Dagne Dover Luggage Review 2025

Dagne Dover has long been one of our favorite places to shop for backpacks and other day bags (just read our Dagne Dover review). The brand is known for its signature and distinctive neoprene bags, which we’ve found so durable and comfortable to carry that we’ve named them picks in our guides to the best work bags for women, best backpacks, best weekenders, and best crossbody bags.

When Dagne Dover launched its first luggage line last year, I was obviously intrigued. When my beloved decade-old suitcase hardshell suitcase broke beyond repair, I bought the brand’s Sydney Checked Luggage and the smaller Seattle Carry-On bag. After a year of use, my takeaway is that the Sydney is worth the high price, but the Seattle might not be for everyone. Read on to learn about my experience with both bags.

Design and specs

Although many suitcases are utilitarian, I like the look of the Dagne Dover’s luggage line. The bags have a sleek profile and are made from high-end fabric, which sets them apart from the other suitcases on the baggage carousel. This fabric is different from Dagne Dover’s signature neoprene — its suitcases are made from more durable 100% recycled polyester. The suitcases have thoughtful features, including large front openings, small zipper pockets on the back, padded handles, and compression straps.

The bags also have reinforced corners and feet on the side to keep the base of the luggage off the ground. I hope that both of these features will help my suitcases last longer. When I need to lift either bag, I appreciate that I can use the handles on either the top or side of each suitcase.

While the suitcases share many of the same features, the Seattle carry-on and Sydney checked luggage are not identical. One of the most significant differences is that Sydney is expandable, whereas Seattle is not. However, the Seattle bags have more pockets, including two additional interior pockets and two additional exterior pockets.

What it’s like to use

I’ve had a much better experience with Dagne Dover’s Sydney checked luggage than the Seattle carry-on luggage, even though both share similar features. I’ve used the Sydney on about a half dozen trips, including to Iceland, a road trip to Philadephia, and an Amtrak trip on the Northeast corridor. My husband has also used the suitcase for trips to New Orleans and Asheville. My husband likes the Sydney so much that I am considering getting a second in case we both travel at the same time.

The larger Sydney is a great size. On a recent trip to Iceland, I wasn’t sure it would be big enough to fit all of the items I would typically bring on a weeklong trip, plus the specialty items I needed, including a down coat, hiking boots, rain pants, base layers, and snow boots. Fortunately, everything fit easily. For those who want a big suitcase but don’t need something huge, the Sydney comes in a smaller 25-inch version that is still roomy.

I really like that both the Sydney and the Seattle have interior straps on both sides, which I can use to compress the items in my suitcase a little. One side also has a zippered cover that keeps everything on that side in place when I open my suitcase. Both suitcases are exceptionally easy to roll, even when fully loaded. The wheels can turn 360 degrees and glide more smoothly than any other roller bags I’ve used.

My favorite feature of the bags is their large zippered openings on the front. In theory, I like suitcases that have a front pocket for items I need to access easily. However, in practice, I find that these pockets take so much space away from the suitcase interior that it’s not worth the trade-off. Dange Dover’s unique design solves that problem. I’ve used the front zippered opening two ways. First, after packing, I zip up the suitcase and unzip the front compartment to pack anything I might need to access at the airport, including documents I might need to access quickly or my laptop. Second, the front opening is invaluable when I need to quickly throw something in my suitcase. I travel with my kids frequently and it’s common for us to spot something that we nearly left behind in the hotel room while rushing out the door. It is very convenient to be able to stash these items in the suitcase without fully opening it. I’ve also used the front opening to pack my winter coat after I’ve arrived at the airport.

I also like that the Sydney can be expanded. This is useful for times when I pick up extra items while traveling. When I travel, I usually change hotels every few nights. Expanding my suitcase gives me a little more room to stay organized without having to struggle with a full suitcase every time I’m on the move.

Unfortunately, the carry-on Seattle suffers from sizing issues. At 8.75 x 13 x 20.5 inches, the small Sydney is noticeably smaller than the standard domestic carry-on limit of 9 x 14 x 22 inches, while the large size is noticeably bigger at 13.5 x 8.75 x 23.5 inches. The brand made one bag that was too small and one bag that was too large, instead of one that was just right.

I like to travel carry-on only whenever I can, and using every allowable inch is nice. However, the smaller Seattle’s paltry 33 liters of packing space only works for shorter trips and times when I check a bag and only need a carry-on for essentials I don’t want to pack, such as my toiletries and laptop.

While I haven’t tried the larger Seattle carry-on, one Business Insider editor did. When she arrived at the airport, she discovered that it wouldn’t fit in American Airlines’s carry-on sizer, and the airline forced her to check her bag. Despite being physically larger than her Away Bigger Carry-On, the larger Seattle actually offered 7 fewer liters of packing space, which is frustrating — why make an unnecessarily bigger big that fits less? This is a big deal for travelers like me who prefer to travel carry-on whenever possible.

What makes it stand out?

The Sydney is thoughtfully designed, with features like a practical front opening, the ability to expand the suitcase, and the smoothest glide of any suitcase I have ever used. With the exception of being able to expand the bag, the Seattle has all of the same features. Although I stuck with basic black, I like that Dange Dover suitcases come in four colors: cool smoky gray, deep olive green, and muted pink.

Cons to consider

The cost of Dange Dover’s suitcases is very high compared to competitors — about double the cost of similar bags from Away, Beis, Monos, and Travelpro. Given the high price, it’s surprising that you get fewer features in Dagne Dover bags that now come standard with most luggage, like built-in locks, robust interior compression and organization, and a lifetime warranty (Dagne Dover offers only 10 years). However, since I travel frequently, a well-designed suitcase is worth investing in for me, and Dagne Dover’s bags feel very well made.

As mentioned before, the size of the Seattle Carry-On just feels off. For a bag that reportedly took years to develop and costs as much as premium brands, I’m surprised that the sizing just completely misses the mark.

I will be keeping an eye on the Dange Dover website to see if the brand introduces a standard-size carry-on in the future. If it does, I am almost certain it will become my go-to suitcase.

What are your alternatives?

If Dange Dover isn’t for you, there are some good alternatives. If you prefer soft-shell luggage, Away Softside suitcases are a solid choice at a reasonable price point (check out our Away Softside luggage review).

Briggs & Riley also makes great soft-side luggage and is a pick in our guide to the best luggage. The quality, durability, and features of Briggs & Riley suitcases are fantastic. However, these high-end bags are priced higher than Dange Dover.

Finally, we ranked the soft-sided Travelpro Platinum Elite Expandable Carry-On as the top overall in our best carry-on bag guide. Read more in our Travelpro Platinum Elite review.

The bottom line

Because I travel frequently, I take my suitcase selection very seriously. So far, the Dange Dover Sydney suitcase has exceeded my expectations. It’s held up well and helped make my travel days easier because it’s so easy to use. If you are looking for a quality suitcase packed with practical features, Dange Dover is a great choice, but be aware of the high price, and keep in mind the sizing issues with the Seattle bag.