July Carry-On Pro Review

1. Introduction

We take quite a few trips where it’s a couple of days here, a couple of days there. The last thing we want when it comes to these whirlwind tours is to mess around with checked luggage, which can significantly increase the time we spend hanging around the airport.

A well-designed carry-on can save a lot of time and energy, since you’re not at the whims of baggage handlers or opaque airplane unloading practices.

July is a newcomer on the luggage market that’s been making waves with its hardshell products. Founded in Melbourne in 2019, it has quickly established itself as a top choice for fashion-conscious travelers – but as we all know, style doesn’t always equal substance.

We decided to take the Carry-On Pro out for a test drive, just to see how it stacks up when it comes to surviving the rigors of the travel-heavy digital nomad lifestyle.

2. Size, Capacity & First Impressions

The Carry-On Pro comes in an array of smart colors, including Moss and Shadow Lavender. We went with Clay, which, to be honest, came out of the packaging looking more like a blush pink than a terracotta, but maybe we’re splitting hairs!

It’s undeniably a handsome item, differing slightly in appearance from the original Carry-On because it has an external, hardshell pocket for your laptop or tablet. This extra pocket adds about 1.1lbs (500g) to the weight, bringing it up to 8.6bs (3.9kg) – which is still nice and light compared to other carry-ons we’ve tested.

The suitcase’s total dimensions (including the wheels) are 21.5” H x 15” W x 8.5” L (55cm x 38.5cm x 21.5cm), adding up to a total capacity of 42l.

That’s suitable for most airlines, but not all of them. Air France and KLM, for example both limit the width to around 14” (35cm), though we’re not sure they’d quibble over an inch.

3. Features & Functionality

July has trademarked a lot of its features, creating some unique functionality for its luggage.

Storage & Interior Design

The clamshell design offers two equal-sized compartments. One side has a removable compression pad with a Y-strap design to tie down your clothing for maximum space optimization.

The pad has a small zipper compartment, but the only other area for bits and bobs is the small pouch that stores the folded nylon laundry bag.

The coolest feature of the Carry-On Pro is obviously the front pocket, which has a hard shell for protection and can fit up to a 15” laptop, an iPad Pro, or another equivalent-sized tablet.

A slightly tweaked version of the Pro exchanges the pocket for July’s detachable, trademarked SnapSleeve, which comes right off the suitcase, but we didn’t opt for this extra.

Wheels & Handling

Another trademarked feature of July’s Carry-On Pro case is the SilentMove wheels. We’ve no idea what precisely about the design makes them unique, but the quartet of 360-degree spinner wheels work a treat when you’re rolling the suitcase along beside you.

Security

Like most modern luggage, the Carry-On Pro has a TSA-approved lock. The zippers snap into the mechanism, so you can hold them in place using the three-digit code.

July describes its polycarbonate shell as “aerospace-grade,” which sounds very fancy but probably doesn’t mean much other than “is suitable for air travel.” That’s not to say it isn’t resilient, we just didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary compared to other hardshell carry-ons like Away or Monos.

Tech & Smart Add-ons

The Carry-On Pro comes with an ejectable battery pack, which is hidden underneath the telescopic handle. The mechanism works beautifully: the battery pops out very easily when you give it a small push.

The charging pack comes with micro-USB, USB-C, and two standard USB ports. There’s also a USB-C to USB cable that’s a nice extra freebie.

Mobility & Ease of Use

The telescopic handle slides out very smoothly, and there’s a nice feel to its soft rubber surface. There are 20 different spots that you can stop the handle at, maxing out at 20” – that’s probably more flexibility that is necessary, but hey, why not?

There is also a handle on the top and a handle on the side that you can use to lift the bag.

4. Durability & Travel Performance

We took our July Carry-On Pro on holiday to Prague recently – and as anybody who has been to Prague knows, the Old Town has plenty of cobbled pavement. This wasn’t a problem at all for this suitcase, and it rolled along as smoothly as we could have hoped.

