Sterling Pacific 40L Cabin Travel Case Review

What do you look for when choosing a new suitcase for your travels?

For us, the qualities that we can’t compromise on are practicality, security and durability. Price comes second, and we’re usually more than willing to invest a good amount of cash into getting high-quality gear that we’ll keep for many years.

Sterling Pacific produces premium travel cases that retail for over $2000. We were curious, what would such a high-end suitcase offer?

After a month of travel with both the jet-black and the classic aluminium suitcases, we’re going to share with you our thoughts and experiences with these Sterling Pacific 40L Cabin Travel Cases, how they’ve been holding up, what their pros and cons are and, finally, if they truly succeed in redefining what a premium suitcase is.

Now, let’s get started.

Disclosure: Sterling Pacific very kindly provided us two suitcases to test and review. However, the thoughts, opinions and experiences mentioned in this article are entirely our own, and we’ll share with you our 100% honest feedback on these products which we have tested extensively ourselves.

Design and craftsmanship

As soon as we unboxed our travel cases, we were stunned!

The level of craftsmanship is simply amazing: From the industrial look of the 5000 series aluminium body with reinforced corners and stainless steel rivets, to the elegance of the full-grain Italian leather handles, each Sterling Pacific travel case combines a sleek design with a rugged and durable build.

The classic aluminium model in particular, with its chrome-like shine and brown leather handles, is truly a head-spinner. However, if you prefer a more sober look we definitely recommend you choose the jet-black version instead: This option, which has been designed especially to match the strict uniform requirements of pilots and flight personnel, manages to be both discreet and incredibly stylish.

Materials and durability

Having been designed for the intensive needs of pilots and other professionals in the travel industry, Sterling Pacific suitcases have a reputation for being incredibly durable. After all, they are made of reinforced aluminium that can take an enormous amount of pressure before cracking, but still, we were curious to see how well they would hold up.

During their journey, ours were transported in a truck, checked-in on several flights and carried around on the street. Over time they did pick up a few small scratches and scuffs, but we actually found these added to their overall look and character. It’s also important to keep in mind that none of these marks affected the functionality of the cases in any way, and they performed flawlessly throughout all of our trips.

With that said, because Sterling Pacific suitcases are built with amazing balance and stability while being dragged upright on all four wheels, the sturdy built leaves little space between the floor and the bottom of the case. This can cause uneven pavements to leave some more visible marks and scratches on the underside of the suitcases.

If you’re worried about your case scratching over time, you’ll be happy to know that Sterling Pacific has special markers in production that are meant to cover up any scuffs that you might collect during your travels.

Why should you choose an aluminium suitcase?

Aluminium is a fantastic choice for suitcases because it is a highly durable, extremely light and malleable material, which allows the case to easily absorb impacts when dropped or hit, while at the same time protecting its contents.

Yes, because it is a soft metal it can also scratch and dent slightly, but it doesn’t rip and tear like fabric, nor does it crack as easily as plastic.

Warranty

We love it when a brand proudly stands by their product, and Sterling Pacific’s warranty shows that they 100% do. Their comprehensive lifetime warranty covers all damage that can, in any way, affect the functionality of your luggage, ensuring you’ll keep your suitcase for life.

On top of that, you’ll get a lifetime supply of spare parts such as wheels and handles for easy at-home repairs, so you can always be sure your travel case is ready for your next adventure!

Size and weight

The Sterling Pacific 40L cabin case measures 22.5" x 14" x 9” (57.15 x 35.56 x 22.86 cm), which is around the maximum carry-on size for US and international carry-on allowance, depending on the carrier and the class you’re flying in.

You should generally be able to carry it on board, especially since this suitcase is quite slim, but as a rule of thumb you should always double check your airline’s cabin bag limitations before travelling.

Empty, the 40 litre suitcase weighs about 12.0 lbs (5.44 kg). This is not going to be a problem for most North-American carriers since there is often either a large allowance on weight or no restriction at all, but many European and international carriers limit the weight of cabin bags to between 7 and 10 kg. This is definitely something to consider when preparing your suitcase, but it will again depend on the individual airline and which class you’re flying in.

Carry comfort

This four-wheeled spinner from Sterling Pacific glides effortlessly, be it on the road or at the airport, and is a pleasure to carry along. The trolley handle is bound in leather and doesn’t transmit almost any vibrations into the hand, making this luggage extremely comfortable to carry over long distances. The handle can also be adjusted to two lengths depending on your own size or preference, making this an ergonomic suitcase regardless of how tall you are.

In addition, the suitcase features two carry handles, also wrapped in full-grain Italian leather, located at the top of the case and on the side. These allow for easy handling when storing it in an overhead compartment or in the back of a vehicle.

All in all, these were definitely the most comfortable suitcases we’ve tried so far! They were effortless to drag along, incredibly balanced and overall a joy to travel with.

Storage and packing

The Sterling Pacific travel case features two compartments: One is zipped and functions like a packing cube, compressing its contents and allowing you to store more items, while the other is equipped with practical compression bands to keep your folded clothes neat and tidy.

The travel case is very easy to pack and organise for every trip and occasion, be it a formal event or a more adventurous outing. The 40 litres of storage are also generous and were, for us, more than enough to store enough clothing and gear for at least a week’s worth of travel. What’s more, since the compartments are the same size the luggage lies perfectly flat when opened, making it easier to fill and organise!

Safety and security features

To keep your valuables safe, the latches of the Sterling Pacific cases are equipped with twin combination locks that are TSA-approved and can be set to your own custom number combination.

These locks feel extremely secure, and we love the satisfying old-school “clack” with which they open and close!

Pros and cons

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Pros

• Sleek and stylish design

• Highly durable materials and build

• Smooth four-wheel spinner

• Intuitive storage for easy packing

• Added security with TSA-approved locks

• Lifetime warranty and free spare parts

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Cons

• Heavier than some carry-ons

• Prone to minor scratching over time

• Premium price

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Is the Sterling Pacific 40L Cabin Travel Case for you?

Travelling with the Sterling Pacific 40L Cabin Travel Cases gave us a new perspective on what a premium suitcase can offer. So, do we recommend them? Yes, we absolutely do!

Sure, it’s an investment, but let’s take a look at what that gets you:

• A stunning, premium and durable four-wheeled spinner aluminium suitcase.

• A travel companion that looks absolutely awesome, feels empowering and cool to carry around.

• An incredible lifetime warranty and supply of spare parts that guarantees you’ll never have to buy another suitcase ever again!

Whether you’re a professional carrying essential work equipment, a nomad looking for the best gear to hit the road or you’re simply off to relax in a luxurious resort, the Sterling Pacific 40L Cabin Travel Case offers unparalleled craftsmanship, clever design and the peace of mind of having a suitcase that can withstand any situation and, most importantly, the test of time.

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