Best Zipperless Luggage
Zipperless luggage was created to deter would-be thieves from breaking into your suitcase and rummaging around.
The zipper, although highly convenient, is very easy to bypass with something as simple as a ballpoint pen.
As a result, you can ease some of your travel-related stress by investing in some heavy-duty zipperless luggage in time for your next trip.
Let’s dive into our top picks for men’s zipperless luggage. Here they are…
👑 Our Pick for Best Overall
⭐ Our Other Picks for Best Conditioner for Men
- Best of the Best: Samsonite Cruisair DLX
- Runner Up: Enkloze KLASIK Aluminum Carry-On Suitcase
- Best Luggage Set: Coolife Luggage Aluminium Frame Suitcases
Best Zipperless Luggage Reviews
Samsonite Cruisair DLX (👑 Best of the Best)
We believe the best zipperless luggage is the Cruisair DLX from titans of the luggage industry Samsonite.
If there’s one thing most people know about Samsonite, it’s that the brand produces some of the most robust and sturdy luggage out there. Samsonite makes its suitcases in such a way that surely any would-be thief who sees one will instantly banish any thoughts of trying to break into it. Its suitcases are like bank safes, so you can rest assured it will survive years of travel and being roughly handled. It also uses innovative processes and new materials over the years, which often leads to ‘firsts’ in the industry.
But enough about the manufacturer, what is it about the Cruisair DLX that makes it worthy of top spot in this guide about zipperless luggage?
Well the first thing to talk about, since this is a Samsonite suitcase, is the construction quality. The Cruisair DLX is a carry-on suitcase built to last, which should come as no surprise given the brand’s reputation. It is a 100% polycarbonate design which is aluminium framed. This not only ensures durability, but gives the suitcase a solid feel to it and a stylish design. It is also incredibly light, especially considering how much punishment it can endure. This gives you increased mobility when combined with the smooth-rolling dual spinner wheels, which allow you to wheel this suitcase upright in any direction. A must-have feature if you’re tired of lugging your suitcase around and trying to lower it to the perfect angle for it to follow you along obediently.
The part you’re probably most concerned with though is the locking system, since this suitcase falls under the category of zipperless luggage. Well, in place of a zipper, the Cruisair DLX has an integrated TSA combination lock. This simple combination-based lock is the only way to get into the suitcase, which makes it incredibly straightforward for you, and incredibly difficult for any would-be thieves. Just the sight of this sturdy case with its combination lock should be enough of a deterrent which should keep everything in your case secure.
As for the interior, this suitcase is fully lined with zippered compartments. Yes, that’s right, there are zippers in this case but they are reserved for you so you don’t have to worry about the security of your belongings. The suitcase features cross straps too, which is an excellent way of strapping down your clothes and personal effects so they aren’t damaged during transport.
Features:
- 21 inch carry-on suitcase
- Made from 100% polycarbonate with aluminium frame
- Integrated TSA combination lock
- 4 dual spinner wheels
- Interior features zippered compartments and cross-straps
Enkloze KLASIK Aluminum Carry-On Suitcase (🥈 Runner Up)
Our runner up pick for the best zipperless luggage is the Enkloze KLASIK, which is about as secure as carry-on suitcases can get.
This suitcase from Enkloze looks like an impenetrable unit, and the manufacturer did its best to ensure that this is actually the case. You can buy the suitcase in the standard carry-on size of 20 inches or you can go bigger with the 24 or 28 inch sizes. You also have the option of whether you want to go for a black finish or a silver one.
The first thing you’ll notice when you look at this suitcase is it has a unique striped design, and from the side profile it looks like a hefty briefcase capable of transporting large sums of money. It really does look the part of a heavy-duty suitcase, so you can expect complete peace of mind that anything you put in this case will be well-protected. The manufacturer pulls off this look with a 100% aluminium build, an aluminium frame, and aluminium reinforced corners. That’s a lot of aluminium. On top of the highly durable metal construction, Enkloze offers a generous 5 year warranty with this case, such is the brand’s confidence in its luggage.
