As a professional travel writer, it is embarrassing to admit how long I held a cheap, falling suitcase that I got a decades ago on TJ Maxx. Every time I pulled it out before a trip, I had to tighten the handle and fight with the zipper, and even then I would snag the sleeves on a loose screw when I arrived at the airport.
It’s not that I didn’t want anything shiny and new; It’s just that I have problems with commitment and decision -making, and I was afraid that I would get stuck with something I did not like over the next 20 plus the years. I was determined to find something that would fit into the head of domestic and international flights, but I did not want anything too small-almost impossible to ask, as it turns out.
Still, I spent hours searching alternatives from brand after brand in search of my platonic ideal. Which, of course, did not seem to exist, so I continued to mumble with my abused old corners instead of biting the bullet and buying something else already. Meanwhile I bought and returned more than a few Cheap Amazon selection And tested models from the travel industry Staples, such as Away and Samsonite, no one was quite right.
So when Aer launched his first forwarding and offered me to send a test to test, I jumped on the chance. The Buzzy Aapi-owned company is best known for its smartly designed, minimalist travel baking bags, so I had a feeling that the first move to luggage would be a successful. And after using it for almost a year, I can certainly say that instinct was correct, minus a minor dispute or two. Read on for my honest grip on Aer Carry-on Max ($ 319), from its design and functionality to deficiencies and dealbreakers.
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What are the criteria for a good introduction of the suitcase?
A good forwarding should roll smoothly and operate easily under almost all conditions, including narrow terminals, narrow escalators, uneven streets and sidewalks and snowy or snowy ground.
It should be easy to lift and place in one over your head, even if it is excessive (side and top handles help with this). Once you get it up there, it should slip into the assigned space easily without having to push or push it-and it definitely has to be small enough to avoid the dreaded gate control, at least 99.9 percent of the time.
Pockets are also the key, especially for overpackers and those of us who like to Travel only by transport. If you squeeze into a whole travel value of materiality, organizational details are a must.
There is always some debate between fans of hard shell and soft side baggage, and both have positive and negative, so in the end the choice of materials comes to individual preference. YMMV, of course, but personally I will never buy a soft side suitcase again for weather-related reasons alone.
Back during the day I traveled during a storm, and my things were soaked on the asphalt, which quickly made me a hard shell convert (and learn the difference between waterproof and water -resistant fabrics … but that’s another story). Also as one Chronic overpackerI have found that I need a firm exterior to keep everything that is-the flexible outer pocket you will find on most soft side is nothing but bad news for an overhead-pet fit.
What I like with Aer Carry-on Max
When it comes to functionality, AER-Transport is max one of the best suitcases I have used so far. It rolls so smoothly and quietly, I sometimes shoot in front of me while I go if I need to use both hands temporarily, and it slides like a dream. But the wheels also lock with a gear, which helps to avoid someone Rundaway Sis release.
The main handle extends four levels, which are practical in different situations (I like the lower settings on buses and shuttles and the higher settings when I book it, from and through the airport), and for travelers with different heights, I would imagine. The zippers are robust enough because I do not worry that they are catching or breaking, and the built-in combination lock adds an extra security to the off chance I am forced to gate.
In size I have used AER transport Max on domestic and international flights, and it is consistently well suited in most air compartments. The only time I’ve had problems is on Itty-Bitty commuter plane, and even then the unions were so small a smaller suitcase that probably did not work either. (The Aer website has an airline compatibility tool, so you can get a rough idea of your air storage before going to the airport.)
Internally has aer carry-on max lots of pockets, including a small one for a Air tag Or similar tracks that are so hidden that I had to look up pictures online to find it. There is a compression plate one side of the case and a zipper in the other, and when the cushion is locked up and the compartment is a zipper up, it does to close the whole thing – I have not had to kneel it once, even when I have dropped too many things. And the recycled nylon feed is an added bonus on the sustainability front.
On an aesthetic note, I really appreciate the minimalist look-the only visible brand is the company’s name on the front and the handle, and even it is not super obvious. It is available in five colors, and all are tempting; I finally decided on the light pink, and I like it a lot, but some of me wish I had been bolder and went with the bright orange (which seems to be a popular choice – it is sold at the time of writing, even if a relapse is coming soon).
What to think about before buying aer carry-on max
Aer-carrying max has a tough polycarbonate exterior that is held well with man-acting, but its mat surface shows more scratches and dirt than you may notice on something shiny. While dirt and dirt clean up fairly lightly, deeper scrap and scraps are harder to remove.
The compression plate is invoiced as having a magnetic closure with a single pull, and the idea of being able to open and closing it with one hand is good; In practice, however, it is not the easiest to finance, and it took me a minute to get hold of it.
Aer Carry-on Max does not have one Built -in battery or charging stationSo if it is one of your non-negotiations, you want to look at other options.
Who Aer Carry-On Max is best for
Aer Carry-on Max is excellent for all trips, from subway and buses to aircraft and trains. I have navigated through narrow corridors on sold out flights and through icy parking spaces in Snowy Vermont, and it has been performed well in every environment.
Given its capacity and overall size, AER-transport is maximally well suited for transporting travelers, and its simple rolling capabilities and light frame make it a fixed choice for those with limited grip and/or upper body strength.
Between its elegant, minimalist style and lack of excessive brand, it should appeal to anyone who hate to feel like a walking position on their travels. It is also ideal for travelers who are looking for an alternative to the ubiquitous models from Away, Calpak, Beis and the like – especially the bright orange color path stands out in a crowd.
Additional details about Aer Carry-On Max
- Aer is currently manufacturing two suitcases, transport and the maximum. While both have the same minimalist style and high -quality design elements, the maximum maximum is slightly larger and a few more heavier. (I tested max.)
- Aer Carry-on Max is available in five colors: black, dark olive, dim white, safety orange and pale mauve. The smaller transport is only available in the first four.
- There is a removable compression cushion with a pocket on one side of the maximum, but the pocket is narrow and does not really extend, so it is really just good for thin, flat objects, such as magazines and the funny art pieces that I layered between them to protect on a recent flight from Paris. That said, the pad corrects the loose odds and I end up usually Tetris on that side of the suitcase, so I prefer to leave it in place.
- Both Aer transport have a brand leather baggage tag.
Where is the Aer transport Max?
Carry-on Max is available on Flight websitein Aer shops in San Francisco, New York and London and from Choose locations in the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan.
Rating
★★★ ☆
Maya Stanton Is a freelance writer and editor based in New York, where she has covered travel, food, entertainment, culture and wellness for PS, Lonely Planet, Budget Travel, Entertainment Weekly and more.
