Testing the Solgaard Carry on Closet: Watch this before buying!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 พ.ค. 2024
- If you want to buy a Solgaard Carry On Closet, click here: bit.ly/Solgaard
Looking for a honest in-depth review of the Solgaard medium carry on closet? Look no further! Lauren from "It's the Kellys" shares her thoughts on this innovative luggage and whether or not it's right for everybody. Lauren's usual packing technique is now challenged thanks to the "closet" shelving unit that comes in this hybrid piece of luggage. How do you pack with the shelves? How does it compare to packing cubes? How convenient is the closet? Lauren shows you all of it!
Video Chapters
We need to chat about this bag: 0:00-3:06
Quick review of the bag: 3:06-4:01
The dimensions/weight are off: 4:01- 6:16
In-depth closet review: 6:16-9:54
Packing the closet: 9:54-12:21
Packing without the closet: 12:21-14:48
What about the other side?: 14:48-15:48
Weighing it when packed (closet): 15:58-16:04
Unpacking your Solgaard (2 ways) 16:04-19:56
Packing cubes vs Shelves: 19:56-23:59
Weighing it when packed (cubes) 21:32-21:47
Final thoughts: 21:47-24:00
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If you want to buy a Solgaard Carry On Closet, click here: bit.ly/Solgaard
What do you think about the closet? Is it something you would want to travel with? Let's talk about it!
I do not like this bag at all. I would not recommend.
When looking at ads, that closet has never made sense to me. Watching you demo it, reinforced that. Thanks, Lauren!
continuing with the most honest reviews of the industry. you are the gold standard of luggage reviews. Happy travels
Aw thank you. 🙏🏽
I have the medium carry-on closet and have traveled on a shorter domestic trip with it. I was sharing a hotel room with a colleague at a conference. I found it took less time to pack than cubes and it was nice to be able to put the closet organizer in the hotel closet and have my stuff contained so that my roommate had space as well. I found that the closet took up a lot of space in the luggage and I had to do a lot of trial and error to make it fit efficiently. I got the luggage on sale, so it was more in the $250 range. I think it is a nice if heavy hybrid trunk.
I have a 7 year old and think that it may be a good option for having him pack carry-on. I will try this out on a trip we are taking this summer.
Overall, I like the suitcase itself and the closet organizer has some benefits. But I do agree that it isn't as revolutionary as it is marketed as and there are plenty of times I'd rather use packing cubes.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
My sister is obsessed with this. Shes constantly tagging me on FB when the ad shows in her feed. I sent her the link to this video.
Let me know what she says after! A lot of my friends that like gimmicks usually weren’t sold, even before telling my thoughts.
I have NEVER had the slightest interest in this bag because it seemed gimmicky and I had the same initial reaction you did when I heard about it. I watched tho just to be sure I wasn’t wrong and missing out on something fabulous.Thank so much for your honest review pointing out the bags flaws even tho they sent you a bag. That’s why I always watch your videos, I know you will give us the straight scoop. There may be a few people who really like this bag but I think this review will save a whole lot of people from making a purchase they will regret.
Laure, you demonstrated exactly why I would never consider this system. Adds more weight, is troublesome, and doesn't make unpacking much quicker than I already do with packing cubes. My packing cubes get pulled out and placed into a drawer or shelf anyway, so that's very quick unpacking, I'd say. I have one packing folder for anything I would hang up, and that's quick and simple also. Very thorough, as usual, Lauren!
I am SO glad I didnt spend $300 PLUS on this luggage! Thank you for this comprehensive review. KILLED IT again!
The first time I saw a Soolgard advertisement, I was intrigued and it is what got me started on researching luggage. That's when I found your channel and have been watching ever since. Thank you for all the great reviews. I have not purchased anything yet as I have no trips planned currently. 😢
I have this bag. For context it is the larger carry on bag. The closet isn’t as great if you’re trying to really stuff a lot, especially bulky items, but still only use a carry on. I think we can all agree that carry on only, regardless of the packing method, is tough to pack bulkier items but definitely cubes helps certain types of bulky items to be packed better vs this closet.
Most of my international experience comes from partners on one world or star alliance and no issues there even with the larger carry on variant. I don’t really have any experience with the more budget airlines that like to have stringent and smaller requirements. So my packing is based on this larger one.
