Level 8 Luggage Review (+ Discount Code) – Gibraltar Aluminum Carry-On!

As a frequent traveller, I’m always on the lookout for pretty but practical luggage that will make life easier on the road.

I have finally found the perfect match with Level 8 Luggage.

Their Gibraltar Aluminum Carry-On 20” is an award-winning suitcase that is packed with amazing features. 

From its fully metal shell, TSA locks, wide ergonomic handle and 360-degree quiet wheels – it’s a stylish and sturdy companion for your trips.

I recently tested it on a short trip to The Cotswolds, and so I’ll provide my honest thoughts.

Here is my thorough Level 8 Luggage Review and whether the Gibraltar Aluminum Carry-On is worth the expensive price tag. 

Make sure to use the discount code THIRDEYE15 for 15% off your purchase!

Who is Level 8?

If you have never heard of Level 8, they are a premium suitcase manufacturer that is based in New York. 

Their ethos is to provide sleek and practical luggage that will stand the test of time.

So, they are always striving to create the highest quality cases that are easy to use.

As a high-end company, their prices aren’t the cheapest on the market. But, you know the old saying: ‘you buy cheap, you buy twice’. 

I always believe that good quality luggage is a worthy investment, and Level 8’s award-winning designs speak for themselves. 

They also offer quick and free shipping to the UK, US, EU and Canada.

So, it’s easier than ever to order one of their sleek and practical suitcases for your next holiday. 

Introducing the Gibraltar Aluminum Carry-On

The Gibraltar Aluminum Carry-On is one of Level 8’s best-selling suitcases and for good reason.

For small luggage, it plays a big game when it comes to its practical features.

It’s also a Red Dot Design Award Winner, which is an extra seal of approval that guarantees quality and innovative design. 

The case is 20”, which means that it has a capacity of 36 litres. It also has dimensions of 22′ L x 15’’ W x 8.4’’ H or (55.8 cm x 38.1 cm x 21.3cm).

I was extremely excited to receive my new suitcase and thought it would take a while to be sent from the USA. 

But I was pleasantly surprised with the speedy tracked delivery and with the smart presentation of the box when it arrived. 

The dust bag was also a nice touch, so you can keep the suitcase fresh and blemish-free in storage at home. 

Key features of the Gibraltar Aluminum Carry-On

1. Durable Aluminum Shell

The key feature of this suitcase is that it has a fully metal shell of durable aerospace-grade aluminum alloy.

I’ve never owned a metal suitcase before, but compared to my previous plastic ones, the difference in quality is night and day.

The colour looks sleek and fashionable as you’re travelling, but it’s also practical. It comes in two colours of a light silver and a dark grey.

It’s waterproof, made of a scratch-resistant material, and has metal corner guards to minimise the damage caused in transit. 

You’ll look and feel the part with this case, but you can also breathe easy knowing your classy luggage won’t get damaged on the road. 

2. 360-degree spinner wheels

Whether you’re travelling through the airport, busy city streets, or cobblestoned lanes, the wheels on this carry-on have you covered.

It comes with four 360-degree spinner wheels for that extra level of manoeuvring when you’re on the road. 

I can’t tell you the number of times that my suitcase has struggled when I’m on the move, but the wheels on this case glide like butter. 

They are also ultra-quiet in design, which means that you won’t get irritated or disturb anyone else. 

3. TSA-approved locks

You won’t need to buy any new luggage locks with this suitcase. It already comes with dual TSA-approved locks to keep your belongings secure.

It’s so easy to use them as well. It comes with a set of instructions on how you can set your combinations, and it only took a minute. 

It adds an extra layer of security and reassurance that your things are safe when you’re on planes, trains and automobiles. 

There’s also no zipper on this luggage as the locks are built directly into the frame. It makes it so simple to open and close. 

4. A wide and comfy handle

Something I love about Level 8 luggage is the smooth and wide handles of their cases. It makes rolling your luggage much more comfortable. 

I always find that my hands and wrists get tired from pushing a case after a while.

But the quiet and smooth ergonomic handle seems to fix that problem. 

It’s an adjustable Four-Stage Telescopic Handle, so it is suitable for travellers of all sizes. 

5. Compartments and compression straps

Before, I used to be a traveller who would shove my clothes and items anywhere they would fit in my suitcase. 

Nowadays, I can’t live without utilising all the pockets, compartments and compression straps to keep things tidy. 

