When it comes to traveling, I have a couple of logistical problems. I love suitcases and travel gear, but I live in a smallish condo. So, my habit of acquiring suitcases is unsuitable for my living conditions.
That’s why I was so amped to try out the Rollink Flex 360 Carry-On Fully Collapsible Suitcase. When else can you say you can fold your bag for easy storage under your bed or on a shelf in your closet? Never.
After my much beloved and stickered Speck suitcase broke, I was eager to get a new suitcase for all my adventures. I will admit that I was hesitant about finding durable collapsible luggage despite its obvious merits, though I quickly learned my fears were unwarranted.
This handy carry-on collapsible suitcase took its first adventure with me on a short flight to Door County, Wisconsin, for a long weekend. Now, it has also been to Mexico, and after two very different airport experiences with it, I have some thoughts I wanted to share.
What is Rollink?
Rollink is a strictly luggage-based brand that specializes in collapsible, space-saving pieces. Most of its products are collapsible suitcases, though Rollink also has some travel accessories like toiletry bags and mini travel bags for passports and cash.
Per the Rollink website, their suitcases are 75% thinner than the average bag, so they’re great for travel and home. These bags fit under your bed or on a shelf without taking up the entire thing. The company even says they’re light enough to hang them on a rack or closet, creating even more organizational opportunities.
Where to buy Rollink suitcases:
Here’s a comparison chart between fan-favorite brand BÉIS and Rollink suitcases:
| Category | BÉIS | Rollink |
|---|---|---|
| Brand Reputation | BÉIS is a lifestyle brand founded by Shay Mitchell, known for its trendy designs and affordable prices. | Rollink is a newer brand focused on innovative features and modern designs. |
| Price Range | BÉIS suitcases are moderately priced, offering good value for the quality and design. | Rollink suitcases are competitively priced, often offering advanced features at affordable rates. |
| Materials | BÉIS suitcases typically use durable materials like polycarbonate and nylon. | Rollink suitcases also prioritize durability, often using materials like polycarbonate for resilience. |
| Design | BÉIS offers stylish and trendy designs, often incorporating fashionable colors and patterns. | Rollink emphasizes sleek and modern designs, with a focus on functionality and tech-savvy features. |
| Features | Rollink emphasizes sleek and modern designs, focusing on functionality and tech-savvy features. | Rollink suitcases are collapsible, have TSA-approved locks and storage capabilities. |
| Warranty & Support | BÉIS typically offers a limited warranty on their suitcases, with customer support available for assistance. | Rollink’s warranty and support may vary depending on the region and distributor, with potential for global support as the brand grows. |
See Related: The Travelers’ Guide to the Best Places to Buy Luggage
Rollink Carry-On Collapsible Suitcases
Even though Rollink only has three categories of suitcase options, you get a smorgasbord. At Rollink, you have the Flex 360 (which I have featured above), the Flex Aura, and the Flex Vega.
| Model | Price | Weight (lbs) | Capacity (L) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flex 360 | $249-$349 | 6-10 | 40-110 |
| Flex Aura | $200 | 5.5 | 40 |
| Flex Vega | $180-$260 | 5-7 | 40-65 |
We’ll dive into what makes these different. Although they all have collapsibility optimization and are made of durable polycarbonate shells, they are quite different bags. Each category of lightweight bag comes in a range of colors.
The Flex 360 is great for frequent travelers with four wheels rotating full 360-degrees. With this, you can easily zip through an airport, train station, or uptown. These stylish bags come in four sizes: carry-on (22’’ x 14’’ x 9’’), international carry-on (21.6’’ x 15.7’’ x 9’), checked medium (26.5’’ x 18.7’’ x 11’’), and checked large (29″ x 20.4″ x 11.2″).
- “This by far is my favorite, most convenient, well-made easiest to use luggage I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with it is the coolest design where you can collapse it to a smaller size…Lots of straps, zippers, everything you would need[.] it’s very lightweight so it would be great to take on an airplane and the color is the best ever I’m using it for my cruise vacation, overall this is my most favorite suitcase I have ever got, and I would definitely recommend it. It’s very trendy and modern.” – Nicole, Amazon.com
With Rollink’s collapsible suitcase Flex Vega, you have nearly the same design as the Flex 360 except for the wheels. It simply has two in the back rather than four. Also, unlike the 360, Flex Vega only comes in three sizes: carry-on (22″ x 14″ x 9″), international carry-on (21.6″ x 15.7″ x 9″), and checked medium (25.5″ x 17″ x 11.6″).
- “Great luggage! I got this as a gift but honestly, I want to keep this one. It looks beautiful, even better than I imagined.” – Ashleigh, Rollink.com
Finally, the Flex Aura allows for a bit more travel accessibility. With a waterproof fabric lining the outside of the bag, there is a pocket for some of your things to avoid opening the whole suitcase. The Flex Aura also has two wheels like the Flex Vega but comes only in carry-on (22″ x 14″ x 9″) and international carry-on (21.6″ x 15.7″ x 9″) sizes. A Flex Aura is the perfect suitcase for a luxury traveler as it is sleek and offers easy access to your belongings.
