Is buying luggage from an unfamiliar brand worth the risk? Luggage is an investment. There is a risk that budget luggage could flop, but if it does work well, then you have saved a lot of money. In this article we will discuss Lucas Luggage, a brand I hadn’t heard of until I started reviewing luggage. We’ll summarize Lucas Luggage as a luggage line and then review a few of the best suitcases they have to offer.
Guidelines for Choosing Luggage
How can you find out if the luggage you are considering will work for you? There are several criteria you should consider.
Features
First, you need to decide whether you want to go with hardside or softside luggage. Hardside luggage is sturdier than softside, but it can be heavier. Softside luggage allows you to squeeze more into your bag, but it won’t protect fragile items as well. So if you plan to check your luggage on a flight, you might want to go with hardside luggage. Softside luggage should be satisfactory for carrying on.
Most suitcases have wheels. Wheeled suitcase have either two or four wheels. Inline wheels (two wheels) handle rough terrain and curbs with ease. Spinner wheels (four wheels) roll easily on smooth surfaces, but might struggle over bumps.
You also should consider the organizational features of your luggage. Many suitcases have straps and/or dividers to secure contents. Pockets and luggage locks are other features that vary.
Quality
When you’re buying luggage, you want it to last long enough to be worth the money. It would be frustrating to have a suitcase break after one or two uses. No suitcase will last forever, but you want it to last through a few seasons at minimum.
High quality bags will not only last longer, but they will function better. Zippers that work well and wheels that glide make your trip enjoyable. And a good quality suitcase often looks stylish.
Dimensions and Capacity
In a perfect world, your suitcase would hold everything you need while still being small and easy to transport. When deciding what size bag to buy, you should consider the length of time you will be traveling. If your trip is less than a week long, you can pack a carry on size bag. You will need a larger suitcase for long trips or if you need special clothing or gear.
Some suitcases have an expanding feature to give them more capacity. This can be helpful if you need a few extra inches or if you pick up souvenirs.
If you plan to carry your bag onto a flight, take extra care. Check that your bag meets your airline’s size requirements to avoid extra charges.
Does Lucas Luggage Measure Up?
Lucas Luggage is an affordable (i.e. budget) brand of luggage. They sell through third-party retailers, both online and in physical stores. They do not have their own retail website.
Because Lucas Luggage is a budget brand, it isn’t the highest quality luggage available. But this doesn’t mean you should avoid it. As we researched, we found that most users were satisfied and felt that they got their money’s worth. This was true especially when the users were occasional travelers. Lucas Luggage probably won’t hold up to years of frequent traveling, but it seems appropriate for casual traveling.
One more thing to consider is that there have been complaints about customer service. Some reviews claim that customer service didn’t respond to claims. Other users said that the return process was too difficult to make the warranty useful. Our advice is that if you have faulty luggage that you contact the third-party retailer rather than the manufacturer.
We have concluded that Lucas Luggage is a budget brand worth considering. Now we will go into detail on the best individual pieces they offer.
What is the best of Lucas Luggage?
Best Luggage softside suitcase: Lucas Ultra Lightweight
The Lucas Ultra Lightweight line is very lightweight, as the name suggests. The soft sides naturally allow expansion so the suitcase can hold a lot while remaining lightweight. It has spinner wheels, a telescoping handle, and an easy grip top handle for lifting. It comes with compression straps and zippered compartments to help organize your bag. Most users claim to love the bag and said that exceeds expectations.
| With wheels & handles | Without wheels & handles | Weight | Capacity | |
| 24-inch suitcase | 26.6″ x 16″ x 11.5″ | 24.2″ x 16″ x 9″ | 7.8 lbs | 62 L (68 L when expanded) |
| 20-in. Carry-On | 22.8″ x 14″ x 9″ | 20″ x 14″ x 8″ | 5.8 lbs |
Pros:
- Very lightweight
- Wheels and material are durable
- Easy to clean
- Stylish and classy
- Easy to maneuver; rolls well
- Inside pockets help with organization
- Large capacity; holds enough for 7-10 days for most people
Cons:
- No side handle
- After months of use, the zippers broke on many bags
- Some users claimed their bags had defective, incompletely stitched zippers that broke after a few uses
- A few users claimed that the wheels didn’t roll well (but most liked the wheels)
- A few users said that the sizing was different than what the manufacturer lists
Best hardside suitcase: Lucas Treadlight
The Lucas Treadlight luggage is hardside luggage made of ABS with a polycarbonate film. ABS isn’t the most durable material available, but it works well enough for most casual users. The Treadlight suitcase has spinner wheels, a telescoping handle, and two carry handles. (The 20-inch bag does not have a side carry handle). Its organizational features include cross-straps and a zippered divider that creates two compartments. It is expandable.
| With wheels & handles | Without wheels & handles | Weight | |
| 24-inch suitcase | 30″ x 19.6″ x 11″ | 27.8″ x 19″ x 11″ | 9.6 lbs |
| 20-inch Carry-On | 21.8″ x 13.5″ x 9″ | 19.3″ x 13.2″ x 9″ | 6.5 lbs |
Pros:
- Wheels roll well
- Sturdy construction
- Diamond finish minimizes scratches
- Holds a lot. (Be aware of the weight when packing.)
