Travelpro Maxlite Air Hardside Luggage Review — Is It Worth It? [Video]

Travelpro has been manufacturing luggage for over 35 years and has gained a reputation as one of the most reliable brands in the midrange market.

The brand is popular with aviation professionals who value durability and functionality above all else. Offering both soft-sided and hard-sided luggage, backpacks, garment bags, and accessories, it has something to suit all types of travelers.

The Maxlite Air collection we’re reviewing today is a perfect example of the brand’s ability to create high-quality pieces that don’t break the bank.

Travelpro Maxlite Air Hardside Luggage

The Maxlite Air Hardside Collection by Travelpro consists of sturdy, lightweight pieces that can be used by business professionals and leisure travelers alike.

With an expandable packing space and a stylish yet strong design, this line ticks a lot of boxes for what makes a good midrange luggage selection.

For a hard-sided case, this luggage range is very lightweight (as the name “Air” suggests). This feature allows greater flexibility in packing and staying within the airline’s weight limits.

Travelpro Maxlite Air Hardside Luggage Review

For this review, we tested out the medium checked bag, which can hold around a week’s worth of clothing. This checked piece is smaller than a large checked suitcase and is therefore lighter and easier to lift and maneuver.

Travelpro Maxlite Air Hardside Overall Rating

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Travelpro Maxlite Air Hardside Style and Look

Travelpro’s bags are typically known for their utility, not their style, so we were pleasantly surprised with how sleek and fashionable this particular line of luggage is.

The line is available in a small selection of colors ranging from neutrals to more bright and trendy options, so there’s something for everyone.

While there are no large monograms or accent features, the Maxilite Air bags are effortlessly stylish. As long as they’re taken care of, they won’t look out of place circling a luggage carousel in 5 to 10 years.

Travelpro Maxlite Air Hardside Size and Compartments

Measuring 27 x 17 x 11 inches and weighing in at a lightweight 8.3 pounds, this Travelpro is well within the size limits of most airline requirements. While we don’t necessarily recommend overpacking, it’s nice that the suitcase is light enough that going over the allotted checked bag weight is less of a concern.

We’re also happy to report that the bag’s already spacious interior can be extended by 2 inches thanks to its expander zipper.

The medium-size checked Maxlite Air has a standard clamshell opening. This is great for organizing the interior but does require a fair bit of space to open the case and access your belongings.

There are 2 interior packing compartments of the same size. Both compartments can be closed via a zippered divider to help keep things organized in the otherwise open space. This also stops items from falling out when you’re opening up the case.

While one of these dividers has a mesh pocket for small items and a wet pocket for laundry, the suitcase doesn’t offer any more pockets for organization. So we recommend using packing cubes or pouches.

The interior lining was reasonably soft and easy to wipe clean. We were happy to discover that the material is made from 100% post-consumer plastic bottles.

Travelpro Maxlite Air Hardside Durability and Materials

All the bags in the Maxlite Air Hardside collection are made of polycarbonate plastic, which has a high degree of flex to absorb impact and prevent cracks.

We did a few impact tests for our review and were pleasantly surprised. No scuffs, cracks, or scratches popped up, so we’re confident the bag can resist the general handling and jostling that goes along with travel. The shell even has a textured coating that helps prevent scratches on the surface.

However, don’t assume the bag is waterproof just because it’s made of plastic. It will keep items dry if you’re caught in the rain, but water can get through the zippers if it’s submerged or left exposed to the elements for long periods.

Travelpro Maxlite Air Hardside Wheels

Like most hard-side cases, there were 4 wheels (actually 8 to be specific) to help roll the bag along. These double spinner wheels were a little on the small side for a checked case, but that helps reduce the overall weight of the case.

The wheels are quiet and roll nicely along most surfaces as long as they’re gliding in a straight line. Once we started trying to navigate curves and corners, the bag would stick unless we slowed down first. Not a huge problem unless you find yourself regularly rushing for a flight!

Travelpro Maxlite Air Hardside Handles

Overall, this case has 3 handles that can be used for lifting, pulling, or rolling the case.

The telescopic handle has 2 height settings at 40 inches and 42.5 inches. While it felt sturdy at its tallest height, it wasn’t the smoothest to operate. We found ourselves having to play around with the button and handle itself to get it to fully extend or collapse again.

On the bright side, the grip is contoured to provide a little added comfort, which many suitcases neglect.

Despite its size, there are only 2 carrying handles. The first is on top, near the telescopic handle, and the other is on the side. To cut down on bulk, these handles are quite tightly fitted to the case’s shell. We appreciate the extra effort to maximize sleekness, but it makes the handles difficult to grab comfortably. Combined with the lack of cushioning, we imagine pulling this suitcase off a luggage carousel or lifting it into a car won’t be a pleasant experience.

Travelpro Maxlite Air Hardside Locks and Zips

While not every bag made by Travelpro has a built-in lock, we were pleased to see that the Maxlite Air line does. Since it’s TSA-approved, we don’t anticipate having any issues with activating it while traveling domestically or abroad.

The lock is attached to the zipper, so the pulls are extra large to slot into the docking area. We didn’t mind the size of the zipper pulls. In fact, they made opening and closing the case easier since they were so easy to grip.

Unfortunately, the size and material of the pulls cause them to jangle around annoyingly when the lock isn’t in use.

We didn’t have any issues with the zippers themselves. They glided smoothly and weren’t prone to sticking or catching on anything packed inside the luggage. When we filled the bag for our tests, we didn’t notice any weak points or stress that would indicate the zipper might tear.

Travelpro Brand Warranty and Customer Service

Travelpro’s brand warranty is one of the more generous ones we’ve come across. All bags are covered by a 2-, 5-, or 10-year warranty that begins from the moment a bag is delivered or purchased. Lifetime warranties are also available for some purchases.

Under these guarantees, all damage deriving from manufacturing defects is covered. However, after the first 6 months, customers must prove that damage isn’t from misuse or general wear and tear. We’re a little concerned that this part of the warranty agreement could cause a headache if you try to redeem the coverage.

Other Travelpro Maxlite Air Hardside Luggage

The Maxlite Air line isn’t very extensive, but it covers all the bases by offering 2 different carry-on cases and medium and large checked bags. In most cases, having the full set probably isn’t necessary, but we appreciated the options available. We hope the line continues to expand to include other niche items like tech bags or underseat bags.

Hot Tip:

Not sure what your airline’s size limits are for checked luggage? Check out our comprehensive guide.

Final Thoughts

Travelpro’s 35 years of experience have ensured the brand can produce strong, high-quality luggage that is firmly placed in the midrange market.

The Maxlite Air Hardside line is a great example of the company’s ability to balance quality and cost-efficiency.

While we weren’t terribly impressed with the bag’s wheels and lack of attention to its handles, the luggage in this collection more than made up for that in its durability and convenience.