Frequent flyers must be familiar with carry-on suitcases. It’s available in two alternatives, the one with a fabric shell and the other which comes with a solid hard side. The latter type is recommended for travelers who carry multiple valuables, such as tablets, cameras, or laptops. Products of this type usually come with safety features such as TSA-approved locks, shock-absorbing padding, hard edges, and more. So, this time we’ll provide you with some tips on how to choose Eagle Creek hardside luggage, one of the most trusted brands in the baggage industry. We’ll also provide some great recommendations for products currently available in the market. Are you ready? Let’s get started!
How to Choose The Best Eagle Creek Hardside Luggage
As we mentioned earlier, hardside luggage offers extra security value. Since it’s made of an ultra-solid piece, the luggage will be able to better handle scratches, shocks, and other external threats. The thing is, hard shell luggage comes in many different designs and looks. How do you pick the right one for your needs? To answer your question, here’s our take on a couple of factors you should consider when choosing an Eagle Creek hard side luggage.
Size
Size is one of the most crucial factors in choosing an Eagle Creek hardside luggage, especially with increasingly strict airline requirements. For example, American Airlines & United Airlines only allow passengers with a maximum of 29-inch luggages. So, buying the largest carry-on won’t be the right approach. Instead, you’ll also have to make sure that the luggage complies with airport regulations as well as airline requirements.
Security
If you often travel with lots of valuables, security should be one of your main concerns. When buying an Eagle Creek hardside luggage, see if it comes with an internal safety system. Do a thorough check on whether the product features TSA lock or other similar mechanisms. We also highly recommend you to pick luggage with zippered pockets, cross straps, mesh pockets, and laptop compartments. These will help keep all of your belongings safe during transport.
Price
Another important question when choosing an Eagle Creek hardside luggage is, how much are you willing to spend? If you need additional protection for your stuff, don’t hesitate to shell out some extra cash. However, please note that expensive luggage is not equal to high-quality luggage. We suggest you read product reviews and specifications carefully, so you become really aware of what you are paying for.
Eagle Creek Tarmac
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The Eagle Creek Tarmac is probably one of the best luggages you can get on the market today. It is able to present an excellent integration of durability and lightness. All thanks to polycarbonate, a strong but delicate material. Apart from that, this product also has several excellent features such as compression for extra packing space, heavy-duty fabric for adventurous ones, dedicated laptop sleeves, and treaded wheels for easy maneuverability.
In addition, we also love the fact that this product comes with a ‘No matter what’ warranty policy. This means you’ll be guaranteed a free repair or replacement, in case you experience a product failure during the product’s lifetime. So, if you’re looking for the best Eagle Creek hardside luggage, this one won’t let you down.
What We Love
The perfect combination of durability and lightness
Pros:
- Compression for extra spaces
- Padded laptop sleeve
- Treaded wheels
- Polycarbonate shell
Cons:
- The compartment isn’t as spacious as the previous model
Eagle Creek Expanse AWD
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If you’re looking for something super portable, then the Eagle Creek Expanse AWD is for you. This luggage is specifically designed to fit even the smallest overheads. For durability, the Expanse AWD uses bi-tech armor technology to ensure it’s able to absorb abrasion and shocks during transport. Furthermore, this strong pack also has a versatile four-wheel spinner. It’ll allow you to have smooth glides on any gate at any airport!
For added security, Expanse AWD has a feature called Central Lock Point. These Secure Zip Toggles will completely protect your valuable stuff from any external hazards. To conclude, the Expanse AWD is a highly recommended Eagle Creek hardside luggage. It looks cool, is easy to carry around, and extremely durable.
What We Love
Fit in almost any overheads
Pros:
- Durable and lightweight
- Bi-Tech Armor Lite tech
- Central Lock Point
- Four-wheel spinner
Cons:
- The kickplate is made of vinyl instead of hard plastic
Eagle Creek Expanse Carry-On
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Eagle Creek Expanse Carry-On is a tough piece of luggage designed to accommodate the needs of adventurous travelers. It’s quite portable and easy to carry around, but at the same time, manages to deal with harsh conditions really well. And thanks to the genius scuff-resistant armor print, this incredible gear will still look brand new, even after years of use!
As for capacity, Eagle Creek Expanse Carry-On features expansion zippers that give you up to 7 liters of space. This means that you can pack almost all of your essentials in a single pack, from clothes to gadgets to important documents! In short, Expanse Carry-On is one of the most remarkable Eagle Creek hardside luggage that you can get at the moment. And at around 130 bucks, this one is definitely a no-brainer.
