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When travelling with hold luggage, every plane passenger’s biggest fear is it getting lost in transit – especially when taking a stopover flight.
It can often feel like you’re waiting at the baggage reclaim conveyor belt for hours before you finally spot your precious cargo.
I know so many people who’ve had lost luggage over the years.
My suitcase got stolen out of the back of our car years ago in Florida, and I was forced to spend hours in a hospital waiting to get my medicine back, and buy a whole new wardrobe.
In recent years, I’ve put an Apple AirTag in my suitcase, so I can keep an eye on it on my phone.
But now, there’s a suitcase that has tracking technology actually built in, called the July Checked with CaseSafe – and it’s deemed itself ‘un-loseable’.
And what’s even better? You can get it in bright pink so it stands out from the crowd too.
Here, we’ve taken the case for a spin – to see if it’s really worth it…
Hayley Minn took the July Checked with CaseSafe for a spin on a trip to Turkey
As soon as Hayley unpacked the suitcase, she could imagine herself gliding through the airport like Elle Woods
July Checked Plus CasesafeProduct SpecsMaterialAerospace-grade German polycarbonate shellCapacity110LSize77cm H x 50cm W x 31cm DWeight4.8kg
As soon as I unpacked the July Checked, I was in love.
I could just imagine myself gliding through the airport with my bright pink suitcase like Elle Woods from Legally Blonde.
I was slightly worried the setup for the CaseSafe tracking in the suitcase would be a bit tricky, but it was seamless, and I was able to see it on Find My immediately.
There is a temptation to become a bit obsessive however, when you’re not with your suitcase.
There are so many compartments within the suitcase, and even a separate bag for your dirty clothes.
It wheels easily, and was very smooth along the airport floors, but it did get a bit scraped in the corners after a return flight.
At £305, I think it’s a worthwhile purchase for anyone who worries about losing their suitcase.
How we test
When testing suitcases, we give them the sort of challenges they are likely to face on a typical journey – for example, wheeling along both smooth and bumpy surfaces and being lifted. As well as evaluating performance, we also look for style, space, size, weight and durability to get a true measure of their abilities. We also make sure all suitcases comply with popular airline sizing restrictions.
Together with a group of expert reviewers at the Daily Mail, we collate and compare how well each product performs, so you can choose the best suitcases for your travels.
We then collate and compare how well each product performs so you can choose the best suitcase for your travels.
Read our dedicated suitcase reviews for more detail:
Why trust us
Our team of travel writers and editors has been testing products and writing reviews for many years, covering a wide range of products. With a focus on travel equipment, such as suitcases, we provide expertise on what travellers need on their journeys.
Our reviews are honest, impartial and based on real-world testing. We take into consideration all budgets and lifestyles when reviewing products to ensure you have all the information you need to make an informed buying decision.
July Checked with CaseSafeTracking
The CaseSafe tracking is extremely easy to set up and was done in seconds
I was slightly worried the setup for the tracking in the suitcase would be a bit tricky, but it was seamless.
You simply pull the plastic tab on the back of the tracker, which is found inside the suitcase. It then beeps and is ready to pair with Apple Find My or Google Find Hub. That’s it.
I could immediately see my suitcase on Find My – and, after checking it in for my flight, I became quite obsessed with checking it was moving around the airport in the right direction and getting on the flight with me.
When I landed in Turkey with no internet, however, it was quite stressful as my suitcase was showing up as being in the UK – the last place I’d been online – and, for some reason, my luggage was the very last one to be put on the conveyor belt.
Overall, the tracking is an excellent feature of the suitcase.
Performance
The July suitcase had visible signs of wear and tear after just one use
The aluminium bumpers came out very scratched after a return flight to Turkey
I’m used to an Antler cabin suitcase, which glides extremely smoothly. However this was slightly clunkier, and heavier, which could be down to its size. The wheels themselves were very silent though.
It also wasn’t as durable as I’d hoped, despite an Aerospace-grade polycarbonate shell and aluminium corner bumpers.
After just one trip, there were quite a lot of scuffs and marks on the suitcase, which was slightly disappointing, as it stopped looking so pink and shiny immediately.
However, it does come with a lifetime warranty, which is brilliant.
Design and accessories
In terms of design, the suitcase is excellent. At 80L, it’s big and there are so many compartments, to the point I kept finding extra hidden pockets when I was packing.
There’s even a nylon stain-proof laundry bag included, as well as a Y-strap compression system that makes it easy to cram more clothes in.
However, due to its size, it is quite heavy once empty.
In terms of design, the suitcase is excellent. At 80L, it’s big and there are so many compartments, to the point Hayley kept finding extra hidden pockets when she was packing
Value for money
While £305 isn’t cheap, this suitcase is worth paying that bit extra for for the tracking alone.
But on top of that, it’s just a good, sturdy suitcase with a lot of different compartments.
How does it compare to similar products?
If you go for the bigger version (with a 110L capacity), the July suitcase is among the largest checked cases on the market, and, while it is cheaper than the likes of Rimowa and Sterling Pacific, it’s pricier than Antler or Samsonite, which are both excellent options.
However, it does have the standout feature of the tracker, which is worth paying a bit extra for.
How does it rate online?
The July Checked with CaseSafe is rated very highly overall, but there are some recurring criticisms worth knowing about.
It’s usually rated 4.8 or 4.9 out of five, with customers praising it for its smooth, quiet wheels, premium look and feel, excellent manoeuvrability, good internal organisation and compression system, as well as its CaseSafe tracking.
The criticisms that often come up are that it scratches easily, and is fairly heavy.
FAQsWhat size is a July suitcase?
July offers several suitcase sizes depending on the model. The standard model is 66cm H x 47cm W x 29cm D, and is 80L, which is ideal for a two-week trip.
The Large Checked Plus is 110L, and is 77cm H x 50cm W x 31cm.
What makes July luggage special?
July suitcases are the world’s first to have in-built trackers, making them ‘un-loseable’.
They also come with a lifetime warranty.
What is the best large suitcase?
We’ve reviewed and rated some of the best large suitcases, based on performance, practicality and style.
All of these suitcases pass our tests: they’re sturdy enough to stay intact for more than a few flights and ultra-stylish to match your new airport outfit.
We love models by Horizn. Although it’s not cheap, the Horizn H7 RE Check-In Luggage is an extremely lightweight model providing both style and performance. It wheels like a dream – plus it’s great for eco-conscious travellers.
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