Airline journey is tough on baggage, and when some carry-on baggage bashing is inevitable nowadays, 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, nevertheless, 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 easy 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 gained’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 lure doorways. Whereas this suitcase wouldn’t be our first option to tackle a protracted journey world wide, it should greater than suffice for the occasional traveler.
In brief: For those who’re an off-the-cuff traveler on the lookout for a suitcase that can do the job and gained’t break the financial institution, the Rockland Melbourne is an effective funds selection. With fewer add-ons, there’s much less to interrupt and fewer to cry over when it does.
Whereas the Melbourne represents the funds finish of the bags 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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Reasonably priced -
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: Overview
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 write down house about.
Nevertheless, for its worth vary, it nonetheless gives a superb bang for the buck. The spinner wheels work simply effective shifting by the airport concourses I piloted it by, and the deal with pulls open simply. Whereas not essentially the most strong suitcase, it isn’t speculated to be — and can do exactly effective for the occasional traveler.
A Week’s Value of Capability
The Rockland Melbourne has dimensions that adjust to nearly all customary airline laws. Its hardshell building ensures that it’s going to slip simply into overhead compartments, and it has an ample 38.3L capability, which is sufficient area to pack for a 3-to-5-day journey.
Whereas testing, I used to be impressed by how spacious this bag felt. It might 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 enables an additional 2 inches of area whereas packing, making it an incredible worth for the buck. Nevertheless, for extra-strict airways, this would possibly exceed measurement laws.
However as a fast tip I realized whereas touring with this bag: broaden the suitcase whereas packing, after which zip that further area again up, making a good and compliant package deal. In case you are touring by automotive or practice, you’ll welcome the additional area with out worrying about laws.
Packability
Packing the Rockland Melbourne is a reasonably easy affair. As with all clamshell suitcase designs, you will need to zip open the entire bag to entry and pack the inside. One facet of this suitcase sports activities a big, zippered compartment, whereas the opposite facet 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 provide any compression as is present in higher-end suitcases, neither is it notably taut. However it is sufficient to hold 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 a number of extras within the Rockland Melbourne, however that’s to be anticipated with the low price ticket. Essentially the most notable further options are the growth zipper, two units of 360-degree rolling wheels, the elasticized inside strap, high and facet seize handles, and the small inside zippered pouch.
Whereas the double set of spinner wheels is a superb function, we query their sturdiness in the long term. With extra shifting components and fabricated from cheaper supplies, we wouldn’t need to drag them over a wide range of terrain many instances all year long for worry of breaking them. However they’ll do exactly effective on flat surfaces.
Powerful 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 all the time going to point out up extra on hardshell suitcases, and the Rockland Melbourne isn’t any exception. It’s obtainable in a wide range of colours and patterns, permitting you to decide on whether or not you need to purchase one in a darker shade to raised disguise the inevitable scuff, or go for a enjoyable and shiny model to face out on a baggage carousel.
Room for Enchancment
Whereas there’s technically a number of room for enchancment, it’s exhausting to say how a lot might actually be altered on this suitcase with out rising the worth considerably. If we have been to decide on one factor, we’d go for no material close to the zipper (that means no expandability) in order that there was much less of an opportunity of snags and tears, that means you might 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 incredible enchancment that hopefully wouldn’t price an excessive amount of extra, and would assist the inside really feel way more practical than it’s.
Rockland Melbourne 20 Carry-On: Conclusion
Whereas there’s nothing distinctive concerning the Rockland Melbourne suitcase, it nonetheless stays a sensible choice for the occasional traveler who’s on the lookout for one thing practical and straightforward to journey with. Generally baggage simply must be baggage, and the Melbourne has this dialed.
Now, in case you are a type of sorts who tallies time in airport lounges and stacks air miles to the ceiling, a bit extra bag may be indicated. Among the best I’ve used thus far is the Topo Designs International Journey Bag Curler — a pack with much more bells and whistles than the Melbourne, but in addition 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 area, you gained’t should test a bag if you fly house for the vacations. The robust ABS shell on the Melbourne takes bumps and bruises with no downside, the wheels roll easily, and there’s little to get busted because the bag makes its manner by the airport — what extra are you able to ask for?