- “This is my second Rollink cabin suitcase. They hold up well and the colors are perfect, the luggage looks like new, and quiet wheels.” – Jade, Rollink.com
Key Features of Rollink Flex 360 Carry-Ons
I’ll admit I was intimidated by this bag at first. Its collapsibility makes it a little tricky to figure out at first, but if you pay attention to the little chart they send along with the bag, it’s actually a snap to prepare. I was immediately impressed by the organizational and space-saving features of the Rollink Flex 360.
See Related: Types of Travel Bags for the Jetsetter
Hard Polycarbonate Shells & Hardware
As far as hard shell suitcases go, the Rollink has standard hardware. It includes the TSA-approved zipper lock, which I never use on bags. But if that appeals to you, this one works very well. Getting the zippers out at first can be a little hard, but after that, it works smoothly.
The wheels, though, are the highlight for me. The Rollink Flex 360 rolls like a dream compared to my old Speck suitcase. What a few years’ difference can make in hardware development is incredible.
Sturdy Telescoping Handle
I had A major complaint about my now-defunct Speck suitcase: the wobbly telescopic handle. I was a little afraid I could use it for the last year or so that it would snap off. Rollink has not given me that impression at all. Although I’ve only used this suitcase a few times, the handle seems much sturdier than the other one.
Not only that, but it adjusts so well. Some suitcases have a handle that extends out but will quickly wiggle back down — not this bad boy. When you set the telescoping handle, it stays in place until you want to move it.
See Related: Essential Travel Gear for Outdoor Trips
Pros & Cons of Rollink Hard Shell Carry-On Suitcase
There’s always good and bad with something. Unfortunately, the mighty Rollink Flex 360 is no exception. Don’t get me wrong—I love this bag, but I can admit it isn’t perfect.
Pro: Terrific Movement Capabilities
Please ignore my dirty suitcase wheels. Though in all seriousness, this suitcase has the smoothest movement of any I’ve ever used. These coated wheels are far better than any roller bag I’ve ever had. It has no problem traversing nasty airport floors, carpeting, or even bumpy rocks along the walkway of a stunning resort in Mexico.
Because I live in a big city, I’m a fast walker. So, anytime a suitcase can keep up with my neurotic need to walk quickly all the time, that’s a big win in my book.
Pro: Incredible Packing Space
You wouldn’t think a six-pound suitcase (I know, it’s wild how light this bag is) could hold a lot. Yet the Rollink Flex 360 has a 40 L packing volume. When you secure the Velcro flaps from the inside of the bag to keep it sturdily in a rectangular position, you can fit so much stuff in there.
As an efficient packing expert, I can easily fit a week’s worth of items, though it’s also perfect for weekend getaways or short business trips. It lacks some space optimizations of other suitcases I’ve had, but overall, it is terrific.
If you are concerned about the bag staying shut, it does come with a luggage belt. Secure the belt around your bag when you’re ready to go, and you should be all set. I packed in mine for up to five days without issues.
Con: Surface is Easily Scratched
If you’re wondering why my gorgeous deep lagoon-colored Rollink bag has a rainbow cover, it got scratched up so badly on its first return flight. I’m unsure if it’s because of the texture of the diamonds on the bag, but my poor gate-checked bag (a small puddle jumper plane) was beaten so badly.
These suitcases are made of durable polycarbonate hard shells. They won’t easily crack, though dents and marks are another story.
I was able to wash off some of these marks with a warm, damp towel; however, many deep scratches will not come out. I’m disappointed that a single flight made my brand-new bag look like it had been through the ringer. It took my old hard shell bag years to get to this point.
See Related: BÉIS Luggage Review
Con: No Compression Areas
Something I loved about my old Speck bag was that the top had a zippered compression area that helped reduce the suitcase’s space. The Rollink Flex 360 doesn’t have that capability. The straps on the bottom part of the bag help compress clothes a little, but the pockets don’t compress anything.
You can always use compression cubes in your packing. However, it’s always nice when luggage already has some of that built-in.
The Verdict on the Rollink Flex 360 Carry-On Collapsible Hard-Shell Suitcase
Product Brand: Rollink Flex 360 Carry-On
Writer’s Rating: 4.2/5
Pros:
- Good hardware
- Sturdy handle
- Lightweight
- Collapsible
Cons:
- Easily scratched and/or dented
- No inner compression capabilities
Is the Rollink Suitcase Worth the Price?
Despite the issues I’ve had with the suitcase, partly the airline’s fault, I still love it. I think space-saving suitcases have a place in the future of travel. Especially for digital nomads who don’t necessarily have a permanent home, easily stowing away a bag can make any space more cozy.
Also, the Rollink Flex 360 has a lot of storage space. Even packing multiple outfits for a five-day trip with it so far has not exceeded its storage capacity. I am excited to see how much I can safely pack in this luggage on future adventures.
I truly think part of the problem with the design is the diamond pattern and the convex Rollink moniker on the front of the bag. These are the areas with the most noticeable damage.
I highly recommend investing in a luggage cover if you get a Rollink bag to keep it looking as new as the day you got it. I look forward to many years with my new trustworthy travel companion.
