I am giving this carry-on bag five stars, but it is a qualified five stars.
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| The Nuage Ultralight with all of the zippers unzipped and the telescoping handle extended. Photo by DWD. |
Luggage is kind of like cars and trucks - there are big trucks that are designed to carry lots of freight and have little concern about creature comforts (in the luggage world this would be a trunk). There are pick-up trucks that try to carry a lot and offer durability and some comfort (in the luggage world this would be an old-fashioned Samsonite suitcase). Then, there are little sports cars that are all about the driver's experience but only have two seats or limited trunk space. This piece of luggage is the little sports car of the luggage world - it is light, nimble and perfect if you're not bringing a whole lot of extras with you.
Sherpani says that this us "ultralight luggage" and they fulfill that promise. Rolling along empty at a mere 3.9 pounds this luggage has been stripped of anything that might make it heavy. The shell is composed of a light nylon-type fabric filled with 8 zippered pockets and compartments - two inside the lid, one that sort of flops around inside, a shoe pocket in the bottom that zips (I never noticed it at first), a big pocket in the back/bottom to hold maps or a portfolio or a laptop and pocket inside of that pocket. The double layered "lid"also zips open and there is an outside pocket on it as well.
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| All zipped up. Photo by DWD. |
The single column telescoping handle does not inspire confidence. It feels loose, but I've had handles like this fail before and feeling loose really had nothing to do with it. To its credit, the handle goes all of the way down and connects to the axle that connects the two wheels. Yes, unlike some cheaper bags that I've owned, this one actually has an axle between the two wheels even though it must have been tempting to not do that to save weight. It also has a metal tube frame that goes all of the way around the back/bottom of the bag, including a stand to protect the cloth cover of the bag when you stand it up as you are rolling through the airport.
Besides the telescoping handle, there are two other very comfortable handles - one on top (like a backpack has) and one on the side, like a traditional suitcase.
The manufacturer makes it clear that this a carry-on and only a carry-on. The lifetime warranty is voided if this bag is checked by an airline. Unlike some carry-ons that can be checked, this one would not do well being tossed around by the baggage handlers.
So, to sum up: this bag is fantastic for what it is - a lightweight bag perfect for overnight trips.
