I Tried the Solgaard Carry-On Lite with a Built-In Closet System, and Here’s My Honest Review

Since 2020, I’ve avoided checking bags when I fly anywhere as much as I feasibly can. Even if it’s a 10-day trip, I’ll wear layers and bring everything I need in a carry-on suitcase and take advantage of every packing hack possible. Recently, I’ve been on the lookout to upgrade my carry-on luggage, so when I got the chance to test the Solgaard Carry-on Closet Lite, I was so excited. 

The Carry-on Closet Lite is the newest and lightest suitcase offering from Solgaard, a brand Apartment Therapy editors have been fond of for years. It combines all the ease of a roll-a-board carry-on bag with some built-in organizing chops — and chargers. 

The Solgaard Carry-on Closet Lite has four sturdy wheels that move around incredibly easily — from wood floors to gravel driveways. The suitcase weighs about 7.4 pounds (just .1 pound lighter than the Original) and is made of a polycarbonate shell that’s actually quite bendable and flexible — which I thought was a con until I realized it meant I could stuff more into my suitcase as I packed it.

The Solgaard stands apart from other roll-a-boards (that I’ve owned, at least) in that it has a side handle, too, making it easy to carry around or up and down stairs. It also has a TSA-approved combination lock on the side, comes with a drawstring bag for dirty laundry, is made from post-recycled material, and includes a USB port for charging a phone or laptop if needed. 

Of course, the standout feature of the suitcase comes in the name — the “Carry-on Closet.” Inside the suitcase are two panels to put clothing in — one traditional zip-up panel and then another panel divided by two pockets at each edge of the suitcase that connect via a buckle to secure whatever you pack beneath them. The suitcase also comes with the Wide FlowCloset, a removable organizer that you can pack clothes into and then zip up into the zipper-panel side of the suitcase.

The organizer can be hung either from the handle of the suitcase or from the inside of a closet, making it a great way to unpack your suitcase in a pinch, especially if you’re traveling from city to city and don’t want to unpack your clothes into drawers. To pack up the full suitcase, you unzip the mesh door and secure it near the hinge of the suitcase via built-in buttons, then pop the closet back on the opposite side of the suitcase and secure it with the buckle. Then, voilà! When you get to your next location, you can easily remove the closet and hang it wherever you’d like. 

I did two test runs of the Solgaard: I packed a bag full of my husband’s things (because they’re bulkier than mine) with the carry-on closet, and then I packed the bag with my clothing and toiletries for an eight-day family trip without the carry-on closet. I wanted to test the difference in capacities of using the closet versus not, as I try to use carry-ons for longer vacations than they are advertised to have capacity for. 

I found that in both cases, the Solgaard has a ton of capacity — probably a week (with multiple pairs of shoes, and a dopp kit) with the closet included and, without the closet, easily 10-13 days worth of clothing (if you’re packing for a summer trip and have less bulky items). 

For my trip, I ended up packing a pair of shorts, two swimsuits, a few days worth of exercise gear, a week’s worth of undergarments, a handful of nice tops, three nice dresses, T-shirts for the week, pajamas, and my toiletry kit. I did pack my shoes in a separate bag, which is usually how I end up packing carry-on bags anyway — clothes and toiletries in one bag, shoes and electronics in another. 

I kept the pockets empty, but zipped up the interior zipper to keep my clothes organized. While I found that my old Baboon to the Moon fits more stuff because it’s a soft shell bag, I do think that the Solgaard Carry-on Closet Lite is more accessible and easier to travel with. The fact that it’s on wheels makes it more accessible for people who may not be able to carry bags on their back — plus, you can stack your personal item on the top of the suitcase as you move around.

I love the flexible plastic, the durable zippers, and the organizing interior zippers. It’s also easy to lift and roll around. 

• The polycarbonate shell is very flexible.
• The suitcase has a side handle, making it easy to lift in and out of carry-on storage or up stairs. 
• The TSA-approved combo lock and laundry bag are nice-to-haves. 
• The WideFlow Closet is a great organizing solution, but removable if needed. 
• It packs a lot of clothing. 

The Solgaard Carry-on Closet Lite is a great carry-on luggage option that’s lightweight, high-quality, and made with organization in mind. It’s perfect for anyone who needs more organization in their luggage, going on quick trips and needs neat, non-wrinkled clothes at the ready, or just looking for a better quality find. Plus, it comes in American and international airline sizing, making it a good fit for travelers of all types. 

Buy: Solgaard Carry-on Closet Lite, $195