Another useful feature of the suitcase is the thick aluminium any stage pull rod, which means you can stop the rod wherever you want it too so you should never have the issue of it coming loose as you wheel the suitcase around. This works well with the 8 ultra smooth peroma caster wheels that give the suitcase a feeling of weightlessness as it glides around the airport. This helps take the weight of your arm and shoulder, so you don’t need to tire yourself out lugging around a heavy suitcase.
As for the locking system, the KLASIK carry-on suitcase features secure zipperless access. It’s fitted with 2 dual TSA approved combination locks for the main compartment, with no keys required. This is a very secure locking system, which is very popular with zipperless luggage given how easy it is to use and how effectively it prevents theft. The fact that there are 2 combination locks instead of just one further enhances the feeling of security you’ll have that your belongings are safe inside the suitcase.
Inside the suitcase, there are plenty of pockets that you can use to store your clothes and other belongings, as well as X-bands which keep everything securely in place.
Features:
- Made from 100% aluminium including the frame and corners
- Available in black or silver
- Choose from 3 sizes (20, 24, and 28 inches)
- Aluminium any stage pull rod
- Uses 2 dual TSA approved combination locks
- 8 ultra smooth peroma wheels
- 5 year warranty
Coolife Luggage Aluminium Frame Suitcases (🧳 Best Luggage Set)
If you’re looking for a complete set of 3 different-sized zipperless suitcases, then this one from Coolife is well worth a look.
This set of heavy-duty zipperless suitcases is available at a very reasonable price, and could be the solution to one of your biggest travel headaches. If you never have enough space in your suitcase or always seem to have the wrong size case when you travel, then investing in a set of 3 different-sized suitcases like this one could save you a lot of time, effort, and stress in the long run.
The set of suitcases from Coolife is available in either blue, black, or red. Each suitcase is made from 100% German Bayer PC material, and finished with an external aluminium frame. To add to the durability of the suitcase, there are protective bumper corners which protect the shell from damage as you wheel it along. The suitcases are 20, 24, and 28 inches in size, so between them should be suitable for just about any trip. The locking system of the Coolife zipperless luggage is a bidirectional deep frame TSA locking system.
Moving any of the 3 suitcases around is a joy, since the double wheels offer 360-degree rotation which allows for deft maneuvering for when you need to navigate your way through crowds at the airport. It should also save you from fatigue, since you won’t have to drag the suitcase behind you, placing a lot of weight in your arm and shoulder in the process. The mobility is further aided by the adjustable 3-step aluminium handle which should ensure you can move the suitcase around at whatever height is most comfortable for you, without needing to worry about breaking the handle.
The interior of the suitcases features a divider which should help you separate your clothes and belongings.
Features:
- 100% German Bayer PC material design with aluminium frame
- Bumper corners
- Bidirectional deep frame TSA locking system
- Available in 3 colors
- 20, 24, and 28 inch suitcases included
- Adjustable 3-step aluminium handle
- Interior divider
- 2 year warranty
Why Choose Zipperless Luggage?
You may be wondering what the fuss with zipperless luggage is all about and why you should bother with it rather than sticking to what you’re familiar with.
Well, there are some solid arguments in favor of using zipperless luggage, so we’ll touch on the most important ones here.
Security
Hands-down the single most important reason to invest in zipperless luggage over the more conventional zippered luggage is security.
While you might feel like your suitcase is secure since it has both a zip and a locking system, you may be surprised to learn that this isn’t entirely true.
If your suitcase only relies on a zipper-based closing system, you should definitely be concerned.
Why?
Well because the reality of the situation is that zippers are easily pried open, regardless of how many locks you put on the suitcase.
In fact, it’s actually quite straightforward to do too.
Getting into a conventional form of luggage can be as shockingly simple as jamming a ballpoint pen into the zipper.
What makes this worse is the fact that the zipper can easily be closed again once the thief has taken your belongings, so you might not even realise until you’ve reached your holiday destination.
This means you could also unwittingly carry contraband in your suitcase since this is a tactic used by smugglers, who work together with an accomplice using a victim’s suitcase as the transport method.
Even if you were to lock the zippers together meaning closing the suitcase once opened would be impossible, thieves could still get away with your belongings by prying the zipper open.
To avoid this scary situation which could leave you in a state of shock, it’s worth at least considering the option of investing in zipperless luggage.
Zipperless luggage bypasses this issue by removing the zipper entirely from the equation.
