Last Updated on October 31, 2025 by Tori Pines
As a travel blogger who’s always on the go and planning action-packed escapes, especially for women or couples traveling with or without kids, I’m constantly on the lookout for luggage that balances style, function and convenience. Recently I picked up the 20″ Voyageur Carry-On from LEVEL8 and I have to say: this might just be one of the best luggage picks for families and for quick weekend getaways.
I’ve learned the hard way, grabbing a cheap suitcase from Marshalls is never a good idea. Sure, you may save a few dollars up front, but when the wheel breaks on your first getaway you’ll be replacing it in no time. So I cannot recommend to you enough to invest in a high quality suitcase!
And honestly, I used to think that any more expensive suitcase would do the trick. In my brain price = quality. And that’s just not true. If you’re going to spend your hard earned cash, look for features in a suitcase that will actually make your life easier!
Here’s why I’m loving the 20″ Voyageur Carry-On from LEVEL8, and why I think it could be the best pick for your next short-trip with or without kiddos.
Why it’s the Best Luggage for Families
1. The perfect size for a weekend
The 20″ carry-on size is a sweet spot. It’s large enough to hold everything you need for a 3- to 4-night getaway (think: extra outfits, toiletries, kids’ stuff, maybe even a swimsuit and cover-ups if you’re heading somewhere sunny), but small enough to skip checked baggage hassle and roll through airports with ease. Plus, I never trust the airlines to not lose my bag so we ALWAYS carry at least one carry-on sized bag with us, even on long trips to places like Hawaii and Italy!
For families, that means you could have each person with their own carry-on, or one suitcase shared between parent and child, without feeling like you’re lugging around a giant beast.
Because when you’re dashing between hotel check-in, snack breaks, maybe a beach or theme park … you don’t want your luggage to slow you down. This size nails that.
I took this one on my recent winter weekend trip to Milwaukee with my infant and it was perfect! It held all of my clothes, her clothes, diapers, sound machine, etc.!
2. Built tough for travel … and little hands
Travel with kids means wear and tear. Rain, sand, airport conveyor belts, carousel tumbles… you need something resilient. The Voyageur uses German-made Makrolon® polycarbonate for the shell which means it’s durable yet lightweight. It also has a “wide handle design to offer an expanded base” so that packing is more efficient. For families that means you can stuff in a few extra things (snacks, a toy, beach gear) without compromising structure or adding too much extra bulk.
It also weighs in at 8.1 lbs (3.7 kg) for the empty suitcase. Which means those times you’ve got your baby in the wrap and toddler on your hip you can still manage to get that suitcase in the overhead when the flight attendants are less than helpful.
3. Smart interior design (including a wet bag pocket)
One of the features I really appreciate, and which I think makes this bag stand out for families, is the built-in “dry-wet separation pocket”. You have a dedicated pocket inside that’s designed for items that might be damp (swimsuits, wet beach towels, rain jackets, or let’s be honest, clothes that your kid had an accident in) or that you want to keep separated from everything else (snacks, hygiene items, kids’ shoes) so they don’t leak onto everything else. It’s such a simple idea, but when you’re travelling with kids or sharing luggage, those little touches matter big time.
In one weekend away we might have a beach splash, an evening outing, snacks in the bag, maybe an extra outfit for someone. Plus, being organized means less stress (and a happier mom).
It also has two expansive compartments and dual zipper pockets for organization. Organization is a game-changer when it’s you plus someone else’s gear. Being able to throw in things, know where they are, separate “wet” from “dry”, and roll through the airport check-in or overhead bin gracefully, yes please.
4. Easy maneuvering & smart features
Another big plus for families: ease of transport. The Voyageur has whisper-quiet 360° spinner wheels. That means whether you’re navigating airport terminals, hotel lobbies, or balancing stroller + luggage + little ones, you’ll appreciate how smoothly this bag rolls. I could genuinely feel a huge difference with how easy these wheels rolled around the airport, I was shocked. I didn’t expect it to actually feel any different and it did. Now we don’t have to worry about our wheels breaking on cobblestone streets like it did on our 2 weeks in Italy with our cheap suitcase.
It also has a TSA-approved lock built in, so if you have to store your luggage somewhere, like the hotel front desk, you can do so without worrying!
5. Style + appeal for women travelers
I love gear that looks good without having to try. I can easily look like a disheveled mess when traveling with my kiddos, so beautiful items like this suitcase make me look a little more put together without any work.
It comes in several colours too: Navy, Black, Dark Olive, and the limited-edition “yellow/black” and “celadon” options. I picked the yellow because it’s super easy to spot among the boring black bags all around the airport. So if I do end up having to check it on occasion, I can find it quickly while juggling the kids.
6. Why it works especially well for families on quick trips
So you’re heading off for a long weekend trip, having one suitcase that can handle everyone’s essentials (or that you can each have one) without checking a bag means you save time, money, and headache.
Here’s how I envision it for a family scenario:
- One of these 20″ bags per adult, or one adult uses it and shares with a child.
- Stash two interchangeable outfits, a few accessories, a swimsuit, toiletries, and the wet bag section for damp gear.
- Use the organisation compartments for socks and underwear.
- Easy rolling means you can haul it alongside a stroller or while wrangling a carry-on for another family member.
That simplicity is huge. Families don’t always need giant check-in bags for short trips, so a smarter carry-on like this makes quick trips with kids doable.
7. Things to keep in mind (and why they’re minor trade-offs)
Because I’m honest in my reviews, there are a couple of things you’ll want to consider, but they aren’t deal-breakers for most family weekend travel.
- The 43 L capacity is great, but if you’re travelling with multiple kids, or for more than just a few days, you might still need an extra bag. (or go for the 26” or 28” checked bag instead!) But for one parent + kid for just a few days it works great.
- As with any hard-shell carry-on, you’ll want to pack with some care (e.g., don’t over-fill beyond the shell’s capacity, be mindful of airline overhead bin size rules). But the build is solid so those concerns are mitigated.
- Price: It’s a premium suitcase, so it’s more expensive than some other options. But when you think of it as an investment in smoother, smarter family travel (and fewer checked bag fees), it can absolutely pay for itself. You’ll spend way more on replacing your cheap one over and over.
8. My verdict: Go for it — especially if weekend family trips are your jam
Whether you’re planning a weekend escape to a beach resort or a city nearby, the LEVEL8 Voyageur Carry-On 20is the perfect pick. It’s stylish, dependable, thoughtfully designed, and has all those little features that make family travel and short-trip logistics easier.
As someone who, like you, loves action-packed vacations and wants gear that keeps up, this suitcase gets a solid thumbs-up from me.
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