Travelpro Pathways 3 Hardside Luggage Review – Is It Worth It? [Video]

Travelpro has become synonymous with high-quality, reliable luggage that is still affordable. Offering both softside and hardside luggage options in multiple materials has allowed the company to expand its designs to include checked bags, carry-ons, and even underseaters.

When it comes to design, Travelpro is known for prioritizing function over fashion. Founded by an airline pilot, the brand recognizes the importance of long-lasting luggage over whether it will be eye-catching on the carousel.

Though Travelpro is expanding its offerings into everyday bags and accessories, its hallmark is durable luggage like the Pathways 3 Hardside line we’re reviewing today.

Travelpro Pathways 3 Hardside Luggage

Travelpro’s Pathways 3 Hardside collection includes strong, long-lasting luggage designed to accommodate virtually any adventure.

Though it might have a fairly understated appearance, its roomy interior and maneuverability make it a prime choice for avid and casual travelers alike.

Travelpro Pathways 3 Hardside Luggage Review

For this review, we tried out the medium checked bag in the Pathways 3 range of luggage. It’s a handy suitcase with plenty of room to store everything you need for a busy work conference or a long, relaxing vacation.

Travelpro Pathways 3 Hardside Overall Rating

Travelpro Pathways 3 Hardside Style and Look

The Pathways 3 Hardside is an excellent case with a utilitarian yet stylish appearance. It’s available in a range of muted and vibrant colors, including teal and violet.

It has an understated but timeless look that won’t look dated in a few years. The only accents are aluminum corner guards, which add a touch of contrast to the bag’s textured exterior.

The curved indentations on the front prevent the case from appearing too boxy in shape while still allowing lots of unobstructed space inside for packing.

Overall, it has a sleek and sophisticated design while also being durable and lightweight.

Travelpro Pathways 3 Hardside Size and Compartments

Since this is a hard-shell piece of luggage, there are no exterior pockets on the exterior of the case.

Opening up like a clamshell, the interior is divided across 2 packing spaces. We liked that both sides had a zippered divider, so we didn’t have to worry about anything spilling out when we opened the bag after a day of traveling.

There are 2 smaller pockets inside the case on the same divider panel. There’s a mesh pouch with a zipper and a wet pouch for laundry or toiletries. While we appreciate their inclusion, we don’t know how useful these pockets would be when the suitcase is completely full.

We would’ve liked to have 1 or 2 other small pockets inside the compartment to keep belongings organized. Instead, we recommend using packing cubes.

Since the bag measures 27.5 x 17.5 x 11.5 inches, there’s plenty of space to pack for even a long trip. The medium case weighs 9.3 pounds, so you’ll have plenty of weight allowance left for your clothing. It’s still worth weighing your case at home to avoid any overweight fees at the airport.

Travelpro Pathways 3 Hardside Durability and Materials

Like many hardside pieces, the Pathways 3 checked bags are made of polycarbonate plastic, designed to resist cracks and dents even when tossed around.

To further reduce the appearance of wear, all the items in this line have been given a texturized treatment that prevents stains and scratches.

Corners are notoriously susceptible to damage since they’re most likely to get bumped, so we appreciated the added touch of aluminum corner guards. We also liked the contrasted use of smooth and textured materials.

Travelpro Pathways 3 Hardside Wheels

All 4 of the wheels are double spinners, and they’re a decent size for a checked bag. Those 2 factors together made the suitcase easy to maneuver, even around tight corners where other bags with small or single wheels may struggle.

The wheels also feel nice and sturdy. They didn’t wobble or stick on uneven surfaces. While we wouldn’t recommend gliding this luggage on uneven terrain for long distances, the wheels seem to resist wear and tear pretty well.

On one side, there are 3 luggage feet to keep the case raised off the floor and balanced when it is set down.

Travelpro Pathways 3 Hardside Handles

There are 3 handles on the case — 2 for carrying and 1 telescopic handle for rolling and pulling.

Telescopic handles tend to be a weak spot for suitcases, but we were impressed by this one. It has 2 height settings, which can be changed via a push button. We had no issues changing between these heights, and once fully extended, the handle felt reasonably sturdy.

We were less impressed by the carrying handles.

There are only 2, with one handle on top and the other on the side. Usually, for a bag this size, we’d expect at least 3 carrying handles to make pulling the suitcase off a luggage carousel or lifting it onto a scale easier. A small indent was at the bottom of the bag, but it’s only useful for lifting, not pulling.

The carrying handles are pretty uncomfortable. They have no added cushion, and there isn’t much room for your fingers. So, holding the suitcase becomes painful after a few seconds, especially when it’s heavy.

Travelpro Pathways 3 Hardside Locks and Zips

After testing multiple bags without integrated locks, we were happy to see that Travelpro has one built into the Pathways 3 collection.

We had no trouble locking or unlocking the mechanism, and the zipper pulls fit seamlessly into it.

The zippers themselves are pretty standard. There’s nothing special about them, but they open and close smoothly. We didn’t notice any catching or snagging on the teeth or anything packed within the suitcase either.

Even with the case fully packed, the zipper didn’t seem weak or prone to ripping, which we were happy about.

While the zipper’s pulls are large enough to comfortably grip and insert in the lock, they’re quite large. They tend to jangle around nosily when not locked in place, which some people might find irritating.

Travelpro Brand Warranty and Customer Service

Travelpro provides a limited lifetime warranty on many of its luggage ranges, including the Pathways 3 Hardside collection. This covers any manufacturing defects to the handles, wheels, and zippers.

Be aware that this does not cover damage caused by airlines or baggage handlers, which should be reported at the airport as soon as you receive your luggage.

Other Travelpro Pathways 3 Hardside Luggage

The Pathways 3 collection is relatively small but covers all the bases. In addition to the medium checked bag we looked at for this review, the range is rounded out by a carry-on and a large-sized checked bag.

 While this selection is plenty for general travel needs, we’d love to see it expanded a little more, like with the addition of an underseater cabin bag or tech cases.

Final Thoughts

Travelpro’s decades of experience have earned it a reputation for producing high-quality luggage that doesn’t break the bank.

The Pathways 3 Hardside line encapsulates the brand’s image by being a functional and versatile suitcase option that’s perfect for professionals, solo travelers, and families.

While we had a few issues with the handles, overall, the range is sleek, durable, and extremely handy for making packing simple.