While there might be zippered compartments inside the luggage, there won’t be one on the outside of the case.
Instead, many manufacturers will rely on a TSA approved lock which will be easy for you to use, as well as acting as an effective deterrent to thieves and smugglers.
Durability
Another major reason to consider zipperless luggage is durability.
While there are plenty of conventional suitcases that boast sturdy exteriors, the hard-shelled design of the majority of zipperless luggage should appeal to many.
There are several advantages to having a hard shell exterior.
First and foremost, not only will your belongings on the inside be protected by the locking system, but your case on the outside will be protected since it’s made of sturdy materials.
This effectively makes it immune to the damages associated with frequent travel, meaning it should hold up for many years.
Then, there’s the visual effect.
Not only will the sight of the zipperless TSA combination locks put would-be thieves off trying to get into your suitcase, but the hard exterior might too.
Many zipperless luggage options look like they could be used as heavy-duty safes, given their robust exteriors.
This gives off the impression that they are impenetrable, which should surely deter all but the most foolhardy of thieves.
Finally, from a practical standpoint, having a hard-shelled suitcase allows you to pack it into the overhead compartment of a plane with ease.
One of the biggest problems with soft suitcases is that you can easily overfill them, which could not only lead to fines at the airport, but also make it incredibly stressful to try and stuff them into an already tight overhead compartment.
With a hard-shelled suitcase you know that you’re always going to have exactly the same shape and size regardless of how much or how little you pack.
This streamlines the travel process and should make your life a lot easier.
Other Features
There are few other features of note with zipperless luggage that may help convince you to give it a go.
- Construction Quality
First there’s the material used to make the case.
Yes, zipperless luggage is often made using strong metals like aluminium, but here we’re referring to how the suitcase is held together.
The use of screws and rivets around the case due to the zipperless locking system is not only more robust than the conventional suitcase, but prevents the issue of fabric rips and tearing.
If you’ve ever owned a soft, fabric-based suitcase you will be aware that over time you will notice loose fabric and tears.
While visually this isn’t great, the main problem is with the zipper.
The more the fabric around the zipper wears aware, the harder it will be to use the zipper easily.
Zipperless luggage avoids this problem of course with its alternative locking system and metal construction.
- Better Mobility
Finally, zipperless luggage can boast better mobility than conventional luggage, which can be a real lifesaver.
The majority of zipperless luggage is moved around with a multi stage handle and multi-directional spinner wheels.
What this means is the suitcase can be moved around seamlessly in any direction while remaining upright.
This solves the issue of having to drag the suitcase, not knowing if it’s going to fall over, hit something, or require so much effort that you have to stop.
Generally-speaking, this enhanced mobility means more seamless movement through airports, less fatigue from lugging your heavy suitcase around, and ultimately a more stress-free experience while traveling.
Ultimate Guide
Now you know a few reasons why zipperless luggage can be a better choice than conventional luggage, it’s worth looking into what makes one zipperless suitcase better than another.
There are a number of key factors that should play into your decision-making process, which include the build quality, the security provided by the suitcase, and the practicality of it.
Build Quality
The first factor we’re going to dive into is build quality, or design.
The overall build quality of an item of zipperless luggage will determine how long it is likely to last, as well as how much protection it provides.
While of course there are several design features that can influence the build quality of a suitcase, we’re going to start out with the most important factor – the materials used.
Materials
The materials used for a zipperless suitcase will be the main indicator of the build quality, and how well it will stand up to damage or wear and tear.
The majority of zipperless luggage features a hard shell made up of some kind of metal or synthetic material, so with that in mind we’re going to assess and evaluate some of the most popular materials used.
- Aluminium
Aluminium is one of the most popular metals used for zipperless luggage, and for good reason.
An aluminium suitcase will often provide an appealing minimalist look, but also offer up a great deal of durability.
If style with substance is your thing, then it’s hard to beat a clean aluminium build for a suitcase.
It’s a good choice for the working professional or businessperson, since it gives off an impression that you mean business.
You’re also guaranteed a rigid shape with an aluminium suitcase, which means you will always have the same amount of space to work with and should always feel 100% confident that it will satisfy airline size criteria.
Like leather, aluminium is a material that shows its wear and tear off proudly, which can be either a good or a bad thing depending how you see it.