What We Love
The scuff-resistant armor print keeps the luggage looking new
Pros:
- Small but durable
- Central Lock Point
- ‘No Matter What’ warranty
- Up to 7 liters of space
Cons:
- There’s no grab handle on the bottom
Eagle Creek Gear Warrior
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The Eagle Creek Gear Warrior is everything you would expect from great luggage. The rollers work pretty well. It looks and feels tough. It sounds quite loud when scratching hard surfaces, but this is only a minor complaint. As for capacity, this baggage is wide enough for a carry-on. As usual, you get an expander that works just fine. In addition, there’s a nice zipper and hard shell bottom, so you can store your fragile belongings in peace.
Furthermore, the Eagle Creek Gear Warrior has a dedicated laptop compartment with soft padding. However, it isn’t big enough. You’re obviously going to have a hard time trying to fit a 17-inch device inside. With that being said, it’s still a nice Eagle Creek hardside luggage. It’s able to survive a rough trip with no visible damage. If you don’t mind spending around 200 bucks, this is a nice piece of gear to have.
What We Love
A great luggage that works really well
Pros:
- Sustainable fabrics
- USA domestic flight compliance
- Attached porter key bottle opener
- Treaded wheels
Cons:
- The laptop compartment isn’t big enough
Eagle Creek Gear Warrior International
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Want to make sure that all your money won’t go to waste? Get yourself an Eagle Creek Gear Warrior International. At first sight, this pack only looks a little bigger than a rolling backpack. But don’t let that fool you, because this luggage can hold a lot more than you think. With thoughtful, systematic packing, you’ll have no problem fitting a five-day worth of clothing in this bag!
Another thing we love about Eagle Creek Gear Warrior International is the hideaway handle. It’s absolutely great, especially in making sure it doesn’t get caught on things easily. Furthermore, the wheels perform remarkably well on almost any terrain. If there’s anything we have to complain about Eagle Creek hardside luggage, it’s the size of the pockets. They’re wide, but not deep enough to hold many items.
What We Love
It can hold many items and clothes
Pros:
- Environmental friendly
- Lifetime warranty
- Expandable space
- Porter key bottle opener
Cons:
- The pockets aren’t deep enough
Eagle Creek Expanse International Carry-On
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At first, we thought Eagle Creek Expanse International Carry On was small luggage. But upon further inspection, this pack was able to fit quite a lot of stuff. The wheels are quite sturdy and work great. However, some of you might find this luggage unstable. In order to fix it, you have to pack strategically. Put the heavier items on the bottom, while the lighter items on the upper, and voila! You’ll get steady luggage.
Overall, this is a satisfying Eagle Creek hardside luggage. If you’re a frequent traveler and love to pack efficiently, this one would be great. The luggage is offered at $ 189, but you should be able to easily find a discounted model for 60-70 bucks less.
What We Love
Durable, great for frequent travelers
Pros:
- External lash points
- Central lock point
- Treaded wheels
- Scuff resistant armor screen print
Cons:
- The side handle isn’t padded enough
Eagle Creek Explore 4-Wheeled Luggage
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Planning to start a new adventure sometime soon? Then you’ll want to make sure that the Eagle Creek Explore 4-Wheeled Luggage is in your travel gear collection. It’s moving luggage designed with an ultra-though construction, featuring a telescopic handle and four rugged 360 wheels. Wherever you go, this incredible pack will ensure that all your personal belongings remain safe.
As for capacity, the Explore has two spacious compartments with organizing pockets, key holders, and mesh pockets. You can store electronic equipment such as cameras, tablets, and cell phones, and reach them easily. Add in the lifetime warranty and you’ve got a perfect Eagle Creek hard-side luggage.
What We Love
Hardside luggage with though construction
Pros:
- Interior compression
- Lockable zippers
- Four rugged wheels
- 100 percent recycled poly neo diamond
Cons:
- Some may find it too bulky
Eagle Creek Expanse Wheeled Carry-On Rolling Duffel
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The Eagle Creek Expanse Wheeled Carry-On Rolling Duffel will be great for a quick trip or those who love to pack efficiently. This bag has a compartment large enough to accommodate plenty of stuff. Apart from that, it features a book-style opening, which should make it easier for you to organize things. Bring a laptop or other portable device? Don’t worry, as this pack also comes with a dedicated padded sleeve.
Overall, this is one of the most solid Eagle Creek hardside luggage available on the market. It allows you to easily access your stuff, on and off the plane. And at around 160 bucks, this product is quite affordable for travel luggage.
