Ever since air travel resumed post-Covid and I decided to treat myself to one of the best suitcases, a navy blue Antler Clifton has travelled the world by my side.
That’s why I jumped at the opportunity to try out Antler’s latest cabin-size suitcase, called the Icon Stripe and launched to mark the brand's 110th anniversary. More specifically – and to give this hard-shelled bag its rather lengthy full name – this is the Icon Stripe Cabin with Expander in Heather Purple... and here's my full review.
Antler Icon Stripe review: price and availability
The Antler Icon Stripe is priced at £185 in the UK and is available to buy at Antler. It measures 36 x 55 x 23 cm and weighs 2.8 kg. It has a maximum volume of 46 litres and a packing capacity of 39.8 litres.
This model sits just above the standard ‘cabin’ version of the Icon Stripe, as it has the added benefit of a soft, expandable section between the exterior zips to help boost its capacity. It sits below two larger variants of the same design.
Antler Icon Stripe Cabin review: Design and features
It’s just a suitcase, right? What can he possibly say here, you’re thinking, that we haven't already worked out from the images? Wrong. And lots, actually. First up is how the combination lock isn’t in the centre of the longest side. The carry handle is, for balance, obviously, but the lock has been moved upwards compared to the Clifton, so it’s easier to reach while you’re shuffling along the security queue.
It’s also there so you can open the suitcase a fair bit – to remove your laptop, iPad and all those little 100 ml bottles – without everything else spilling out. The frequent flyer appreciates this small gesture, since they’ve honed the act of swapping out the toiletries for their phone, wallet and keys to such balletic precision they’re expecting Matthew Bourne to call any minute now.
I digress. Other design details include the wheels and extendable handle. Both of these have a rubberised finish that makes the former near-silent and the latter grippy but comfortable. The so-called Silent Glide 360 wheels really are great, and seem even quieter than those of my trusty Clifton. The handle feels nice too, but isn’t hinged like the Clifton’s is.
There are no pockets on the outside of Icon Stripe, but once you pop in your three-digit code and unlock the zips with a satisfying clunk, the case opens to reveal two very different halves. One side is deep and open, with elasticated straps for holding everything in place, and the other zips fully closed with a cover that itself contains two pockets, both zippable and fronted by transparent mesh.
Don’t be tempted to put your clothes in the big, open half. This is because the two telescopic bars of the retractable handle can be felt through the base of this compartment, and will crease your clothes. Instead, unzip the other half, with its smooth base, and get packing.
How usable the two mesh pockets are depends on how greedy you’ve been with the main compartments, since when closed they’re all fighting over the same internal space. That said, the pockets are useful for essentials like your passport, tickets or Kindle. Anything slim, basically.
Lastly, there’s a small green pocket on the other side, complete with Antler branding. This one’s up to you, really, but it’s a handy place for anything you don’t want rattling around in the main compartment. I tend to put a spare watch in there, or cufflinks and other small accessories.
Zip it all up, and if you’ve overpacked you’ll be thankful for the extra 5 cm of expandability this model has over the regular Icon Stripe Cabin case.
The outer polycarbonate shell is made from water-resistant and partially recycled materials, Antler says, while the combination lock is TSA approved (so airport security staff can open it with a special key without breaking it, if need be) and the interior lining is made from 100% recycled polyester.
Antler offers this case in seven different colours. These are: green, taupe, black, heather purple (as reviewed), indigo blue, moorland pink and mist blue. All have the same black exterior trimming and the pale same interior colour scheme.
Antler Icon Stripe Cabin review: Performance
To try out the suitcase, I took it away for a weekend. There’s plenty of space for two or three days' worth of clothes, assuming you’re not going to the Arctic, and the pockets are all handy for extra bits and pieces. That said, while I appreciate Antler’s efforts to make as much space as possible, the way the handle protrudes beneath the lining on one side can get in the way a little, depending on what you’re carrying.
Once packed up, I found the suitcase easy to carry, wheel and lift into the car. It would be just as easy to take on the train, glide through an airport and heave into an airliner’s overhead storage. The two handles would be especially useful in a plane, making it possible to grab the bag securely even if you’ve had to load it at an awkward angle.
All that let the case down was how easily the exterior picked up a set of white scuff marks. I’ve spotted the same thing with my blue Clifton, and while they can be removed with some surface cleaner and a good scrub, it’s disappointing to see a pricey suitcase discolour so quickly – especially one sold in a range of eye-grabbing colours.
To further my defense, Your Honour, the suitcase was placed into the carpeted boot of a car, then wheeled along and placed onto the clean wooden floor of a brand-new shepherd’s hut, where it was opened. I’m glad to say the marks weren’t permanent, but I’m still left wondering how they appeared so quickly.
Antler Icon Stripe Cabin review: value
Paying £185 for a cabin suitcase won’t be for everyone. But, while much cheaper options mostly do the job of carrying your stuff from A to B, frequent flyers will appreciate the upgrades on offer here. Antler’s colour range is an obvious bonus, of course, as means you can say a stylish and long-overdue goodbye to using the same boring black bag as everyone else.
The robustness of the Icon Stripe should also be appreciated, along with how wonderfully smooth and quiet the wheels are. This feels like a suitcase that will last for many years, and while not cheap, I’m confident the investment will pay for itself in the long run.
I also like how this particular model has 5 cm of expandability; it doesn’t sound like much, but can make a big difference when you’ve overpacked (again) and need that extra bit of wiggle room to get the zip closed. The interior isn’t much to write home about, and I’d like an exterior pocket for easy access to airport essentials, but these aren't deal breakers.
Antler Icon Stripe Cabin review: Verdict
The Antler Icon Stripe cabin bag is a top-notch suitcase that gets a lot right, by offering a fun but stylish range of exterior colours, thoughtful design touches, super-smooth wheels and a sense it was built to last. I was at first concerned about how easily it scratches, and while those white marks are an annoyance, I was pleased to see them eventually disappear with a bit of elbow grease.
