July Baggage Evaluation: Hype or Price It in 2023?

There’s a whole lot of baggage on the market that’s, to be trustworthy, fairly subpar. I’ve seen a whole lot of low cost manufacturing, poor supplies, and outright dangerous design within the journey trade.

If you happen to’re on a quest to discover a suitcase that doesn’t suck, you might have come throughout July, an Aussie journey model who asserts that they’re right here to repair the damaged baggage trade. That’s a daring declare, so the query is that this: how do their merchandise measure up in real-world use?

I’ve traveled broadly internationally: from little cities in Europe to mountainside villages within the Himalayas to manufacturing hubs in Malaysia. Alongside the way in which, I’ve discovered a factor or two about what separates good suitcases from the remainder of the mediocre pack. I’ve pitted July’s fashions towards a number of the finest suitcases within the enterprise to see how they examine.

I’ll share with you what I discovered, how July suitcases carry out in real-world use, and break down the totally different fashions they provide. I’ll additionally provide you with just a few different manufacturers to take a look at.

July Baggage First Impressions

The very first thing that stands out to me with these suitcases is the clear minimalist aesthetic. I’m not a fan of ornate, frilly designs, and I really like the streamlined look of those instances.

The match and end can be spot-on at first inspection. The German polycarbonate shell feels clean and hard, the deal with is sturdy, and the aluminum nook bumpers add an additional sense of high quality and sturdiness.

The most important standout function after I began taking a look at these instances—particularly the July Carry-On—was the wheels. Just a few years again, I destroyed the wheels on two suitcases by dragging them throughout European cobblestone streets. Ever since then, I’ve been very cautious of suitcase wheel sturdiness. I are typically fairly skeptical of spinner wheels generally as a result of I’ve seen so many which are cheaply made.

July’s wheels really feel very totally different from the everyday low cost plastic ones that you just discover on finances suitcases. They’re larger than normal suitcase wheels they usually really feel means stronger. July claims that their silent wheels can deal with the cobblestones of Europe, and based mostly on my first impression, I are likely to agree.

Who’s July?

July is an up-and-coming Australia-based journey model that was based in 2018 with the mission “democratise unbreakable and lifelong design.”

For a journey startup, 2018 was a reasonably horrible time to start out, for the reason that pandemic hit simply as they had been starting to achieve momentum. The truth that July survived the lockdown interval and continues to be going robust is fairly spectacular.

To present you a little bit of an perception into who July is as a model, right here’s a fast snippet from their about web page:

As a class, the journey equipment trade is damaged; it’s typically make it as low cost as doable, utilizing a plethora of shops and distributors to promote, and ignore all reference to the shopper. This ends in over-priced items offered with a brief product lifespan.

We’re right here to repair this.

That every one sounds fantastic, however many manufacturers use high-falutin language of their advertising and marketing information. These days, I discover myself fairly skeptical of claims that firms make. There’s simply means an excessive amount of bullshit on the market.

Once I began to dig into the small print on July, I used to be shocked to seek out that their self-proclaimed mission to repair the baggage trade goes greater than surface-deep. They appear to be taking that dedication critically.

The primary place I see proof for that is of their design course of. July began the design of their merchandise by studying 1000’s of suitcase critiques to seek out the most typical complaints. Then they got down to design a suitcase and enterprise mannequin to repair essentially the most issues they discovered.

That will sound like a reasonably good (and possibly even apparent) strategy, however I’ve labored as a product design engineer, and also you’d be shocked by what number of firms construct merchandise with out precise perception into what folks really want and wish.

July has additionally chosen to do a number of issues the tougher means as a result of they needed to construct the perfect product they might. For instance, quite than utilizing normal wheels out there for baggage, they designed their very own wheels from the bottom up as a result of they couldn’t discover something that met their high quality expectations.

To sweeten the deal, July provides free transport, a 100-day free returns coverage (with paid return transport), and a formidable lifetime guarantee.