I loved how both parts of the clamshell have covers and zip pockets to keep things organised.

It means that your belongings aren’t a complete mess after a flight, and one less thing to worry about when you reach your hotel. 

6. Bonus 1: Packing Cubes (worth $49.99)

A bonus of buying the Gibraltar Aluminum Carry On is that you’re given a free set of packing cubes worth $49.99 (approx. £37).

The 4-piece Packing Cube Travel Set is a dark grey that perfectly matches the interior lining. So, it looks smart and uniform.

I also loved the fact that the packing cubes had interchangeable icon stickers, so you can easily identify what things are packed in each. 

It may seem like a little thing, but it makes a massive difference when you want to easily find your stuff. 

7. Bonus 2: Luggage Tag (worth $29.99)

Something else I loved was the fact that this case came with a luggage tag included.

It was a lovely neutral beige colour with Level 8 embossed on the front. 

It has a card insert to note down your contact information should your luggage get lost (although I always recommend Air Tags as well).

It’s normally worth $29.99 (approx. £22), but you get it for free with your purchase.

Things to keep in mind

Like with any luggage, nothing is perfect. There’s always going to be downsides. 

Here are some things you should keep in mind if you plan to purchase the Gibraltar Aluminum Carry-On.

1. It’s a heavy case 

The one thing that stood out to me about this case was its weight.

It’s much heavier than a regular carry-on, coming in at 10 pounds or 4.5 kg. But this is on par with other metal suitcases.

As someone who often travels with just a carry-on case, that’s a lot of my luggage allowance already taken.

But the trade-off is the durable material that will survive the rough handling on the airport luggage belts. 

The aerospace-grade aluminium-magnesium alloy is much harder to damage, and so the extra weight seems worth it for peace of mind.

2. It doesn’t fit most budget airline requirements 

Although this case does fit most aircraft overhead compartments, it doesn’t always fit UK budget airline carry-on requirements. 

This may be something that my fellow UK travellers will be disappointed with. 

A lot of Brits have switched to carry-on only in order to save money on ever-increasing airline fees. 

But, it looks like you would have to check this case in on a Ryanair or Easyjet flight. 

This may not be the case with EU, US or global airlines. But, it’s always a good idea to double-check requirements before purchasing any luggage. 

3. Scratches 

I think you’ll be hard-pressed to find a suitcase that doesn’t scratch at all. Most suitcases will suffer some minor damage from transit.

I may be an odd one out here, but I love when my case looks a little battered. She looks well-travelled. But I know that’s not for everyone. 

The Level 8 Gibraltar Aluminum Carry On is made with a scratch-resistant material and has features to minimise dents. But, it’s not completely immune to marks. 

Saying this, it’s very easy to wipe them off by using an alcohol cleaner if you want to keep the case looking pretty. 

4. It doesn’t expand

Most carry-on suitcases have an expansion feature these days, should you need it. 

Unfortunately, this particular case does not have any extra inches to squeeze in any extra souvenirs you may have picked up abroad. 

It’s a shame, but not a game-changer, in my opinion. I guess you just have to be a little more strict with what you pack. 

Level 8 Luggage lifetime warranty

With all the above considerations, it’s probably a good time to mention that Level 8 provides a lifetime warranty with all of their suitcases.

That means that if anything were to happen with the wheels, handle or shell, they will do their best to fix or replace your luggage.

I always think these warranties give you extra peace of mind to protect your investment.

Is the Gibraltar Aluminum Carry-On worth it?

Admittedly, when I first saw the price of this case at £459.99 ($620), I was dubious as to whether it was worth the cost. 

But, after testing this suitcase with the durable material and incredible features, I would say it’s a worthwhile investment. 

It both looks and feels high quality, keeps your things secured and is hassle-free to use. 

Not to mention you get some free bonuses like the packing cubes and luggage tag worth $79.98, so that’s already a saving right there.

It’s more important than ever to invest in quality luggage these days, and the Gibraltar Aluminum Carry-On is an ideal choice for travellers who don’t want to compromise on both fashion and function. 

Level 8 discount code

Thank you for reading this Level 8 Luggage Review. I hope you found it useful.

If you want to purchase the Gibraltar Aluminum Carry On, make sure to click on this link and use my discount code THIRDEYE15 for 15% off.

I found the delivery from Level 8 very quick and efficient, so you’ll receive your shiny new luggage in no time. 

Happy travels!

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