‘I tested Antler’s best-selling £220 suitcase on a long-haul holiday’ – review

Antler is a luxury British luggage brand which has become ever-popular with travel influencers and holidaymakers looking for baggage that is sturdy and reliable, so much so that many of its most popular items, including the Clifton Mini and the Clifton Cabin Bag have already sold out. One of the latest additions to the range is the Single Stripe Suitcase, which comes in three sizes including the cabin, medium and large.

The suitcase can also be purchased in a set of three – which is one of Antler’s “bestselling” products, according to their website. We put Antler’s Large Single Stripe Suitcase in the brand’s namesake Antler Green colour to the test on a trip to Toronto, Canada, to see whether the suitcase works as beautifully as it looks.

Antler luggage is probably most recognisable from its renowned logo, two curved deer-like Antlers emblazoned on every item, along with its smooth, contoured edges creating a modern and sophisticated style.

Perfect for travellers who prioritise simplicity, the Single Stripe suitcase has a minimal aesthetic with a central stripe around the body which provides a comfortable spot to place one of the brand’s luggage straps helping to keep your luggage safe while on the go. Though the luggage is a hardshell, made from polypropylene it is extremely light meaning it won’t trip the scales at the airport (which is great news if you’re a chronic overpacker like me).

The Antler Single Stripe was delivered to my front door in a sturdy cardboard box, emblazoned with the Antler logo. Given how lightweight the suitcase is, it was easy to remove from the packaging with no additional help and came wrapped in a protective layer to keep the exterior looking its best while in transit. Perhaps one of the biggest perks of the luggage is Antler’s lifetime warranty, which the brand says shows its “commitment to product quality and its durability”.

Once unzipped, the double sided Single Stripe suitcase opens up to reveal a stylish taupe interior, complete with a small side pocket, dividers and packing straps – perfect for keeping your belongings organised while on-the-go.

The large suitcase I had been using before the Single Stripe glided into my life had just one large interior pocket, which means after just a few days on holiday all of my clothes soon became one crumpled pile. But that’s a problem I face no more! Thanks to the two divider sections, I was able to organise my belongings inside the suitcase with ease while on a busy trip.

Historically, I haven’t always chosen to use a lock with my suitcase, having been haunted by horror stories of holidaymakers having their checked baggage ripped open by security as a result of using a non-TSA-approved lock. However, Antler’s inclusion of a built-in TSA-Approved combination lock means these fears may reside no more and you can travel knowing your belongings are safely locked away without the risk of a torn open suitcase arriving on the baggage belt. Simply change the combination to your chosen code, close the lock and go.

Prior to testing the suitcase, I had already read rave reviews about the 360-spinner wheels and I wasn’t disappointed. There’s nothing worse than struggling to get your suitcase from A to B, especially when you’ve packed for a long holiday.

My journey from home to Toronto included three separate trains, along with the eight hour flight, and the wheels were able to roll smoothly and with ease across bumpy paths, tarmac and through a busy Overground and Underground station. Perhaps the only niggle with the wheels is that the suitcase also rolled a little too easily while on the train, meaning I had to hold onto the bag to avoid it sliding down the carriage.

The adjustable handle was the perfect height for me while in transit, and the lightweight nature of the suitcase means I only had to deal with the weight of my belongings. Yet, despite my bag weighing in at 18kg by the end of the trip, I had no issues wheeling it all the way back home from the airport.

However, one downside I noticed by the end of my trip was that the bag began to look scuffed. Baggage handlers can be a little rough loading and unloading suitcases into the hold, so it’s perhaps no surprise the transatlantic travel began to show on the matte finish of the Antler Single Stripe Large Suitcase.

The Antler Single Stripe Large Suitcase retails for £220.00 and can be purchased on the Antler website. However, it’s worth noting that Antler often runs seasonal sales and deals (with Black Friday just around the corner it’s worth keeping an eye on the website for any offers).

If you want to prioritise looking stylish while on-the-go, the Antler luggage range offers a sleek and sophisticated aesthetic. There’s also a range of colours to choose from so travellers can match their personal style.

For me, the best thing about the Antler Single Stripe Suitcase was how easy the bag was to transport thanks to the four 360-spinner wheels, making my journey from home to the airport and beyond a smooth and seamless experience. The interior compartments meant I was able to stay organised while on-the-go and there was plenty of space for souvenirs.

Though there are certainly cheaper alternatives out there, the sturdy nature of the suitcase combined with its smooth-rolling wheels and chic exterior means that I think the Single Stripe Suitcase is worth the £220 price tag. Plus, I love that Antler’s lifetime guarantee also means that your bag is protected for life.