Solgaard Carry On Closet: Worth the Hype? (Carry On Luggage Review)

Full Unbiased Review of the Solgaard Carry On Closet. Is this innovative carry-on luggage worth the hype? And should you buy it? In this video, I cover all the measurements and weight of the bag, discuss the unique features, then show you how to pack the solgaard carry on closet. This video is not sponsored.

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⏰ Timecodes ⏰
0:00 Solgaard Carry-On Closet Review
1:16 External Specs and Features
3:29 Internal Specs and Features
4:47 Using the Solgaard Closet Shelving System
5:34 Packing (without Solgaard Closet Insert)
6:18 Packing (with Solgaard Closet Insert)
7:16 Who is the Solgaard Carry On Closet For?

#carryonpacking #solgaard #packingtips

[GurRosen]

Just wanted to say - NOT the only option. There are tons of competing "closets" out there, so you can buy only the closet thingy in any size you want, and use it in your own suitcase. That makes life easier. Instead of buying this suitcase just for the closet, in case you don't need a new suitcase and you like the one that you already have - just buy the closet and use it. You just have to make sure you buy the right size that fits your suitcase. Another thing to remember is that these closets can be used in your checked luggage as well - it will fit better, you'll have plenty of room around it and then it just serves as a big compression cube. So to whoever travels with checked luggage - buy a closet that fits your suitcase and you can enjoy it.

[jenharvey]

I am so glad you did the comparison of packing the case with and without the closet insert, thank you for that. It proved what I had suspected, that the infrastructure of the closet system uses up a lot of space that could otherwise be used for what you're bringing. Especially since (for women at least) shoes and toiletries take up at least as much, if not more, space than clothing. I've been looking at this bag for quite a while, and your review told me EXACTLY what I needed to know. Extremely useful, thanks so much.

[ARACELICANO]

I love my Solgaard carry on! I usually travel with a couple of people and having my stuff organized and hung in the hotel closet is great.

[scubasteve]

I love my Solgaard. I was never really a big luggage person before. My wife bought me one in 2022 for Christmas and I absolutely love traveling with it now.

[Sarah_Parks]

I have this bag. I have used it for the past 2 years, and the closet is super helpful to unpack and repack and easily see the items you brought without having to unpack it into traditional drawers or hanging in a hotel.

That being said, the key to maximizing both sides of the suitcase is to be strategic about how you pack the closet and are able to compress the closet so that the closet is able to get flatter. I can utilize the space inbetween the handle bars and pack the closet and then fully utilize the other side.

My last trip just finished with 2 weeks in Italy and here is what i fit into my suitcase
Closet: 4 pants, 10 shirts, 10 socks and underwear (each), 4 workout outfits, 1 pair Jean shorts, 2 pairs pajamas, bathing suit.
Fit a hair straightener, hair turban, 4 belts, 2 pouches with makeup brushes and hair ties and other odds and ends inbetween the handlebars.

The other side I put in a pair of ankle booties, sandals, heels, toiletry bag, 1 blazer and 1 cardigan (i put each of those into their own vacuum bag to really save space.

It took a little effort, but it closed, and unpacking was a breeze. I had to move 2 times during the trip, so it was a godsend to already have things ready to pack up.

It is a lot of trial and error, and I think packing cubes will still yield more items, but I have found a way to really maximize the closet while using the other side of the suitcase.

[feliciakaras]

I have the carry-on closet medium and, after traveling with it once, and I agree with your assessment. I really liked using the closet on a solo trip I went on for work. I was able to fit stuff in the opposing side of the suitcase from where the closet fits in and didn't feel like I was sacrificing the things I needed. It is great for one person. However, if I were to use the suitcase to pack for more than one person, I probably wouldn't use the closet insert and instead use packing cubes to organize things better for more than one person. It does seem sort of silly to get this luggage if you were not going to use the closet feature. I did get it on sale.

