Purchase Reason
I’m moving soon and have a lot of clothes and miscellaneous items, but no suitcase larger than 24 inches. I wanted to get a 28-30 inch one. Initially, I considered brands like DELSEY, American Tourister, and Samsonite, preferably within a budget of $200.00. However, I noticed that the prices for DELSEY and American Tourister have nearly doubled compared to their historical lows, which made me reconsider. The lower-end Samsonite options didn’t seem to have the best details, and after reading reviews, I felt that Swiss and Travelers Club Chicago lacked the refinement I was looking for. I wanted a suitcase from a professional luggage brand.
Then I remembered ANTLER, a British brand, and found they have stores on Amazon and Macy’s. I chose this copper-colored model with an aluminum frame for its aesthetics, but after receiving it, I felt the metallic sheen wasn’t strong enough, so I exchanged it for the silver one. The unboxing photos I took still show the copper version.
If you’re not familiar with this brand, you can check out its history on Wikipedia.
By the way, after using various Women’s Day coupons, the Amazon price was still $50 higher than ANTLER Online Store, so I naturally bought it from ANTLER Online Store. I couldn’t find this model on the UK website, perhaps because it’s an older model?
Appearance Showcase
Let’s get straight to it. Here are the official images of the silver version, followed by my unboxing photos of the copper version. I’ll share my thoughts on its performance afterward.
The packaging is quite decent and offers good protection. It includes a cardboard box, shock-absorbing pads, a non-woven bag, and a fabric suitcase cover. I’ll unpack and take photos step by step…
The stag logo looks quite nice.
The suitcase wheels’ details are well-crafted.
Close-up of the TSA lock.
Detailed shots of the suitcase’s overall frame.
The layout of the lining, along with the print and padding details.
Close-up of the tag with detailed specifications.
Usage Summary
Weight: It’s moderate and relatively light compared to other suitcases of the same size. The shipping label lists the total weight, including the box and all accessories, as 6.8 kg, while the tag states the net weight of the suitcase is 4.5 kg.
Wheels: The wheels are smooth, though I feel the wheels on my MUJI carry-on might be slightly better.
Handles: The handles have a slow-drop feature, which is a plus.
Telescopic Handle: The feel is average; nothing special.
TSA Lock: The quality is decent, not too plasticky, and the details look good.
Surface: It has a matte finish but no protective film. It’s okay. The metal corner protectors are a nice touch.
Size: At 27 inches, it’s a bit awkward—not quite big enough. I still prefer a 28-30 inch one but went for the looks.
Cover: The included suitcase cover is of average quality, but it’s better than nothing.
Lining: The reverse side of the lining has a thin layer of padding, which is a bonus.
Price: At $129, it’s slightly high, but I needed it urgently. Compared to similar products from American Tourister and DELSEY at the same price point, this feels better. I missed out on any major discounts. Based on Amazon reviews, it seems this model used to sell in the $90-$105 range.
Warranty: Online Store lists a ten-year warranty, but it’s free only for the first year, with a paid service afterward. The tag in English states a five-year warranty, so I’m not sure which is accurate.
Overall, I’m not regretting this purchase. I hope it lives up to the brand’s reputation.
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