For most of my trips, I have learned what types of clothes work best and how to fold them to use the closet, compress it into the one side to keep it flatter (like you showed) to fully utilize the other side. I am also small in size so some types of clothes can fold pretty flat. I’ve watched so many videos on how to fold properly for a given space and be flat as possible, it’s not even funny. I have mastered making my jeans and pants look abnormally thin folded.
I personally don’t like living out of packing cubes, so it is easy for me to take the closet out and hang it up. The other side I am always unpacking given it typically is all shoes and the toiletry bag and those things I just always unpack anyway regardless.
Anecdotally, I can pack 1 to 1.5 weeks of clothing using the closet if I am limiting the amount of bulky items I am bringing. I also am one of those freaks that exercises when I travel, so I have about 2-3 workout outfits packed. My typical closet will have:
3 jeans/pants
2 dresses
2 pajamas
Combination of 7-10 tops (mix of tanks, t shirts, long sleeve, light sweaters, all chosen based on where I’m going and weather)
3 leggings, 3 sports bras, 3 workout tanks
2-3 bras/bralettes
I shove my Dyson air wrap on this side between the handlebars as well as two attachments I choose to bring
2-3 belts. I wrap these around between the closet side and the non closet side.
Non closet side
Spin shoes
Typically a wedge heel
Typically block heel
Toiletry bag
Light jacket
I stuff socks and underwear into my shoes
Then when I travel, I wear sneakers, another light jacket (or coat if it’s going to be cold!), lounge pants/leggings and another comfortable shirt that works for day wear or lounging.
This bag does get heavy and it can take some effort to close but it will. So if it’s travel where there isn’t any need for worrying about weight or worried about needing extra room to bring stuff back, I can easily use it.
I actually have their endeavor backpack as well, and that is where I put in my slim bag/pouch that I use for makeup brushes and other non liquid toiletries. I have a similar pouch I use for tech items. I put in my hair towel in here, brush, and comb, sunglasses. I sometimes throw sandals in here or I sometimes put another small to medium packing cube in there as well if I had some extra clothes to pack for a longer trip. I always carry a smaller purse than I shove in there during the boarding process to keep the GAs at bay for not having an extra personal item, so I always plan my backpack to have room for it. I typically have room if I do happen to come home with 1-2 small items. Then my laptop and tablet and other small things I travel with fit in the area dedicated for those things. In summary, the backpack is pretty versatile for me for overflow items for longer trips along with the standard things I like to have on hand on the plane with me.
Don’t get me wrong, it took a lot of trial and error to make this work well for me with the closet and I do like using it. I realize certain types of items are just not going to get taken with me if I use the closet. I travel a lot for work. Last year alone I spent 150 nights in a hotel.
For some context, I am using this bag for a 2 week trip I’m leaving for tomorrow and I am not using the closet. Not as space efficient to account for some extra stuff I would add to the list.
I share the same frustrations with the bag standing up with the closet on it. A joke at best so I pack it while it is hanging up on something else and hang it up in the closet at hotels.
The closet isn’t a complete gimmick but the brand isn’t really forthcoming on how to use the closet effectively, or otherwise its limitations, if you want to stuff the other side like I do as well as pack up the closet pretty well. I still like the bag given I’m on my anti-zipper kick and the bag has held up super well for the trips I have used it on for the past 2 years. Which is at least 50 trips over the past 2 years and I live in the middle of nowhere so I’m always on a connection even domestically.
This seems like you’re the ideal traveler for a system like this. I’ve seen flight attendants using these sorts of closets as well.
This is a very helpful comment-thank you!
Amazing work and effort you’ve put in. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks, Lauren! Great review. I always wondered about this suitcase.
Another fabulous review. Thank you so much!
Love your reviews that show us as well as tell us. Excellent and fair review. TY
Thank you for watching!
Thank you Lauren
Thx for another great review. I used to have a great hang up packing item. It was like a giant rollup cosmetic bag with clear zippered pockets plus two large pockets on the back that i used for laundry. When i reached the hotel I would hang it up . I couuld see all my clothes. It was super convenient. I used it for more than 25 years...until it literally fell apart. I kind of hoped that Solgard closet would be a substitute for that. It seems that this isnt the case. The weight of the Solgard bag is also a concern. ( I am 5' 2" and often travel on my own.... i prob couldn't it into overhead )
Hi Lauren. Never was interested in getting this but I will admit I have a soft travel hanging closet thing I got off amazon. The only thing i use it for is cruising. I drive to port and it is the only time I ever pack in a bag larger than carryon. I hang in cabin closet and live out of it while I slide suitcase under the bed. Could not imagine using anything like it in a carryon though. Waste of space. As always, thanks for your honest reviews!
