Sometimes you need something more rugged than your standard carry-on luggage, but it still needs to fit in the overhead bin on a plane.
Pelican, long known for its ultra-sturdy cases, recently got into the luggage biz, and the 22” Aegis Carry-On Rolling Hybrid Duffel is the brand’s solution for those who need an adventure-ready carry-on. Pelican also sent its ModPak Packing Cube Bundle to help keep stuff organized.
A Bag Inspired by Zeus
Pelican says this rolling duffel offers innovative protection for the efficient traveler. Plus, it said the bag is “inspired by Zeus’ legendary shield.” Well, it’d better be tough! This duffel is a hybrid of materials, offering the protection of a hard case, with the versatility of a soft bag.
Materials and Specs
The 22” Aegis duffel is made from “Pelican Sheild” material with an EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate)-molded front shell. The fabric is a weather-resistant 500D Cordura fabric. There’s a hook-and-loop area ready for your favorite patch or organization system indicator, too.
This Aegis duffel is available in four hues, with my tester being a light olive green color Pelican calls Charcoal. Black, Indigo, and Sand (another light color) are the other shades.
The Aegis’ heavy-duty wheels are big enough to roll over uneven surfaces, and the multi-stage extension handle with rubber grip feels well-built and robust. This bag has handles on nearly every side offering plenty of ways to pick it up or take it out of an overhead bin.
This 22” case is 14.4 x 10.6 x 22 in (L x W x D), is 47 liters in volume, and weighs 7.32 lbs. It has a five-year warranty.
Ease of Access and Versatility
Like most Pelican cases, the Aegis feels high-quality and sturdy, stout but not too heavy. While weightier than my fairly flimsy former carryon, at just over 7 lbs., it’s not a heavyweight.
There are two built-in external luggage straps across the top with plastic clasps to keep the bag compressed—a nice feature for those who like to really pack in the clothes. This isn’t a clamshell-style case with equal sides; only one side is for gear.
However, the top’s inside has a zippered compartment where you can stow a sweatshirt or two at maximum.
The main compartment has two adjustable elastic straps with plastic clasps to secure your belongings. Small exterior pockets allow for thin items to be stored and accessed with ease. The compartments, which go into the case’s main compartment, don’t take up much interior space.
While the main exterior zipper is large and robust but can be difficult to move around the case’s corners. Pressing down on the top helps alleviate this.
The elastic interior tie downs are easy to use, but I’d prefer non-elastic straps to really compress your garments for maximum space allocation. This duffel has a retail price of $329.95.
Pelican ModPak Packing Cubes
Pelican included its ModPak Packing Cube Bundle, although they’re sold separately. This set consists of three lightweight, breathable fabric bags in small, medium, and large sizes. The small is good for a few pairs of underwear and some socks; medium can handle a few rolled-up t-shirts, and the large can house a few pairs of pants.
These cubes are made to be used with the Aegis bags, and one set of three fills about half of the 22” hybrid duffel. If I was buying these cubes for use with the case, I’d buy two sets.
All ModPak Packing Cubes have YKK zippers and exterior loops so they can be hung. The small version would also make a good toiletry bag. Ever since I first tried packing cubes, I don’t travel without them, and the Pelican set is well made and versatile.
I wish they were bit larger, but overall, they work well. The bundle of three bags retails for $59.85.
Travel Time
I’ve taken several major trips with the 22” Aegis Carry-On Rolling Hybrid Duffel and ModPack Packing Cubes. This includes trips from Portland, Oregon to New York City; Savannah, Georgia; Vancouver, British Columbia; Maui, Hawaii; and Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The case was checked once but usually carried on to the aircraft and/or thrown in the back of cars/trucks. The myriad of exterior handles makes it simple to grab out of overhead bins or a car’s trunk. The hard sided back means it effortlessly glides out of any storage location.
My previous everyday carryon had four small rotating wheels that’d quickly get hung up on bad pavement; it was really only good for airport concourses. The Aegis’ large wheels easily traverse broken pavement and curbs. They have a bit more rolling resistance than expected, but their durability makes up for this.
The pale green “Charcoal” color shows dirt easily (as would the cream-colored Sand). I obtained a stain from the time I checked the bag enroute to Maui. The Black or Indigo colors would probably be better for hiding grime.
An Adventure-Ready Roller Bag
Pelican’s foray into luggage, at least with the 22” Aegis Carry-On Rolling Hybrid Duffel, is a good one. It’s got classic Pelican durability paired with versatile features and creates a case more suited to adventure travel than your department store luggage.
After pulling my normal cases through the cobblestone streets of Charleston, South Carolina, I knew I needed something more aligned with my travel style, and the Aegis, along with the ModPak Packing Cubes fill that need well. The Aegis and ModPak products are made in Vietnam.
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