as much as I revere and admittedly want a luxury aluminum Rimowa suitcase, I don’t want my luggage to actually be made entirely of aluminum. It adds unnecessary weight, not to mention the prices are eye watering for anyone not sitting in a corner office. To be clear, I’m all for traveling in style and believe flights require some decorum—I’d just rather put that money into a blazer or pants for the ride.
I want my carry-on to look like it’s made of aluminum. Hence why I’ve been shopping polycarbonate/aluminum hybrid luggage to complement my personal item (can never go wrong with a backpack). It’s a fine line to walk: Some look too plasticky, others lack the compression straps and lining I want, and other’s are just trying a bit too hard. But younger luggage brand Portar hits the sweet spot. Right now, Portar’s carry-on luggage is just $250 on Amazon—$125 off usual retail.
While the brand has a line of all-aluminum luggage, the Aluminum EdgeFrame is what caught my attention. These suitcases are made of durable, lightweight polycarbonate but have an aluminum edging to protect from dings and scrapes. I like that the aluminum completely borders the luggage instead of just “accenting” it. It’s functional instead of just being cosmetic, though aesthetics were taken into consideration: The aluminum matches the polycarbonate for a sleek look. The biggest sell for me is the lack of branding—I don’t care if it’s subdued, I still prefer logoless.
Aside from a unique design, Portar keeps the foundation of solid carry-on suitcases with a telescopic handle and omni-directional wheels. The interior features compression straps and a water-resistant lining to combat any spills from your dopp kit. I like that the top and side handles are thick, as my pet peeve with any backpack or suitcase is small or thin handles.
Portar may not really be doing anything new in terms of materials, and that’s good! It’s still using the same materials as other luggage brands because proprietary polycarbonate isn’t really something anyone needs. However, Portar is executing both function and design better than other aluminum and aluminum/polycarbonate luggage I’ve seen lately. And did I mention they’re only $250 right now?
Buy Portar Aluminum EdgeFrame Carry-On Luggage
Alternative Aluminum Luggage
Monos Hybrid Carry-On
Away The Carry-On: Aluminum Edition
Original Cabin
Danny Perez is a Reviews Editor for Popular Mechanics with a focus on men’s style, gear, and home goods. Recently, he was coordinator of partnership content at another product journalism outlet. Prior to that, he was a buyer for an independent men’s shop in Houston, Texas, where he learned all about what makes great products great. He enjoys thrifting for 90s Broadway tees and vintage pajama sets. His spare time is occupied by watching movies and running to impress strangers on Strava.
Ryan Brower is the Senior Gear and Reviews Editor at Men’s Health, where he tests the best products in outdoor gear and tech. Baseball, surfing, and camping occupied most of his time growing up. He also trained in martial arts for 12 years and holds a third degree black belt. He has written about the outdoors for nearly two decades and was previously the Managing Editor, Content Performance at Gear Patrol. He is also a Certified Beer Server and previously covered the craft beer industry. Ryan currently lives on the water in New Jersey with his wife and their dog.
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