I was volunteering at a hostel in South America a few years back. The hostel volunteers all shared a tiny room with no closet space. So for that trip I wished I had this bag. Otherwise on a one week vacation it’s not necessary I think
Thanks for this video! When I first saw ads for the Solgaard, I knew immediately it wasn't for me. I would rather live out of my suitcase and packing cubes rather than try to hang the closet up in a closet. I would also be annoyed by the fact that each shelf is fairly enclosed--they don't open up fully so you have to reach in and out to get at your clothes. If anything, I might use the closet insert in my actual closet at home--it might work as an alternative to drawers, especially for small things you want to grab all the time. The suitcase itself seems nicely made, though the weight is a bit much, especially if you have to fly on an airline that has a 7kg limit! BTW, I wonder if the bottom shelf--the one that doesn't zip up--isn't meant for clothes? Maybe shoes or things like your tripod?
Excellent job again Lauren! Im not sure y this closet kept falling off… I travel a lot with my SIL who owns this… she opens it up in the hotel closet … I guess leaning again the wall… I don’t own this bag… I’m one of your followers who begged you to review it … you did an excellent job as usual. My SIL loves this bag ( she lives in Liverpool, UK) … we travel probably 3-5 times a year together… she also uses a soft Bric’s, but mostly that bag you reviewed… she adores it the first and only hard shell carry on she owns…to answer your question, she does unpack the other sides which has shoes, purses and hanging toiletries from the same company. I’m simply a witness and thank you for reviewing this without bias!😮
Good to know! Thanks for sharing!
Fingers crossed you use that new Level 8 Freeloop on a trip in the near future! 😊
I’ll consider it but we’ll see! Typically for my trips I need expansion because I’m a shopaholic 😝
I did exactly what you did with that suitcase! I ditched their insert and used packing cubes! lol but the suitcase it pretty heavy so I’m not using it anymore.
I just purchased the “lite” large check in trunk. After a lot of comparison, it is the lightest out of comparable trunks from Away, Monos and July. The lite bag has changed the “closet” to 2 separate pieces, and they are placed vertically instead of horizontally. I have not tried them, but I really just purchased for the quality of the bag, the light weight and the trunk style. I am for once bringing a large bag so I can shop! TBD on the closet..
I have the light one too! Comparison coming soon :)
@@ItsTheKellys Great! I would LOVE a lite check in review.
Well one good thing came out if this review….you motivated me to pack 😂
I motivated myself to pack too 😂😂
I tend to live out of the bag so closet system seems nice to me BUT it doenst look like my toiletry bag will fit, so maybe packing cubes and a cheaper bag is a better option for me
Would you please review the Biaggi Runway Hardshell and their soft sided bags? Merci beaucoup !
I’ve tried working with them, and continue to try!
Packing Cube ...Do I have to Iron everything when I pull out the clothes?
I'd love to see a review of the bag itself--wheels, handle sturdiness, scratch test, etc. They have some cute colors and the closet is removable.
I'm doing a big Solgaard video tomorrow, showing this one and the lite, and going over a lot of the details of each. I didn't do those tests yet. Everything seems very sturdy and durable, but I do have a few scratches on them, just from hauling them around my house.
Awesome, can't wait to see
I have both the carry on & the check bag. For it to stand at the 90 degrees there are 2 clips in the corner of the bag that you have to clip together. Just like when the closet is in the bag and you clip the straps to compress it more. Those clips I'm the corner are like that. I love this bag. I use it with the closet & with compression cubes. It just depends on what I'm taking.
Yes they are clipped. Still falls over
Can you review Cotopaxi
It works for a weekend trip, but I hate the insert. I use compression bags and tuck that in if I want to hang my things.
I've been waiting for your review! When I first saw this product my initial reaction was, "well that's a hot mess"! I wondered if maybe you saw something redeemable that I didn't. 😂
😄
Lauren have you looked at any of the Biaggi bags? I hate to admit i’m a little curious about them.
