Hardside with a front top opening option? The ONLY choice for the business and recreational traveler.
PROS:- Hardshell- Front open laptop pocket- Front open zippered to access entire interior of suitcase. A++- Additional zippered pockets inside the carry-on- Buckle belts to keep one side contained, per traditional clamshell.- Zippered flap to hold the other side contained per traditional clamshell.- Small enough to fit in overhead bins of regional planes.CONS/NEUTRALS:- A side elastic waterproof water bottle pocket would have been a great bonus, but would have probably been the first to wear out and would ruin the "hardshell" claim. I can always purchase a third-party add-on, or just use the bottle pockets on my backpack/crossbody bags.STORYTIME:There is no other carry-on like the Mykel in this clean aesthetic, functionality, and price point. I already own the large MaxPorter II Trunk and the Ultimax II Medium Trunk. It happened that I was flying internationally for work with plans on the way back to visit and photograph some historic sites in some less developed cities. For many years, I've used soft-sided underseat laptop rollers for my electronics, spare clothes, meds/toiletries, and power banks/cables, with an additional personal bag for other supplies. Because of the locations I was visiting, I knew I would bring a lot more gear, including laptop, air purifiers (yes, even years post-pandemic,) large cameras, etc., and I needed something that could carry them on the airplane as well as to the corporate offices I would be working daily, and to smaller regional planes with little underseat space.I needed something to keep out the bugs -- a hardside, and be top loading with a front hardside flap for laptops/tablets and for the air purifier that I didn't want to open clamshell to get out/put in. It happened that I found at a local shop this Mykel hardside with front flap.Best Feature: The interior of the front flap has a zippered divider that allows you to open it almost like a regular top-side softshell suitcase, without having to open the book-like clamshell. Which means you don't need double space to open up your carry-on. You can access the entire interior from the front flap!! You can't see it in the photos, but I promise that flap has another zipper that gives access to the main interior.I use a waterproof nylon weekender bag for my personal bag to shove under the airplane seat (and it has pockets to carry my water bottle / travel coffee mugs,) but this Mykel carry-on ticks off almost all the boxes when it comes to functionality and minimalistic aesthetics. There aren't a lot of niche corners and bulky additions to the suitcase where dirt and bugs can hide, and it's super sturdy. Because it's a carry-on that you need to access frequently, this carry-on, like most, will not have a custom cover that will protect it from the scuffs and stickers that airlines and porters may stick on it, but it's also unlikely to be checked in. It traveled internationally with me through some rough spots and came out looking almost new, the way polycarbonate luggage does. I did get a few snarky comments from colleagues when I used it as my laptop roller in the office (it *is* bigger than a regular laptop roller, obviously,) but a glare or simple "I bring gifts....but not for you," seems to quell the smarta$$es if I don't feel like laughing it off in self-deprecation about carrying a large burden. I digress.I have the black, but I do wish the Mykel came in all the other colors that the other Traveler's Choice trunks I have. Nevertheless, it's one of the best luggage pieces I have, and I would buy another in a flash if it came in the color of my other trunks or if one of my family members needed one.Why are you reading my story? Just get it already.
