A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
Updated Aug. 27, 2024
Exceptional durability, timeless style and unique features make Victorinox luggage a worthy addition to any traveler's suitcase collection.
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When it comes to shopping for the best luggage, deciding between hard and soft luggage can be a challenge. Both have their pros and cons and at the end of the day, it boils down to personal preference. If you’ve decided that soft-sided luggage is for you, then you’re in luck because we’ve thoroughly researched and tested dozens of suitcases from the top luggage brands. One suitcase really impressed us after coming out of our Testing Lab relatively unscathed despite hours of being thrown around: the Victorinox Werks 6.0 Frequent Flyer Plus Softside.
At $560, this Victorinox luggage is a splurge. To determine whether it’s a worthwhile investment, our Product Testing Team took it into our dedicated Testing Lab for a closer look. We also sent it on a three-day excursion with one of our testers to see how it fared during real-world travel conditions. Once our testing was complete, we compiled all of our findings in this detailed Victorinox carry-on review.
The Victorinox Werks 6.0 Frequent Flyer Plus Softside is a soft-sided carry-on suitcase. It is made of high-quality nylon and has a minimalistic design that suits many types of travelers. Moreover, it offers several convenient features, like a tri-fold garment bag, a universal serial bus (USB)-C charging cord and plug, nylon buckled tie-down straps and an intelligent Pack More System. This system consists of multiple organizational pockets that our tester likened to built-in packing cubes.
In addition to loads of interior pockets, this Victorinox luggage also features a hidden vertical pocket on the very front, a regular horizontal pocket and a full front compartment that has a mesh pocket inside that’s separate from the main packing compartment. It even has a place for your Swiss army knife, though keep in mind you can’t fly with one.
This carry-on suitcase measures 22.8 inches tall by 15 inches wide by 9.4 inches deep, which means that it meets the carry-on size guidelines for most domestic airlines. It weighs 7.70 pounds and has a sleek telescopic handle with three different height levels. It also has four dual 360-degree swivel wheels with rubber treads that glide smoothly and quietly through airports and hotels.
ELLEN CROWLEY/ RD.COM
This rolling suitcase meets the carry-on size guidelines for most domestic airlines, and it only weighs 7.70 pounds.
To determine whether or not this Victorinox luggage was worth its salt, our Product Testing Team took the Victorinox Werks 6.0 Frequent Flyer Plus into the Testing Lab. Admittedly, our testers weren’t initially impressed by the lack of stylistic details. “It looks well-made, but visually, it’s quite boring,” says the Product Testing Team. But that didn’t stop them from putting it through 12 different tests to see what it’s really made of.
Annamarie Higley, product testing manager, and Dylan Fischer, associate product tester, began by stuffing this bag with two heavy moving blankets to add weight and bulk before rolling it around various types of terrain, including grass, gravel, and over uneven sidewalks. They were impressed by the bag’s turn radius, which they credit to the dual wheels, and the overall performance. “Solid performance on all surfaces and cracks and lips in the pavement,” notes the team. However, they added that the bag needed to be pulled rather than pushed along the grass and gravel.
During the next round of testing, our testers dropped this suitcase from roughly 4 feet high, tossed it over a barrier and dragged it for a yard or so to mimic the treatment it might receive at the airport if checked. Because let’s be honest: No one is going to be as careful with your bags as you are. To their amazement, there was minimal scuffing. “The scuffing was somewhat minimal to begin with, but a wet microfiber cloth wiped away almost all traces of damage from the fabric,” raves the Product Testing Team. The only parts of the suitcase that suffered here were the bumpers, though even they held up quite well.
Next, our testers sprayed this bag with water in order to see how well it would hold up in wet weather conditions such as rain or snow. Once again, they were blown away by how well this bag fared. According to our testers, all of the water beaded and wiped right off.
In spite of its hefty price tag, our testers agree that this suitcase is a great value. “We are very confident this would last a long time. Very, very confident,” emphasizes the Product Testing Team.
Once the team was through with their testing, it was time to send this suitcase on an actual trip. Ellie Crowley, associate culinary producer, packed this bag and headed out for a three-day trip in Michigan. Though she didn’t fly, her trip involved a car ride and a ferry trip. Crowley, who normally prefers hard-shell luggage to soft-sided luggage, was impressed by how well this bag fit in the trunk of her car and in the ferry’s luggage storage room. She also appreciated the four dual 360-degree swivel wheels. “You can roll it standing up instead of leaning it on the back two wheels to roll, which at this point is a must for me,” she explains.
Another thing that really impressed Crowley was how well this Victorinox luggage held up during her travels. Like our Product Testing Team, she was amazed to find that there were no scuffs or marks after tossing this suitcase in and out of her trunk and taking it on a ferry. “It is impressive considering the second half of our trip was a ferry ride home. I assume they are rough with luggage and it had no impact on this suitcase,” she says. “It seems very durable and even the small touches like the zipper, you can tell is high quality.”
But in spite of its durability, Crowley is hesitant to label this suitcase as a good value. “It performs really well but I personally couldn’t justify spending that much money for smaller carry-on suitcase,” she admits.
ELLEN CROWLEY/ RD.COM
This carry-on features a tri-fold garment bag, a USB-C charging cord and plug, nylon buckled tie-down straps and an intelligent Pack More System.
At Reader’s Digest, we know how important it is to find quality products that make your life easier and won’t leave you with a bad case of buyer’s remorse. This especially applies to luggage, since our editors and testers are a diverse mix of frequent fliers, international travelers, weekend trippers and road trippers. Many of us are also parents and pet owners who need things to move along as seamlessly as possible. As such, we have years of personal experience with everything from travel backpacks and anti-theft bags, and will never recommend a piece of luggage that didn’t enhance our own travel experience.
Our product testing experts on the Product Testing Team spent hours in our Testing Lab getting up close and personal with over a dozen soft-sided suitcases. Several of those hours were spent with the Victorinox Werks 6.0 Frequent Flyer Plus Softside. We also sent this suitcase on a three-day long trip with a tester to see how it holds up to real-life travel. So, you can feel confident that we put in the work to find how this Victorinox carry-on holds up during real travel with real people.
Originally Published: August 22, 2024
