Are you looking for a new carry-on for your travels?
You might have heard of July and their signature product, the Carry On.
It’s overall a great product with excellent features and durability.
But is this the right luggage for you?
How well-made is it really?
I was recently able to test out the July Carry On and will be sharing my thoughts about it with you!
Rating: 9.5/10
Let’s go…
July is a brand that sells functional products focusing on making the travel experience easier and more convenient.
Their offerings range from luggage and backpacks to passport holders, tech kits, and other accessories.
They pride themselves on designing products based on common problems when travelling.
This includes fixing issues found in mass-produced luggage and travel bags, like poor durability and practicality.
Their mission is to “democratise unbreakable and lifelong design”, which I do think shows through their unique models and innovative features.
The best place to buy the July Carry On or their other items is directly on their website.
If you’re based in the US, you can get your Carry On from this link.
Meanwhile, head over to the UK website for those buying from the UK.
July offers a lifetime warranty for all their luggage, which includes product defects, from the wheels and handles to the nylon straps and even the polycarbonate shell.
Another great incentive is the 100-day return policy.
You can get a full reimbursement as long as you haven’t used the bag and it’s still in the original condition and packaging.
Those who are looking for a simple yet effective carry-on luggage for business or leisure travel. If you need something with the smart features needed for those longer journeys but the convenience for shorter trips, the July Carry On might be for you.
For those looking for a laptop compartment in the front of their luggage, the Carry On is probably not for you. But I would recommend the Carry On Pro SnapSleeve, which comes with a detachable sleeve compartment for your tech and other essentials.
Today I’m reviewing the Carry On Original, as opposed to the Carry On Essential.
The Original comes with a power bank and outer metal bumpers, whereas the Essential has only inner bumpers and no power bank.
It’s also slightly lighter at 3kg, while the Original weighs 3.4kg.
There’s also the Carry On Pro, a heavier and ‘upgraded’ version that includes a detachable tech sleeve, which I briefly mentioned earlier.
For an even more lightweight option at only 1.8kg for 32L, you’ll want to check out the Carry On Light. This model comes in an expandable version to 40L at 2.2kg.
A great thing about July luggage is they often come in various pretty colours. Mine is Sky, which I absolutely adore as it’s modern and stylish.
Moreover, for an extra $50, you can add some personalised monograms. There are, again, tons of options and colours to choose from, which is definitely a nice touch.
Now, let’s move on to the details!
It also has a combination lock which I know people do love. I personally like it as a feature but can’t say I have actually locked it when using this luggage to travel...
Before diving into all the different features of this luggage, you might be wondering just how well-built it is.
The brand itself was inspired to make an indestructible carry-on after reading and researching the most common negative reviews people have for other carry-on luggage.
I have to say that I have seen, reviewed and used my fair share of luggage, and July did an excellent job in this regard!
The design is not only easy on the eye, but they have unique eggshell-shaped corners that protect the bag fully, even when the weaker parts of the polycarbonate might not be able to hold.
It’s also perfect if you want to check in the luggage, so you know it has that extra bit of protection. And it’s always nice to know that your belongings are protected even when you’re not holding them near.
This curved eggshell design is also used in their other luggage products.
In terms of design, I like how simple and straightforward it is, which is perfect if you’re looking for a no-frills carry-on.
I prefer having my laptop in a backpack on flights or transits, so I never really use the laptop sleeves that come with some of the more techy luggage anyway.
The German polycarbonate shell is also water-resistant and water just runs off this bag!
It’s easy to clean and wipe down, which is important especially for the lighter colours if you want to keep them looking clean.
The YKK zips have a clothed material so they can soak in the moisture of any water, but as far as seeping through, the interior is still protected.
The mesh material inside is great. It’s strong and would be hard to cut through.
There’s also some branding throughout the bag, including on the side, on the handles, inside, and on the wheels. They’re fairly subtle and create an overall elegant aesthetic, which I love!
Next up, how convenient is this luggage, and how much will it contribute to the ease of your travels?
The July Carry On is, as its name suggests, is a cabin bag that you can easily take on a flight without having to check it in.
It’s perfect for domestic trips and shorter getaways, and I’ve personally tested it in busy environments like London airports.
It holds up super well… So well, in fact, that I tried sitting on the bag and can confirm that it’s very solid and strong.
