Wherever you’re going and no matter how long for, there’s one part of flying I’m convinced that everyone hates: the airport security line. Having to dig through your perfectly packed travel backpack for that one bottle that’s only just over the liquids limit, or discovering this particular airport insists on removing your power bank as well as your laptop? Infuriating.
Émigré, the multi-national luggage brand, has actually done something about it. The firm’s Hardcase Carry-On was designed to remove as much of the security stalling as possible, so you can speed straight through to the airport lounge and get some work done (or grab a cheeky pre-flight tipple). Having just taken one on a week-long trip, I’m a convert.
There’s nothing particularly flashy from the outside – just Émigré’s debossed slash on the front of the Obsidian Black polycarbonate and the tiniest of logos on the top handle, which telescopes smoothly out for wheeling the case around. The wheels themselves are removable, should they wear out over time, and ran both straight and smoothly for me. A side handle makes it just as easy to carry, as does the respectable 4.35kg / 9.59lb empty weight.
The outer materials haven’t suffered any scrapes or scratches in my testing so far, which bodes well for long-term ownership. The case comes with a five year warranty
The TSA-approved combination lock for the outer zips isn’t all that unusual either, albeit a welcome inclusion that should (hopefully) prevent damage should security decide they need to take a look at whatever’s inside. Lift the flap below it, though, and you’ll spot both USB-A and USB-C ports. These are wired into a dedicated pouch inside the case that can stow a power bank.
I expected this to be a lifesaver, but the one I’d brought along refused to deliver a charge to my gadgets when hooked up to the captive passthrough connector. My Oppo Find X9 Ultra smartphone outright said it was an unsupported accessory, despite working just fine when plugged straight into the power bank. Other batteries worked just fine when I tested after getting home from my trip, though, so it’s something to check before you set out for the airport.
That snafu aside, the Hardcase Carry-On was still a star – mainly thanks to its clever front pocket, which holds a removable laptop sleeve and a quick access pouch that’s the perfect size for a TSA-approved liquids bag. The sleeve can hold up to 15in laptops and comes included with the case. It has two front pockets of its own, giving you somewhere to stash a power lead and other small tech likely to need removing once you get to the front of the security line.
In my experience it was quicker to get my laptop and liquids out of the case than it was to remove my belt and empty my pockets; by the time I’d made it to the front of the line I was instantly ready to put everything on the belt and head for the body scanner. It made the whole experience less stressful, and kept the line moving at a good pace for everyone behind me.
Of course it’s now luck of the draw as to whether you’ll even have to take out your liquids and laptop, as some airport scanners now let you leave everything in your bag, but at least this covers you for the ones that have yet to upgrade their hardware.
The rest of the case is just as well designed, with a separate waterproof section for dirty clothes that’s accessed through the front pocket. Stashed in the corner of my hotel room during my week away, I used it essentially like a laundry hamper for my gym gear, only needing to organise it again before heading home.
There’s no zipped expansion layer here and the 32-litre capacity is a bit on the low side for a carry-on, but a compression system over the main compartment should help you squeeze in some extra clothes. It has multiple extra pockets and separators, which is great if you’re the organised type. The bespoke illustration by UK-based artist R. Fresson, a nod to early 20th century newspaper illustrations, is a nice touch that gels with Émigré’s work/travel vibe.
I easily got enough clothes into the main compartment for a full week away from home, including my gym kit and some extra evening wear. My running shoes were asking a bit much of the other side, on top of my laptop and wash bag in the front pocket, but I managed to make them fit with a bit of packing Tetris.
Clever and convenient it may be, but the Émigré Hardcase Carry-On isn’t cheap. At $690/£525/€620, it’s twice the price of some carry-on suitcases that also have separate laptop compartments. That puts it in the same ballpark as rivals made from more rugged materials like aluminium, albeit ones that don’t have such clever packaging.
That there’s only one colour might be a downer for anyone who needs their luggage to stand out, and battery bank compatibility is something to watch out for, but I can’t fault it for airport convenience and excellent organisation. For getting a trip off to a good start, it’s an excellent buy.
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