Briggs & Riley 20 Inch Carry-on Expandable Wide-body Upright

Overall Impression A funny think happened as I began packing my new Briggs and Riley 20-inch Carry-on Expandable Wide-body Upright for a recent multi-week, winter into spring trip to Europe: I became convinced that its designer had been reading my mind. I had long harbored the fantasy of one versatile suitcase that would be the only piece of luggage I would need; a suitcase that would, as circumstances required, instantly morph from carry-on to checked baggage and vice-versa. Now, there it was, sized to meet most major airlines current carry-on requirements for domestic as well as international travel. Yet it was wide enough to accommodate side-by-side two neat stacks of sweaters, shirts and other travel necessities, plus a mesh and nylon side pocket to keep small items within easy sight.

The contents could be held down by broad compression panels, leaving sufficient room to hold the deep zipped compartment fitted in the case’s lid. A tri-fold sleeve turned this top compartment into a full-length garment bag where dresses and suits could be secured by wide velcro’ed flaps for wrinkle-free travel. There was an additional zipped pocket on the face of this internal compartment that proved handy for stashing flat items. Then there was the ultimate feature: a 2.5-inch (6.5 centimeter) zipped expansion gusset extended the capacity of the suitcase by almost 25 percent, for those situations along the way when a carry-on bag will definitely not suffice.

The exterior of the 20-inch Carry-on Expandable Wide-body was equally well designed. The lid included two zipped pockets, with the upper one sized to keep travel documents and small electronic gadgets or books easily accessible. The lower pocket occupied three quarters of the lid. It was convenient for additional storage of flat or crushable items. At the rear, the telescopic handle was stored in a smooth external housing, with an additional deep zipped pocket tucked in the center of it. I found it an ideal storage space for the infamous one-quart (one-liter) toiletry bag required by airport security check.

The expandable carry-on was as convenient to handle as to pack. The broad wheelbase, large smooth wheels (three inches or 7.5 centimeters in diameter) and adjustable height telescopic top handle made it a breeze to steer, even in airplane aisles and on crowded train platforms. The front stabilizing feet extended with the gusset, ensuring that the case remained balanced when heavily loaded. The streamlined top and side grip handles facilitated retrieval from the most awkward overhead bin. But it was in unusual travel situations that the 20-inch Carry-on really showed its mettle. It became an impromptu stool when I found myself traveling for one hour in the corridor of a high-speed European train, and its wheels and rear kick-plate remained unscathed when I had to drag my heavily loaded case up one flight of Paris métro stairs.

With its compact and exceptionally sturdy exterior, outstanding packability and easy handling, my Briggs & Riley 20-inch Carry-on has become my traveling companion for short trips as well as longer itineraries where it can alternate between checked-luggage and carry-on functions.

Colors Chocolate, olive, black. Mine is black.

Dimensions 16 x 20 x 8 inches (40.5 x 51 x 20 centimeters). Expands to 16 x 20 x 10.5 inches (40.5 x 51 x 26.5 centimeters)

List Price $369

Manufacturer-Distributor Briggs & Riley Travelware, LLC.

Materials Exterior: abrasion resistant, water repellent 2520D ballistic nylon. Interior: nylon twill.

Type Of Product Soft-sided rolling carry-on suitcase.

Warranty A lifetime “Simple as that” warranty covered even damages causes by travel carriers.

Weight 9 pound and 6 ounces (4.4 kg)

Features Protective corner covers and wheel housings; exterior adjustable telescopic handle and handle housing for maximum packing space; outside zipped pocket for security-checked items; built-in retractable luggage tag sleeve for privacy; easy to grip side and top handles for good handling; sturdy bottom front stabilizing feet; expendable main compartment zips-out added an additional 24 percent capacity; interior compression panels to secure packed load; two-inch (five centimeter) deep zipped compartment in suitcase top with tri-fold garment sleeve. It came with a resettable three-dial combination Transportation Security Agency (TSA) approved cable lock.

Countries Tested Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and United States

Date Of Last Review April 2010

Number Of Days Tested 60 days

Reviewers Article and photographs by Josette King

Would You Use This Product Again? Yes