Our LEVEL8 Luggage Review: Road Runner & Voyageur Tested

We’re on the move, starting this LEVEL8 review from a FlixBus after rolling our new LEVEL8 suitcase out of Rome, bound for Bologna’s legendary food scene. Two nights there, then it’s off to Venice, my hometown. If you want to know how a suitcase holds up, this is the ultimate test: ancient Roman cobblestones, Bologna’s bustling streets, and Venice’s maze of bridges and canals. If it survives this trip, it’s ready for anything.

This is our LEVEL8 luggage review, because let’s be real: anyone planning a multi-destination trip in Italy or Europe wants to know, can I do this smoothly, without breaking my back, humiliating myself, or wasting money on taxis? Sometimes it’s worth investing a bit more in a durable, functional suitcase instead of dragging around something cheap and regretting it later.

Now, if you’ve read my post about how to travel light, you know I always recommend traveling light. So the big question is: will a suitcase actually convince me to move away from my usual “light and easy” style?

A Quick Background of LEVEL8

• Based in New York: LEVEL8 started in NYC and has built a reputation for quality luggage at fair prices.
• Manufacturing in Asia: Their cases are made in China and Cambodia, in partnership with factories specialized in durable travel gear.
• Durable Materials: The shells are made from German Makrolon® polycarbonate, which is both lightweight and resistant—exactly what you want when your bag is tossed around trains and planes.
• Smart Details: An integrated TSA-approved lock (so you don’t lose it), wider handles (on the Voyageur), a fun set of alphabet stickers to personalize your case, and bright colors to spot them on the airport belt. We actually went for darker colors for both, even though brighter ones are easier to spot. That’s just us...we like it classic. But with the stickers (included!), even a black case gets its own personality.

LEVEL8 Luggage Review: First Impressions of Road Runner & Voyageur Design

We picked two different models from LEVEL8 to really test both a carry-on and a checked suitcase during our Italy trip:

Road Runner Carry-On 20" Black

The Road Runner Carry-On immediately stood out thanks to its front laptop compartment, a feature that’s incredibly useful for digital nomads and frequent travelers. While its design focuses on practicality over flash, it’s thoughtfully engineered for those who travel with tech, making it a smart and reliable choice for any journey.

Voyageur Checked 28" Navy

The Voyageur Checked is LEVEL8’s best pick on the website, and we can see why. The design is sleek, the navy color feels elegant and timeless, it has a wide top handle for more controllability, and it has that extra side handle we didn’t know we needed. Plus, it photographs beautifully, an important point for us since we’re also creating video and photo content on the road.

Unboxing LEVEL8: Road Runner Carry-On & Voyageur Checked

When we opened the box, both suitcases were already protected in their own covers, which makes storing them easier and keeps them safe from scratches. Inside, we also found a little booklet with instructions and tips. Honestly, it felt like a proper upgrade moment. After years of backpacks, revealing these two stylish trolleys was exciting.

Road Runner Carry-On: First Look

The Road Runner Carry-On trolley feels like the dream carry-on for digital nomads. It’s compact, has a laptop case right at the front, and can actually expand a little if you need extra space. Inside, there’s enough room for documents and tech without worrying they’ll bump into each other.

We chose black because we know we’ll be using it for years, and it’s a color that never gets old. On the wheels, there’s the LEVEL8 logo with the infinity symbol (a sideways 8), a small touch, but we really love details like this.

Compared to my last carry-on:

This feels like the perfect balance. My old one was either too tiny (couldn’t even fit a plushie for my niece) or too bulky (risking extra airline fees). The Road Runner is sturdy without being heavy, and the wheels are small but surprisingly robust, and super quiet, which is a game-changer when rushing through a train station and not wanting to make a scene.

Voyageur Checked: First Look

Now for the big guy. The Voyageur 28" is... huge, and we love it. It’s still easy to roll despite the size (thanks to a wider top handle), and the extra handle on the front gives it a retro travel vibe. In navy, the material looks premium and a bit luxurious, and it matches perfectly with our other black travel gear. If you want to spice it up even more, LEVEL8 offers other colors that will stand out even more.

Compared to our old checked suitcase:

In our Japan videos and posts you might have spotted my previous big suitcase. It was okay, but too small, rigid, and the locks eventually broke (probably because I overfilled it 🙈). The Voyageur is not only larger and more flexible, but also feels like it can handle a lot more wear and tear. Choosing the navy was the right move, as it feels classy, and unlike flashy colors, we won’t get tired of seeing it.

Traveling Italy with LEVEL8: Road Test in Rome, Bologna & Venice

Let’s put these suitcases to the test. Here’s how the LEVEL8 Road Runner and Voyageur performed on real Italian streets, trains, and bridges...no showroom conditions, just honest travel.

In Rome: LEVEL8’s First Real Challenge on Cobblestones & City Buses

Arrivederci Roma! Honestly, I don’t remember a departure ever going this smoothly. With the extra space in both suitcases, we didn’t have to stress about leaving anything behind, or stuffing things into an extra bag. I even made a quick run to the grocery store and grabbed some takeaway pizza for the journey and was able to pack them inside. Thanks to the internal pockets and compression dividers, everything stayed neat and separate: clothes on one side, food and extras on the other. Both models make it super easy to keep things organized, which is usually a struggle with backpacks.

