Airline journey is tough on baggage, and when some carry-on baggage bashing is inevitable lately, there appear to be two sensible approaches: Frequent fliers could elect for the crème de la crème of luggage — sturdy, long-lasting, and, typically, dear. Others, nonetheless, simply want the dang bag to get there in a single piece — with out forking over half your journey funds to take action.
The Rockland Melbourne 20 is actually within the second camp. With its 360-degree spinner wheels, hardshell design, and bonus growth zipper, this straightforward bag doesn’t have any illusions over what it’s meant to do. It doesn’t have a lot in the way in which of organizational options or essentially the most sturdy parts, however that doesn’t imply it received’t be nice for a brief journey right here and there.
The bag is plainly (and refreshingly?) easy: Two compartments, one with a zippered closure and the opposite with straps to carry objects in place, break up the inside. There are not any smaller pockets, no pass-through charging ports, and no secret entice doorways. Whereas this suitcase wouldn’t be our first option to tackle an extended journey world wide, it’ll greater than suffice for the occasional traveler.
In brief: In the event you’re an off-the-cuff traveler on the lookout for a suitcase that may do the job and received’t break the financial institution, the Rockland Melbourne is an effective finances alternative. With fewer add-ons, there’s much less to interrupt and fewer to cry over when it does.
Whereas the Melbourne represents the finances finish of the baggage equation, there’s actually extra on the market. Try GearJunkie’s Finest Carry-On Baggage Purchaser’s Information to see all the spectrum.
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Weight
7 lbs., 8 oz. -
Dimensions
22” x 13.5” x 9” -
Carry-on linear inches
44.5″ -
Supplies
Sturdy ABS materials -
Exterior pockets
N/A -
Quantity
43 L
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Inexpensive -
Is available in many various colours -
360-degree spinner wheels and growth zipper
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Sturdiness is questionable -
Not many organizational options
Rockland Melbourne 20 Carry On: Evaluation
First Impressions
In comparison with the high-quality really feel of Away’s The Carry-On, the Rockland Melbourne feels of noticeably decrease caliber. Its hardshell is thinner, the material across the zipper is a particular weak spot, and the inside particulars aren’t something to put in writing house about.
Nevertheless, for its worth vary, it nonetheless gives bang for the buck. The spinner wheels work simply effective shifting via the airport concourses I piloted it via, and the deal with pulls open simply. Whereas not essentially the most sturdy suitcase, it isn’t presupposed to be — and can just do effective for the occasional traveler.
A Week’s Value of Capability
The Rockland Melbourne has dimensions that adjust to virtually all customary airline laws. Its hardshell building ensures that it’ll slip simply into overhead compartments, and it has an ample 38.3L capability, which is sufficient house to pack for a 3-to-5-day journey.
Whereas testing, I used to be impressed by how spacious this bag felt. It may simply nestle in a pair of footwear, a few sweaters, and a jacket, plus two packing cubes with shirts and pants and a small toiletries bag.
This suitcase additionally has an growth zipper that permits an additional 2 inches of house whereas packing, making it an important worth for the buck. Nevertheless, for extra-strict airways, this may exceed measurement laws.
However as a fast tip I discovered whereas touring with this bag: increase the suitcase whereas packing, after which zip that further house again up, making a decent and compliant bundle. In case you are touring by automotive or prepare, you’ll welcome the additional house with out worrying about laws.
Packability
Packing the Rockland Melbourne is a fairly easy affair. As with all clamshell suitcase designs, you could zip open the entire bag to entry and pack the inside. One aspect of this suitcase sports activities a big, zippered compartment, whereas the opposite aspect is open but has a crisscrossing strap that’s secured with a plastic clip to maintain your objects in place.
This elasticized strap doesn’t supply any compression as is present in higher-end suitcases, neither is it notably taut. However it is sufficient to maintain our packing cubes and sweaters from falling out when opening the suitcase all the way in which.
There’s a small zippered pouch in the midst of the 2 compartments that’s good for stowing away small objects like telephone chargers or different equipment.
You don’t get numerous extras within the Rockland Melbourne, however that’s to be anticipated with the low price ticket. Probably the most notable further options are the growth zipper, two units of 360-degree rolling wheels, the elasticized inside strap, high and aspect seize handles, and the small inside zippered pouch.
Whereas the double set of spinner wheels is a good characteristic, we query their sturdiness in the long term. With extra shifting components and made from cheaper supplies, we wouldn’t need to drag them over quite a lot of terrain many instances all year long for worry of breaking them. However they’ll just do effective on flat surfaces.
Robust Sufficient Design
This suitcase is made with ABS materials, which is a stronger type of plastic than simply polycarbonate. The hardshell will thus stand as much as some abuse, although it nonetheless flexes considerably when pressed on, which is one thing price noting.
Scuffs and scratches are at all times going to point out up extra on hardshell suitcases, and the Rockland Melbourne is not any exception. It’s out there in quite a lot of colours and patterns, permitting you to decide on whether or not you need to purchase one in a darker shade to raised conceal the inevitable scuff, or go for a enjoyable and brilliant model to face out on a baggage carousel.
Room for Enchancment
Whereas there’s technically numerous room for enchancment, it’s onerous to say how a lot may actually be altered on this suitcase with out growing the worth considerably. If we had been to decide on one factor, we’d go for no cloth close to the zipper (which means no expandability) in order that there was much less of an opportunity of snags and tears, which means you could possibly find yourself utilizing this carry-on often for an extended time.
Moreover, having the compression straps have the ability to be adjustable would even be an important enchancment that hopefully wouldn’t value an excessive amount of extra, and would assist the inside really feel way more purposeful than it’s.
Rockland Melbourne 20 Carry-On: Conclusion
Whereas there’s nothing distinctive concerning the Rockland Melbourne suitcase, it nonetheless stays a good selection for the occasional traveler who’s on the lookout for one thing purposeful and simple to journey with. Typically baggage simply must be baggage, and the Melbourne has this dialed.
Now, if you happen to are a kind of varieties who tallies time in airport lounges and stacks air miles to the ceiling, a bit extra bag could be indicated. Probably the greatest I’ve used to date is the Topo Designs World Journey Bag Curler — a pack with way more bells and whistles than the Melbourne, but additionally demanding a staggering $219 at the moment.
With sufficient room for a 3-5-day journey, plus the choice of increasing the bag 2 inches extra to essentially capitalize on that house, you received’t need to test a bag if you fly house for the vacations. The robust ABS shell on the Melbourne takes bumps and bruises with no drawback, the wheels roll easily, and there’s little to get busted because the bag makes its approach via the airport — what extra are you able to ask for?