Another point for convenience!
The wheels are ultra smooth and quiet, which makes maneuvering the luggage effortless and silent.
Not to mention the telescopic handle that has multiple heights and easily adjustable.
Plus, the rubber handle itself is soft-to-touch and extremely comfortable to hold.
1. Smart power bank port
The power bank port is cleverly designed and easy to use.
It comes with a lead for the power bank and an extra pack you can use for organisation.
The USB and USB-C means you can charge both your phone and laptop!
Much like the Horizn Studios carry-on, it’s not overly visible but super easy to remove.
I also love that you can take the power bank out and use it with other smart backpacks that don’t come with power banks!
So, let’s say you’re travelling with this Carry On and another smart backpack with a charging port, you don’t have to carry around two power banks and simply use this one.
2. Large capacity and organized interior
The luggage itself has a capacity of 42L, which is quite spacious for a carry-on and enough to pack a few days’ worth of clothes.
One of the main compartments inside has a mesh covering to keep its content in place.
There’s also a zipper here to access the hardware of the bag, which I find it handy to put my shoes.
The luggage comes with a wash bag which you can compress (more on this below). It’s stain-resistant and odor free, and there’s a dedicated hidden compartment where you can store it.
It’s another nice detail that will help you keep everything organised.
3. Great strength and durability
The next thing where this July luggage excels in, obviously, is in strength and durability.
The curved eggshell design I’ve mentioned helps minimise damage to the bag itself, while the extra anodised aluminium bumpers provide even more protection on hard drops.
This is helpful in transit when luggage are often thrown around, as the aluminum corners will protect will lessen the impact.
This ensures the frame and exterior last longer compared to other luggage's.
4. Excellent SilentMove 360° spinner wheels
These days, spinner wheels are a must as they will make your transit through an airport or other places much easier.
And I can say that the wheels on this luggage are great.
They’ve proven to actually be silent and thus ideal for those early or late arrivals.
5. Y-Strap compression system
Last but not least is the Y-Strap compression system which comes in the compression pad.
It’s perfect for holding down all your clothing and locks in by a buckle, making packing a lot easier.
On this side of the compartment, you do have a zipped pocket that you could use for a laptop, though be sure to pad it up because there’s no dedicated protection for tech.
There are honestly not many drawbacks to this luggage.
The main one would be despite being super strong and hard on the exterior, you’re still bound to end up with some scratches over time.
Then again, this is true for any luggage and the fact that it will be able to hold up longer than average is excellent.
It’s not really a con.
One thing I could mention is that there’s not a lot of give on the side handle. I have small hands so this isn’t a problem, but I imagine that someone with thicker hands might struggle a little bit with the grip.
It’s definitely not the comfiest to grab, but I guess they had to prioritize the strength and durability over comfort.
How did I find the July Carry On upon first use and over time?
If you don’t have time for the entire review, you’ve skipped to the right section.
It all comes down to one question:
Should you buy the July Carry On Luggage?
My answer is yes, I do recommend getting this luggage.
It’s simplistic yet effective, uses high-end quality material, and has a sleek, eye-catching design.
This luggage is everything you’ll want from a carry-on.
It’s simple, clean, and unique with smart features like the integrated power bank port and compression system.
And of course, great hardware and build overall, so you know that it will last you a long while!
Get Your July Carry On Here!
This is the same Carry On with a detachable sleeve for your laptop, documents, and other essentials. I would recommend this one if you’re planning longert trips and want to carry your laptop in your luggage instead of backpack.
The Checked Luggage is worth considering if it’s what you’re looking for. The Carry On nests perfectly inside this luggage, which can be perfect for holidays and long trips when you might go home with more stuff than when you left!
Are you worried the July Carry On Luggage might not be for you? Check out these other alternatives; maybe one of them will suit you better.
Like July, they have many carry-on options to suit your needs, varying from simplistic to pro versions. And I can assure you that their products have been amazing on all our adventures!
Aluminum is said to hold up even longer, and this is a great budget aluminum carry-on with amazing features and style!
This is a high-end and smart option. It's a little on the expensive side but is a reliable carry on aimed for people wanting a sleek and smart design.
That’s all for today’s review!
Do you think the July Carry On is for you?
Let me know what you think in the comments below.
In the meantime, check out these other luggage reviews and roundups:
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