I Tested the New Dagne Dover Luggage in Japan

One thing about me: I nerd out when it comes to luggage features. When you travel as much as I do (and your job includes testing dozens of travel-related products each year, as mine does) you develop passionate opinions about brands, styles, and features. So, when I learned that Dagne Dover — one of my all-time favorites for its durable materials and brilliantly-curated organizational features — was launching a luggage collection including roller bags (which is a first for the brand) a few weeks before my biggest international trip of the summer, I was downright giddy to put the new wares to the test. 

I went with the new Sydney Checked Luggage, as well as the Brooklyn Backpack (plus a suite of accessories like packing cubes, a tech organizer, and a toiletry bag), and headed off for two weeks in Japan with my family, including my school-aged twins. With plans to travel to multiple cities by train — with my luggage and the kids in tow — I knew I’d be putting these new Dagne Dover bags to a serious test. 

Dagne Dover Sydney Checked Luggage

I’ve always had hardside luggage, so I was curious how the Dagne Dover soft-sided roller would suit me. It turns out that I liked it so much, I might never go back. The roller is poly made from recycled bottles, with expanding zippers for more space. It also has easy-to-maneuver 360-degree wheels, plus elastic straps and an interior roll-up divider with toggles for organized packing.

Dagne Dover Sydney Checked Luggage

Unlike hardside luggage, this softside bag has an exterior zipper that opens so you can access the inside compartment even when the bag is closed and ready to go. This came in handy when my family was all packed with our luggage ready to leave our Tokyo hotel and hop on our scheduled bullet train. Of course, that’s exactly when my daughter discovered something of critical importance to her (ahem, hotel bath amenities) that she wanted to add to the mix. To avoid a meltdown with a train to catch, I dropped her additional stuff into my suitcase using the exterior side zipper, and the luggage accommodated everything when expanded. No fuss, no mess.

Brooklyn Flaptop Backpack

In addition to the suitcase, I also picked up this new Dagne Dover backpack, which is made of the same recycled poly as the suitcase — and it’s a powerhouse. I packed it with my laptop (it actually fits two laptops or tablets up to 16 inches), plus a change of clothes, tons of tech accessories and toiletries, a pair of water bottles, and a ginormous Japan travel book. 

Though I packed it densely, it was up to the task; it felt comfortable on my back, with the straps distributing the weight well. Most of the time, though, I just slid the pack right over the roller bag, given that it has a convenient trolly sleeve.

There are tons of smart pockets and pouches inside this pack. But for me, the coolest features are actually on the outside: the main opening and the side pockets all have elastic cords and toggle closures, so you can cinch them up for security. Two buckles close to further secure the main opening — and these buckles are the real deal. Because they’re so solidly made, they could handle the stuffed, heavy bag with my most essential gear and valuables. 

On this trip, my new luggage and I tallied three international flights, four different airports, various labyrinthine train stations (including the behemoth Tokyo Station, a city unto itself), two hotels, and a few cab rides. And so far, my gear is holding up great. I’ll have to log more miles before I can really tell how the lightish shade of the Ash color I have holds up to dirt and stains (though this concern would be a non-issue if you choose the black or green). But overall, I’m thrilled with my new Dagne Dover luggage and highly recommend you add it to your demanding travel agenda too: it’s up for adventure and looks great on the go.

Keep scrolling for more of what I road-tested on my trip.

More Dagne Dover Products I Tested in Japan:

Seoul Dopp Kit

I packed this case tightly (two weeks of daily disposable contacts alone take up a ton of room) and the zippers and pouches showed no signs of straining against the load; it’s built tough.

Roma Packing Cubes

These cubes are sturdy and built to last, with tags to label the contents. I chose packing colors in the citrine color because I love how it contrasts the light gray luggage.

Arlo Tech Organizer

This charging case is a huge upgrade in quality from my previous one I bought at Amazon. The zipper is heavy-duty and smooth, and it could hold a ton of items.

Dakota Neoprene Backpack

My 9-year-old son used this Dagne Dover backpack for his carry-on, but I love that it’s sleek and simple with all-gender appeal. So, my kids, husband, and I all took turns carrying it as a daypack at Tokyo DisneySea and around town.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week