If you're anything like me, finding the right luggage is easier said than done, especially if you're looking for a stylish, non-basic option.
Enter July, an Australian-based company that's increasingly becoming one of the most sought-after luggage brands online. But does its luggage live up to the hype? We put it to the test to find out. Spoiler: It might just be the best luggage I've ever owned.
At the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab, we've tested over 100 suitcases in recent years to find the best carry-on and checked luggage available both in our Lab and on hundreds of trips. As a textiles product reviews analyst, I've personally packed dozens of suitcases, assessed damage from our drop tester, evaluated scratch resistance and traveled with several of our top-tested luggage brands.
I recently took July's Classic Family Luggage Set (which includes a carry-on and two checked suitcases) on four international flights, traveling between three countries for multiple weeks. Several of our consumer testers also tried the brand's Carry-On Light, which the brand calls the lightest luggage you'll find, on a variety of domestic trips.
What is July luggage?
Named after the most popular month for traveling, July's suitcases were designed to bridge the gap between budget bags and luxury luggage, offering thoughtfully designed luggage at a more accessible price point. Since its start in 2018, the brand has expanded to three luggage collections (Classic, Light and Trunk) plus various bags, like weekenders and totes, and travel accessories.
The Classic Carry-On is July's most popular product. It's made with polycarbonate, a popular material in hardside luggage, and each corner is capped with an anodized aluminum bumper for added protection.
The Carry-On Light is another popular product, and the brand calls it, "the lightest double-wheel suitcase in the world" at 3.9 pounds. Hardside luggage is known for its lightweight nature, but as certain airlines lower their weight limits (even for carry-ons), every ounce counts. Still, it has a 32L capacity, making it less spacious compared to other popular options.
On my most recent trips, I traveled with July's Classic Family Set, which includes the Classic Carry-On, Checked and Checked Plus. While some luggage sets may come at a discount, July's do not, but sets do ship with the suitcases nested inside each other to save space.
What I thought of July Luggage
Design
July's luggage has a simple yet sleek appearance. On the Classic line, the aluminum corners provide an added edge, elevating otherwise minimalist suitcases. In person, I immediately noticed how luxurious each suitcase felt: The exterior felt solid and substantial while the interior felt buttery smooth with a notable Y-strap over the standard compression panel. Note that the Carry-On Light instead features two zippered components with no compression panels.
The telescopic handle (pictured) stops at 20 different heights, meaning it will stop without falling down immediately, although it doesn't fully lock in until lifted to half its full height. It's also slightly slanted, for a more ergonomic hold. Some of our consumer testers appreciated this when wheeling it through our in-Lab obstacle course, but as someone with smaller hands, I found it a bit odd, although not uncomfortable.
The standard Carry-On also comes with a built-in power bank, which can be a nice perk, but I personally didn't use it while traveling due to the added bulk. When I tried it on its own, it charged quickly but noticeably warmed up. You can skip the power bank if you'd like by purchasing the Carry-On Essential, though it does not have the aluminum bumpers.
July also allows you to personalize your new suitcase for an added cost. This is great for easily spotting your checked luggage on a baggage carousel or in the event that your carry-on gets moved around or checked at the gate. I didn't personalize my luggage, as it delays the shipping, but I've always plastered colorful stickers on all my luggage to make sure it doesn't get confused. July's personalization, though, is definitely more intentional and long-lasting compared to my DIY endeavors.
Performance
I've tested many, many suitcases, but I've never used luggage that glided as smoothly as July's through an airport. Often, even when using pricey or top-tested luggage, I feel self-conscious, especially on moving walkways: The noises my other carry-ons have made in the past vary from slightly squeaky to loud, but this wasn't a problem with July. The wheels effortlessly accompanied me throughout several airports without any issues. During in-Lab testing, participants in our obstacle course agreed, giving July some of the highest scores for ease of use, particularly for its smooth, 360-degree wheels and adjustable handle.
In terms of packability, the Classic Carry-On, Checked and Check Plus were fairly standard compared to other hardside luggage, fitting our standard load with room to spare. Each included a thoughtful laundry bag for dirty clothes. The Carry-On Light, however, wasn't able to fit everything in our standard four-night packing load, so it's best for shorter trips.
Durability
When it comes to hardside luggage, polycarbonate is king, and all of July's suitcases are made of polycarbonate. It's an extremely durable material with excellent impact resistance, yet it's still lightweight, proving well-rounded when compared to other plastics or metals like aluminum.
It doesn't have the best scratch resistance, which we saw during testing, notably when we used a wire to scratch the surface of July's suitcases in the Lab. Still, when I assessed the Checked and Checked Plus suitcases (pictured), I didn't notice much wear and tear on the polycarbonate material (especially after wiping it down). The aluminum bumpers did show some damage though, with some visible scratches up close.
In our drop tests, which involve packing a suitcase with a set weight before releasing it from a 3-foot height at various angles, July came away without any dents, damages or changes in appearance.
Warranty & Return Policy
July's luggage comes with a "lifetime warranty." But this doesn't necessarily mean you can purchase it once and use it forever. The brand says it will repair or replace products with manufacturing faults on the wheels, zips, handles and compression straps. Certain cracks and breakages to the polycarbonate shell are also covered, but cosmetic damage is not. Be sure to thoroughly document it if you suspect something's off with your luggage.
The brand also offers a 100-day return policy, but it's only for new, unused luggage in its original packaging. Personalized luggage is exempt, as it's considered bespoke, as are notably discounted items (i.e. Final Call and Weekender promotional purchases). There's also a $20 return fee.
The Bottom Line: Should you buy July luggage?
If you're looking for minimalist hardside luggage with a bit of personality, I would recommend investing in any of the suitcases from the Classic line (the Carry-On, Checked and Checked Plus). I've tested many suitcases in my role at Good Housekeeping, and July might be my new favorite luggage brand. The maneuverability is unparalleled, thanks to its smooth wheels and adjustable handle, and the materials feel sleek and durable.
The suitcases faired well in our tests, earning high scores for their ease of use in our in-Lab obstacle course and durability during drop testing. Note that the polycarbonate material can scuff, but this was easily wiped away in my experience. The aluminum bumpers don't have the best scratch resistance, though.
When it comes to the Carry-On Light, my recommendation depends on the type of traveler you are. The suitcase is incredibly light, but it isn't quite as versatile due to its smaller size. If you go on lots of quick trips or if you'd rather use a rolling suitcase over a weekender bag or travel backpack, then the Carry-On Light is a great choice.
Still, the return policy, while fairly standard, isn't the most generous, and the lifetime warranty isn't a fix-all, so I encourage you to thoughtfully examine any July luggage you purchase.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Grace Wu is a textiles reviews product analyst at Good Housekeeping and has tested all kinds of luggage and travel products using specialized Lab equipment. She's flown on dozens of long-haul flights over the years, both international and domestic, and swears by hardside luggage. Prior to joining GH, Grace earned a Master of Engineering in materials science & engineering (with a focus on polymers like polycarbonate) and a Bachelor of Science in fiber science from Cornell University.
Grace Wu (she/her) is a product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she evaluates fabric-based products using specialized equipment and consumer tester data. Prior to starting at Good Housekeeping in 2022, she earned a master of engineering in materials science and engineering and a bachelor of science in fiber science from Cornell University. While earning her degrees, Grace worked in research laboratories for smart textiles and nanotechnology and held internships at Open Style Lab and Rent the Runway.
