When I decided I wanted a new luggage set, LEVEL8 was my first choice. I already own the brand’s Grace set and love traveling with it, so returning to LEVEL8 felt like a natural decision.
The real test for my new luggage came this past September, when I headed to Valencia with a slightly different plan: to spend a month visiting the Spanish city while continuing to work. This was a longer stay with everyday life woven into it, and packing required more thought than a quick getaway.
I tested the LEVEL8 Luminous Textured 20-inch carry-on and Luminous Large Trunk 28-inch luggage, both in Navy. The luggage performed remarkably well. Two things stood out: how nicely both pieces wheeled, and how useful the extra-deep trunk proved when packing everything I would need for a month away.
Why I Returned to LEVEL8
LEVEL8 describes its background as rooted in New York, with a focus on luggage for frequent travelers and people balancing work with travel. Its stated design approach emphasizes simple styling, practical construction, and making the process of getting somewhere less burdensome.
That approach makes sense to me. Luggage has a very direct job, and the features that matter tend to be the ones you interact with repeatedly: the handle, wheels, opening, and packing compartments.
My own connection to the brand began with the Grace set. Having luggage I already enjoyed using gave me a reason to look at another LEVEL8 collection when I wanted something new. I was interested in what the Luminous pairing could offer, especially the distinctive proportions of the large trunk.
Valencia provided a useful opportunity to find out. A month of working and traveling gave the set a clear assignment: accommodate what I needed and make the journey manageable.
Navy Styling and a Textured Shell
There is an understated quality to this set in Navy. The matching color brings the two pieces together without making them feel overly formal, and the textured finish gives the exterior more visual interest than a plain, smooth shell.
Both cases use Makrolon polycarbonate. LEVEL8 describes the diamond-patterned surface as designed to minimize visible scratches. That is a sensible feature for luggage, although a textured finish should never be mistaken for a guarantee against marks.
I like the balance of appearance and purpose here. These are cases that look appropriate for a working trip but feel equally at home as vacation luggage. For my Valencia stay, which combined both, that was a good fit.
The Navy finish also gives the trunk a particularly smart appearance. Its deeper shape is distinctive enough on its own; the restrained color lets that shape remain the main design feature.
The 28-Inch Trunk Was the Highlight
The Luminous Large Trunk 28-inch luggage was the standout piece for me. I really liked its extra-deep design, and its generous size let me pack everything I needed.
LEVEL8 lists the trunk at 99 liters, with an empty weight of 11.4 pounds. Its exterior measurements are 29.1 × 16.6 × 13.3 inches. The interior has a 30/70 split, giving it a deeper main compartment rather than two equally shallow halves.
That distinction is more useful than the word “large” alone suggests. Packing space has a shape, and the shape affects what you can do with it. A deeper compartment gives more flexibility when arranging bulkier belongings or grouping items together.
For Valencia, the capacity had a real purpose. I was preparing for a month that included work as well as time away. Having room to accommodate those needs was reassuring, and the trunk’s depth was something I particularly appreciated.
This is also a different model from the conventional Luminous Checked 28-inch case. If the extra-deep layout is what appeals to you, make sure you are looking at the Large Trunk.
Internal Structure That Gives the Space a Purpose
A large suitcase needs some organization inside. Otherwise, generous capacity can simply mean a larger area in which smaller things disappear.
The Luminous interiors are fully lined, with a divider and two zippered pockets listed for both pieces. The trunk also has an X-strap system to help hold the contents in place. Those components give you ways to separate belongings and contain smaller items.
For a longer stay, I see the value in deciding on a packing system before filling the case. Keep similar items together, give small accessories a designated pocket, and use the deeper section for the belongings that benefit most from its shape. Packing cubes are an optional way to subdivide that space further.
The trunk’s depth does involve a little planning. Anything placed at the bottom will require moving what sits above it, so frequently needed items are better kept accessible.
What mattered in my own testing was that the overall arrangement worked for the trip. I could securely pack what I needed for Valencia, and the extra room felt useful rather than excessive for that particular assignment.
Smooth Wheels Made Both Pieces a Pleasure to Move
Both bags wheeled beautifully. It is one of the clearest impressions I took away from using the set, and an important part of why I would recommend it.
The cases have 360-degree spinner wheels, allowing them to change direction and roll upright. LEVEL8 describes the wheel design as incorporating shock absorption and quiet operation. My own strongest observation was the smooth way both pieces moved.
That quality matters in a set with such different sizes. The carry-on and the trunk serve different packing needs, but I was pleased with the rolling performance of both. The large case’s capacity would be less appealing if moving it were a constant frustration.
