If you’ve ever lived in a small space, such as a small apartment in London or a 400-square-foot “one-bedroom apartment” in Los Angeles, you know that storing Package not an easy feat. I vividly remember going up to the sixth floor that I shared with two roommates in New York City and trying to carry a bag under a king-size bed – to no avail. The suitcase ended up becoming an end table in my living room because I really had nowhere else to put it. (I used to hide it in the bathroom when guests came to visit!)
Here’s the truth: We all need it Package, whether we’re attending a work conference, preparing for a girls’ trip, or exploring the world on an open-ended trip. And while raw clothgarment bags and backpack more compact, my travel preference has always been hard shell rolling suitcase because they are much easier to transport. Their downside, of course, is that they’re large, bulky, and take up an exorbitant amount of real estate, which is hard to justify when you don’t have a lot of money to spare.
Hence why Rollink, which the company dubbed “the world’s thinnest collapsible luggage”, caught my interest. I tested the suitcase to see if the collapsing was a gimmick or it could really make a difference for people living in small spaces and to see how it stacked up. with other suitcases on the market.
An affordable suitcase option for those who live in small spaces
The Rollink is a good suitcase option if you’re looking for the sturdiness of a bag with a hard shell that doesn’t take up too much space at home. While we love the bag’s collapsible nature, pushing around the airport on just two wheels isn’t the easiest way.
While I was intrigued by Rollink, the idea of collapsible luggage seemed, if I’m honest, a bit gimmicky. But once I got my hands on the suitcase and tested it, I’m happy to report that I flipped – very useful and practical product.
The brand’s main Flex Vega line comes in three sizes ranging from a small luggage ($185) for quick trips to slightly larger luggage ($199) and finally a selected option is of medium size ($249) for a week or so. Rollink offers a second suitcase collection named Flex Aura slightly more complicated and more expensive. Main difference Between the Flex Vega and Flex Aura lines is the Aura that has an interior mesh pocket and an external laptop pocket, plus an overall aesthetic that’s meant to be a bit more elegant for the luxury traveller. But they all collapsed to just 2 inches thick.
For this review, I checked Flex Vega Cabin Plus Suitcase ($199), measures 21.6 inches long x 15.7 inches wide x 9 inches deep when extended. When in extended, uncollapsed mode, it has a packing volume of 45 liters – spacious enough to store up to five days’ worth of clothing and travel clothes (dryer, makeup bag, jewelry box and more), but still small enough to be carried around and fit in an airplane crate. Plus, it’s lighter than many others hard shell bags on the market. Weighing just 5.1 pounds, this is the lightest bag we tested.
At just 2 inches thick, Rollink Flex Vega The line has the durable polycarbonate shell of a traditional hard case combined with a soft, water-resistant fabric that expands when used. But once your trip is over, the suitcase can fold flat and be slid under the bed or hung in a cupboard (it has a top handle perfect for hanging).
So how does Rollink collapse work? The luggage’s interior features three sturdy flaps that can be lifted and glued to the bottom panel of the suitcase, thus creating four stretchy edges, opening up plenty of space for packing.
Extremely intuitive to “set up” – literally all you have to do is a three-fold Velcro and you’ve got a full-size suitcase – the hardshell exterior of the Flex Vega Cabin Plus is super durable and Will withstand most induced abuse. it during travel. It also has an outside pocket that’s perfect for keeping essentials like a water bottle or smartphone nearby, which I appreciate.
However, the real test came when I tried to stow the suitcase under my bed, which has a low frame that sits just 5 inches off the floor. After collapsing flat and secured with the included compression strap, Cabin Flex Vega Plus slide right underneath with no problem.
All Rollink suitcases feature two super-quiet coated wheels, height-adjustable aluminum handles and the ability to stand upright even when collapsed flat. Oh, and for anyone who might be on a big shopping tour, you can pack a Flex Vega suitcase inside a larger piece of luggage, using it on your return trip to buy new found.
While suitcases are a good option for apartment dwellers who want to minimize the space their luggage takes up, Rollink still has some limitations. First and foremost, I’d say it’s relatively boneless. The bag I tested didn’t have an interior pocket or compression system like you might find in some other standard suitcases. Instead, the interior is just an empty compartment to store your goods, which is fine for me, because I am packing block devotee. But if you’re someone who likes to have a lot of bells and whistles in your luggage, this might not be the suitcase for you.
Another drawback of Rollink is the wheel system. Although the wheels work smoothly when you drag your bag around a flat surface, there are only two of them and they are not spinning wheels. In other words, you have to drag the suitcase behind instead of rolling it right next to it – not ideal for travelers who like to move through the airport with a suitcase gliding next to it.
Personally, I find these issues minor considering the brand’s main selling point is a big one – it comes in a flat size that’s just 2 inches thick.
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Best overall hard shell hand luggage |
A solid choice for those who live in small spaces |
A classy option for a hard shell handbag |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| What we love about it |
It has everything you want from a bag with a hard shell. You get maximum durability, four wheels for easy gliding, thoughtful organization and design and a classy design, all at a reasonable price point. |
This is a great option for travelers who want to minimize their luggage space at home. The collapsible features really shine, and the sleek look is on par with other premium suitcases. |
This bag looks great – we love it for its classy design and feel. Plus, it’s made from a flexible polycarbonate material with a comfortable grip and easy braking. |
| What we don’t like about it |
The top and side handles are a bit stiff and the telescopic handle can wobble. |
The two-wheel design does not create a seamless glide and the design of the bag is quite bare. |
It’s heavier than most bags we’ve tested and can be quite bulky, especially when it comes to storage. |
| Main specifications |
21.7″ high x 13.7″ wide x 9″ deep; 7.1 pounds |
21.6″ high x 15.7″ wide x 9″ deep; 5.3 pounds |
20.25″ high x 14.25″ wide x 9.5″ deep; 9.3 pounds |
| Price |
$275 |
$199 |
$222.99 |
When you are considering a new suitcase, you have to weigh a lot and find the option that best suits your needs. If you’re looking for lots of pockets and compartments to organize your stuff, Rollink might not be for you. But if you’re looking for a way to pack things up without taking up too much space at home, we think Rollink is a good choice.
The Cabin Flex Vega Plus sturdy and spacious and truly a game changer for small space dwellers, making it well worth the investment.
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