July Carry on Light review | is it the lightest carry on?

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Are you flying and your airline is requiring a weight limit on your carry on? Do you want lighter luggage to better lift it in the overhead bin? Either way, lightweight luggage is a great addition to your travel essentials.

July has light and light expandable luggage, that weighs only 3.9 and 4.9 pounds. Between that, and it's durability, it's a no brainer.

We also compare it to the Carry On from July, so that you can see the differences. Both pieces of luggage have already been used on international flights, both carried on and checked (for testing purposes)

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Welcome to It's the Kellys, your go-to channel for all things travel-related! In this video, Lauren is reviewing the July Light Expandable Carry On, one of the best carry on luggage options on the market today.

If you're in the market for a lightweight, easy-to-maneuver suitcase, the July Light Expandable Carry On is definitely worth considering. We'll be discussing its key features, including its expandable design, smooth wheels, and durable construction.

Lauren will also be sharing her packing tips and comparing the July Light Expandable Carry On to the July carryon. By the end of this video, you'll have a clear idea of whether the July Light Expandable Carry On is the right suitcase for you.

Don't forget to hit that subscribe button and stay tuned for more travel-related content from It's the Kellys!

#luggage #julyluggage #carryononly #traveltips #packingtips

[ItsTheKellys]

Has your carryon luggage ever been weighed before? Where were you going and on what airline? Share your response below!

Check out itsthekellys.com for all of Lauren’s latest packing and travel tips.

[spruceyt]

After watching this and other reviews I bought the July Carry-on Light Expandable to meet Air Lingus' stringent size/weight requirements. (Ironically, Aer Lingus paid no attention whatever to the size or weight of carry-ons on either of my two flights!) During multiple weeks of constant use in Europe though I discovered the bag's serious shortcomings and the near-uselessness of July's 100-day return option. Perhaps this mini-review-within-a-comment will be helpful to others considering this bag. Let me start with the least-important drawbacks:

1. When the two zippered compartments are both open they partially block access to one half of the bag or the other. This makes it hard to access both halves of the bag when packing or unpacking it. If the zippered covers hung over the outer edges of the bag, as they do in some other bags, it would be easy to pack things in both halves of the luggage at the same time.

2. There is no way to easily have access to any small items that you might use while traveling, like gloves or keys or a passport. Getting access to anything requires you to find a large horizontal space where you can open out both halves of the luggage completely and unzip the compartment giving access to what you want to pack or unpack. If you're doing this in an airport the only place is probably the ground, which is awkward.

3. Because the fixed handle is offset from the centerline, the luggage is lopsided when it's lifted by the handle and does not hang vertically for carrying, making it awkward to handle, for example, when lifting it to put it in an overhead bin. This problem is even worse when the luggage is expanded, which makes it even more lopsided and more awkward to handle.

4. But for me the main and most-serious problem with this bag, and the one that makes it completely unusable for me, is the shape of the telescoping handle grip. The grip is curved so that when it's not extended it matches the curve of the bag. While this is stylish, it creates an asymmetric handle with a tilted-oval cross section. This is comfortable to grip but only when you position the bag next to you with the handle on the far side from your body.

When you're rolling the bag this position requires you to reach across the bag to control it with the handle. Nobody rolls a bag that way. You position the bag with the handle close to your body with the bag to the outside. Unfortunately, in this position, the grip doesn't fit your hand well at all. When you hold it tightly it digs into your palm and across the last joints of your fingers. People with hands both larger and smaller than mine have confirmed this issue.

This problem isn't apparent rolling the empty bag along a smooth surface when you first receive it, which you can do with a light grip. But when you load it and start to use it for travel it becomes uncomfortable. And in situations where you have to put extra torque on on the handle to control the bag - like when it's heavily loaded and/or fully expanded and/or rolling on carpet or rough pavement - rolling the bag becomes an ordeal.

I used this bag as carry-on luggage on eight airplane segments, three train segments, two bus segments and a ferry segment, and I could hardly wait to get home and take advantage of the 100-day return option. And that brings me to the worst problem of all ...

5. The 100-day return policy. July says, "If you decide that this is not the product for you, send it back to us within 100 days of placing your order and we’ll reimburse you to the original payment method, as long as the product(s) meet the conditions set out in our return policy."

Unless you click through to see the conditions you might think that you could return the bag if you're dissatisfied with its performance. But no. The return policy says that the bag has to be unused and in its original condition and with all its original packaging, including any dust bags. So if you actually *use* the bag during the 100 days and find it unsatisfactory it's already non-returnable.

But if you can't use the bag in actual travel - or somehow simulate all the various conditions of actual travel without making the bag appear "used" - how can you determine whether this bag, or any July luggage, "is not for you"? Apparently July's policy only covers what can happen to the bag if it sits on a shelf for 100 days. Maybe it develops a smell you don't like? If anything shows up while you're putting it to the use it's intended for you're just out of luck. I appealed to July customer service and was told the same thing; they won't accept used bags for return.

So I have an expensive bag that I'll never use again but I'm just out of luck. If I had clicked through to see how worthless the July return policy is I wouldn't have bought the bag. But I didn't click through so I don't have grounds for a complaint.

