I watched an airline baggage handler visibly throw my previous carry-on off a jet bridge cart, and the resulting crack in the shell was apparently not covered by anything. I bought the Baseline specifically because of its warranty policy, and it's the only suitcase I've owned where I've actually used that warranty and had it work exactly as promised.
The Warranty Is the Actual Product Here
Briggs & Riley's Simple As That warranty covers all damage, including airline damage, for the life of the bag, with no receipt required and no questions asked about how the damage happened. This is a genuinely unusual policy in an industry where most luggage warranties explicitly exclude airline damage — the single most common way expensive luggage actually gets destroyed. I've used this warranty once, for a cracked wheel housing after a rough connection at a regional airport, and the replacement process was straightforward and exactly as advertised, which is more than I can say for any warranty claim I've attempted with previous luggage brands.
The CX Expansion System
The Baseline's compression expansion system lets you add roughly 25% more packing capacity when needed, then compress it back down to standard carry-on dimensions for the return trip or for meeting stricter airline size limits, using an internal compression system rather than just an external zipper expansion that fights airline sizers. This flexibility has repeatedly let me pack for an unexpectedly longer trip or bring back souvenirs and gifts without needing a second bag, then compress back to compliant carry-on dimensions for the flight home.
Wheel and Handle Durability
The spinner wheels roll smoothly and have held up to regular cobblestone streets, rough sidewalk transitions, and general travel abuse without the wobble or seizing that developed in cheaper luggage wheels I've owned. The telescoping handle locks solidly at multiple heights without the play or looseness that makes some cheaper suitcases feel unstable when pushed rather than pulled — a genuinely underrated quality difference that only becomes obvious after using both types back to back.
Build Materials and Weight
The Baseline uses a durable ballistic nylon construction rather than hardside polycarbonate, which trades some scratch resistance and rigid structure for lighter weight and, in my experience, better resistance to the kind of cracking impact damage hardside luggage is prone to when actually mishandled. If you prefer the sleek, structured look and feel of hardside luggage, this softside construction will feel like a different category of bag, and that's a legitimate personal preference rather than the Baseline being objectively better — it's simply a different, more impact-resistant approach to durability.
Organization and Everyday Use
Interior organization includes compression straps and a separate zippered section that keeps clothes from shifting in transit, along with exterior pockets sized well for a laptop, travel documents, and quick-access items you don't want buried in the main compartment during security screening. None of this is revolutionary compared to competing carry-ons, but it's well-executed and clearly designed by people who actually travel frequently rather than just designing to a spec sheet.
Who Should Buy This
If you travel rarely and your luggage mostly sits in a closet between trips, the extended warranty's value is much less relevant to you, and a cheaper carry-on will likely serve fine. This earns its price specifically for frequent travelers who've experienced the genuine frustration of airline-damaged luggage with no real recourse — the warranty alone changes the entire ownership calculation for anyone flying regularly.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Genuinely comprehensive lifetime warranty that covers airline damage, no receipt needed
- CX expansion system adds real flexible packing capacity when needed
- Smooth, durable spinner wheels and a solidly locking telescoping handle
- Softside ballistic nylon resists cracking better than hardside luggage under real abuse
Cons:
- Expensive relative to mainstream carry-on luggage
- Softside construction lacks the structured, sleek look of hardside luggage
- Warranty's full value is only realized by genuinely frequent travelers
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the warranty really cover airline damage with no receipt?
Yes, this is Briggs & Riley's specific selling point — their Simple As That warranty covers all damage including airline mishandling for the life of the bag without requiring proof of purchase.
Is this carry-on compliant with most airline size restrictions?
Yes when packed at standard capacity, though using the CX expansion feature can push it beyond some airlines' stricter carry-on limits, so compress it back down before a flight with tight sizing rules.
Final Verdict
I bought this suitcase for the warranty and stayed for genuinely excellent build quality that's made me need that warranty far less often than I expected — but knowing it's actually there if I do has changed how I think about luggage entirely.
Rating: 9.0/10 — The first suitcase warranty that's ever actually worked the way it was advertised.