Even though the laptop compartment does eat into the capacity of the main suitcase slightly, the way it’s designed means it doesn’t have as much impact as other carry-ons with exterior compartments that we’ve tried. In our opinion, it’s worth the trade-off, since it’s just so much more convenient to be able to whip out your laptop right before storing the suitcase in the overhead locker.

The interior is apparently water resistant, but we can’t say that we had any unfortunate liquid explosions to prove or disprove the claim. As for the exterior, we would be hesitant to go outside in anything other than very light rain because of the battery pack, even though it has a cover.

There is a limited lifetime warranty to cover issues with the wheels, handles, zips, compression straps, and/or cracks in the shell, which is always something that we like to see. We haven’t had to use the warranty, so we can’t comment on the customer service personally, but generally the feedback seems to be positive about getting replacements.

5. Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Attractive, hard-wearing shell
• Exterior laptop pocket
• Built-in power bank

Cons:

• More expensive than comparable competitors
• Lack of sustainability initiatives

6. July Carry-On Pro vs. Away Bigger Carry-On vs. LEVEL8 Road Runner Pro

July’s big advantage over its competitors is its tech-centric features. The front compartment for laptop storage is super handy, and we found it eats into the interior area a lot less than the LEVEL8 Road Runner Pro’s equivalent front compartment. Away’s Bigger Carry-On, meanwhile, doesn’t have a front compartment at all.

We know a lot of suitcase brands are moving away from built-in power banks, but honestly, we’re still here for it. It’s a really nice extra, to go along with other thoughtful additions like the laundry bag. Of course, having the external USB port like the LEVEL8 Road Runner Pro is also a legit alternative.

Capacity-wise, the July is at a decent 42l, which sits between the modest 35l for the LEVEL8 and the whopping 48.7l for the Away. Both the July and the LEVEL8 will fit almost all airline restrictions, while you’ll be pushing your luck with the Away.

One thing to note is that July’s Carry-On Pro is a bit more expensive than its competitors at $325. Away’s Bigger Carry-On is $30 cheaper at $295, while the LEVEL8 Road Runner Pro is a mere $219.99.

7. Who It’s For (And Who It’s Not)

Perfect for: digital nomads traveling with tech

Not ideal for: over-packers who want maximum space

We managed to pack in a spare pair of shoes, a raincoat, two pairs of pants, two pairs of shorts, two sweaters, and five tops, as well as underwear, socks, and our toiletries. (And if you’re wondering, the weather in Prague in late April is unpredictable!) In other words, you’ll be fine for 5 days, probably a week at a push.

8. Final Verdict & Rating

Like most digital nomads, we travel a lot, but even though we’ve been through the whole process so many times, we still get that carry-on anxiety. You know, that slight tightening in your stomach as you’re about to board the aircraft where you wonder if the staff are going to pull you aside and ask to check that your suitcase is actually the right size?

We didn’t have that with July’s Carry-On Pro, since we knew it was within the airline’s stated restrictions. That’s not always the case with some of the larger carry-ons, which go enough over the limit to make us a teensy bit concerned.

The suitcase is also stylish, well-made and durable, with one of the best front compartments on the market for laptops. There’s really not much we didn’t like, aside from the slightly higher price.

Rating: 4.5/5

9. FAQ Section

Does the Carry-On Pro fit under airplane seats?

Unfortunately, no. Like most hardshell carry-ons, it is designed to go in the overhead compartment, rather than under the seat in front of you.

What’s the warranty policy?

July provides a limited lifetime warranty that guarantees repair or replacement if the wheels, handles, zips, or compression straps are damaged. This also covers cracks in the shell. While the ejectable power bank isn’t included in the lifetime warranty, it does come with its own two-year warranty.

Is the battery removable for TSA?

Yes, the power bank is ejectable, so it can be separately scanned if it’s necessary when you go through airport security. July’s battery pack conforms to the regulations regarding taking battery packs on board a flight in your carry-on, so you shouldn’t have any problems.