I’ve asked her to look at them before too- I went ahead and bought them. I’m using the cube backpack (love it!!!) and the zipsak w/trolley w/handle on a trip all over Australia right now! They are very lightweight & functional & my only complaint is of course the cheap wheels - I have to pull it kind of sideways, but I really love them both & can recommend them for how exceptionally lightweight they are.
I have the hard sided one. It’s really small. I would never really use it. It can fit the cubes and maybe 2” more with the depth. Plus, I’m not a traditional luggage fan for packing, I like clamshell better.
Thank you for this awesome honest review!
Hi Lauren! So I have a new question for you.. it’s something I struggle with when packing on trips, which is toiletries (specifically hair care). I have very curly hair and I feel like I need more things than normal but I’m not sure what I can do to minimize that? I know it’s out of your normal, but I wanted to ask since you’re an expert lol! 😊
Well I don’t have curly hair but I am a hair stylist! I’d try to find your perfect “backup” cocktail of products that are travel friendly, whether it’s gel/mousse, or leave in/curl activator. It may not be your favorites that you love at home, but something do-able in travel sizes or that can be easily put into a travel sized container.
I bought this on sale and use it for my business travel. I'm never gone more then 4 days so its perfect for me. I wouldnt use it on an international trip where I have to back sweaters or bulkier items. I do capsule wardrobe so that's helpful.
I may try it on my 4 day Domestic work trip in May!
I do own this bag and do not like the closet system. It takes too long to fold the clothes to fit into the closet and as you have shown you can fit more using cubes. It also is heavy to lift overhead. Also on my first use the strap that compresses the closet broke off and I had to wait, and complain until I could get a replacement. I couldn’t just get a new closet, they replaced the entire suitcase. On a very positive note, it rolls beautifully.
Yes it does seem like the suitcase itself is great, although heavy!
Thoughts on buying it just for the trunk?! I thought I would use the closet but I don’t lol, but I actually love that the smaller version fits on every flight in the world as a Carry On. Makes me not overpack
You could, but I’d probably prefer the other trunks I have reviewed, just based on the compression pad inside and the weight
Whoa! Another great review. This has always been an interesting bag, but the weight is a problem for me personally. I can see how some people would love this product. Maybe for car travel.
Fair enough!
I have the checked version of this bag. I did not like the closet feature, so I threw it away. But I do like the bag itself because it is trunk style, with one part of the luggage being deeper than the other. I love it when I plan on shopping because there’s plenty of room for me to put my purchases. Especially if the purchases are odd shaped. But the closet I think is not practical and takes up all of the bag and kind of defeats the purpose. Thanks for your video!
I wish there was an option to buy the bag without the closet!
Do they sell a similar product like this anywhere? I would actually use that to keep my stuff more organized when I unpack on a trip my stuff is always all over the place and it’s annoying😂
There’s some Amazon closets for various sized luggage, but I find them just as bulky and annoying.
Hmmm so it's a no brainer l would listen to you , who is a expert in travel , before l would believe a marketing team ..
Thank you Lauren
OMG After all the hassle of packing it, you would need a week's vacation to recover. When you say international size, do you mean traveling to and from the US or sizing like for European, Asian airlines that have different requirements? If the European airline sizes are different could you do a vlog about that and packing in that size? Thanks
International sizing is about 45 linear inches or under, or a smaller carry on. US domestic can sometimes allow a larger carry on, like the monos plus or away bigger carry on, for example. Usually a US airline to another continent is really code sharing with an international line, such as Delta/AirFrance/KLM or United/Lufthansa, so it’s usually checking with what those airlines reccomend.
Most of the bags I review are internationally sized, as I rarely fly domestic :)
I’d be interested to see a hack video for this bag. Maybe those travel shelf organizers for like $30 on amazon. Or even just a simple shoe organizer. Same organization for much less.
I actually did one last year, but people were so mean in the comments that I deleted it :( it’s essentially the same thing. Holds the same amount, but too bulky to make sense, and not necessary.
I had a similar one. Took it apart because it made NO sense, as I pack very well. My niece now actually has the suitcase itself.
I feel like I could do the same thing with one of the hanging cube closet organizers lol
If it’s a small one, I’m sure! But still not necessary at all, haha.
