Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Spinner Luggage Review – Is It Worth It? [Video]

Travelpro is slowly but surely rising in the ranks when it comes to the luggage market. The brand’s durable and versatile pieces have prompted many travelers to become loyal customers.

Offering both hardside and softside luggage in a variety of sizes, the company appeals to leisure and business travelers — even airline employees, where the demand for long-lasting luggage is paramount.

Today, we’re reviewing one of Travelpro’s most popular luggage ranges: the Maxlite 5 Softside Spinner.

Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Spinner Luggage

Travelpro’s Maxlite 5 Softside Spinner collection includes durable, versatile luggage that can withstand the wear and tear of travel.

Built to fit on any type of trip, from business retreats to family getaways, these suitcases are a handy option that practically anyone can use. Though they won’t win any design awards, their lightweight and spacious interior offers maximum convenience and comfort when it comes to packing.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect suitcase to roll into an industry conference or something you can send with your kids to camp, the Maxlite 5 from Travelpro has you covered.

Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Spinner Review

In this review, we tested the medium-sized checked bag in the Maxlite 5 Softside Spinner collection. It’s a handy all-purpose bag that offers plenty of space for clothing and other essentials without being uncomfortably bulky and difficult to handle.

Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Spinner Overall Rating

Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Spinner Style and Look

While Travelpro’s Maxlite line doesn’t consist of very trendy luggage, all the pieces in the collection have a standard and timeless look. The bags come in mostly neutral colors that won’t stick out if used in a casual or professional setting.

However, since it has an understated look, it also won’t catch your eye on a luggage carousel, so we recommend adding a tag or strap so you can easily spot which bag is yours.

Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Spinner Size and Compartments

Measuring 27 x 18.5 x 11.5 inches, the medium bag in the Maxlite 5 collection is well within the size limits of virtually all airlines. Keep in mind, though, that this size includes the handles and the wheels, so the actual space you have for packing is smaller. Weighing just 7.1 pounds, the Maxlite 5 is one of Travelpro’s lightest luggage ranges.

While this is mostly positive, there are some tradeoffs to the case being so lightweight, including the size of the wheels, which we’ll cover later in the article.

We really liked that this case has an exterior pocket, which allowed us to keep smaller items separate and within easy reach without opening up the main compartment. However, when it was fully packed, we noticed the suitcase was prone to tipping forward, which was frustrating.

This case has 1 main compartment with a top-opening lid. While this compartment was a decent size, and we had no trouble fitting all our essentials in the bag, we would prefer a couple more pockets. There’s a small zipped pocket and a flat compartment in the lid, but otherwise, we had to rely on packing cubes to stay organized.

Compression straps helped keep items in place while traveling. During our tests, we noticed the straps helped reduce wrinkles but didn’t eliminate them entirely, so keep that in mind if you’re packing formal or business attire that needs to be pressed.

We were pleasantly surprised to find the bag had an expansion zipper, which added a couple of extra inches of space for packing. This expansion adds extra space to the bottom half of the case to ensure it doesn’t become top-heavy.

Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Spinner Durability and Materials

Even though the medium checked bag in the Maxlite 5 line is a softside bag, it’s still quite durable. The shell is made of a strong polyester that resists abrasions. While we were testing out the bag, it didn’t snag on any sharp corners, and we didn’t notice any scuffs or weak areas.

We were particularly impressed by the case’s DuraGuard coating. The fabric resists stains, making it perfect for both business travel and trips with small children. While the bag isn’t fully waterproof, the DuraGuard coating helps repel liquid, so we’re confident belongings will remain dry even in the rain.

Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Spinner Wheels

We thought the wheels were a weak spot for this particular suitcase. While they rolled smoothly and quietly on a variety of surfaces, their small size meant that they didn’t maneuver as well as larger spinner wheels. We also wish Travelpro had gone with double wheels rather than the single wheels chosen for the Maxlite line, but we understand that this would have added extra weight to the case.

They glide perfectly fine when moving in a straight line, even on uneven surfaces. However, navigating turns and corners takes a little more effort, especially when the case is packed to capacity using the expansion zipper.

The small spinner wheels give the case a lower profile, which can be problematic when rolling it on uneven surfaces. There’s a bumper to prevent damage to the bottom of the case when wheeling it around and a couple more on the back of the case for laying it down.

Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Spinner Handles

This particular suitcase has 4 different handles, so you can grab it off a luggage carousel, lift it into the car, or weigh it at an airport without hesitation.

We were mainly concerned about the telescopic handle on top of the bag. It has 2 different height settings that can be adjusted with an easy button.

We switched between the different settings during our tests and didn’t notice the handle stick or wobble. It felt strong and sturdy, and the handle even had a slight contour, making it easy and comfortable to hold.

There are several lifting and carrying handles, as well. The ones we liked best are the top and side handles, which are comfortably cushioned. These handles aren’t too tightly sewn to the bag. There was plenty of space to get a hand through it to pick the suitcase up and grab it quickly.

While there’s also a handle on the bottom of the bag, we don’t recommend relying on it too much. It’s just a sleeve, so it’s not that comfortable to hold, and we didn’t think it felt that sturdy. It will do the trick if you’re grabbing your luggage at the end of a flight, but otherwise, you’d be better off using one of the other handles.

Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Spinner Locks and Zips

Unfortunately, none of the Maxlite 5 line’s size variations have an integrated lock. Again, it looks like Travelpro has prioritized keeping the case lightweight by omitting certain bits of hardware.

Thankfully, the zips interlace on the main compartment, so you can easily attach a standalone luggage lock, if you wish.

The zippers themselves feel pretty secure. Even when the suitcase was fully packed, we didn’t feel like the zipper was liable to open or rip unexpectedly, and they glided smoothly without catching. The pulls are also a nice size and easy to grip.

Travelpro Brand Warranty and Customer Service

Travelpro’s brand warranty is pretty generous. It offers a limited lifetime warranty on many of its luggage collections, including the Maxlite 5. This warranty covers damages derived from manufacturing defects in the carry handles, wheels, and zippers.

Additionally, the Maxlite 5 range comes with Travelpro’s Trusted Companion Promise, covering any damage caused by airlines within the first year of ownership. Travelers are required to register their luggage within 120 days of delivery to benefit from this enhanced warranty.

Other Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside Spinner Luggage

To complete the luggage set, the Maxlite 5 Softside collection also comes with 2 different carry-on options, an underseater tote, and a large checked bag.

Final Thoughts

With over 35 years of experience producing luggage, Travelpro has earned its spot as one of the top midrange luggage companies in the market.

The brand’s ability to make durable, sturdy suitcases that don’t break the bank has earned it a loyal following. The Maxlite 5 Softside Spinner line is a great example of Travelpro’s skills at work. While it’s not a perfect bag, particularly regarding organization and maneuverability, it’s a trusty suitcase overall.