The Large Check-in by Carl Friedrik is a high-end luggage with a large capacity, durable framing, great hardware, and impressive leather detailing.
This is a bigger version of their classic Check-in Luggage, and the perfect go-to for those who need a huge suitcase for travelling.
With aluminium locks, Japanese spinner wheels, and more, it’s a serious contender as one of the best checked-in suitcases out there.
But how convenient is it really?
Is this the right luggage for you?
Today, I’ll be reviewing the Large Check-in, including its features, convenience, build quality, and even drawbacks.
Rating: 9.5/10
Let’s get stuck in!
Carl Friedrik is a London-based brand known for their unique premium leather and high-quality travel accessories, including luggage and wallets.
Their products aim to use solution-based designs, excellent craftsmanship, and durability.
They blend functionality with understated elegance for a look that’s modern, sleek, and professional.
The company uses sustainable materials and provides a transparent supply chain, which is always great if you’re looking to make more eco-conscious choices when getting new products.
In terms of quality, they really aren’t messing around, especially when it comes to the leather.
Using only full-grain Vachetta leather from a single family-run tannery in Florence, their leather is a by-product from meat production, which is natural and thus more environmentally friendly too!
The best place to get your Carl Friedrik luggage is directly from their website.
You can enjoy a lifetime warranty that covers any functional damage, including things like stitching, zips, metalwork, and handles.
This means that you can pretty much use your luggage for a long time, and take durable to a whole new level.
According to their official site, there are several approved retailers where you can also purchase Carl Friedrik’s luggage and still get this warranty:
Get the Carl Friedrik Large Check-in here.
Those who need a huge bag for travelling. The build quality and materials of this Carl Friedrik luggage is truly amazing, so if you want something to last you a long time, this is it.
But if you mainly travel with a carry-on or prefer a more lightweight checked-in luggage, then the Large Check-in may not be for you. It is on the heavier side and might reduce what you can pack, especially if you’re travelling with weight restrictions.
When testing this luggage, I travelled to a lot of places: from Glasgow to London, London to Antigua, Antigua to London, and then back to Glasgow.
Spoiler alert: it held up super well and came out on the other side with barely any scratches.
Yes, some scratching was bound to happen, but not as much as I would’ve expected. Even comparing it with previous Tumi luggage I’ve had before, this Carl Friedrik was much tougher.
Overall, the The Large Check-in luggage has proven to be fairly convenient, mostly if we’re talking in terms of space.
Because of how roomy and large the interior is, it’s super easy to pack all your belongings without having to worry about not being able to fit everything in.
With a 105 liter capacity, you won’t be wanting for more space.
But the other side of the coin is that this volume comes with weight, which means it can be pretty heavy.
In this case, it’s not the most convenient luggage if you want to travel light and have something compact to maneuver around a busy airport or station.
With that said, the wheels run smoothly and I’m quite impressed with how easy the luggage is to move around despite its size.
In addition to the two combination locks on the side, you also have four more locks to hold both sides together, which is really nice in giving you that extra peace of mind.
It’s incredibly spacious inside the luggage, which for me is one of the most appealing features of The Large Check-in.
You have two main compartments where you can organise everything to your liking as they’re mainly just large, empty spaces.
There are no pockets or whatnots to overwhelm you, which I’m a fan of.
The whole bag is also well sealed and water-resistant. Always a plus point when you’re travelling, considering you never know when you might be caught in a rain!
As I’ve said, the organisation in this luggage is just right and not overdone at all.
In addition to the two main compartments, there are two small pockets where you can keep knickknacks lke your cables, toiletries, and such.
One of the compartments come with one one removable compression pad, which is useful for pressing down your clothing.
You can even opt in for a second compression pad, if that’s something you’re interested in. This would definitely be great in keeping your clothes in place instead of going everywhere when you’re opening (or even closing) the luggage.
However, I can also recommend just using your own packing cubes, as it’s nice to have something you can easily reuse with different suitcases.
Carl Friedrik, of course, has their own cubes too as well as other travel accessories.
The polycarbonate frame or body may not be the most attractive thing if you prefer plain hard cases.
