When researching travel luggage, Antler is a brand that comes up time and time again. Renowned for quality, the brand has established itself as a leader in luggage for all kinds of travel. Question is, could it solve my travel and packing needs?
As a mum of three young children, it feels I have to take all but the kitchen sink when we go on holiday. This results in countless bags, which, by the end, last-minute items get throw in whichever one has space – it's a packing nightmare. So for a while I've been on the hunt for luggage that might help allay some of my main packing issues, most notably the need for so much luggage.
On my travels around the web and our best luggage deals round up, I happened across the Antler Icon Stripe large suitcase, which definitely ticked a lot of boxes. It had size to 'accommodate extended adventures of 2-3 weeks', promised smooth 'unrestricted movement', has a lock for security and a hard-wearing shell to protect everything inside. I was sold, and wasn't disappointed. Here's why...
Antler Icon Stripe suitcase review: Packing space
With the Antler Icon Stripe, long gone are the days of sitting on top of my case to encourage the zip to fully close. Not only does the hard shell and huge interior make it very difficult to overpack, if you do find yourself needing some extra space, Antler has a clever expandable design built in.
A second zip around the case can be undone to release an extra 5cm, which doesn't sound like much, but trust me, is significant when it comes to packing space. I have now been on three seven-day trips with my kids, and have managed to get both mine and two of the children's clothes, plus hair tools, toiletries and multiple pairs of shoes in without issue.
Inside the case is a number of organisation pockets, which come in very handy. There is a zipable compartment on one side, which is great for keeping all your belongings secure, and is even better as a place to keep dirty clothes separate from any clean ones you might be taking home. There is also a couple of mesh pockets, which I used to keep the kids socks from going awol and my hair straighteners protected. The other side has straps, which you can tighten together over your belongings once that side is packed. The only gripe I have here is the handle, which goes in to this side of the case, and therefore takes up space and means clothes don't lay flat.
Antler Icon Stripe suitcase review: Getting around
Movement is another area this suitcase excels. Never before have I had a suitcase that quite literally seems to glide over flat surfaces. It could be full to the brim, and yet the Glide 360 spinner wheels make it feel effortless to move. And not just in a straight line, a small tweak in direction is all it takes to make this case go the way you want it to.
Make no mistake, this suitcase is big and would be extremely difficult to move about without wheels. And while that seems like a simple feature, the engineering and design that has gone into this case to make such a cumbersome suitcase move with such ease is really quite remarkable.
Antler Icon Stripe suitcase review: Protection and security
The Antler Icon Stripe case has a handy lock system built in - the two zips have holes to slot in, which are then secured by a combination lock just above. It's really easy to set a number you'll remember, then simply secure the zips and mix the numbers up for an added layer of security. I haven't used this feature much yet as I haven't travelled by air and needed to leave my case, but it's good to know the function is there for when I do.
The case itself is made from recycled polycarbonate, which makes the shell really hardwearing but also lightweight to make it even easier to move. I have always preferred hard-cased shells with suitcases, but ones I have tried before are often weighty as a result. Not this one. I am confident my belongings are protected by the outer case, my only gripe is how easy my taupe coloured one marks. Despite cleaning, marks are still visible, so worth bearing in mind when you are choosing a colour. I also have the small Icon Stripe case in baby pink, and it suffers from the same issue.
Antler Icon Stripe suitcase review: Verdict
This might sound like a strange thing to say about a suitcase, but it really is a joy to use. From being able to pack every last thing I need, often with space to spare, to wheeling it around with ease, it's clear Antler has poured its century's worth of expertise and experience into this remarkably chic and functional design.
The beautiful colour range makes it genuinely difficult to choose which one to pick. However, that said, these do pick up scuffs and marks easily, which the darker tones will really help with.