Now, about those Roman streets...anyone who’s been knows they’re not exactly suitcase-friendly. There’s a mix of concrete, uneven stones, roots of the gorgeous pini di Roma, and the occasional ancient tile. But the LEVEL8 wheels handled it surprisingly well. On flat concrete, you can literally run with them (and yes, we did...in order to catch our bus 😅). On grass and terrain, they rolled like little Mad Max vehicles, unstoppable. The tricky part was the bumpy ancient pavements, but honestly, that's another reason why we love Rome and LEVEL8 handled it with more grace than other luggage we've seen!

The wheels deserve a special mention: same size on both the carry-on and the large checked bag, compact but very robust, and they’re built into the body, so they don’t stick out (which means less chance of breaking). Bonus: they’re silent, so you’re not sweeping the street with a rattling noise like cheap trolleys.

From San Giovanni to Tiburtina station, they fit smoothly onto the city bus. The only thing? Because they roll so easily, they can slide a bit on moving buses, so just keep a foot or hand on them, and you’re fine. Once at Tiburtina, it was effortless to lift them into the Flixbus luggage hold.

In Bologna: Rolling Under the Porticos & Navigating Marble Streets

If Rome tested their toughness, Bologna tested their elegance. The city of porticos (endless arches), with more than 38 km of them, was the perfect playground. Rolling the Voyageur on the marble pavements felt like skiing...it literally glides. And because of the silent 360° wheels, you can zig-zag around tourists and locals without making a scene.

Of course, carrying a 28" checked suitcase is still a workout, but trust me, with anything less solid it would have been a nightmare. For travelers who need to carry a lot of stuff, the Voyageur is a lifesaver.

On our last day, after a late night out, we had to check out in a hurry. Packing was quick and painless thanks to the smart compartments, compression system, and wet-dry separation pocket. We locked everything, left it safely at the hotel, and ran to see the Sanctuario della Madonna di San Luca. After retrieving the luggage, the quiet wheels made our walk under the porticos to Bologna Centrale a lot more relaxing after such a busy day.

We even decided to try the regional train from Bologna Corticella, where we had to lift the luggage up a staircase with no elevator. Here, the double handles (on both top and side) were a blessing. The Road Runner felt almost weightless and super easy to manage, while the Voyageur was still very manageable thanks to the ergonomic handles.

In Venice: Navigating Bridges, Crowds & Canals with LEVEL8

Ah, Venice! (yes, an Indiana Jones' quote 😎)

The final stop of our trip. By the time we arrived, the sun was setting and, for once, we actually wanted to include our suitcases in the photos instead of hiding them. They looked that good.

Venice is famously one of the worst cities for luggage because of crowds and bridges. The temptation is always to take an expensive water taxi, but we wanted the challenge. And honestly, both suitcases performed better than expected, even on the Ponte degli Scalzi, the massive bridge near the station that almost everyone has to cross.

The double side and front handles on the Voyageur really helped on the steps, making it less painful to carry. And again, because of the sleek design, soundproof feature and elegant colors, we didn’t feel embarrassed to roll them around like we did with our old bulky luggage.

LEVEL8 Suitcase Pros & Cons: Road Runner vs Voyageur

After putting both the Road Runner Carry-On 20" and the Voyageur Checked 28" through Italy’s cobblestones, buses, porticos, bridges, and even grocery runs… here’s our honest take:

Pros

• Smooth zippers – No tugging, no fighting. They just glide.

• Laptop holder (Road Runner) – Safe, secure, and flexible. You can pack it just right to avoid airline trouble, and still fit all your tech comfortably.

• Telescopic handle adjustment – No awkward struggles. You can set it to your height (just keep in mind: don’t get the 28" if you’re short, unless you’re ready for an oversized partner-in-crime). The wide handle on the Voyageur is great, too!

• Silent 360° wheels – Rolls so smoothly you can eat an extra lasagna and not feel it weigh you down.

• Easy for running or rushing – Whether it’s catching a bus, train, or just weaving through crowds, these suitcases can keep up.

• Everything stays in place – The interior compartments and compression system keep clothes and gifts secure, even when it’s half full or packed to the brim.

• Extra space – Finally, room for parmigiano reggiano, fresh pasta, and souvenirs without stressing.

• Stylish look – The Makrolon® polycarbonate shell makes them both durable and luxurious-looking.

• Customizable stickers – A fun touch to spot your bag quickly.

Cons

• Almost too smooth – This trolley's wheels are so smooth and quiet, you might forget it's behind you! For that reason, it's important to stay alert and keep a close eye on it to prevent theft.

• No brakes – Would be handy on buses or slopes, but honestly, it would add extra weight (so maybe better this way).

• Minor Scratches – The Road Runner especially shows a few tiny marks. On the bright side, it gives it that vissuto (lived-in, vintage) look.

Final Verdict: Is LEVEL8 Worth It for Digital Nomads & Backpackers?

After years of backpacking, switching to LEVEL8 really felt like an upgrade. It would honestly be hard to go back to backpacks only, though sometimes we still have to, since checked baggage can be pricey and our travels are often on the move. Still, whenever we get the chance, we hope to travel more like this, because hey...we’re not getting younger!

We can’t wait to roll these beauties again. Thanks LEVEL8...we’ll be recommending you to family, friends, and fellow travelers everywhere!