Solgaard Closet review: this suitcase with pop-out shelves changed the way I pack | Travel
I hate packing a suitcase. As a perennial overpacker, the problem is twofold: it takes me forever, and once I get to my destination, I have an awful time organizing and repacking. So when I read about the Solgaard Check-In Closet, a lightweight suitcase with a polycarbonate shell and interior shelving system, I decided it was worth trying out – especially since I was about to embark on a three-week trip to Bangkok, Bali and Melbourne.
Like many travelers these days, I try to carry on. But because of the duration and varied packing needs for this trip, I decided to order the large Check-In Closet Original in an olive color dubbed Granada Green. Though I still filled this suitcase to the brim, I appreciated how it doubled as an easy-to-access standalone closet that saved me time and effort when it was time to pack up again.
Solgaard
Large Check-In Closet
$295
What makes the Solgaard Check-In Closet different?
Most popular suitcase brands are happy to tout the superficial. From Beis to Away to Monos, the emphasis tends to be on glossy aesthetics: seasonal color palettes, shiny aluminum or even monogramming. Solgaard’s focus is on what’s inside. Yes, it still offers a good-looking hard, polycarbonate shell; a TSA lock; and dual-wheel spinners for a smoother ride through the airport, but what differentiates it from most of the competition is its built-in, removable five-shelf system.
The shelving – essentially a hanging accordion with compression straps – shifted my packing strategy considerably. Instead of thinking about how much I could shove into the suitcase, this compartmentalized interior forced me to be more mindful about my choices. Once I loaded the shelves, I laid the whole thing flat, cinched the compression straps, and fit it back into the right half of the suitcase. The rub? If you smash any of the shelves more than 70% full, it simply will not fit. Touché, Solgaard.
The left side is open for larger items, such as shoes, jackets and my admittedly huge bag of toiletries and haircare products, and it neatly zips up when you’re done. Of course, this allowed my overpacking instincts to run wild.
The one thing I was wary about was the spring-loaded latch exterior closure, which Solgaard uses instead of a zipper. It’s easy to use, yet I worried that it might get damaged in transit, leaving me with a case that won’t open or won’t close. Solgaard does offer a generous lifetime warranty, but that wouldn’t help if I were in the middle of a trip.
How did it perform?
Because I was heading to both warmer and cooler temperatures, the extended shelving that hung from the handle made it easy to organize my things according to destination. From underwear, socks and bathing suits to tank tops, dresses and linen blouses to jeans, sweaters and slacks, the Check-In Closet made it simple to fold and stack it all evenly.
Of course, the real magic happened when I arrived at each of my destinations: I could simply remove the shelving, hang it in my closet and live out of that for the remainder of my stay.
I was not thrilled with how battered it looked after just one trip. Visible scratches littered the polycarbonate shell, and the top had a nasty dent, which made it look like I’d been using it for years. Of course this is a problem for most hard-shell luggage, but it’s something to consider if you’re spending nearly $400.
Is the Solgaard Check-in Closet worth it?
I was surprised at how smitten I was with this suitcase. No, nobody was checking out my super-sleek case at the airport, but I could always tell it was mine at baggage claim because of Solgaard’s more boxy, trunk-like shape. It also felt more stable than other suitcases when I was rolling it through the airport.
But in the end, it was the signature shelving that made me a convert. The idea of traveling with your own, built-in closet felt well worth the premium price tag, even if it did get dinged up. Add to that the lifetime warranty on all the company’s luggage, and I may well be going back for the Carry-On Closet.
Solgaard
Large Check-In Closet
$295
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