Antler Icon Stripe Medium Suitcase & Antler Heritage Overnight Bag – Review
By Richard Jones
Antler Icon Stripe Medium Suitcase In Indigo Blue
What the website says
“Our new Icon Stripe Medium is the ultimate all-rounder for any adventure. Whether you’re chasing the coastline or seeking the sun, this suitcase is perfectly sized for trips ranging from two to seven days, providing ample space for a week away.”
Robust
You drag them over cobbles, throw them in the back of the car, and if you’re flying, there’s a sizeable chance a baggage handler will mishandle them before you spot them and pick them up at the carousel.
The best suitcases have to be hard-wearing, and despite the materials feeling luxurious, the Icon Stripe Medium Suitcase from Britain’s favourite luggage brand Antler is extremely tough. While a few inevitable scuff marks and scratches appeared when I used it, the hard polycarbonate shell certainly wasn’t compromised.
Style
We also want a case that looks stylish—one that will turn heads, get us excited to be going onto our next destination, and make us proud when we check into a hotel on the other side.
Antler’s Icon Stripe Suitcases come in an array of colours and have a lovely finish, with a pattern of five horizontal ridges on the matte-textured shell.
Knowingly British, it’s the fine details and craftsmanship such as the ‘Born in Britain 1914’ signature monogram, the stylish branding on the outside around the main zip, and the recessed handle on the underside, which set this case apart.
The cloth bag in which it arrived in the post was also a nice touch and actually came in handy when separating clean and dirty clothes on longer trips.
Practicality
It’s no good a case being stylish if it isn’t practical. And the weight of this case when empty (3.9kg) means it’s light as well as sturdy.
Meanwhile, it takes little effort to click the robust telescopic handle into position and the side handle provides an extra option when hoicking it off the luggage carousel.
As I walked with the case, I found the Silent Glide 360 spinner casters glided effortlessly across most surfaces.
Size
Although the medium case is not large enough for a week-long couple’s holiday, there is more than enough room for a solo week-long trip. When full, it comfortably falls below the hold weight limits of most airlines.
However, if you require more packing space, you can always upsize to the Icon Stripe Large or, alternatively, pair it with one of Antler’s carry-on companion Icon Cabin suitcases.
There are ample internal-storage options inside, and the compression straps and inside pocket make sure your possessions are kept in place.
Security
Finally, we all want peace of mind and safety. Anything packed within the fully recycled and silky interior lining is safe as houses, while the TSA combination locks ensure everything is secure.
In a nutshell
If you’re seeking a stylish, practical and hard-wearing case, look no further than Antler’s Icon Stripe Medium Suitcase. You’ll be proud to push, pull and carry it on your travels for many a year.
Antler Heritage Overnight Bag In Navy (£195)
What the website says
“Heritage meets modern overnight travel. The Heritage Overnight Bag combines Antler’s timeless design with durable Oxford weave canvas, full-grain leather, and thoughtful organisational features, making it a practical and stylish companion for short trips.”
Overnight sensation
The best overnight, weekend and short-stay bags are big enough to carry your clothes, toiletries and a pair of comfortable shoes or two. But they shouldn’t be too cumbersome to slow you down and build up oversized baggage charges.
It’s also handy if there is a wide opening for easy packing, as well as internal pockets to help organise belongings, and comfortable handles to make carrying it around easy.
Finally, if you’re investing in a premium bag, it should be stylish and complement your character and fashion sense. Antler’s Heritage Overnight Bag ticks all these boxes.
Size matters
Designed with practicality in mind, you won’t believe what you can squeeze into a Heritage Overnight Bag. I found it easy to fit a weekend’s worth of clothes and toiletries into its roomy, close-to-20-litre capacity, and also found it ideal as an under-seat cabin bag.
Practicality
The quality materials Antler have used to create this bag ensure longevity. The durable water-resistant nylon and leather trims protect it and its contents from even the most unpredictable weather.
It has a leather base with protective metal feet and is robust and durable enough to take a beating in overhead lockers and car boots. Although it can be carried and lifted using the curved lozenge handles, the removable and adjustable shoulder strap is perfect for hands-free travel when you’re moving from car to train platform or airport arrivals to hotel lobby.
The cotton canvas back-strap stacks neatly on a suitcase handle and doubles as a discreet slip pocket to keep belongings secure. It can be folded away when not in use and in between trips.
Inside
The Heritage Overnight Bag’s clamshell opening makes accessing your belongings a breeze. There’s a full-length zip that opens up to a generous single compartment, and over-packers needn’t worry. The inside of the bag resembles a Tardis.
The lining is made from 100-per-cent recycled fabric and houses a padded sleeve for laptops up to 14 inches in size, and a spacious compartment for essentials. There are also small pockets, perfect for house keys, travel documents, sunglasses and other valuables.
Style
The Overnight Bag comes in two different colours—Navy and Natural. Part of the brand’s Heritage Collection, it is designed to complement Antler’s Heritage Stripe Suitcases.
Its understated, sleek and stylish appearance will appeal to male and female travellers—I’ve already had multiple compliments from friends, while my wife and teenage daughters are itching to take it away on trips with them.
In a nutshell
A surprisingly pleasing price point makes the Heritage Overnight Bag a superb long-term travel investment, especially if you’re a frequent flyer or railway passenger.
Antler provides a lifetime warranty across all their suitcases, showing their commitment to product quality and durability. They believe that every one of their cases should last a lifetime and there is free standard delivery on all luggage. The Heritage Overnight Bag is £195, and the Icon Stripe Medium Suitcase is £220. See antler.co.uk for more details.
While working as a TV, sport and news journalist, Rich first dipped his toe in the travel-writing pool in early 2008 when he accepted a learn-to-ski assignment in the Austrian Alps. Since then, he has travelled the globe, writing features on everywhere from Lake Garda to Las Vegas, Mexico to the Maldives and Barbados to Butlin’s. Rich’s passion is to inform and inspire readers and provide them with tips and advice on how they can make the most of their precious holidays. Over the years, he has been fortunate to stay in some of the world’s best hotels and dine in top restaurants, making him well-qualified to review food and drink, in addition to travel destinations, experiences and accessories.
