If you're anything like me, finding the right luggage is easier said than done, especially if you're looking for something stylish and practical. But after 27 flights and long train rides over the past two years for a total of 83,000 miles traveling with the same suitcase, I've finally found luggage I'm truly happy with for the long haul: July.
As a senior analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, I've learned what makes for good quality luggage. We've tested over 100 suitcases across 70 brands in the past few years. I've personally packed dozens of suitcases, assessed the damage caused by our drop tester machine (it literally drops luggage from 3 feet high over and over), evaluated bags’ scratch resistance, and traveled with several of our top-tested luggage brands. Since 2024, I've been traveling with July's Classic Luggage, and while I've tried a few other brands since, I always reach for July first.
What is July luggage?
Named after the most popular month for traveling, July's suitcases were designed to bridge the gap between budget bags and luxury luggage, offering thoughtfully designed luggage at a more accessible price point. Since its start in 2018, the brand has expanded across several luggage collections, including the trackable luggage, bags, and accessories.
The Classic Carry-On is July's most popular product. It's made with polycarbonate, a popular material in hardside luggage, and each corner is capped with an anodized aluminum bumper for added protection.
I own July's Classic Family Set, which includes the Classic Carry-On, Checked, and Checked Plus, and I typically travel with the carry-on and larger checked bag. You can also upgrade to the CaseSafe version, which makes the bag trackable with both Apple’s Find My and Google’s Find Hub network.
How did July luggage perform in our tests?
Modern design
July's luggage looks simple yet sleek. In the Classic line, the aluminum corners provide an element of interest, elevating otherwise minimalist suitcases, and add extra durability. In person, I immediately noticed how luxurious each suitcase felt: The exterior felt solid and substantial, while the interior felt buttery smooth with a Y-strap over the standard compression panel.
Exterior
Interior
Comfortable, adjustable handle
The telescopic handle stops at 20 different heights, meaning it will stop without falling down immediately—although it doesn't fully lock in until lifted to half its full height. It's also slightly slanted, for a more ergonomic hold. As someone with smaller hands, I found it a bit odd at first but I have come to really appreciate how sturdy it feels.
Top-down view of angled handle
Side view of angled handle
Some of our consumer testers appreciated this when wheeling it through our in-Lab obstacle course, which consists of a series of cones, several wooden and tiled surfaces, and a tall shelf that testers lift the surface onto.
A tester wheels luggage in and out of cones.
A tester lifts luggage onto a wooden platform
Trackable add-on
Last year, the brand introduced CaseSafe tracking for their Classic luggage. This add-on uses a Bluetooth tracker that's built into the lock, so you can keep track of your bag during tight connections or long wait times at the baggage carousel.
TSA lock with tracker on left
Bluetooth tracker on interior
Senior Analyst Olivia Lipski found the CaseSafe tracking easy to set up and seamless to use. As someone who swears by luggage trackers, she says, “the extra upcharge you pay for it to be trackable is reasonable. When you do the math, you're only paying $30 extra for CaseSafe.” Plus, you won’t have to download a new app: CaseSafe works with Apple’s Find My and Google’s Find Hub network.
Smooth wheels
I've tested many, many suitcases, but I've never used luggage that glided as smoothly as July's through an airport. Often when rolling other carry-ons (even pricey or top-tested luggage), I’ve felt self-conscious of the noises they have made, especially on moving walkways, which can vary from slightly squeaky to loud. But this wasn't a problem with July. The wheels effortlessly accompanied me throughout several airports without any issues. During in-Lab testing, participants in our obstacle course agreed, giving July some of the highest scores for ease of use, particularly for its smooth, 360-degree wheels and adjustable handle.
Easy to pack
In terms of packability, the Classic Carry-On, Checked, and Check Plus were fairly standard compared to other hardside luggage, fitting our standard load with room to spare. Each included the thoughtful addition of a laundry bag for dirty clothes.
Durable material
When it comes to hardside luggage, polycarbonate is king, and all of July's suitcases are made of polycarbonate. It's an extremely durable material with excellent impact resistance, yet it's still lightweight, proving well-rounded when compared to other plastics or metals like aluminum, which can be hefty. July includes aluminum on the corners to leverage its durability without adding too much weight.
Excelled in drop tests
In our drop tests, which involve packing a suitcase with a set weight before releasing it from a 3-foot height at various angles, July came away without any dents, damages or changes in appearance.
Mediocre scratch resistance
Here’s the snag: The bags don't have the best scratch resistance. During Lab tests, we used a wire to scratch the surface of July's suitcases. The scratches were noticeable.
When I’ve checked the Checked and Checked Plus suitcases (pictured), I’ve noticed some wear and tear, though mostly on the aluminum bumpers rather than the polycarbonate material. I’ve had success wiping away any scuffs on the polycarbonate body but not with the scratches on the metal bumpers.
The July Checked and Checked Plus being checked in.
The Checked Plus after a long-haul flight.
The Checked on a baggage carousel.
Still, it doesn’t bother me. You don’t see the scratches from far away, and it’s hard to beat how smoothly these suitcases roll through an airport.
Other features
The standard Carry-On also comes with a built-in power bank, which can be a nice perk to charge devices in transit, but I personally didn't use it while traveling. When I tried it on its own, it charged quickly but noticeably warmed up. You can skip the power bank if you'd like by purchasing the Carry-On Essential, though it does not have the aluminum bumpers.
July also allows you to monogram your new suitcase for an extra fee. This is great for easily spotting your luggage on a baggage carousel and adds a nice touch when gifting, though it’ll slow down shipping.
Warranty & return policy
July offers a limited lifetime warranty that covers certain manufacturing defects, rather than all forms of wear and damage. The brand says it will repair or replace products with manufacturing faults on the wheels, zips, handles, and compression straps. Certain cracks and breakages to the polycarbonate shell are also covered, but cosmetic damage is not. Be sure to thoroughly document it if you suspect something's off with your luggage.
The brand also offers a 100-day return policy, but it's only for new, unused luggage in its original packaging. Personalized luggage is exempt, as it's considered bespoke, as are notably discounted items (i.e. Final Call and Weekender promotional purchases). There's also a $20 return fee.
The bottom line: Should you buy July luggage?
If you're looking for minimalist hardside luggage with a bit of personality, I would recommend investing in any of the suitcases from the Classic line (the Carry-On, Checked, and Checked Plus). I've tested many suitcases over the years, and July is my favorite luggage brand. The maneuverability is unparalleled, thanks to its smooth wheels and adjustable handle, and the materials feel sleek and durable.
It performed well in our tests, earning high scores for their ease of use in our in-Lab obstacle course and durability during drop testing. The polycarbonate material can scuff, but this was easily wiped away in my experience, and the aluminum bumpers don't have the best scratch resistance.
Still, the return policy, while fairly standard, isn't the most generous, and the lifetime warranty isn't a fix-all, so I encourage you to thoughtfully examine any July luggage you purchase.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Senior Textiles Analyst Grace Wu has tested all kinds of luggage and travel products over the years. She's flown on dozens of long-haul flights over the years, both international and domestic, and swears by hardside luggage.
Wu holds a Master of Engineering in materials science & engineering (with a focus on polymers like polycarbonate) and a Bachelor of Science in fiber science from Cornell University.
