Antler might just be the best luxury luggage brand you’ve never heard of (especially if you don’t spend much time shopping in Europe.) The iconic British brand Antler has been perfecting the art of luggage for the last 110 years. I first discovered Antler in my never-ending quest to find lightweight carry-ons, as the Antler Icon Stripe weighs just over 6 lbs.
This is my honest review of the Antler Icon Stripe Carry-On With Expander.
Overview
The Antler Icon Stripe Carry-On with Expander is a hard-shell spinner made from a partially recycled, water-resistant polycarbonate that’s impressively lightweight. Its standout feature is the expander: unzip the center of the suitcase and you’ll gain nearly two extra inches of depth. It’s ideal for souvenirs, or for those end-of-trip moments when you simply cannot be bothered to re-roll everything with military precision.
I’m personally a big fan of expander features because they work a lot like compression packing cubes. I pack with the expander unzipped, close the case and zip the main zipper, and then zip the expander back down to compress everything and keep the carry-on compact.
Inside, the layout helps you stay organized, thanks to three zippered pockets and compression straps that actually do their job.
Dimensions & Capacity
Here are the key specs for the Antler Icon Stripe Carry-On with Expander:
| Specification | Measurement |
| Dimensions | 21.7 x 14.2 x 9.1 in |
| Weight | 6.17 lb |
| Packing Capacity (standard) | 39.6 L |
| Maximum Volume (expanded) | 46 L |
| Expansion Depth | +5 cm |
This places it squarely in the maximum usable carry-on category for most major airlines, while the expansion feature gives you flexibility once you’re past outbound flight restrictions.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Expandable design adds extra space
- Water-resistant recycled polycarbonate shell is durable and resists scratches and scuffs
- Exceptionally smooth, quiet spinner wheels
- Well-organized interior with compression straps and three zip pockets
- TSA-approved combination lock
- Lifetime warranty
- Comfortable padded handle
- Stylish design in unique colors
- Available in a variety of gorgeous colors (I chose dark green)
Cons
- You may have to gate check the bag on smaller international airplanes if it’s fully expanded
Price
Antler’s Icon Stripe Carry-On With Expander costs $275 on Antler’s website. What you’re paying for here is longevity. Antler backs every suitcase with a lifetime warranty, signaling that this is intended to be a long-term travel companion rather than a replace-every-two-years purchase. Buying direct from Antler is the easiest way to ensure that you get access to the lifetime warranty. I’ve tested out a lot of suitcases over the years, and this one definitely feels worth the price tag, with quality components.
Other Carry-Ons to Consider:
- Away Bigger Carry-On: Slightly more style-forward with a cult following, much heavier.
- Rimowa Aluminum Carry-On: Iconic and impeccably engineered, though significantly more expensive.
- Samsonite Proxis Carry-On Spinner: Another expandable option, that’s lightweight but smaller.
- Nomatic Method Carry-On Suitcase: Expandable and slightly larger, but also a little heavier.
- Samsonite Freeform 21″ Carry-On Suitcase: A large carry-on that skirts the limits on most airlines.
