TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
A carry-on bag for the jet set, and any traveler who appreciates upgrades
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I am a frequent traveler who appreciates upgrades so was pleased to elevate my cabin luggage to a swish new Carl Friedrik Carry-on bag.
This UK-based brand might be considered “quiet luxury” but it’s been conspicuously appearing alongside TV characters from shows including Succession, The White Lotus and The Gentlemen.
I had recently acquired the Carl Friedrik Carry-on X when I began watching The Gentlemen and saw it make a cameo in episode 1. It appeared stuffed with cash — “an accessory” in a transaction involving a British aristocrat, a social climbing American drug dealer, and some very expensive French wine from Burgundy.
So yes, traveling with my celebrity carry-on makes me feel one degree closer to the jet set. But that’s not reason enough to invest in premium luggage.
In this review I will share my experience with the Carl Friedrik Carry-on X roller bag — packing it, flying with it and traveling with it. I’ll include the pros and cons and what you should know and consider, before buying.
I regularly travel overseas taking a carry-on only (no checked bag) so my cabin luggage needs to meet a number of requirements.
What I Want in a Carry-On Bag
- Correct dimensions. It needs to be accepted by most airlines that I fly.
- Lightweight. It has to be light enough for me to lift into the overhead bin.
- Maneuverability. I want my roller to move well with minimal effort.
- Quietly luxurious. I like a quiet roller bag.
- A front pocket that accommodates a laptop.
- Large enough for a capsule wardrobe.
- Durability. (See my midlife travel bucket list.)
The more I travel the more I appreciate that great luggage plays a part in a pleasant and seamless trip. I have taken several trips with my Carl Friedrik Carry-on X — within the U.S. and one international. For those who prefer not to read the detailed review, here’s the bottom line based on my experience so far. Yes, I recommend Carl Friedrik luggage, specifically the Carry-on X.
It’s an investment, but if you are a frequent traveler, or someone willing to splurge on premium luggage, I think it’s a solid buy. It will be a reliable traveling companion, it packs and moves like a dream, and it’s made to last. Additionally they have an excellent warranty and return policy.
Note: I will be taking my CF bag overseas in the summer of 2024. If my experience differs, I will update this article to reflect the additional information.
That said, Carl Friedrik luggage won’t be right for every traveler. Here are some pros and cons to consider.
Pros & Cons of Carl Friedrik Carry-on X
Pros
- Sleek design
- Fantastic maneuverability. Japanese wheels move like a dream
- Compression straps/pad maximize packing space
- Aluminum lock frame functionality
- Durability. These bags are made to last
- Robust warranty and return policy
Cons
- Pricey
- Limited color choices
- May be too large to carry on some airlines. If that will be an issue, select the carry-on size instead
Carl Friedrik Travel Goods
Carl Friedrik is a direct-to-consumer travel and leather goods company headquartered in London, England. It was launched in 2012 by Swedish brothers, Niklas and Mattis Oppermann.
Beyond luggage, Carl Friedrik sells home office accessories, tech cases and personal bags, all now available in North America, and beyond, shipping (almost) worldwide. Shipping to the U.S. is free and takes a max of 11 business days, but often less. Learn more about shipping here.
Their luggage selection includes three “check-in” sized cases: a medium, a large and a tall trunk-style, and two carry-on bags. I didn’t need a check-in bag because I have one and use it rarely, so decided my first Carl Friedrik would be a carry-on. I already owned a small roller bag I liked, but it didn’t have an integrated laptop pocket, so I chose the Carry-on X. I also thought there would be instances where I would appreciate having a slightly larger carry-on bag.
Carl Friedrik Carry-On Options
The Carry-on
- Dimensions: 21.7 x 14.5 x 9 inches (55 x 37 x 23 cm)
- Weight : 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg)
- Volume : 40 L
The Carry-on X
- Dimensions: 21.6 x 15 x 9.6 inches (55 x 38 x 25 cm)
- Weight : 9.5 lbs (4.3 kg)
- Volume : 43 L
- Integrated exterior pocket
The max permitted size for carry-on bags on many U.S. airlines is x 22” tall x 14″ wide x 9” deep. So both these carry-on bags are below the height restriction. And the Carry-on is runs only half inch wider. The Carry-on X, with the pocket, is slightly deeper and wider than the size restriction.
That said, I’ve found that the bins you drop bags in to measure at the airport are typically a bit bigger than the stated dimensions, so in the case of the big U.S.-based airlines, such as United which I fly most often, I was confident I wouldn’t have issues or be asked to check my Carl Friedrik Carry-on X. Note: if you are in Canada, I’ve found Air Canada can be a little pickier with carry-ons size retrictions. I will be trying it on Air Canada soon.
Still, I always prepare for exceptions when I travel with a carry-on roller. I’ve had to gate-check roller bags because the aircraft type had smaller than typical overhead bins. And if you are traveling on discount airlines, especially in the UK and Europe (hello Ryan Air), you may have to check the Carry-on X.
TIP: I suggest looking at the carry-on restrictions of any airline you regularly travel, before making a carry-on luggage purchase.
Besides the exterior pocket, all key features of the Carry-on and Carry-on X are the same: a polycarbonite shell which makes them lightweight yet durable, a telescopic handle and Hinomoto silent spinner wheels. They also both have an aluminum lock frame closure, rather than zipper, and Italian leather detailing.
