As a frequent traveler and luggage reviewer who’s handled dozens of suitcase brands, I’m always intrigued by new options. In this Calpak luggage review, I share my first-hand experience testing two standout Calpak collections, the modern Hue series and the vintage inspired Trnk series.
I’ve packed them to the brim, rolled them over city streets and cobblestones, and even banged them around to judge durability. The goal is to get positive and negative things by testing every feature. After using them extensively, we have made following insights for CALPAK luggage review.
CALPAK Vs. Other Brands:
Calpak is not positioned as a Top luxury brand like Rimowa, Antler or Louis Vuitton, though the TRNK line clearly borrows their vintage trunk styling at a fraction of the price. Functionally, Calpak competes more directly with mid-range players like Away, American Tourister, Samsonite, or Travel pro using similar materials (polycarbonate shells, spinner wheels, TSA locks).
For better decision it is good to compare the CALPAK with other Brands for various factors like build quality, portability, design, storage space and value for money. In this comparison we have asisgned values to each factor keeping in consideration for all 3 sizes of carry-on, medium and large sizes.
Price-wise, Calpak undercuts luxury rivals by several hundred dollars. A Hue Medium costs about $225, close to Away’s equivalent (with extras like a charging port) but far below Rimowa’s $750+ price tag. The main trade-off: Calpak’s warranty isn’t as global, and claims require return shipping with a fee.
Calpak Hue Luggage Review
Hue is Calpak’s flagship hardside suitcase series, offered in Carry-On (20″/21″), Medium (26″), and Large (30″) sizes. All Hue models share key design elements:
Usage Timeline:
Day 1: When I first unboxed the Hue Carry-On, the matte surface looked pristine, the wheels glided smoothly, and the handle locked securely at multiple heights. I packed it for a weekend trip to San Diego, through hotel hallways, Uber trunks, and airport security, and it still looked showroom-new afterward.
After 30 Days: I lent the Hue (Large) to a colleague traveling to New York for 2 weeks. It handled JFK baggage claims, subway commutes, and a rainy walk to a hotel with only a few faint corner scratches, no cracks or zipper issues. The wheels stayed quiet, and the expandable zipper proved handy for packing extra shopping on the return trip. One note: the zipper isn’t fully water-sealed, so heavy rain or snow might let in a little water.
Exterior:
Hue’s shell is a polycarbonate hard-sided exterior. This material balances strength and light weight.
For example, the Hue Carry-On) is weighs just 7.6 lbs. The Checked sizes, medium & Large Hue are 10 lbs and 12.2 lbs respectively. These weights are fairly light for their size.
Hue’s polycarbonate shell is slightly flexible, allowing it to absorb shocks without cracking. In Our lab durability tests, Hue’s shell even survived a direct hit from a baseball bat without denting, the bat bounces back which is a good thing that pressure or force turned back without going into the material and cracking it.
Just be aware the glossy shell does scuff easily: after 4 airline travels I saw noticeable black marks appear around the edges (though these usually buff out). Note also that all Hue shells are made in part from recycled plastic bottles, giving it a sustainability edge.
Check: Carry-On’s with Lower Price
Interior:
Inside, the Hue opens clamshell-style into two halves. One half has a full zippered fabric divider with a couple of built-in mesh pockets (good for socks, chargers, etc.), plus a separate zipped “pocket” on the lid for small items.
The other half has two cross-straps to hold clothes in place, and generally is empty for bulk items. The interior lining is a durable fabric (in a light gray color on most Hues). Overall the layout is basic but very user-friendly: it’s easy to throw clothes in and then compress them with the straps. In contrast to some niche cases, there are no hidden compartments or secret pockets, everything is straightforward. (Note: the related Hue Front-Pocket Carry-On model adds a quick-access exterior pocket; the regular Hue does not.)
Calpak TRNK Luggage Review
TRNK is Calpak’s vintage-inspired hard-case line. It’s offered in Carry-On (20″), Medium (25″-26″), and Large (28″-29″) checked sizes. TRNK stands for “trunk”, and indeed this line mimics the look of old-fashioned travel trunks. Here’s the breakdown:
Usage Timeline:
Day 1: The TRNK Carry-On looked more like a fashion piece than a suitcase, glossy, structured, and bold. On its first trip to San Francisco, it rolled smoothly through airports and hotel lobbies. By the end of that journey, it was still spotless aside from a few wipeable smudges.
30 Days Later: After flights to Denver and Chicago, the TRNK had begun to “collect stories.” Its ridged shell picked up visible scratches and corner scuffs, but the frame, wheels, lock, and handle all stayed solid.