July Baggage Evaluation

Most of July’s suitcase fashions, from the compact July Carry-On to the large Checked Plus, have the identical supplies, building, and general design. The principle distinction is within the dimension.

For the primary a part of this evaluation, I’ll deal with the frequent components and options throughout the complete vary. In order for you information on a particular suitcase, scroll all the way down to the “July Baggage Evaluation by Mannequin” part.

Supplies

Each July bag begins with a smooth polycarbonate shell. Polycarbonate has change into the gold normal materials for useful, high-end suitcases as a result of it’s light-weight and hard.

In July’s survey of suitcase critiques and customary complaints, they discovered that the most important drawback areas for hardside suitcases had been the bends and corners. These areas are sometimes weakened in the course of the thermoforming manufacturing course of, they usually take extra stress and impacts throughout use. Consequently, cracked corners and edges are pretty frequent with hardside baggage, even when it’s made with polycarbonate.

To resolve this, July improved the curved design on their suitcase edges and added anodized aluminum bumpers to the corners. The nook bumpers are an enormous improve over normal suitcases, and never one thing you sometimes see on this worth vary.

Past the onerous shell, July instances are made with water- and stain-resistant lining cloth, robust YKK zippers (the perfect within the enterprise), and even leather-based trim detailing.

The fabric selections are very properly thought-out and provides July baggage a premium really feel in addition to good sturdiness.

Aesthetic

The styling of July baggage is decidedly minimalist. Their signature suitcases are easy polycarbonate rectangles. The blocky rectangular profile is smoothed out with curved edges and damaged up by a single molded-in line across the heart.

I personally love the general look of those suitcases. It’s clear, streamlined, and understated. With a impartial shade, a July suitcase undoubtedly doesn’t stand out within the airport, nevertheless it seems skilled and refined.

If you happen to do need a bit extra aptitude, they arrive in an superior array of colours, so you may get one thing that fits your character.

Group

One factor I’ve liked in regards to the July suitcases is the considerate group options on the within. I naturally prefer to preserve issues organized and tidy, however that may be onerous after I’m residing out of a suitcase for weeks on finish. Every little thing appears to show right into a jumbled mess sooner or later.

July suitcases have a zippered mesh divider on one facet to maintain all the pieces separated and in place. On the opposite facet, you might have July’s Y-strap compression system, which works significantly better than the strap compression you discover in most suitcases. You additionally get a hidden laundry bag manufactured from the identical materials because the stain-resistant lining to maintain soiled garments separate.

Total, the inside design could be very easy, however I’ve discovered that it really works fairly properly. There aren’t any pointless frills to complicate issues and a great quantity of separation.

I do personally want there have been one or two extra pockets for conserving small issues like electronics, books, and toiletries. It will be straightforward for July so as to add only a bit extra group to make these suitcases much more useful.

Sturdiness

Given the truth that July explicitly states their purpose is to construct “unbreakable” suitcases, my expectations had been fairly excessive for the sturdiness of their suitcases.

Airline baggage handlers don’t have a fame for being light with baggage, and I’ve seen many suitcases come out of bags declare with cracks or tears. The aluminum-reinforced nook bumpers give me a whole lot of confidence that the July Checked suitcases will survive the tough abuse.

Carry-on baggage can also take a beating throughout journey. The July Carry-On bag has confirmed impressively sturdy. It holds up properly to being dragged throughout cities and stuffed into packed overhead bins (and possibly by chance dropped out of them).

One factor to concentrate on is that the nook bumpers are prone to present scuffing and put on over time. July makes use of a primary anodize coating for the aluminum. Whereas that’s pretty sturdy, with sufficient use you’ll most likely see scratches that undergo the anodized shade to point out the naked aluminum beneath. It isn’t useful, however remember that these instances could begin to look beat up after a number of journeys.

Worth

Let’s face it: while you’re looking for a brand new suitcase, worth goes to be one of many prime concerns (if it isn’t, do you wish to commerce funds?). I all the time advocate investing a bit additional cash on gear that can final, however I additionally wish to get the perfect bang for my buck. If one thing prices extra, I wish to know why, and I would like it to be value the associated fee.

