to review ROAM.(opens in new tab)touted as the world’s first color-customizable premium luggage brand.

Customize your new luggage

The process of customizing your ROAM luggage is incredibly easy.Start by choosing the product you’re interested in — I tested ROAM’s standard carry-on(opens in new tab) and their Continental Backpack(opens in new tab) — before customizing it to your liking. While we appreciated the option to customize our luggage, we found this part of the process to be a bit lacking.

A lightweight 7.3-pound polycarbonate hardshell suitcase, the Carry-On allowed us to customize eight different elements: front shell, back shell, zipper, bindings, wheels, carry handle, monogram patch and lining. This gives you the potential for many variations to choose from, but there are only nine color options available for the front and back shells (you can choose a different color for each), and most of the additional color options are on the smaller side. left in detail. I had fun playing around with the customizer and looking at my creations on the website, but 4 of the 9 “main” color options available for the outer shell were in various shades of blue. I was hoping

The Continental backpack was even more limited, with only four customizable details (front panel, back and bottom, side panels, straps and handles), but only four different color options for each of the four sections. bottom. My options were limited to blue, green, red, and black for each of the four sections. Unfortunately, the backpack’s color-blocking effect reminded me of a kid’s backpack rather than feeling unique and bold. It wasn’t as customizable as it suggests.

First impressions of ROAM luggage

I was immediately surprised by the lightness of both products. The carry-on was an instant upgrade from the old Samsonite carry-on, and although I was nervous about switching to a hardshell luggage, it was definitely a step up. I didn’t like the actual construction of the suitcase. Qualitatively, the ROAM carry-on felt a little cheaper than I expected, especially the lining. I was worried that it would get caught or ripped quickly. I didn’t like how the outer shell was barely felt, instead of feeling sturdy and lightweight. that too light.Yes the colors were great and definitely instagrammable, but I quickly realized that the white shell couldn’t be stay White after my first trip.

Luckily, the backpack gave me a much better impression. I really liked the finish on the Continental backpack, aside from the limited color selection. I was addicted from the beginning to the extremely light and unique construction. At 26 liters, the Continental was only 2 liters larger than my trusty Herschel backpack, but the functionality of the bag made it possible looks twice as big. The zippers opened more fully for easier access (and tighter packing), and the extra pockets and compartments were both strategically placed and somehow still roomy.

However, my only complaint was the same as the suitcase.The material itself isn’t worth the price, especially the padding on the outer laptop compartment. I was worried about exposing the bag to the elements, so I used a spray bottle that highlighted the zippers and seams. I decided to test the “water resistant” label with. It’s definitely not waterproof, nor does it claim to be, but it was satisfying to know my electronics would be fine as long as I was careful.

Travel with ROAM luggage

While traveling with my ROAM luggage, I immediately noticed two things. Year Immediately, and secondly, this luggage looks phenomenal. I received several compliments about my luggage at my accommodation.

The carry-on was surprisingly roomy, and I was able to pack several days’ worth of clothing and running shoes with a bit more room to spare. This meant I could afford to take a few extra outfits without having to worry about where to put souvenirs to take home. It was designed to save space by doing so, but it didn’t do much for me, especially when compared to the roll-up compression bags I’ve used in the past.

As long as you use a suitcase while traveling? It was without a doubt the best carry-on I’ve ever used, but that’s a result of the 360-degree wheels that most carry-on bags have these days, as well as the ultralight nature of the suitcase. Yes, it was unbelievable to feel like I hadn’t lugged this huge weight around at the airport.It was easy to put in the overhead compartment.But this suitcase is a marvel. Or was my old one terrible?

Again, the Continental backpack was far superior to the Carry-On. I was amazed at how much I was able to pack into the bag, including multiple hardcover books, a half-gallon water bottle, a sweater, a Macbook, a charger, and more…and still had room to spare. I was able to slip it into the handle of my carry-on without issue, and the extra compartment made me feel much more organized than when I was on the plane. Everything was easily accessible even when I was on a plane. This was definitely one of the better backpacks I have traveled with.

Is ROAM worth the price?

not much.The luggage is beautiful, yes, and the option to customize the luggage is fun and convenient – especially for people tired of trying to find their suitcase in the black sea with baggage claim – but the price it wasn’t very Match the quality for me.

The material is not as sturdy as I expected and the carry-on is(opens in new tab) Already showing slight signs of wear after two short flights over the weekend of travel.The backpack holds up better and has a real layout The size of the backpack was staggering, but again the lack of padding and the material itself didn’t quite match the hefty price tag.

I’m not sure if it’s ROAM though.(opens in new tab) Even if you don’t use it any further, it’s truly worth the price. The carry-on could only be tested on her one trip over the weekend, so I’m not sure it will hold up long term. It’s obviously made of incredibly lightweight materials and could exceed my expectations.ROAM offers a 100-day trial period and a lifetime warranty if you travel a lot, so you can always test it. increase.

as much as a backpack(opens in new tab)I really wanted it to be more sturdy. It looked phenomenal, the compartments were very well thought out and functional, the lightweight construction was great…but it wasn’t great. Is that the bag for you? perhaps.

For me, ROAM wasn’t worth the splurge.