They sent you a bag AND gave you an affiliated link??? These guys really want to change your mind 😂 props to them. I'll definitely consider them
I did go into it with a very open mind! I’m trying the light one next. The cube is different, maybe I’ll like it more
I always thought that Solgaard Carry On Closet looked kinda wacky. I enjoyed the comparison with packing cubes. I'll always choose packing cubes over gimmicks.
I think that's a good idea!
I think the only way this would work for me is if it clipped into the luggage, was packed, and then expanded when you pulled it out and hung it up. I am too used to packing cubes for this. And the extra weight would kill me (every ounce counts when you travel carry on).
Yeah, that bag empty is way too heavy for me. 9 pounds with nothing in it that’s crazy.
I agree with you on this for certain. I believe it to be a bit gimmicky. Regardless of the actual quality of materials and craftsmanship, there are better options.
Random comment not related to this video in particular, can someone suggest a personal item with wheels that can be accepted by JetBlue and Breeze? Those two airlines have an annoying 17 x 13 x 8 (inches) personal item size! I wish it was industry standard to accept 18 x 14 x 8 😤
It’s hard to find a wheeled one to even work the 18x14x8 sometimes! Becuase most of the time those wheels take up 2” and then you’re stuck with only 15” which is less than an average backpack.
@@ItsTheKellys Yeah, I’m starting to lean towards a backpack, even though I really would prefer not to 😢 or I may just pay for the carry-on, but a part of me really hate doing that lol
Hi Lauren, Unfortunately, I bought the carry on version (two actually) several years ago as I was thrilled with the concept with what it was made from and the closet. I took it to Hawaii and it was not forgiving in packing with and without the closet. Waste of money. I also bought the Endeavor backpack "thinking" it was going to help pack lighter, The weight is horrid for the carry on suitcase and the backpack, even though it expanded, it does not open large enough (1/2 clamshell) and the zipper opened several times during transport and its contents came out all through the airport without me knowing. Customer service is not responsive. These bags are not worth the high price tag - waste of money. I will stick with my July light expandable carry on and packing cubes any day of the week! Thanks for your review of this horrid bag - Bev
Hi Bev! I think you made a good choice with the July light. I
I was so worried you were going to like this after seeing your teaser. 😂😂 I looked into it (and other hanging bag/luggage organizers) but it just seemed like useless weight and unnecessary structure.
If you want the “hanging closet,” there are tons of sizes and brands available on Amazon for a LOT less money.
True, but still as unnecessary and bulky! I tried one last year
@@ItsTheKellys Oh, absolutely. But, if it's something someone needs/wants (or wants to try), they can use their own luggage and only spend less than $50 for the organizer insert. (Some of us just love a gadget -- I'm one of them. LOL)
The closet is better adapted to backpackers and camping cars where space is limited but without the use of suit cases
I think you're right
I've never been interested for a number of reasons. #1, I'm usually not paying that much for a carry on. #2, it's heavy and I'm a small less than young woman. #3, I'm an unpacker I never leave my things in my suitcase. I can totally unpack my suitcase and any other bags I have, which is usually a backpack and maybe a tote as well (I drive) in less than 5 min. have everything put up and the bags out of the way. In the grand scheme of things, that 5 min. is not a huge chunk of my life.
Brian and I were saying the same thing about the unpacking. You give up so much just to save yourself a couple of mins. I don't get it.
If you weren't using the closet per se you could actually pack twice as much without it in that same suitcase... Or it does appear to me that you could put more clothes in that suitcase without that contraption! And you don't have that many clothes either!
Yep, I did a packing example at the end of the video with packing cubes instead :)
I don’t like it at all just watching the commercials and now after watching you review it I wouldn’t want it plus, I worry about any suitcase that has a clamshell latch that they might pop open
I love you
Lauren is the best 🥰
Looks really stressful… like owning a tesla. Its great for some people, not my cup of tea.
Also, just for the record this isn’t revolutionary at all. I remember like 20-25 years ago Joy Mangano selling a suitcase like this on HSN. In a variety of sizes even. I know someone who had one.
This bag will cost people stress they don't need when packing.😢
That's a really complicated and terrible solution, begging for a problem.
What is wrong with living out of your bag and packing cubes? This is how I keep all my things together and prevent them from becoming lost.
Sorry to be a party pooper. I wouldn't pay near $300 for a carry on suit case. Forget the closet model.
Nah.
The Solgaard is not for me. It always seemed gimmicky to me. Now that I’ve seen your video, I’m definitely not a fan.