[hereintheory]

Touring musician here and I have the venture backpack and just recently got the big carry on…all my bandmates of wound up getting a Solgard…it’s super handy going from venue to venue, switching green rooms constantly to have the closet..keeping everything separated is such a lifesaver

[tangogirlviola]

I have the original and to be fair, Solgaard has a ‘Lite’ version now too to solve the weight problem. I don’t like that because they went to zippers. I love the zipper free version. And I don’t have to pay for checked luggage so I’m a fan of the original. I love the closet. I love not having to unpack/pack when traveling!

[traceydoe]

With all you mentioned in mind, I think this would be great for someone that’s camping in a tent, for one OR someone on a road trip and is hopping from one hotel to another and doesn’t have time to unpack in everplace. Last one would be for someone that doesn’t want to unpack in hotel drawers for fear of example, bed bugs - at least ypu could hang the closet in the middle of the hotel closet and have acces to all your stuff OR for people that are really uncomfortable about unpacking in a hotel, put your luggage in the bathtub and hang your closet from the handle - safest way ever!

[peterjackson]

I'm airline crew, love how quick and easy it is to unpack and repack. Only works if you're disciplined and don't over fill the case.

[Camp_Garth]

Husband purchased one for each of us & we love ours. We have been successful in packing both sides using the compression of the closet leaving plenty of space on the other side and also, while the channels are deep for closet side, they work great for packing/adding smaller/flatter items. We like the “no zipper” and the secure fit and don’t worry about weather. We have the smaller carry on size and it’s worked well for 7-10 day trips for us, we also each have a backpack. They were purchased on sale, fast delivery & glad we selected. Thanks for your review.

[kttt]

I have that. But the first trip I decided to pack it without the closet feature. My only other observation is that the suitcase is heavy for a carryon and the closet adds almost two more pounds empty. I love how it looks and it seems really sturdy. I am 71 and I am now looking for a lighter carryon!

[artieo]

I love my solgaard. Super love it. I can pack a lot of clothes and still use the closet system. You have to pack it a certain way. I’ve removed the closet system a couple of times. My favorite part is the latches. No dumb zipping anything. I usually carry on so I can’t comment if the latches survive the checked baggage abuse but the 3-4 times it’s been checked there were no issues.

[mish]

Thanks. I'm a retired pilot and hate "unpacking" my bag after years of spending just 12 hours or less in a hotel room. I appreciate the honest appraisal that you can get a bit more space without using the portable closet feature. This looks awesome. Great review.

[nunya]

I travel for work for months at a time and I’m going to try this because I’m so tired of the chaos. I love that I can pull out the closet and see everything I have. This will be one of my two suitcases. I have a separate closet thing but it’s too rickety.
Usually I travel with cubes and the cubes end up empty with everything stacked on top of them. I just can’t make the cubes work yet I still pack with them twenty years later.
I LOVE the no zipper construction of this bag and that it’s waterproof. I saw one that was run over and crushed and those locked clasps still held. Amazing.

[stevenjohnson]

Love mine. Just bought a bigger one for checking. I agree with 100% of your review, siding that I am one of those people who use and love the insert. I love getting to my hotel room, pulling it out, hanging it up and being done. And having everything organized without having to pack and unpack.

I am also a avid ultralight backpacking person, and the techniques I used to pack my backpack at the same techniques I used to pack the insert. So it’s very normal for me.

My only issue with the bag is that if you put too much stuff into it, it does limit the handle extension. You touched on it when you mentioned how far sticks out into the bag. If you overpack, the handle becomes useless.

[jonushow]

Thank you for reviewing this! I made a request for this review, and I’m sure many others, and now I’m leaning towards it after your honest and thorough review. Really looking forward to my first hard case for domestic travel!

[SolgaardDesign]

Thanks for the honest review! We value feedback from travelers like yourself 💌

[lanceklein]

Well now you have GOTTA review the Solgaard LITE, since it actually looks more useful and “normal” (and lighter). Looking forward to it!

[girlygirllocssoul]

Thank you! I am getting this bag. I am going on vacation next year where I will be visiting 3 islands. This bag with the carry on closet will serve me very well because will be staying 2 to 3 nights at each island. Filling it up each section to about 70% and compressing it so it lays slightly sideways should help to use the other side.