Wheels are easy to overlook when comparing luggage online. Capacity and color are immediately obvious, while rolling performance is something you appreciate through use. In this case, it deserves to be one of the headline features.
For me, the combination of useful packing space and smooth movement was what made the set work so well on the Valencia trip.
An Adjustable Handle for Everyday Handling
Both pieces have aluminum telescoping handles with adjustable heights. The adjustment allows you to choose a position that suits your reach and how you are moving the case, rather than having to work around a single fixed height.
The handle and wheels should be considered together. The wheels determine how the suitcase moves across the floor; the handle is your connection to it. Even a spacious case needs that relationship to work well if it is going to be pleasant to travel with.
For anyone choosing luggage, I would recommend checking the handle at different settings and considering your natural walking position. It is a practical detail that can matter more than another decorative feature.
My overall handling experience with this pairing was very positive, with the smooth rolling remaining the feature I noticed most.
Where the 20-Inch Carry-On Fits In
The Luminous Textured 20-inch carry-on complements the trunk without duplicating its role. It offers a listed 40-liter capacity and weighs 7.7 pounds empty.
For a longer trip, a smaller companion case gives you another way to organize the packing. For a shorter journey, it offers the option of leaving the trunk at home. That flexibility makes a two-piece pairing more useful than buying two cases that serve much the same purpose.
The important measurement is the complete exterior size: 21.5 × 14.5 × 9.2 inches, including the wheels and handle. The 20-inch model name does not mean it measures exactly 20 inches overall, and cabin acceptance depends on your airline’s rules.
I like having the option to choose according to the trip. Valencia justified the larger packing setup; a much shorter itinerary could call for something simpler.
What to Consider Before Buying
The trunk’s size was a benefit for my month away, but it still calls for sensible packing. Available space and permitted baggage weight are separate considerations. Weigh a packed case before leaving home rather than assuming that everything that fits can travel within your allowance.
A deeper suitcase also needs to work with your transport and accommodation. Consider where it will fit in a vehicle and where you will open it once you arrive. Those are practical questions for any large bag.
Both pieces have TSA-compatible combination locks. They are useful built-in features, while careful packing remains important for protecting the contents.
For storage between trips, LEVEL8 says the trunk accommodates a 20-inch carry-on inside. It does not accommodate the regular 24-inch Luminous checked case.
My Verdict After Valencia
The Luminous pairing suited the kind of trip I took: a month in one destination, with work and travel sharing the schedule. The luggage performed remarkably well, and the extra-deep trunk gave me the room to securely pack what I needed.
I would recommend the Navy 20-inch carry-on and 28-inch Large Trunk to travelers looking for that same flexibility. The trunk’s depth was my favorite design feature; the smooth wheels on both cases were my favorite handling detail.
My positive experience with the Grace set brought me back to LEVEL8. The Valencia trip gave me good reason to be happy with that decision.
When you order, use this DRIFT Travel discount code DRIFTLEVEL8.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the LEVEL8 Luminous 28-inch trunk suitable for a month-long trip?
It worked very well for my month in Valencia. Its generous capacity and extra-deep layout let me securely pack what I needed for a stay that combined work and travel. Whether it suits your trip depends on your belongings, packing habits, and baggage allowance.
What is different about trunk-style luggage?
The Luminous Large Trunk has a 30/70 interior split, with one section substantially deeper than the other. A conventional equal-split suitcase divides its depth more evenly. I particularly liked the trunk’s extra depth, which was a highlight of this set.
How smoothly do the LEVEL8 Luminous cases roll?
Both wheeled beautifully in my experience. The smooth rolling was one of the things I appreciated most during testing. Both use spinner wheels, which allow the cases to roll upright and change direction without always being tilted onto two wheels.
Are the telescoping handles adjustable?
Yes. Both pieces have adjustable aluminum telescoping handles. You can select a height that suits your reach and handling preference. When comparing luggage, it is worth considering the handle position alongside how the wheels move.
Can the 20-inch Luminous be used as carry-on luggage?
It is marketed as a carry-on, but acceptance depends on the airline. Compare its full exterior measurements—21.5 × 14.5 × 9.2 inches—with your carrier’s current size and weight limits. The model name alone is not enough to confirm it will qualify.
Would I choose this set again?
Yes. My experience was very positive. For a trip like Valencia, the trunk’s packing space and the smooth way both cases rolled were persuasive advantages. I also appreciate having a smaller matching case available for trips that require less luggage.
