I'm lucky enough to have travelled a lot over my career. From the Maldives to Skegness, I've learned one universal truth with every mile of travel: a quality suitcase can make or break the experience. Those who've dragged a 22kg carry-on suitcase with three broken wheels through a stuffy terminal on a 45-minute layover will know exactly what I'm talking about.
There's nothing worse than skimping out on a cheap suitcase that falls to pieces having crashed onto a luggage carousel or been chucked into an aeroplane's hold, and I've learned that a bit of investment goes a long way. So it's no wonder I've fallen in love with Carl Friedrik and its latest Core range, which delivers the sort of quiet luxury luggage that has revolutionised my travels. Since its launch in 2012, the London-based brand has earned its reputation as a purveyor of beautiful Italian leather luggage and travel accessories.
So much so that it has been regularly featured as the bag of choice for the Roy family in HBO's Succession , Theo Baker's Eddie Halstead from The Gentlemen , and frequently occurred as a side character in the hit show White Lotus . I'm no lordly drug baron and don't spend much time squabbling over my inheritance, but such is the Core series' quality that it feels like you're punching up into the realms of first-class jet-setting a la Rimowa or Globetrotter . For my review, I was sent the large Check-in option in Navy , which had delicious vegetable-tanned leather detailing.
Retailing at £425, it's available for pre-order in time for delivery between 12th-16th August. It's also available in a black option and a handsome sand/chocolate alternative that's easily our favourite. Carl Friedrik Carl Friedrik I put it through its paces over two trips, one across to Berlin through the Euro 2024 tournament, and the other just a short drive up to Norfolk for a family holiday on the Broads.
One trip was significantly more glamorous than the other, but when it came to my luggage , I was left with few complaints. The lightweight polycarbonate construction (weighing only 5kg) is capacious enough for a two-week trip packed full of outfit changes while offering some added wiggle room to sneak under most airline weight restrictions. When opened, each side boasts plenty of organisational options, from a zippered divider for laptops and flip-flops to a premium, brushed inner lining that protects your clothes in transit.
Because each well of the case can be zippered shut, closing and locking the suitcase is blessedly easy, with a dual-zip around the exterior and a TSA-approved three-combo lock to secure it. If you too have suffered a cut-price suitcase that constantly snaps at your heels when walking, the Check-in Core's innovative telescopic handle eradicates any such nonsense too. And if you're still not sure? There's a lifetime warranty attached to any bag in the range, so there's no fear of it being bashed around as you travel.
For a look at comparably favoured suitcases among British GQ's travel writers, Antler's Stamford 2.0 is £200 but doesn't hold the same visual style as the Core range. Alternatively, Away Travel's Large Flex delivers some colourful suitcases that are still cheaper than Carl Friedrik's offering.
Still, if you're minded to spend the extra on a quality brand that heightens your sartorial travel fit, the Check-in Core is worth it. Carl Friedrik Large Check-in Core range verdict When I mentioned that you need to invest a little more in your luggage to get the most out of a suitcase, I don't mean spending thousands on a Globetrotter trunk or a complete set of Rimowa's finest bags at a grand a pop. At £425, the Large Check-in sits at a firmly mid-tier price range but elevates itself both from a visual and practical sense into the upper echelons of travel bags.
If you care about style as you glide across the world, few brands combine these handsome looks with practical functionality and an affordable price point. Logan Roy, eat your heart out. The Carl Friedrik Large Check-In Core is available for £425 from Carl Friedrik.
