American Tourister Stratum XLT 2.0 Hardside Luggage Review — Is It Worth It? [Video]

Since introducing its first suitcase in the 1930s, American Tourister has continuously evolved to meet the needs of everyday travelers. With a history of winning design awards and collaborations with iconic brands like Disney, the company strives to create luggage that is both stylish and functional.

As a leading name in the midrange luggage market, American Tourister balances affordability with practical design. One standout example is the Stratum XLT 2.0 Hardside collection, which we’re exploring today.

American Tourister Stratum XLT 2.0 Hardside Luggage

American Tourister’s Stratum Hardside line of luggage consists of practical, strong pieces created with the average traveler in mind. While it’s a reasonably understated suitcase, the horizontal lines on the exterior add a bit of intrigue to the design.

Whether you’re looking for a suitcase you can take on your next big business trip or a bag suitable for a family vacation, the Stratum Hardside is a versatile option.

American Tourister Stratum XLT 2.0 Hardside Luggage Review

In this review, we’ll focus on the medium-sized checked bag from the Stratum Hardside line, designed to hold about a week’s worth of clothing. It’s a great middle ground for travelers who need more space than a carry-on but prefer not to lug around a full-size suitcase.

American Tourister Stratum XLT 2.0 Hardside Overall Rating

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American Tourister Stratum XLT 2.0 Hardside Luggage

The American Tourister Stratum XLT 2.0 Spinner is a smart and stylish hard-side suitcase with a rugged and durable exterior that will go the distance.

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American Tourister Stratum XLT 2.0 Hardside Style and Look

The Stratum isn’t the most fashion-forward bag, but it’s far from unstylish. Instead, it has a classic hardside luggage look that won’t look out of place on a luggage carousel in a few years. While this luggage has a streamlined design, travelers can express their personal taste through the line’s selection of colors, which include neutrals and more vibrant colors like blue, green, and purple.

American Tourister Stratum XLT 2.0 Hardside Size and Compartments

Measuring 27.75 x 17.5 x 11 inches, the medium bag is well within the size limits of most airlines. While it’s large enough to hold everything you need for at least a week or longer, it’s also easier to lift and maneuver than a large suitcase. While we didn’t have any trouble packing the bag at its standard size, we were happy to see that it has an expander zipper that adds an extra inch of space for packing.

While it’s not the lightest suitcase we’ve ever tested, weighing in at just under 9 pounds, it’s also not the heaviest. With that, you’ve got 16 pounds of packing weight to remain within the 25-pound packing limit for most airlines.

Since this is a hard-side checked bag, there are no external compartments on the Stratum. The interior consists of 2 large packing areas with compression straps on one side and a mesh zippered divider on the other.

The compression straps help to hold everything in place and can prevent your clothing from wrinkling from any movement. However, we would highly recommend avoiding packing clothes that crease easily unless you have access to a steamer or iron.

The other compartment can be separated entirely via a zippered dividing panel. There’s also a small zippered compartment along the spine of the case for little items.

We would have liked to see a couple more pockets included in this suitcase, like a wet pocket for laundry. Instead, you have to rely on packing cubes to stay organized.

American Tourister Stratum XLT 2.0 Hardside Durability and Materials

The Stratum bags are constructed from ABS plastic, a material known for its flexibility. This allows the exterior to flex and absorb impact when handled roughly during travel, helping to prevent dents and cracks in the hard shell.

We found that the horizontal molding on the exterior not only adds to the suitcase’s aesthetic appeal but also provides extra grip, making it easier to handle.

American Tourister XLT 2.0 Stratum Hardside Wheels

The American Tourister Straum has 4 ball spinner wheels that feel securely attached to the case and are slightly recessed for protection.

During our tests on various surfaces, the bag rolled smoothly when moving straight or taking gradual turns. However, the wheels were slow to respond to sudden direction changes and occasionally got stuck, causing the bag to tip over.

American Tourister Stratum XLT 2.0 Hardside Handles

We had likes and dislikes when it came to the handles on this case. The telescopic handle is pretty standard for American Tourister, adjusting to 2 different heights. We didn’t have much trouble adjusting the height of this handle, and the button responded quickly without us having to play around to get it to extend or retract.

For grabbing the case off the carousel and general carrying, there are 2 handles on the top and side of the case. They lie flat against the shell when not in use, so they won’t catch on anything. However, there’s no padding on the handles, and they didn’t feel that sturdy.

We would have preferred the addition of a bottom handle for easier lifting, but the slightly indented base does provide some grip for lifting the case horizontally off the carousel.

American Tourister Stratum XLT 2.0 Hardside Locks and Zips

We didn’t have any issues with the Stratum’s zippers. We tested them both when the bag was empty and when it was completely full, and in both cases, the zipper glided smoothly without catching on any material.

We liked the zipper pulls, as well. They weren’t too clunky, but they were still large enough to easily grip. Unfortunately, there’s no integrated lock on this particular suitcase; however, the zips interlace to attach your own luggage lock through the loop.

American Tourister Brand Warranty and Customer Service

American Tourister offers a limited global warranty on all luggage pieces that cover any damage caused by manufacturing defects. In most cases, this cover lasts between 3 and 10 years.

Limited luggage warranties can make it difficult to prove that an issue stems from a manufacturing defect rather than mishandling. If your case isn’t brand-new, it may be wiser to report any damage to your airline before leaving the airport or file a claim through your travel insurance.

Other American Tourister Stratum XLT 2.0 Hardside Luggage

Rounding out the Stratum Hardside set is a carry-on and a large checked suitcase. Though it’s a rather small line, it has all the necessities most travelers would need when it comes to luggage.

We’d love to see a few more niche products added to the range. A tech bag, an under seater, or even a hard-shell backpack would really elevate the Stratum line.

Final Thoughts

Overall, we were pleased with the American Tourister Stratum and found it to be a rugged, durable case that will go the distance.

It’s not a perfect bag, but most of the issues we had with it weren’t dealbreakers for us for purchasing or recommending this case. While we wished there was some cushioning on the bag’s handles, our opinion is that its durable exterior and sturdy wheels outweigh the negatives.