On the downside, the heavy-duty construction can weigh the suitcase down, plus the premium aesthetic provided by aluminium can lead people to believe you’re better off than you actually are.
- Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is another very common material used for zipperless luggage, as seen in our top pick the Cruisair DLX from Samsonite.
If a brand known for producing quality, sturdy luggage is using this material then you know it has to be good.
Polycarbonate, or PC for short, is very resistant to impact but also quite flexible when compared to other synthetic materials used for suitcases.
As a result, polycarbonate is one of the best choices if durability is a priority, which probably explains why Samsonite uses it for its zipperless suitcase.
The tradeoff here though is that you’ll have to shell out more money for a polycarbonate suitcase, and you’ll find that is heavier than say a polypropylene suitcase.
- Polypropylene
Polypropylene is not the most common material used for suitcases by any stretch, but it is still used nonetheless.#
It’s a very lightweight material, which makes the suitcases much lighter than those made from its synthetic counterpart polycarbonate.
A polypropylene suitcase will generally be much more affordable, but unfortunately it won’t be as durable as one made from aluminium or polycarbonate.
Design Features
The other important factor to do with the overall build quality of a zipperless suitcase is the design features.
Design features refers to any decisions that were made regarding the design of the suitcase, such as which materials are used for the corners, and the frame.
- Corners
The main design feature you should look out for with zipperless luggage is some kind of bumper corners.
You want as much protection as possible for your suitcase regardless of what position it’s in and how it is moved.
As a result, having some form of bumper which protects the corners can keep it from getting worn down over time.
- Frame
The frame of the suitcase is less important, but is another part of the design which can add durability.
Generally you want to look for an aluminium frame for the most protection, but it doesn’t matter too much.
Practicality
The practicality of a zipperless suitcase is hugely important, and mainly refers to the mobility, storage, and security provided.
Mobility
Most zipperless suitcases will be exceptionally easy to move around due to multi directional wheels and adjustable handles.
The main things to look out for if you want to be able to seamlessly transport your suitcase are the quality of the wheels and the adjustability of the handle.
If a suitcase has aircraft-quality wheels or ones which can move over all terrain, then wheeling it should be very easy.
However, make sure you find a handle that can be adjusted to a comfortable height for you, without breaking.
Storage
Storage is entirely down to personal preferences.
The main things to consider are whether you want there to be dividers inside the case, if you need an X-strap to secure everything in place, and how much space you actually need which will determine what size suitcase you need to buy.
Bear in mind that some materials like aluminium provide a rigid shape that doesn’t allow you to get away with overpacking, while others like polycarbonate may have a little more give in their shape.
Security
Finally, it’s important to ensure your zipperless luggage has an effective locking system, given that security is one of the main reasons to invest in it.
Most zipperless suitcases use a similar locking system, which is the TSA combination lock.
While some will have a single lock, others, like the Enkloze suitcase will have a pair of locks for extra protection.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Zipperless Luggage
What is a zipperless bag?
A zipperless bag is a form of luggage which uses a different form of closure than a zipper.
While the majority of bags and suitcases used for travel are opened and closed using a zipper system, zipperless luggage usually depends on a lock and snap shut system.
You can also get zipperless luggage which still has zippers, only it will be much harder to find and not visible from a distance.
What is the difference between zipperless and hard sided luggage?
The main difference between hard sided and zipperless luggage is the system used for opening and closing the suitcase or bag.
While both types of luggage share a hard shell exterior, they usually work in different ways.
Zipperless luggage relies on alternate locking systems which goes against most conventional zippered luggage.
Do zipperless luggage have latch locks?
Yes, some forms of zipperless luggage will have a latch lock system in place for opening and closing.
This isn’t the case for all zipperless luggage though.
The one thing in common is that this type of luggage won’t rely on zippers, but you’ll find all kinds of locking systems with the zipperless bag or suitcase.
A Final Word From The Trending Man
If you’re concerned that your current suitcase is too easy to get into, then it might be time to invest in some zipperless luggage.
The main advantage of zipperless luggage is that it removes the thing that invites thieves to try to get into your suitcase – the zipper.
If you invest in zipperless luggage that works for you, then you could reduce the overall amount of travel-related stress you have to endure.
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