Cons:
- Zippers are a weak point; some users reported that the body of the zipper broke
- Handles reported to be weak or tend to stick
- A few users said that the seams came apart
- Some users claimed a chemical smell until suitcase aired out
Best expandable underseat: Lucas Convertible Under Seat Carry On
The Lucas Convertible Under Seat Carry On offers a flexible travel solution. This unique underseat bag can expand to a full size carry on, offering 50% more capacity. The expanded section folds for storage, so it isn’t as sturdy as the main compartment. The bag comes with a push-button retractable handle and inline wheels. There is an elastic strap inside to secure your items. Its soft sided 100% nylon outer will fit more easily into tight spaces than hardside bags.
| Dimensions (without expansion) | Dimensions (expanded) | Weight | |
| Underseat bag | 15″ x 8″ x 13.5″ | 15″ x 8″ x 22″ | 5 lbs |
Pros:
- Lots of pockets, including a separate pocket for a tablet or small laptop
- Sturdy handle
- Expandable section allows you to travel light but have the option of packing more
- External USB port so you can use a charger (some users say this was missing; see cons)
- Bag design allows you to stack it on top of another suitcase
Cons:
- No shoulder strap, which could be a useful addition
- The manufacturer photos show an external USB port, but some users say their bag did not come with one
Best under seat garment bag: Lucas Cabin Luggage 16 inch Under Seat Bag
The Lucas Cabin Luggage 16 inch Under Seat Bag is a versatile piece of luggage. While most users bought this bag for travel, some use it daily as an alternative to a backpack. It rolls beside you with its two inline wheels and telescoping push button handle. It has interior and exterior pockets and compartments, including a padded tablet compartment. The zipper to open the bag allows you to access the inside from the top, making it ideal for papers or books. Some users described receiving a bonus passport neckbag, slippers, and a toiletry bag with the underseat bag. But these accessories are not listed in the description of the bag, so we haven’t been able to determine if they come with every under seat bag.
| Dimensions | Weight | |
| Underseat Bag | 16″ x 14″ x 9″ | 5 lbs |
Pros:
- Sturdy and well-made for the price
- Fits under most seats (with some exceptions)
- Spacious, holding more than expected (some report enough for 3-4 day trip)
- File folders can fit upright in main compartment
Cons:
- Does not have straps to secure items in main compartment
- Plastic sleeve for clothing was poorly designed, requiring you to move it out of the way while packing
- Some users have reported that it did not fit upright in the overhead bins or under the seats. It seems that whether it fits depends on dimensions of bin/seat
- Handle: sometimes sticks when opening, and you cannot slide another bag over it
- Best for occasional users. One user said after seven months of daily use it broke
Best luggage set: Lucas Ultra Lightweight Softside 3-piece Set
The Lucas Ultra Lightweight Softside 3-piece set comes with three suitcases: a carry-on, a medium suitcase, and a large suitcase. They nest inside each other for storage. These are from the Lucas Ultra Lightweight line, which has been reviewed above in detail. This lightweight softsided set exceeds expectations and features effective interior organization. Here are the dimensions of this luggage set.
| Dimensions with wheels & handle | Dimensions without wheels & handle | Weight | Capacity (NOT expanded) | |
| Carry-On | 22.8″ x 14″ x 10.2″ | 20.4″ x 14″ x 8″ | 5.8 lbs | 35 L |
| Medium | 26.6″ x 16″ x 11.5″ | 24.2″ x 16″ x 9″ | 6.6 lbs | 69 L |
| Large | 30″ x 18″ x 11″ | 28.1″ x 18″ x 10.5″ | 7.2 lbs | 100 L |
Our Choice
Lucas Luggage offers many different affordable types of luggage. Out of the top picks, our very favorite is the convertible under seat carry on. We like that it has the option to be either a small underseat bag or, when expanded, a full-size carry on. This adaptability means you could use the bag for either travel or daily use. Its organizing features, including compression straps and several pockets, are a plus. This under seat bag should suit the occasional traveler, providing an excellent affordable option.