Both carry-on bags come in four colors, all neutrals. Two have contrasting leather details as shown in the side view of the grey/cognac version, pictured above. If you are looking for a light-colored bag, you are out of luck. There’s no taupe, pink or baby blue.
I ordered the black with black trim and was impressed with how sleek it was, even more so than in the photos. The only thing that surprised me was that it didn’t come with a luggage tag which I’ve seen with other luxury luggage brands. It’s a small detail and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see that added.
The big difference from what I had used in the past was that the Carl Friedrik Carry-on bags close with an aluminum lock frame and two latches, rather than a zipper.
Packing the Carl Friedrik Carry-On X
The company says that the larger Carry-on X, holds five days worth of outfits. On this point I will differ; I found it could hold a week of outfits. Of course, this may differ if packing for spring in Seville or winter in Oslo.
The features that made a difference in the packing space were the compression straps on both sides and a removable compression pad on one. The compression holds down and secures items so they take up less space, and straps can be adjusted on both sides of the case. I also liked that the pad was removable. There are also a couple of interior zip pockets.
The integrated exterior hard-shell pocket was great. It made the bag slightly deeper as mentioned, but was well designed with an organizer — there was a pocket for my laptop and another for a notebook, phone etc. I also tucked my prescription sunglasses in for easy access upon arrival.
The pocket apparently holds a laptop of up to 16″. Note that unlike the bag itself, the front pocket can not be locked.
When it came time to close the bag, I was in uncharted territory; my previous roller bags had always had a zipper closure. I folded the bag closed and found the aluminum lock frame was both quick and easy to seal. And the TSA-compliant locks were simple to set.
Traveling with the Carl Friedrik Carry-on X
The thing that stood out immediately on my first trip with the bag, was how well it handled. I strode quickly through Denver International, making quick turns and bumping it on and off the escalator and moving walkway. It moved and rolled like a dream.
I wondered if I was imagining the difference, smitten as I was with my celeb luggage, so I swapped bags with my husband to compare. We agreed it was noticably smooth and easy to roll. The telescopic handle felt sturdy and moved up and down easily. And the bag was very quiet, as if I had activated some sort of stealth mode.
The $40 question (a typical price to check a bag) was whether I was correct that I would glide through to our flight on quiet wheels, or be pulled over to have the size checked. No one wants to be trying to stuff their hard-shell bag into one of those metal sizing bins. Not a good look.
I boarded uninterrupted and am happy to say that I have not had an issue with the size, on several other domestic flights or on international flights between the U.S. and Canada. My Carl Friedrik roller has traveled on United Airlines and Frontier Airlines, the latter a budget carrier based out of Denver.
I hadn’t checked Frontier Airlines carry-on restrictions ahead of my flight, but the agent glanced at it and waved me through. I’ve also had no issues fitting it in the overhead bins on any of my flights. And it’s light enough for me to manage on my own. Packed, it’s typically weighed between 20 and 22 pounds.
All of that said, I repeat that there are airlines that may require you to check the Carl Friedrik Carry-On X because it’s dimensions exceeds their stated limit. Or because overhead bin space is smaller than typical on some planes.
Warranty & Return Policy of Carl Friedrik Luggage
Carl Friedrik’s return policy states that you can use your luggage for 100 days and if you don’t like it you can return it for a refund or exchange. Yes, that includes traveling with your luggage!
This policy differs from some North American hard-shelled luggage brands which only permit you to wheel it around at home. Once you travel with it, no returns.
I appreciate the generous Carl Friedrik return policy and think it says a lot about confidence in their product. In reference to the policy the company says, “We want you to be satisfied with our products – this is our way of achieving that goal.”
WARRANTY
Warranty on luggage can be tricky. What’s “normal wear and tear” and what’s not, because luggage will get a lot of it.
Broadly speaking, Carl Friedrik’s lifetime warranty covers repairs or replacements for functional damage — issues that prevent you from using the bag such as stitching, wheels, metalwork, and handles.
The warranty does not cover “normal wear and tear.” I interpret that to mean, scuffs, scratches, dings and dents. I had a few scuffs on my bag after travel which easily came off with a quick wipe of a soapy cloth.
You’ll find the lifetime warranty details of Carl Friedrik here.
Carl Friedrik Carry-on X Review - Final Thoughts
I expected to like the Carl Friedrik Carry-on X, given its price and the positive reviews, and I am thrilled with it.
Since I am a frequent traveler and seem to often find myself on marathon walks during a connection (hello Frankfurt International) the excellent and effortless maneuverabilty is the aspect I most appreciate. Additionally, I like that I can pack a week of outfits, and how quiet the wheels are. And of course how smart looking it is.
You get what you pay for and Carl Friedrik is a premium product. I am expecting that like me, my carry-on bag has a long travel career ahead.
I was gifted my Carl Friedrik Carry-on X luggage with the understanding that I would write an honest and objective review. All opinions are my own.
4 Responses
Thank you for the excellent review. While you state the front pocket cannot be locked, the last photo above depicts interlocking zipper pulls through which you could thread a small TSA lock. Not always needed, but handy for those occasions when you’re leaving bags with a hotel bell captain..
Great idea Sally!
You wrote in your article that you were traveling with Air Canada soon. Dud you have to put in the sizer and if so, did it fit?
Hi. I am sorry I didn’t. I have mixed success with Air Canada. Sometimes they stop me and measure and sometimes they don’t.