Distinctive features like a sleek exterior shell and metal protective caps give this bag an edge in style and durability.
We liked the durability of this checked bag. We never worried about our belongings whenever we traveled with the July Checked Expandable.
It has a stocky polycarbonate shell, solid wheels, reinforced corner caps, and good zippers. This hardshell spinner is as robust as any, any ready to be checked-in anywhere in the world.
Pulling or pushing the July is painless, thanks to one of the best trolley handles we've seen in this price range. It literally can be set to nearly any height you desire. The lowest we measured was about 28-inches, and the highest was 41.5 inches. What we loved the most is there are more than 20 incremental heights in between. Our testers enjoyed having such a custom feature — when you think about it, trolley handles are one of the most-used accessories on any piece of luggage.
We liked this bag's overall design and functionality. It makes traveling just a little easier than some of its peers, and it looks great while doing it.
The Checked Expandable offers a great packing panel and compression straps. Both are well-built and highly effective at compacting clothing and other essentials into a tight bundle. This prevents your belongings from jostling about inside the case during baggage claims, and it does a great job of minimizing wrinkles.
We also appreciated the size of this case. From wheels to top, it stands about 26 inches tall, making it one of the smaller checked bags in our lineup. Sometimes you just don't need a massive trunk, so the July case is a perfect answer for shorter trips or light-packers.
The July is not particularly adept at fending off precipitation. During our hose tests, water seeped through the bag's zippers into the main compartment, soaking sections of our paper towels. Oddly, the other half of the bag remained dry. We experience similar results when testing the July carry-on model.
Metal end caps are riveted onto the four top corners of the July. They add to this bag's elevated style, but they also do a great job of protecting it during tumbles. That said, we didn't like that they tend to buckle, bend, or bulge during collisions. This only occurs during extreme impact, but we feel it's worth mentioning.
We have a few bags on our list that compare to the July. We've extensively tested them, and feel they each have their own features that make them unique. We love the Away The Large for its quality and brute strength. We value the Gregory Quadro Pro Hardcase 28" for its amazing compression panel and massive dirty clothes compartment. And the Monos Hybrid Trunk Large scored huge style points for its retro steamer trunk vibe and good looks. All three bags are quality hardshells that fall roughly into the same price range as the July. That said, the July suitcase is our least favorite in this group. While all are quite similar, the others just did everything a bit better.
| Awards | |
|---|---|
| Price | $375 List Check Price at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
|
| Star Rating | |
| Bottom Line | A stout design, smaller dimensions, and less packing volume make this bag a perfect option for simplified travel |
| Pros | Solid construction, comparatively lightweight, expandable, great trolley handle, excellent compression panel, reinforced corners |
| Cons | Smaller in size, grab handles are a little tight, doesn't roll perfectly straight, not particularly water-resistant |
| Rating Categories | July Checked Expandable |
| Ease of Transport (30%) | |
| Design and Functionality (30%) | |
| Construction Quality (25%) | |
| Capacity (15%) | |
| Specifications | July Checked Expandable |
| Weight | 10.0 lbs |
| Exterior Dimensions | 26.0" x 18.75" x 11.0" |
| Main Compartment Volume (Measured) | 77.8 L |
| Expandable | Yes |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime on manufacturing defects or faulty workmanship. |
| Available sizes | July Checked, July Checked Plus, July Checked Plus Expandable |
| Opening Style | Half shell |
| Number of Exterior Pockets | None |
| Exterior Material | Polycarbonate |
| Number of Wheels | 4 |
| Pull Handle Heights | 20 (multiple settings) |
| Locking System | Combination/TSA lock |
