Carl Friedrik Carry-On X Review: A Travel Bag That Isn’t a Drag

Carl Friedrik is known for its quality, luxury products. As a full-time travel journalist, I’ve burned through my fair share of luggage, including some pieces I’ve had for not even a year before a wheel popped off. When I get a new piece of luggage, I like to really give it the test to see if it's durable. If I’m going to be dragging this bag through cobblestone streets of Europe, up the steps of a train station, or forced to check it when you can’t bring rolling bags on smaller planes, it better be up for the job.

My Carl Friedrik The Carry-on X rolling suitcase has already gone on quite a few trips with me, and I can safely say it's my new favorite. It's a bit on the smaller side, so it's not something I can fit everything I need for a week-long getaway, but it does the trick and I appreciate that it has a lot of organization for your tech products.

Unboxing and first impressions

You can tell a high-quality piece of luggage from the moment you open the box, with the strong, scratch-free exterior and heartiness of the bag, to the cloth bag it emerged from. When I set the bag on our hardwood floor, it spun and rolled flawlessly, almost weightless, with very little effort on my end. Its locks clicked open swiftly, adding speedy security on the go. Carl Friedrik is one of the luggage brands that offer shoppers pieces that are meant to last for years to come. It’s sturdy, the wheels are smooth, gliding over uneven surfaces. It has TSA approved locks, 360° spinning wheels, compression straps and a compression pad, a laptop pocket and too small zipped pockets on the inside of the bag for storage.

Carl Friedrik Carry-On X pros and cons

Any piece of luggage has its benefits and drawbacks depending on how you pack, what you need to bring, and the types of trips that you take.

Pros

If you’re packing for a weekend getaway, the Carry-On X is one of the best carry-on luggage pieces I’ve owned. I love the organization it offers. If I don’t feel like wearing a backpack through the airport, I can always check a bag and use the Carl Friedrik Carry-On X as my carry on, allowing me the freedom to find my gate without 20 pounds on my back. It has a protective layer for your laptop, plus pockets and storage to protect your camera gear, toiletries, and anything else you need to stuff in your carry-on.

Cons

The Carl Friedrik Carry-On X is a little small. With all the compartments to organize things and the front pocket, it looks larger than it really is, and it’d be hard to pack everything you need for a getaway longer than a weekend in just this.

Carl Friedrik Carry-On X price

It’s a hefty price tag of $595, but honestly, I have found with most travel gear, you get what you put into it. Plus, the lifetime guarantee that comes with the bag is worth every penny. If you’re someone who travels a lot, investing in good luggage is a small price to pay. If you just keep going through multiple bags, you might end up spending hundreds of dollars, if not more, anyway. Investing in a solid piece of luggage from the start, that you know will last you years, is worth it if you love to see the world.

Specifications:

• Price: $595
• Materials: Makrolon polycarbonate shell, aluminum lock frame, recycled polyester lining, Vachetta leather detailing
• Size / Measurements: 14.8 x 22.3 x 10.4 inches (10.6 inches expanded)
• Warranty: Lifetime warranty
• Colors: Four—black and black, grey and cognac, grey and chocolate, grey and black

Key features

Here are some key details of the Carl Friedrik Carry-On X bag I find useful.

Organization

The Carl Friedrik Carry-On X has the features of a backpack with a lot of organization, in a rolling bag that glides so smooth, it barely feels like you’re dragging anything at all. Airports can be hot, crowded, and chaotic. Adding weight to your back can make it that much more challenging and stressful. The Carl Friedrik Carry-On X protects your tech equipment and fragile items as you travel.

Hard case

There are benefits to both hard and soft cases, but hard cases are generally my favorite. There are times when even your carry-on has to get checked because it weighs too much, or the plane is too small, so I’ve already had to check this bag a few times. It may be slightly scuffed, but I’ll take a few scratches in exchange for my important devices, cameras, computer, and toiletries arriving safely. The polycarbonate shell and aluminum hardware frame makes the case incredibly durable, built to last you many years to come.

TSA locks built into the bag

The way the bag is put together makes it easy to find and get what you need quickly. The TSA-approved locks already built into the bag protect your important items and keep them secure.

Performance

When it comes to performance, there’s a few things to consider.

Ease of use

The Carl Friedrik Carry-On X is user-friendly, especially with all the organization components. My laptop is tucked in nicely, and there’s plenty of room to keep your items snug and in their place. Even when packed, the bag is effortless to pull.

Durability

I’ve had to check my Carl Friedrik Carry-On X bag a few times and aside from a few scratches and scrapes, my gear was in good hands. I’m a wildlife photographer and travel journalist, and often have my Sony, my GoPro, my Insta360, and more with me, so protecting these items is important to me. I know that even if I’m forced to check my bag at the gate because the overhead room is limited, I’m in good hands with the polycarbonate shells and aluminum hardware.

Interior

As mentioned above, I find all of the organization in the Carl Friedrik Carry-On X helpful. There’s a front pocket that has dividers for all of your cords, laptops, chargers, etc. Inside the bag is secure with belts and padding to keep your items in place and compressed, in addition to two thin storage pockets. It is a bit limited in terms of space, but still a solid choice.

Quality of wheels

The 360° wheels are durable and strong. Even after being checked and thrown around a bit, dragged through many airports and even some cobblestone streets, the wheels have done quite well.

Design

The design is chic, but recognizable. I love black luggage, always have. Just add some fun luggage tags to make sure your bag stands out. The Carl Friedrik Carry-On X is classic, stylish, and looks luxe as you pull it through the airport. The design is well thought-out and keeps you organized, making it easy to grab a last-minute travel document or charger if you need to.

Should you buy the Carl Friedrik Carry-On X suitcase?

Yes, the Carl Friedrik Carry-On X bag is worth purchasing. Especially if you travel often, having a solid carry-on that can take weight off your back is worth every penny.

The price tag is on the higher end, but as somebody who has gone through her fair share of pieces, you start to realize that, even though you can buy a bag for $100, it might not last long or can cause you stress during your trip if it breaks because of poor construction.

Before traveling with the sturdy Carl Friedrik Carry-On X bag, I had a prior piece of luggage for less than a year, and was crossing the streets in New York City when my wheel just popped right off. I was left dragging this massive bag through the train station and around the city trying to find the best place to buy luggage, taking precious time away from sightseeing. Since then, I’ve learned it’s worth investing more money into my luggage pieces.

Final verdict

I’ve tried a lot of luggage through various brands, and although you can buy bags for much less, I can’t tell you how many of those I’ve gone through because they only last a couple of trips. I’ve learned through years of trial and error that it’s worth investing in a good piece of luggage you can depend on and use for years to come.