Let me preface this by saying, I am not a pro packer. I’m not one of those people who has packing cubes or organizers. I fold, I stack, and that’s about it. In that same vein, I’m not someone who plans my outfits. My packing style is basically: Bring all the essentials so I have whatever I need for whatever mood strikes while traveling. I’ll admit, it’s not the most efficient but it’s how my brain works.
With all that said, you can imagine how overwhelmed I felt when tasked with packing for a two-month stint away from home. I essentially needed to pack for four different vibes and climates: A week at a yoga retreat in Greece (chic vacation-wear and enough workout clothes), a month in coastal Maine (casual summer with sweaters for chilly nights), a week in NYC (summer-in-the-city vibes), and a week in Florida (swimwear and clothes designed to withstand sweat). Simply put, I needed a lot of stuff. Oh, did I mention my dog was coming with me? (Add in a 10-pound bag of dog food to calculations.)
With my travel anxiety at an all-time high, I went in search for an XXL suitcase that would help me manage packing for those four destinations. After a ton of research, I landed on the Calpak Hue Large Trunk Luggage ($290) — and I can now say with confidence that it was the right choice. Keep reading for why this supersized bag made traveling a breeze.
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What I Like About the Calpak Hue Large Trunk Luggage
Obviously, it’s just plain large. There’s so much space for me to fill; it’s exhilarating! I was able to pack about six pairs of shoes, full-size beauty products, and the wide range of clothes I would need for every leg of my trip.
I like that instead of being stout and wide, like many of the larger suitcases on the market, this one has more of a trunk shape in that it’s taller. This allowed me to have two rows of folded clothes rather than have a weird middle section where things end up being stuffed in. I know some people like luggage with more compartments, but I actually prefer the more free-form style of the Calpak. I feel like that allows me to customize what I’m including, and not feel constrained by certain compartment sizes. I also appreciate that one side includes a zip-around to keep more moveable things in place (i.e. shoes, cosmetic bags, hair tools) and a side with the compression strap that can adjust accordingly.
It was also important to me that the suitcase itself was pretty light, so as to give me as much packing weight as possible. This suitcase is only 11.75 pounds, which is one of the lightest that I found available that also has the more modern look that I wanted. For example, the large Away trunk comes in at 12.3 pounds, the Beis large check in roller is close at 11.84 pounds, and Rimowa’s large trunk weighs a whopping 15 pounds. Ultimately, my bag weighed in at just over 50 pounds, which was a big accomplishment for me.
I also want to note that this bag took a beating during this trip and never gave out. Sure, it has some scratches and marks to indicate it’s been used, but there are no dents, the wheels are spinning like the first day I got it, and the handle smoothly goes up and down.
What To Consider Before Trying the Calpak Hue Large Trunk Luggage
If you’re someone who likes a ton of compartments or if you want luggage that includes a hanger section, this suitcase might not be for you. It’s pretty minimal, with just the two large zipper compartments, one very small zippered compartment on the side, and a compression strap.
It’s also important to note that this suitcase is on the taller side, so it’s probably not going to be the easiest for a kid to roll around. You’ll also want to keep in mind the weight limits for the airline you’re flying (it’s usually 50 pounds) and be prepared to pay a fee if your bag goes over. Having a large bag sometimes makes me throw caution to the wind and suddenly I end up with a 100-pound monstrosity full of shoes, so be sure to keep tabs on yourself.
Who Is the Calpak Hue Large Trunk Luggage Best For?
Anyone who is a chronic overpacker like me, or if you’re traveling for a long period of time. It’s also great for families (dog children also count).
Additional Details
- The suitcase is made with a 100-percent polycarbonate shell for long-lasting use.
- It includes a TSA-approved lock.
- It can be expanded for an extra 2 inches of additional space.
- There are four classic color ways and two limited-edition colors.
- It has 360-degree spinner wheels.
- This is the largest Calpak suitcase available.
- It weighs 11.75 pounds.
- The dimensions are 31.5″ x 15.5″ x 12.75″.
Where Is the Calpak Hue Large Trunk Luggage Available
Most colors are only available on the Calpak website. If you want it in black, you can also find the suitcase on the Net-a-Porter website.
Rating:
★★★★★
Aviel Kanter is the director of branded content for Vox Media and oversees lifestyle content across the portfolio of brands. She manages a team of editors who write articles in the wellness, fitness, beauty, fashion, health, entertaining, pets, and finance categories. She is also a beauty enthusiast and contributes many articles to the POPSUGAR Beauty editorial site.