Like many others, I spent this spring engrossed in the third season of HBO’s The White Lotus, which featured a group of travelers vacationing on the island of Koh Samui in Thailand. (Spoiler alert: The guests are even more dramatic than the hotel’s views.) Aside from the storylines, it was the guests’ luggage that caught my attention: bright and poppy Floyd suitcases. Since I am always testing out the best luggage on the market, I keep my eyes peeled for luggage I haven’t tried yet. I immediately felt inspired to try out this suitcase for myself.
A German luggage brand that credits one of its inspirations as 1970s California culture, Floyd has mostly flown under the radar—until now. Its retro design certainly feels like a callback to the era of boogie, and its bold color offerings (I traveled with the Magic Purple suitcase) are fun and eclectic. But the thing that really makes it stand out is its unique skateboard wheels—an homage to the founders’ love of skateboarding as well as an innovative addition to the traditional rolling suitcase. Read my full review of the carry-on Floyd Cabin below.
Floyd Cabin: Key Features
Design, Weight And Durability
The Floyd Cabin’s design immediately stands out for its sleek lines and minimalism. There’s a silicone seal that runs all the way around the suitcase, providing a very elegant look, and the small brand logo on the top right corner didn’t bother me much; its side positioning actually feels very design-forward. The suitcase has four small studs that allow it to be rested on its side, and there are handles on the top and side for easy carrying. The interior material—a striking orange fabric made from poly satin—is a great fit for the brand’s aesthetic and felt tough and durable. It comes with two interior storage pockets that can be used to store small incidentals.
This suitcase is designed with a TSA-approved side latch lock instead of a zipper, and I found it to be incredibly easy to use. Unlike many other latch locks that require clicking open the latches one by one, this suitcase pops open by sliding the lock down. Its ability to be opened so easily may make some travelers nervous, but this suitcase did not pop open by itself once on my journey through three cities, where I ran with it on cobblestone streets at top speed and tossed it into several overhead bins. Part of that durability is owed to the fact that this suitcase is built with an aluminum frame. While that certainly adds to its toughness, at almost 10 pounds, it does make this a heavier suitcase than most carry-ons, which is something to keep in mind if you prioritize lightweight luggage.
Packing Capacity And Handle
The Floyd Cabin is listed as providing 41L of packing space, which is on par with many of the best carry-on suitcases that we’ve tested. I traveled with this suitcase on a three-day trip to Edinburgh, Scotland, and was able to fit in a sweater, two blazers, three shirts, three pairs of pants, undergarments, a pair of flats, a toiletry bag and hair tools. The suitcase didn’t feel uncomfortably full after it was packed. After assessing its capacity during my trip, I would say a three-to-five-day trip is the sweet spot for a suitcase of this size.
What I also liked is that this suitcase is built for a wide variety of heights. Its telescopic handle, which is made of aluminum, can be locked into different height positions, with its highest height an impressive 42 inches from the ground. One thing I did notice, however, is that the handle did feel a bit wobbly when fully extended; while this does not affect the suitcase’s functionality, it is something to keep in mind for taller travelers.
Smooth-Rolling Skateboard Wheels
The most unique feature of the Floyd Cabin is, of course, its skateboard wheels. I loved the way the wheels looked—they’re extremely stylish—and they felt very sturdy during my travels. Thanks to this feature, rolling this suitcase feels exactly like rolling a skateboard: The ride is smooth, and the wheels can easily withstand gravel or cobblestone. You can also customize the wheel color to your suitcase; much like the suitcase itself, there is a large variety of bright colors to choose from, which is a great touch and very brand-aligned.
The ability to swap out the wheels at any time for a new color is a useful feature. Wheels are usually one of the first things to wear out on a suitcase, so knowing that you can always replace them (and even change up your luggage’s look if you get bored) is very handy.
Floyd Cabin: The Final Verdict
The Floyd Cabin delivers on style, durability and a great set of wheels. I loved rolling this suitcase through the airport and watching heads turn; I also appreciated that it really stood out thanks to its color scheme, meaning that no one would ever mistake my suitcase for their own. This brand truly understands its aesthetic, and as someone who travels with dozens of suitcases each year, I appreciate that it is bringing something fresh and unique to the everyday rolling suitcase with its skateboard wheels.
Since this suitcase is priced in the same range as other highly rated carry-ons and offers about the same amount of packing capacity, choosing this bag ultimately comes down to personal style. While I did deduct points for the bag’s weight and handle in my overall rating, I feel that this suitcase is ideal for a design-driven traveler who wants their suitcase to be an extension of their own aesthetic. It’s also great for a traveler who knows they’ll be dragging their suitcase through some rough terrain and is seeking wheels that will really get the job done. The brand’s two-year warranty covers all functional damage, and travelers can rest easy knowing that their skateboard wheels can always be replaced or swapped out for a new color.
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