There are ridges on the body that make it look like aluminium, but that’s part of that “modern” and sleek style.
That said, this luggage is very tough and hardy!
There really isn’t much I could elaborate about this, except that the metal frame is super durable and well-constructed. You can feel just how strong and solid everything is.
You also have secure combination locks to make sure that your valuables are protected at all times.
The leather handles held up well I thought they wouldn't be strong enough to take the luggage of the luggage belt but they were and no damage was made with the sticky labels on the leather, one wee scratch on one handle but that can be cared for with leather wax
The main extractable handle was enough for me, nothing comfy about it but didn’t need it to be. It was great for getting about and you can adjust to your height
The Japanese Hinomoto spinner wheels are known for being some of the best in the world, and this Carl Friedrik luggage has got them.
Not only are they whisper-quiet, but they’re just fantastic to roll around. Super smooth, and you don’t feel tired at all lugging it around.
In fact, I was jet lagged and exhausted after long travel days when testing it out, and the The Large Check-in proved to be a breeze to maneuver.
Last but not least, I love the sleek and professional aesthetics of this luggage.
If you’re on a business trip, this could also be the ideal luggage to bring.
It’s simple and modern with only the most subtle branding so that you get a more premium and high-end style.
Moreover, the Italian leather detailing on the handles and sides make it look even more chic. These parts are handmade by artisans, smooth to the touch, and have a gorgeous finish!
Get the Carl Friedrik Large Check-in here.
All in all, I’m just very satisfied with The Large Check-in, but if I had to nitpick, there are some cons that I could think of.
In terms of protection on the exterior, there are several side bumpers that will keep your luggage from directly hitting the ground.
These in themselves are already great and have held up well, but I think that some more reinforced bumpers on the corners would add to that longevity and durability even more.
The weight was the main downfall because it restricted me so much in terms of how heavily I could pack (it’s already 6.2kg on its own), and I got charged for it being overweight.
I also ended up removing the compression pad just trying to reduce the total weight, which made closing the luggage hard as the straps were the only things keeping the clothes pressed down.
How does The Check in compare upon first impressions and over time? Here’s what I think!
If you’re still here (or skipped forward to this part), you’re probably wondering whether I think this luggage is worth getting.
Well, you’ve come to the right section.
Should you buy the Carl Friedrik Large Checked In Luggage?
For me, the answer is a thousand times yes!
I can say that the brand actually deserves all the hype because this luggage is well-built, durable, and high performing.
I’ve travelled with it through a couple of countries and have loved every second.
For me, this is the type of luggage you invest in for the materials and build quality. It’s not the most affordable, but perfect if you don’t want to keep replacing your luggage after just a few years.
This is a high-end and smart carry-on luggage. It’s a little on the expensive side but if you’re looking for something with premium material and a luxurious style, I’d recommend the Carry-On Pro in a heartbeat.
The regular Check-in can be a great alternative if you don’t need anything too massive, but still want the space of a checked in luggage. It has a 69L capacity, and you can even get The Luggage Set for both the regular Check-in Luggage and the Carry-on suitcase!
The 72-hour Backpack comes with a unique front-loading design and is made for, you guessed it, trips of up to 72 hours. It’s spacious, has a separate laptop compartment, organisational pockets, and even a quick access side and top pockets.
Do you think the Check-in Luggage might not be for you? Try some of these other alternatives:
Also a polycarbonate hard shell luggage, the Voyageur Check In is pretty large at 99L and might be for you if you like more organisational pockets in a suitcase. It’s got a more unique design and bright colour options too.
Read my full review of the Level8 luggage here!
Both the H6 and H7 by Horizn Studios can be excellent alternatives for a checked in luggage. They’re sleek, lightweight, with interiors made from recycled materials, and come in a huge variety of colours.
The July Checked Luggage uses aerospace-grade German polycarbonate shell and has custom corner bumpers. It’s overall a hardy luggage with some chic leather finishes, a Y-Strap compression system, and even has an expandable version.
You might also enjoy some of these other luggage reviews and roundups:
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