What We Love
Great for quick trips
Pros:
- Zipper closure
- Book-style opening
- Exterior compression straps
- Central lock point
Cons:
- Some may consider this too big
Eagle Creek Tarmac AWD
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Eagle Creek Tarmac AWD is all about safety and durability. It’s a rollable carry-on suitcase that features a rugged wheel and solid construction. In the packing department, this luggage has a dedicated sleeve for the laptop and compression straps that’ll allow you to pack efficiently for any adventure. Dimension-wise, the Tarmac AWD is measured at 13.7x22x11 inches when expanded.
Overall, the Tarmac AWD is a great Eagle Creek hardside luggage. It’s built with high-quality materials and offers great maneuverability. We also appreciate the fact that the bag comes with an appealing design. If you haven’t found the travel luggage that you desire, you won’t go wrong with this one.
What We Love
Rugged pack with solid construction
Pros:
- Treaded wheels
- Durable exterior
- Easy packing
- Extra compression
Cons:
- Not great if you like to bundle pack
Eagle Creek Exploration Series ORV Trunk
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If you’re a diehard traveler, the Eagle Creek Exploration Series ORV Trunk is a must-have. It’s luggage specifically designed for big adventures. The construction is extremely rigid and it comes with a bunch of features. There are tons of easy to grab handles all over the place. For extra security, Eagle Creek adds a number of external lash points. And for better compression, you get a convenient cargo net.
As for the compartments, Eagle Creek Exploration has more than enough room to pack a week’s worth of clothing and essentials. If that’s not enough, there’s an expandable seam-taped wet dry compartment. Overall, this is an Eagle Creek hardside luggage that’ll be worth all your single penny. It’s lightweight, dependable, and efficient. Really recommended.
What We Love
Great for some great adventures
Pros:
- Multiple handles
- External lash points
- Expandable seam taped wet compartment
- Convenient cargo net
Cons:
- The handle tends to break easily
Eagle Creek Expanse Convertible
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The Eagle Creek Expanse Convertible will be awesome for a 7-10 day trip. As the name implies, this luggage can double as a fully functional backpack. It has a strap that can come out and put back in quickly. Furthermore, the wheels are perfect and easy to move around. Construction-wise, this product is incredibly sturdy and reliable. In addition, it also easily fits in overhead compartments on pretty much all domestic United States airlines.
From an interior perspective, the Expanse Convertible has plenty of space with compression straps and mesh panel pockets for easy organization. In addition, there are side compression straps to keep items from shifting during transport. Overall, this is an Eagle Creek hardside luggage that works great as a 2-in-1 solution. But if you’re looking for something more specific, you may want to check out our list of the 13 best Eagle Creek convertible backpacks.
What We Love
Convertible luggage with rigid construction
Pros:
- Side compression straps
- Mesh pan pockets
- Oversized treaded wheels
- Ventilated padded back panel
Cons:
- It may feel uncomfortable for people with generous proportions
Eagle Creek Luggage DS3
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One thing that impressed us the most about the Eagle Creek Luggage DS3 is its weight. It’s much lighter than most hard side luggage, making it easy to manage. It should come in handy when you have to go through multiple flights. Apart from that, the luggage also comes with a nice capacity. The shell is made of premium-grade polycarbonate which can easily accommodate up to a week’s worth of clothing and other travel essentials.
As for the wheels, the DS3 uses 360-degree technology developed in Japan. This should allow you great mobility over any surface. Other features worth mentioning include reinforced corner protection caps, an ultra-secure aluminum frame, and integrated TSA compliant surface-mounted locks. If you haven’t found Eagle Creek hardside luggage that fits the bill, this one is well worth considering. It would make a great pair for one of our 13 best Eagle Creek duffel bags.
What We Love
Lightweight compared to other hard side luggages
Pros:
- 360-degree spinning wheels
- Durable and lightweight
- Premium-grade polycarbonate shell
- Reinforced corner protection caps
Cons:
- Tens to sell out quickly
Eagle Creek Luggage Travel Gateway
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If you’re looking for something that’s both lightweight and functional, Eagle Creek Luggage Travel Gateway would be an exemplary choice. The multi-directional wheels will give you effortless mobility and ultra-light in-hand carry. As for the main compartment, it’s expandable and can accommodate up to 15 percent of its maximum capacity. Apart from that, you’ll get lockable self-repairing zippers and a dedicated pocket for your boarding pass.
Overall, this is one of the Eagle Creek hardside luggage which is quite solid. If you’re planning on going on a 2-4 week trip, this pack will be great. And for those planning to bring documentation gear along, you might want to check out our recommendations for the 13 best DJI Mavic Air 2 cases & backpacks.
What We Love
Combines portability and functionality great
Pros:
- Multi-directional wheel
- Expandable main compartment
- Book-style opening
- Padded zippered front pocket
Cons:
- Some find it less stable, lean toward the front