What I can do though is warn others about the shortcomings of this particular bag and alert them to the fact that the 100-day return policy won't help them if they find any piece of July luggage to be unsatisfactory in actual use.

[BAvello]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this July expandable carry on bag!! I purchased it a few months ago after watching this video and I cannot use any other bag now!! I used it for a 3 week trip to 3 different Hawaii islands and it held so much! I was able to use the July packing cubes and 4 cubes compressed nicely into both sizes. I was able to mold the compression cubes - and the July carry on bag actually molds according to the contents as well - so stuff away! No other bag works like this bag! In fact, it’s smaller in size and appearance than the Monos and Solgaard, but it fits so much more!! Plus, the expansion option allows for add-ons during the trip. It was a breeze navigating through the airport AND so light to put in the over head bins on the plane and easy gliding over cobblestone streets. It took a beating and continued to power through without a hiccup. I plan to take it to Europe in a few weeks - planes, trains, and a cruise ship and I cannot wait! It did get rather dirty and I couldn’t get some of the dirt off but I’m chalking it up to adventure memories on the bag. If you can’t tell - I love this July expandable carryon! I have an orange one for me and a light green for the hubby. Travel on! Bev
PS. I LOVE your videos and your expertise!! Now, how to travel without laundry for 1 month?!
Help! :-)

[dancefun]

I’ve been traveling with this bag exclusively (non expandable version) for the last 3 months and it’s great! I can pack for a 6 day work trip in it. It only gets tricky if I need a winter jacket.
I travel 2-3 weeks a month and there isn’t a scratch!

[coasterodyssey]

I ordered my July Carry On last night for an upcoming trip. I got the electric green color. Your reviews were what made me take the plunge on it. I’m super excited!

[vividvilin]

I would just like to say the infographics on your website are exceptional!!!! ❤

[carimar]

I bought the july light after watching this video! I can't wait to use it next month!! Looking forward to more videos!!!

[tracypickel]

Thank you for this review. I really wanted the July carry on light, but not having a side handle was a dealbreaker for me. I’m short, and for safety, I need that handle to get luggage in and out of the overhead bins. I did buy the July carryon essential.

[wendys]

Thank you! I’ve been waiting for this review and so appreciate it! Looks like it’s back in stock too (which is probably why you posted it today haha). Now you have me thinking between the light and expandable vs the carry on essential(without the bumpers and power bank). Again, thank you for such great reviews and the comparison.

[lynn-]

I was waiting, waiting, waiting for the July Expandable to come back into stock, then decided on Monos when it did... (Mostly from your comparison video and a review on the Monos website that said the Carry-on actually weighs 6.5 pounds when empty.) So! It came down to: Do I want to use July with packing cubes or get Monos with the compression pad? The compression pad is so good that I went with Monos. Thank you so much for your fun reviews! Where would we be without you?

[solevs]

Your review videos are really well planned and interesting! Love listening to your channel. Should you go ahead and buy the July light carry-on, the lightest version without the expandable option, I would be highly interested in watching. I am currently on the lookout for a lighter and smaller carry-on than the two I own to simplify international travel. I would also be interested in a very light version (quality) of a soft sided carry-on. I love hard sided luggage but I find the soft sided, not being split in the middle, often is easier to pack efficiently.

[stewzoo]

Oooooh! So THAT’S where all my stuff is from the trip!😂. Was looking for my bathing suit!!

[audikool]

I saw your review of the monos versus the July and now I can’t decide one or the other. It looks like they are both really good and have similar features so whatever I end up purchasing seems to be a good option. The monos pro has an exterior pouch, which is very interesting. However, the July pro also has a detachable laptop pouch. Such good options!

[HibiscusStar]

So happy to have found this video, Lauren! Have to take some flights with some international airlines soon and was worried what bag would be compact, durable and light. I don't have any hardshell luggage either, but now I think I'll go for the light. I'm also curious about your thoughts on the bento bag by Nomad Lane.

[laurenb]

Lauren, will you be making a video of you packing the July Carry on Light (non expandable) version ever? Thank you!

[SilverSeaOT]

There are so many people online saying how great that the July luggage is which makes me want to consider it. Then they talk about how great customer service was when they had to get various things repaired or replaced after only one year of use!
I would think a quality made bag would not need to be replaced/repaired after such a short period of time even with frequent use. Perhap I’ve been watching the wrong videos?

[stewzoo]

I love that bag more than my Beis. ESPECIALLY bc I was able to get it personalized!

[ar-nqgm]

were you able to fit the carry on original into the overhead bin on jetstar? the jetstar width limit for the overhead bins is 36cm but the july carry on original has a width of 38.5cm

[alias]

Lauren, how do you handle souvenirs and buying a few things with a carry on? I'm thinking packable and foldable tote of some kind? Lay it flat on bottom of suitcase?

[happyfamily]

Hi Lauren, I think you may have mentioned before, but I’ve been bingeing so much of your content I cannot remember 😅 Before I finally bite the bullet and order a July bag, do you have an affiliate link? You srsly deserve to be on their payroll with the great, helpful reviews of their lovely bags!