Our review: Lightweight yet durable and with the smoothest of spinner wheels — this suitcase has plenty going for it
Buy from Horizn Studios (£350.00), John Lewis (£350.00)
Horizn Studios has made a name for itself in the smart travel sphere since its release of the world’s first luggage with a removable charging function. Now, the brand is turning to lightweight travel with the release of the new Air range. The suitcases are made of premium German polycarbonate with a reduced shell thickness to help you pack light.
So, how does the design fare on review? Our tester, Nancy-May Power, takes the H7 (88L) for a spin.
First impressions
Despite its large size, this suitcase feels incredibly lightweight, so straight away we can see the brand's focus with this particular range playing out. This is also a good-looking design — effortlessly sleek, clean and understated. You want a suitcase design that'll stand the test of time, and the Air range certainly fits that brief.
Is the suitcase easy to transport?
Yes, very. On test, we were impressed with the design's manoeuvrability. The suitcase proved sturdy across a variety of surfaces, both on all four wheels and two. There are two handles: one on the top, and another on the side. This makes moving the suitcase into car boots and onto transport a breeze.
The telescopic handle features an in-built locking mechanism to secure it in place, and it always felt secure in regards to supporting the weight of the suitcase.
What’s the storage like?
Each side of the suitcase has its own compartment, so it's easy to keep your belongings nicely organised and securely in place. The interior pockets could be slightly more creative, but apart from that, we had no complaints. Plus, the zips work well and are easy to fasten.
Materials
The Air range is made with a partially recycled polycarbonate hard shell, and you'll find a recycled polyester lining in the interior. We found all elements functioned extremely well, and we were pleased with the aesthetics too.
The brand is the twice-winner of the PETA Travel Award as it only uses animal-friendly materials for its suitcases, backpacks and accessories.
Durability
We noticed the suitcase marked fairly easily on review, despite being black in colour, but thankfully any scuffs were removed in seconds with a quick wipe. Due to the rough texture of the exterior, we had no issues with scratches.
The suitcase and parts itself feel extremely sturdy and durable, giving us the confidence this suitcase will have a long life. And the fact the company offers a lifetime warranty also suggests this product is designed to last.
Good value?
We appreciate £350 is a hefty price to pay for a suitcase, even for a large 88L check-in model, but on review, we found the quality of this suitcase to be unquestionable. If you're looking to invest in a product that is going to last a very long time; function well and look the part, then we'd say the Horizn Air Suitcase is a reliable option.
Best suited for:
The Air H7 on review here is particularly well-suited to long haul travel and family road trips due to its large capacity. The Air range in general is ideal for those looking to upgrade an old, hefty suitcase for a contemporary and lightweight alternative.
Horizn Air H7 (check-in): facts at a glance
- RRP: £350
- Capacity: 88L (33L also available)
- Materials: Polycarbonate hard shell (partially recycled) and recycled polyester lining. The suitcase is 100% vegan and produced in a way that is 99% waste-free
- Colourways: All black, Night blue and Light quartz grey
- Measurements: 51cm x 77cm x 27cm
- Weight: 3.8kg
How we tested
To assess the quality of the suitcase whilst on our travels, we considered the following factors:
- Manoeuvrability: is the suitcase easy to transport from A to B, and how well do the wheels roll on different surfaces?
- Storage: are there interior pockets/zips to help organise clothing/belongings?
- Durability: do the materials feel long-lasting? Does the suitcase feel sturdy enough to handle numerous trips, and does the exterior mark easily?
- Quality of materials and aesthetics: have high-quality and sustainable materials been used? Do zips, wheels and handles function well?
- Value for money: are there enough technical features to justify a hefty price tag?
Interested? Buy from Horizn Studios (£350.00), John Lewis (£350.00)
For more of our luggage reviews, read our guide to the best weekend bags.