July provides suitcases with a whole lot of premium options like polycarbonate shells, aluminum nook bumpers, and ball-bearing wheels. They do all this whereas conserving their costs a lot decrease than luxurious manufacturers like RIMOWA, Briggs & Riley, and Tumi.

If you happen to’re on a good finances, you may undoubtedly discover succesful and sturdy suitcases for considerably much less money, however if you need that luxury-level building, aesthetic, and high quality, July suitcases have unbelievable worth for the cash.

July Baggage Options

Now that we’ve lined the fundamentals, let’s dive into the precise options supplied in July suitcases. From ejectable battery banks to a sensible compression system, the designers paid a whole lot of consideration to the small print of every suitcase.

360-Diploma Spinner Wheels

When July couldn’t discover spinner wheels in the marketplace that match their prime quality requirements, they determined to design their very own clean wheels from the bottom up. Their remaining design options double wheels which are larger than normal suitcase wheels and use chrome steel ball bearings for simple rolling and sturdiness.

These silent wheels are tremendous quiet and simple to maneuver, and they’re much stronger. I sometimes am an even bigger fan of two-wheeled suitcases, however these are a number of the solely spinner wheels I might belief for frequent journey.

Y-Strap Compression System

July’s Y-strap compression system features a compression pad that you just place over your packed belongings and two Y-shaped compression straps that cinch down excessive to offer you extra space. 

The compression straps in July instances are means higher than the everyday flimsy straps you discover on most suitcases. I don’t discover these to be very useful, however July’s straps are thick, robust, and well-placed to actually tighten down your load.

Bonus? The compression pad has a mesh pocket built-in that’s good for smaller objects.

Hidden Laundry Bag

All July suitcases include a hidden laundry bag that’s odor-resistant and compresses all the way down to preserve your soiled clothes separate from the remainder of your stuff.

I actually hate having all my stuff begin to odor like soiled garments just a few days into a visit, so I admire the built-in laundry bag.

Built-in TSA Lock

July suitcases additionally include an built-in TSA lock to offer you some additional safety and peace of thoughts whilst you journey. It’s constructed into the facet of the suitcase and locks the primary zipper so thieves can’t get in.

Touring is tense sufficient. I really like being able to guard my stuff with just a little bit of additional safety. It undoubtedly isn’t foolproof—decided thieves might nonetheless rip by the zipper—nevertheless it undoubtedly provides some deterrence.

July Baggage Evaluation by Mannequin

Carry-On

The July Carry-On is the model’s flagship product. It’s a easy carry-on bag that options their upgraded building and minimalist design. 

This can be a fairly simple hardside carry-on suitcase, however with July’s upgraded building. It has exterior aluminum nook bumpers that improve the sturdiness and add some visible curiosity to the design.

You additionally get an ejectable battery financial institution beneath the deal with. That is an superior function for conserving your telephone totally charged whilst you journey.

All of July’s carry-ons are the right dimension for worldwide journey, that means you may take them on nearly any flight, anyplace on the earth. They match worldwide dimension restrictions whereas nonetheless offering ample packing room.

My largest criticism is that it doesn’t have an exterior pocket. Regardless that it’s a more recent pattern, I personally put exterior pockets proper subsequent to the must-have class for a carry-on, as a result of I would like to have the ability to simply entry issues like electronics, passports, and books with out having to hold a separate bag. Monos does an important job with their Carry-On Pro line.

It’s fairly normal for hardside suitcases to forgo outdoors pockets (it’s simply extra difficult to construct), however I want the July Carry-On included one since their purpose is to “carry higher design to how we journey.” You may improve to the Carry-On Professional and get an exterior zippered sleeve, however I actually assume exterior pockets needs to be a regular function for higher-end suitcases.

Carry-On Essential

The July Carry-On Essential is the dialed-back model of the July Carry-On suitcase. It cuts out the ejectable battery financial institution and doesn’t have exterior aluminum bumpers (although the corners are nonetheless strengthened with aluminum on the within).

