Antler's expandable cabin suitcase is my trusty travel companion and has 25% off right now
Searching for a new trusty new suitcase to see you through your summer travel plans? You’re not the only one. After a decade, my old cabin bag finally gave up the ghost, so I’ve been on the hunt for a new hard-wearing cabin suitcase that meets all my criteria: 1. Has to be expandable, 2. Easy to wheel around and 3. Will last me years to come.
Icon Stripe Expandable Cabin Bag
£139£185Save £46 with codeIcon Stripe Expandable Cabin Bag
£139£185Save £46 with codeIcon Stripe Expandable Cabin Bag
£139£185Save £46 with codeIcon Stripe Expandable Cabin Bag
£139£185Save £46 with codeIcon Stripe Expandable Cabin Bag Set
£480£640Save £160 with code
I also wanted to find one that was reasonably priced, although I definitely believe that with an item like a suitcase, you do have to invest a bit to get a sturdy case that won’t let you down or end up coming off the baggage claim belt with a missing wheel after being thrown around a bit.
Here at Yahoo UK we’re already big fans of premium luggage brand, Antler, our team highly recommend the brand's versatile travel backpack and I also own the their best-selling Clifton Cabin Bag, which I've had since 2019 and is still going strong.
Measurement: 36 x 55 x 23 cm | Weight: 2.8 kg
Maximum volume: 46 L | Packing capacity: 39.6 L
This cabin bag has all the premium features you need, as well as thoughtful finishes such as its hardwearing exterior, strategically placed pockets, dividers and compression straps.
However, I have discovered I do really need an expandable bag if I'm going anywhere for longer than three nights. After all, more space means more peace of mind, which is much needed when you literally shop for a living (and love to make *a few* holiday purchases).
🛍️ Product reviewed: Antler Icon Stripe Cabin with Expander
⏰ Tested for: One month
⭐ Rating: 5/5
💸 Reasons to buy: It's lightweight, expandable, has a hard-wearing shell and four silent wheels
✋ Reasons to avoid: It's a initial investment, you can find cheaper cabin bags at John Lewis and M&S
💰 Best deal we've found: You can currently get 25% off everything on Antler's website, taking the suitcase from £185 to £138.75 - that's a £46.25 saving
When I saw that Antler had bought out a new version of their popular cabin big, but this time with an expandable design, I was immediately sold. Whether you're after a new bag for a city break or a seven-day summer holiday, here's all the reasons why Antler's new Icon Stripe Cabin with Expander is the trusty travel companion you need.
💸 Reasons to buy
I know absolutely no one likes packing, but I have to say Antler's well-designed case interior made the chore a lot more bearable and kept my usually disorganised packing organised.
Inside, you'll find two smaller mesh pockets on the left side, ideal for jewellery and accessories, as well as an additional green pocket on the right side, which is super useful for essentials such as medication and other small items that might otherwise get lost.
Let me tell you, I packed this case full to the brim (top tip: use packing cubes for your clothes and underwear to make the most of every inch of space).
I was flying to Copenhagen for a four day city break and thanks to the unpredictable summer weather this year I was packing for every eventuality. I managed to squeeze into the zipped compartment: six tops, two skirts, one pair of shorts, one pair of jeans, one bulky denim waistcoat, a cardigan, pyjamas and all my underwear, socks and swimwear.
On the right hand side, I managed to fit my knee-length cowboy boots, which didn't take up as much room as I thought, as well as my toiletries and a few extra bits. To my surprise even though I thought it was pretty jam-packed the suitcase did up without having to be expanded, which far exceeded my expectations.
Next stop was the airport for a 7am flight, which usually I don't relish, but it was made slightly better by my first experience of wheeling the Antler case through the Heathrow terminal. It truly glides as smooth as butter, thanks to its four 360-degree spinner wheels that are not only silent but also make for effortless movement.
Shop from Antler Shop from John Lewis Browse colours on sale
The adjustable comfort-grip handle, along with the top and side carry handles, also make for easy lifting and handling, which was the only silver lining in the stress of trying to use the new self-service bag drop.
Specifications:
Size: 35cm width, 55cm height, 23cm depth
Capacity: 39.6 litres
Weight: 2.8 kg
Warranty: Lifetime warranty
Security lock: Built-in TSA-approved combination lock
Wheel design: Four Silent Glide 360 spinner wheels
Expandable: 5cm extra depth for increased packing capacity
Colours available: Green, navy, beige, black, blue, burgundy and pink
The bag also comes with a built-in TSA-approved combination lock for enhanced safety and security, offering extra peace of mind (and you'll find easy-to-use instructions inside the case). I also wanted to ensure I had a hard-shell case, as I find them sturdier. Antler's shell exteriors are made from water-resistant polycarbonate for extra durability.
Once in Copenhagen, I tested the wheels on cobbled streets, uneven pavement, getting on and off of various public transport, and nothing stopped the smooth wheeling experience. As expected, it was during packing for the return flight that this case really shone.
Packed with so many additional items from vintage clothes to fragile glassware and not one but two bags, I was slightly concerned I may have gone a bit too far on my Danish shopping spree. After all, it's a suitcase, not a magical Mary Poppins bag. With my fingers crossed, I expanded the zip (which offers 5cm extra depth) and it gracefully zipped all the way around without me even having to sit on it, which I think we have all resorted to at one point or another.
Even though I've only used the bag for one trip so far, my initial experience has been nothing but positive. Each Antler suitcase also comes with a lifetime warranty, showing the brand's commitment to their product quality and confidence in the durability. So hopefully, this case, while an initial investment, should last me a lifetime.
✋ Reasons to avoid
Quite honestly, I haven't found one yet. That said, I have only owned the suitcase for a month, so rest assured if / when I do have some constructive criticism I will update this article.
The suitcase is pricy, so if Antler is out of your price range and you're after some more budget-friendly recommendations I would recommend checking out John Lewis's own-branded Anyday case, which is proving very popular and just £45. Marks & Spencer's have also upped their suitcase game this year and have a four-wheel hard shell suitcase in a range of colours for £59.
💰 Best deal we've found
Everything on the Antler website is currently discounted by 25% when you use the code SUMMER25 at checkout, which is a very rare discount offer.
The suitcase in all colours is now reduced to £138.75, which is the cheapest price you’ll find it anywhere right now, trust me I’ve checked.
The classic black hue looks extremely chic and is an excellent choice if you're concerned about visible scratches and wear and tear.
If you’re wanting a new full set of cases, you can also get the Icon Stripe Expandable Cabin Bags in a three-piece set, made up of a cabin, medium and large bag.
Right now the set is on sale with £160 off, reduced from £640 to £480, which is an epic deal.
If you want a new full set of cases, you can also get the Icon Stripe Expandable Cabin Bags in a three-piece set, made up of a cabin, medium and large bag.
Antler does also currently have a suitcase sale with up to 30% off, so if you want to browse the other discounted designs you do so here.
