A Well-Rounded Suitcase

After the wheels on my Swiss Gear suitcase stopped working, I started hunting for a new suitcase. I had been eyeing up the Muji hard shell suitcases as a replacement, due to Muji's reputation for quality and because their suitcases included a wheel stopping mechanism, which I hadn't seen before. I tend to take a trip to Asia every other year, and one of my pet peeves is when suitcases roll around and bang up either my legs or other people's legs.

I bit the bullet when I saw a promotional sale at Muji and took it with me on my most recent three-week Asia Trip. Did it hold up to my expectations??!!

Buying Options

The Muji hard shell suitcase comes in 3 sizes, all labeled according to capacity: there's the 35L, 62L and 87L (links are all to U.S. website). There have been plenty of reviews on the 35L, which fulfills most carry-on cabin luggage requirements, and a few reviews on the 62L. I haven't seen a lot of reviews on the 87L size, which is one of the reasons I decided to do this post.

Currently, the suitcases come in four colour options: black, navy, beige and light grey. I remember they used to come in red, but this was discontinued a couple of years ago.

In terms of price, Muji suitcases aren't particularly cheap. The carry-on size clocks in a little over $200, which is A LOT to pay as compared to the $62.50 AmazonBasics version, as an example. They're much cheaper than a brand like Tumi, but that isn't saying much. Overall, I find them on the slightly more expensive end.

Features

• Measurements: 28.0 in x 18.7 in x 12.0 in
• Weight: 12.3 lbs
• 360 degree spinner with four wheels
• Handle also has a wheel stopper
• TSA-approved lock
• Two lay-flat handles, one on top and one on the side
• Four "feet" on side of suitcase
• Interior organization

Where to Buy

In Canada, your only option is purchase this suitcase in-store at $369 CAD regular price for the 87L. I got mine on sale for 30% off, but I've seen it on sale for 40%-45% off before.

In the U.S., you can get the 35L, 62L and 87L for $160 USD, $220 USD and $260 USD respectively. These suitcases can be bought on the website or in-store.

The Pros

• Lightweight
• Simplistic external design
• Good interior organization
• Smooth wheels make it easy to push around airports and streets
• Wheel stopping mechanism is very useful on moving trains and buses and prevents the suitcase from rolling away
• TSA-approved lock keeps belongings secure and easy to find zippers

The Cons

• High price point (almost $400 regular price)
• Scuffs very easily in transit
• Narrow depth means it fits fewer items than expected
• Wheels take up storage space within the suitcase and can make packing non-clothing items awkward
• Not expandable

The Full Review

First Impressions

The Muji hard shell suitcase is made of very lightweight polycarbonate. While it doesn't feel as durable as the AmazonBasics luggage, it's only 5 pounds heavier despite being able to hold a lot more.
The Look and Feel

As with all Muji items, the design is simple and features no branding. This is both a pro and a con as the simple design is clean, but if everyone had a Muji luggage it'd be pretty difficult to tell apart without luggage tags.

I chose the beige colour as I didn't see too many suitcases in this particular shade, and thought it would be relatively easy to spot at the airport. This proved to be true, at least in Asia.

Overall, the suitcase manages to feel lightweight without feeling cheap. The handle doesn't feel nearly as flimsy as the AmazonBasics luggage. The wheels are very smooth and easy to change direction. Overall, while more expensive than a lot of similar luggage options, you do feel like you're getting your money's worth.

This suitcase came with me on my Asia trip, which meant if it wasn't in my hotel room, it was on a bus, a train, or airplane. Since it was checked over 10 times in the last 3 weeks, it collected a lot of scuffs. Like A LOT. It's somewhat annoying having visible scuffs on relatively new luggage, but at the same time, there was no damage to the functionality of the shell, wheels and handle.


The Finer Details

The main reason I bought this suitcase was for the wheel stopping mechanism, which is hidden away and easy to use. I am pleased to say it works exactly as intended, and totally prevented my suitcase from rolling away on buses, trains and subways. This was the main selling point for me, and probably the main reason why I paid the high premium for the suitcase as opposed to getting a Samsonite luggage set on sale.

There is a TSA-approved lock which is handy for keeping your belongings secure. I thought this was a nice touch, and also meant you always knew where your zippers were. The lock comes with two keys, which is standard for most luggage locks.

Since the suitcase is not expandable, you have to find ways to cram your things into the suitcase. The right half of the suitcase is a little hard to pack for because the wheels take up some storage case. 12 inches is also not very thick for a large suitcase (it's about 6 inches deep on each side), which I found rather difficult to pack for. The suitcase is well within the limits of the maximum dimensions allowed, so I don't see why they couldn't have added extra depth.


Overall Verdict: ★★★★☆ The Muji 87L hard shell suitcase is a great option for long haul travel, being lightweight and high quality. The wheel stopping mechanism in particular is fantastic if you plan on taking public transit. The only reason I'm taking off a star is because of its high price point and visible scuffing. You can likely get a similar suitcase for cheaper, just not with a wheel stopper.