I actually want the Carry-On Important over the July Carry-On. It’s considerably cheaper and nearly a full pound lighter. Whereas the built-in battery financial institution is a helpful function, I might personally quite purchase a separate one (for much less cash). Plus, I’ve seen points the aluminum nook bumpers exhibiting scratches and scuffs greater than polycarbonate, so I’d quite not have these.

I feel this carry-on suitcase provides the perfect of July’s upgraded design with out pointless options that simply value extra.

Carry-On Pro

The July Carry-On Pro is unquestionably essentially the most useful carry-on in July’s lineup. It blends the design of the usual July Carry-On and the Important, with an ejectable battery financial institution however no exterior steel bumpers.

The large distinction is the addition of a removable laptop computer sleeve on the entrance of the case. This padded sleeve makes use of Fidlock magnetic clasps to simply snap on and off the entrance of the suitcase in seconds. It’s tremendous straightforward to make use of, and is ideal for detaching your laptop computer sleeve to hold with you whereas placing your suitcase within the overhead bin.

That is the perfect resolution for carrying a laptop computer in a suitcase that I’ve ever seen, fingers down. If you happen to journey so much for work and always must carry a laptop computer on aircraft flights, I feel the July Carry-On Professional is an superior alternative.

That mentioned, it isn’t fairly as versatile as different hardside carry-on baggage which have a hinged pocket as an alternative of a removable sleeve. It really works very well for a laptop computer, however isn’t fairly splendid for different objects.

Carry-On Light

The July Carry-On Light is essentially the most compact and minimalist July bag. Their purpose was to construct the lightest carry-on suitcase on the earth. They managed to make this little hardside suitcase that weighs solely 3.9 lbs—the lightest carry-on suitcase I’ve come throughout.

There have been some sacrifices made to get that weight. The outer shell, supplies, deal with, and wheels are all a bit lighter and fewer sturdy. The most important draw back is that the general capability is barely 32 L (in comparison with 42 L in the usual carry-on.

Whereas the July Carry-On Gentle is fairly cool for its sheer minimalism, I personally assume it feels only a bit too flimsy, and the decreased dimension is an enormous downer. It’s superior if you need absolutely the lightest bag, however I don’t assume there’s a lot good about it apart from that.

The July Carry-On Important is far more sturdy and spacious, and it’s solely a tad dearer.

Checked

The July Checked suitcase has all the identical options and building because the July Carry-On, however in a bigger dimension for checked baggage. You get the identical polycarbonate shell, hidden laundry bag, built-in TSA lock, inner group, and minimalist design.

You don’t get the ejectable battery financial institution, however that’s probably not one thing you want in a checked bag anyway.

With 80L of storage, this large suitcase has loads of room for longer journeys.

One good function is that any July carry-on suitcase will nest completely inside this large bag (which in flip matches inside the large Checked Plus).

Checked Plus

The July Checked Plus is… you guessed it: an even bigger model of the Checked. If you happen to’re packing for a household or touring for an prolonged time frame, this huge 110 L case has room for all the pieces you want.

Carry-On Trunk

July’s line of trunk baggage is designed to supply the superior sturdiness and basic model of trunk-style instances with all the fashionable supplies and upgrades of July’s normal baggage.

The July Carry-On Trunk is similar dimension because the basic Carry-On, and it has the identical deal with, wheels, hidden laundry bag, ejectable battery, and group. The principle distinction is that as an alternative of the conventional zipper opening, it has hinges and durable locking clasps. This makes this suitcase sturdier and safer than a regular suitcase.

You additionally get a unique aesthetic with a glazed polycarbonate end that provides a shocking shiny look. The issue is that over time scuffs and scratches begin to destroy the enchantment.

To be trustworthy, I don’t assume there’s a lot purpose to purchase the Carry-On Trunk. It’s far more costly than the conventional Carry-On, it’s a full pound heavier, and the shiny end is much less resilient.