Exterior:
TRNK uses a textured polycarbonate shell as well. Calpak describes TRNK as a “modern twist on classic trunk luggage”, and that’s exactly what it is. Think of an old school Louis Vuitton steamer trunk, that’s the vibe. You get a classy hard-shell exterior patterned in faux-croc or plain leatherette, with contrasting wood-color slats down the front and rivet details on the corners
Underneath, it’s a modern polycarbonate hard case. All edges are slightly rounded, and it has protective metalized corner pieces (real metal hardware) that add to the antique vibe. The case is heavier than Hue’s smooth shells due to this extra trim.
Interior:
The TRNK opens clamshell-style similar to Hue. Inside, you’ll find a dark lining (to match the vintage feel), with one side split into zippered compartments and the other with cross-straps. Specifically, TRNK interiors have multiple pockets, one panel has zip mesh pockets, and the other has at least one large zip pocket, plus an elastic cross-body strap to hold clothing down.
A notable point: TRNK includes interior mesh dividers that help keep packing organized (unlike some plain interiors in other brands). There’s also a compression strap you can tighten over items. The layout felt fairly premium and more “fancy” than the basic Hue interior. It’s functional and feels upscale.
Hue Vs. TRNK: Which on is Best?
For everyday travel use, business trips, family vacations, etc., I would lean toward Hue. It’s versatile, durable, and a bit lighter.
If you need maximum packing space, get Hue Large, or if you mostly fly, Hue Carry-On. But if you’re looking for something unique, luxury, TRNK is the conversation-starter. It’s especially fitting for style-oriented journeys (think photo shoots, weddings, upscale travel).
Hue
TRNK
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Because Calpak lists both exterior and interior dimensions, it’s easy to see the packing volume. For Hue Carry-On, the interior space is about roughly 39 L of volume. The Hue Medium interior is about 68 L, and the Large is 99 L. These cases are rear-deep (around 11-12″) by modern large-suitcase standards, which maximizes volume. The Hue can easily handle 12 days of clothes in Medium, or 19 days in Large if packed according to our packing process. All Hue sizes feature an expandable zipper that adds about 2″ of depth.
If packed to the limit it can bear the weight as we packed all sizes fully and then hung it by the side handle for about 2 hours and then tested zippers, because in this case zippers experience a lot of pressure. The carry-on remained very manageable up to around 25 lbs; beyond that it started to feel stiff to push if fully zippers. The large Hue held a full wardrobe of winter clothes (coat, boots, sweaters) easily. At around 50-60 lbs, you definitely feel the strain on your arms pulling it. The main limitation is airline weight limits, not the bag itself,it could hold more than any airline allows for a checked bag.
Every Hue suitcase rides on four double-spinner wheels that rotate 360°. The telescoping handle on Hue extends to a comfortable height and locks securely. It felt sturdy under load, with negligible wobble. On smooth indoor tile and polished concrete, both moved almost silently. Over outdoor surfaces like asphalt roads or rough concrete, the large Hue did bounce a bit on any dip or crack, but the wheels didn’t jam or snag. On textured cobblestone (simulating old city streets), the wheels vibrated but still rolled, a human certainly feels the bumps, but the bag isn’t stopped. The spinner wheels on Hue are similar to those on higher-end luggage and performed admirably for everyday travel
Hue models include a built-in TSA combination lock. You set a three-digit code and the zipper pulls (they meet at a lock housing) snap into the lock. Aside from that, the Hue relies on its sturdy construction for security. There are no hidden anti-theft compartments or special tamper-resistance beyond the lock. (It’s standard in design).
Body is offcourse as any hardshell is water repellent but zippers are not completely sealed; it is suitable for light rain only.
If you are looking for other options from CALPAK then i would suggest Evry and Ambeur Series are best ones that you should look for. All 4 luggage sizes of each series have the same price. Here is the rating for the top 4 luggage series of CALPAK.
So HUE is the top choiconsidering various factors from quality, strength, weight, size, & capacity and comparing prices with features for each. So Hue is the best option.
Conclusion:
In short, if you want a reliable, sleek suitcase, go with the Calpak Hue or TRNK. If you want your luggage to make a statement, then you can go with any other brand.
Finally, remember that no luggage is perfect: keep valuable or delicate items protected and be mindful of airline weight limits. With that said, I walked away impressed by Calpak’s blend of style and function. Whether you choose Hue or TRNK, you’re getting a sturdy carry or check-on that stands out from the crowd, and an award-worthy travel companion for your next trip.