Peak Design is carrying the ideas behind its Roller Pro into a new family of hardshell suitcases, and this Peak Design hardshell suitcase lineup costs less. The series is called Roller Lite. PetaPixel says the name appears to play on the idea of a hard exterior paired with lighter construction than the style is known for.
The line includes three sizes. The Carry-On holds 38 liters, weighs 7 pounds and expands to 45 liters. The Carry-On+ holds 43 liters, weighs 7.3 pounds and expands to 50 liters. The Trunk holds 95 liters and weighs 10 pounds. Either carry-on size can nest inside it for storage.
Prices differ slightly between reviews. PetaPixel lists $450, $470 and $550. The Verge lists $449.95, $469.99 and $549.95 for the same three models. The Verge compares the smallest bag with the Roller Pro, which now sells for $599.95, or $150 more.
What carries over from the Roller Pro
Peak Design built the line in-house, without relying on off-the-shelf parts, according to PetaPixel. The centerpiece is a carbon fiber trolley system the company calls SlimDrive. Peak Design says it is lighter and stiffer than conventional aluminum systems.
Interested in tough carry gear built from unexpected materials? Freitag turns used truck tarps into high-end bags offers another angle on durability.
The trolley handle is flat carbon fiber rather than round aluminum tubing, a difference Packhacker highlights. The flatter profile leaves less bulk inside the case. The Verge notes that the handle is shared with the Pro and rises smoothly into place.
The Lite keeps the custom smooth-glide casters and low-profile handles from the Pro. Peak Design says the interior layout reduces bulk and makes packing, lifting and rolling easier. The company presents that as a central goal of the redesign.
Interior, repairs and warranty
Felt covers the interior walls, and the TSA lock is color-matched to the shell. PetaPixel reports that the Cord Hook retention system from Peak Design’s other bags, including the Roller Pro, appears in the Lite. The Verge disagrees on that point. It says the Lite lacks the Pro’s Cord Hook feature.
Packhacker describes the Cord Hook Internal Retention System on the Carry-On+ as a set of elastic straps with repositionable hooks. Packhacker describes a customizable bungee system for keeping gear in place.
Repairs and lifetime guarantee on the Peak Design hardshell suitcase
Peak Design says each Peak Design hardshell suitcase is built for years of travel. Users can replace components after damage or wear, which means a damaged part can be swapped instead of retiring the whole suitcase. The Verge says the spinner wheels, strap handles and carbon handle are designed for easy replacement. Every model carries Peak Design’s lifetime guarantee.
Peak Design founder and CEO Peter Dering explained the reasoning behind the line. “With Roller Pro, we reimagined what a suitcase could do and how it could feel,” Dering said. He added that not everyone needs a bag that does so much. “But simple doesn’t mean basic.”
The Carry-On is sized, according to PetaPixel, to fit the cabin baggage limits of most international airlines. The Carry-On+ is slightly larger and aimed mainly at US travelers who want more packing room. The Trunk suits longer trips and heavier loads.
Where the Lite falls short
Packhacker, which tested a pre-production Carry-On+ for a week, found much of the organization conventional. The bag’s dimensions may also cause problems with strict airlines.
The Verge found that the Lite’s exterior is slightly smaller than the Pro’s, but its interior is larger. The Carry-On holds 38 liters, compared with 34 for the Pro, and expands to 45 liters, compared with 39. The reviewer also found the two-inch expansion zipper useful in an emergency. With the zipper open, though, the bag felt loose and floppy when rolling, and the reviewer did not recommend that use.
The Lite also lacks the external pockets that Peak Design put on the Pro for laptops and passports. The Verge’s reviewer kept those items in a backpack and did not mind. Travelers who want a single bag for everything would miss them.
Testing notes from two reviewers
The Verge’s Tim Stevens took the Carry-On on a two-day trip to Rome and a week in Tucson, Arizona. A gate check on a small plane left the bag with a few new scuffs, but otherwise in good shape. He found the internal bungee hooks useful during a security search at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport. The hooks kept the contents from spilling across the floor.
Packhacker tested a pre-production Carry-On+ for a week. The reviewer also noted that the hard shell is polycarbonate, a common choice for hardshell luggage.
Travelers who pack a lot of tech will also want to see Vention’s stylish portable power chargers redesigned for keeping devices charged between stops.
The Roller Lite line trades some of the Roller Pro’s extras for a lower price and a simpler bag. Buyers who want a Peak Design hardshell suitcase with replaceable parts and a lifetime guarantee should compare the $450 Carry-On with the Pro’s current $599.95 price tag, then decide which trade-offs they can live with.
H/T petapixel.com
Frequently asked questions
What sizes does the Peak Design Roller Lite come in?
The Roller Lite comes in three sizes: the Carry-On at 38 liters (expanding to 45), the Carry-On+ at 43 liters (expanding to 50), and the Trunk at 95 liters. Both carry-on sizes can nest inside the Trunk for storage.
How much does the Peak Design Roller Lite cost?
PetaPixel lists the three Roller Lite models at $450, $470, and $550. The Verge lists them at $449.95, $469.99, and $549.95, and notes the smallest bag is $150 less than the Roller Pro’s $599.95.
Does the Peak Design Roller Lite have a lifetime guarantee?
Yes, every Roller Lite model carries Peak Design’s lifetime guarantee. Damaged components such as the spinner wheels, strap handles, and carbon handle can also be replaced instead of retiring the whole suitcase.
Does the Roller Lite have external pockets for laptops?
No, the Roller Lite lacks the external pockets that the Roller Pro has for laptops and passports. A Verge reviewer kept those items in a backpack, but the article notes travelers wanting a single bag for everything would miss them.
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