Quince Carry-on Review: Is the Viral Brand's Luggage Any Good?

Since moving to New York City, I've become a serial Amtrak rider. With friends scattered all over the East Coast and my hometown just a three-hour train ride away, I find myself schlepping to New York's Penn Station at least once a month—which means I've come to learn the importance of reliable luggage.

While I used to be the type of traveler who stuffed all of my clothes into a duffel, I've been burned one too many times by back-breaking bags. After sweating it out while wrangling a backpack-duffel combo, I finally decided to scoop up a carry-on suitcase. My priority? It had to be durable enough to get dragged through train stations, airports, and New York City streets.

After searching for a carry-on built to last that wouldn't make my wallet cry out in pain (!), I landed on one from Quince. I had snagged a few cashmere sweaters from our Cosmo editor-recommendations and was impressed by the quality. I figured the luggage—which also looked comparable to those from pricier brands—might have potential.

The TL;DR? I'm kicking myself for not buying this carry-on sooner. I own a checked bag from a mega-popular luggage brand and trust me when I tell you that the differences between that one and my Quince carry-on are virtually non-existent—except for the price, because my Quince comes in at about half the cost. Read on for all of the deets about the $130 suitcase that has forever changed my travel game.

Quince Carry-On Suitcase

$130quince.com

Pros

Interior compression system is great for overpackers
360-degree wheels glide easily beside you
Lighter than comparable carry-on suitcases

Cons

Scuffs easily (but it comes with an eraser to clean it off!)

Features at a Glance

External Dimensions	22.8" H x 15.6" W x 9.8" D
Interior Dimensions	20.9” x 14.6"
Weight	6.7 lbs
Colors	8

It has plenty of space.

I am an overpacker and I'm not ashamed of it. Even if I'm headed on a two-day trip, I'm bringing plenty of outfit changes, shoe options, my entire jewelry case—you name it. If I'm being honest, I was a little wary of buying a carry-on that didn't have an expandable feature, but I've gotten creative with packing cubes and haven't had an issue with fitting everything. (And if you simply can't live without expandable luggage, Quince now has one).

Madison McGee for Cosmopolitan

The zippered side fit my sneakers, makeup bag, jewelry case, sunglasses pouch, and charging cords. I was able to stash three packing cubes in the compression side. Bonus points for the zippered section on the compression pad, which fit my makeup mirror!

The carry-on interior has one side that zippers shut (or, the "top") and a side that closes via a compression pad. These dividers are great for someone who uses a methodical combination of cubes and the classic "Shove all my stuff inside and pray" appraoch. I typically put my cubes in the compression side (These are my holy grail compression cubes!) and my looser items—think sweaters, jeans, shoes, accessories—in the zippered portion. The compression pad features a zippered pocket that's great for socks, undergarments, or small accessories, and it has two straps that make it easy to cinch it closed.

Trust, this carry-on is impressively roomy. I've filled this suitcase with multiple pairs of cowboy boots ahead of a bachelorette in Nashville and easily fit five days worth of outfits for a trip to Cape Cod. I also love how it features a tiny zippered pocket to stow the included laundry bag, which I often use to keep my shoes separate from my clothes.

It's one of the most durable suitcases I've used.

I'm sure you've all heard of (or experienced...) the horror of a suitcase busting open, handles not staying up, or a wheel falling off while sprinting through the airport. I've used this more than a dozen times since I purchased it back in February and have had zero performance issues.

The handle glides up beautifully and can hold the weight of my Calpak duffle (which I've waxed poetic about for you here, in case you'd like to snag my entire travel combo). I will say that when the suitcase is super stuffed, the handle is a bit harder to pull all the way up, but I've had that issue with many of the suitcases I've tried.

The wheels? 360-degree perfection that glide beautifully through both crowded airports and over bumpy New York City sidewalks. Thanks to the spinner design, it's easy to pull the luggage beside me while navigating the airport, instead of having to drag it behind.

While some hardshell bags are heavy thanks to their plastic exteriors, the polycarbonate Quince uses is lightweight before you put anything in it, which is much appreciated when I'm trying to lift it in the overhead bin. Weighing in at 6.7 lbs., it's lighter than comparable options from Béis (8.6 lbs.) and Away (7.5 lbs.). Plus, it's super strong: I can't tell you how many times I've sat on it to zip it closed, without any signs of cracking or denting on the shell.

Per the brand, this suitcase satisfies TSA's official guidelines and should fit in the overhead bin for all major airlines, although it's always a good idea to check your preferred airline's policy before picking a bag. And if you're ultra-paranoid about your belongings getting stolen while traveling (like me, with my Nuuly subscription in tow), the carry-on has a TSA-approved lock.

It's just plain cute.

When I set out to upgrade my carry-on luggage, I decided it was time to score a pretty color. What can I say? I wanted luggage in a cute shade that would be easy to spot in a crowded airport, in case I'm ever forced to gate check.

As of publication, Quince offers the carry-on in eight colors: tan, black, navy, dark green, blue, lavender, olive, and wine. While it might sound ridiculous to admit, the gorgeous light purple was one of the main reasons why I opted for the Quince carry-on over others I was considering.

Madison McGee for Cosmopolitan

I cannot emphasize enough how happy this lilac hue makes me—even during nightmare travel delays.

That being said, this is the first time I've had a light-colored suitcase. While my hunter green Away suitcase has gotten its fair share of scuffs, I was concerned this lilac hue was going to be covered in markings and airport goop in no time. Much to my surprise, it's super easy to clean. I loved how Quince included a sponge that almost feels like a Magic Eraser to help buff away any dirt or scrapes.

The verdict?

I've tried a variety of suitcases, from cheap carry-ons to luxe checked bags and duffels that look cute but end up killing my back and shoulders. From that list, there are very few that I would actually consider repurchasing—and the Quince carry-on is one of them. Not only does it offer the just-right amount of space to pack for long weekends, but it comes complete with ample storage features, from the compression pad to a hidden laundry bag compartment. It can get me through a week-long trip with some strategic packing.

Based on my experience so far, it's luggage that's built to last. It looks just like a designer suitcase, but comes in at nearly half the cost. TBH, if I were starting from scratch when it comes to building out my luggage collection, I'd scoop up a matching checked bag too.