Until you actually simply need one thing totally different, I’d persist with the Carry-On or Carry-On Essential.

Checked Trunk

Whereas the Carry-On Trunk appears completely pointless, the July Checked Trunk has so much going for it, and for particular use instances it might be the perfect factor on the market.

This can be a large, heavy, bomb-proof polycarbonate field on wheels. It is vitally safe with the locking clasps, and it has tons of area.

The Checked Trunk is narrower and deeper than July’s checked suitcases, so I see it being a sensible choice if you must carry cumbersome odd-shaped objects (anybody taking a tuba on their subsequent journey?). It additionally provides tons of safety for carrying extra fragile stuff.

July Baggage Equipment

Getting outfitted for journey requires greater than only a suitcase. Luckily, July additionally provides a spread of superior equipment to get you totally equipped in your journey. Listed below are just a few of my favorites:

Tech Kit

Protecting monitor of small digital objects like cables, headphones, and chargers could be a problem. When touring I’m all the time harassed that I’ll lose my telephone charger or headphones on the aircraft or within the airport.

This little zippered case offers you a devoted place for these small, easy-to-lose objects. With room for earbuds, chargers, cables, a USB battery financial institution, and a pen/stylus, you gained’t have to fret about shedding something.

Packing Cells

I hate packing a suitcase. It doesn’t matter what I do, it all the time looks like it simply turns into a jumbled mess in the primary compartment. I’ve discovered that packing cubes can work wonders for organizing a chaotic mess in a suitcase.

These zippered packing cubes are available an array of sizes to suit totally different objects. In addition they have a clear mesh entrance panel so it’s straightforward to see what’s inside. Plus, they’re 100% washable and stain-resistant, so it’s straightforward to maintain them clear.

Luggage Covers

If you wish to preserve your suitcase wanting pretty much as good because the day you got it, a great set of baggage covers can go a good distance towards defending it from scratches and scuffs in your travels.

These on-brand luggage covers are designed particularly to suit each dimension of July suitcase and defend it on all sides. In addition they are available an enormous vary of enjoyable colours and patterns so you may get one thing that can stand out at baggage declare.

July Baggage Alternate options

July vs Monos

Monos is a Canada-based journey model that has so much in frequent with July. Each intention to supply luxury-level suitcases at extra approachable costs. Each construct minimal (however useful) polycarbonate suitcases. Each hit nearly an identical worth factors.

If you happen to’re searching for a hardside carry-on with an exterior pocket, I feel the Monos Carry-On Pro is a more sensible choice than the July Carry-On Pro for most individuals. It has an actual zippered pocket quite than the removable sleeve of the July Carry-On Professional. It’s simply extra versatile all-around (although not fairly as handy if you need the best possible laptop computer carry system).

Apart from that, I feel it principally comes down to non-public choice and elegance. The options, performance, and worth of those two manufacturers could be very comparable, however there are some aesthetic variations. Be taught extra by studying our full July vs. Monos luggage comparability.

July vs Away

Away is without doubt one of the most recognizable and disruptive startup baggage manufacturers, largely due to their superior social media advertising and marketing. In addition they construct smooth polycarbonate suitcases.

In my expertise, July provides higher efficiency and extra worth in your cash than Away. I’ve seen Away suitcase onerous shells crack, whereas July’s are a lot stronger with the strengthened corners. July suitcases are additionally cheaper and infrequently lighter weight.

For extra info, learn our July vs Away comparability or our full Away Luggage review.

July vs Béis

Béis is one other small-ish model that’s widespread amongst vacationers searching for trendy hardside baggage. The most important benefit is that Béis suitcases are considerably cheaper than July. If you happen to’re searching for a strong high-quality polycarbonate suitcase that provides you the perfect bang in your buck, Béis is a good model to take a look at.

That mentioned, July suitcases nonetheless have the sting in general high quality and sturdiness. If you happen to journey incessantly and need a suitcase that can final for years to return, July could be the higher guess.

July Baggage FAQs