I still remember the frantic pre-trip scramble: digging out an old, heavy suitcase with a wobbly wheel, a duffel bag from college, and a backpack that had seen better days. The result was a clumsy, mismatched collection that was a nightmare to navigate through a busy airport. That experience made me realize the sheer value of a cohesive, lightweight, and easily maneuverable luggage set. It’s not just about carrying your things; it’s about starting your journey with ease and confidence, which is why we decided to put the popular Rockland Melbourne 3-Piece Expandable Hardside Luggage Set to the test.
- Three-piece set of hard-side suitcases with multidirectional spinner wheels and interior mesh zip compartment
- Includes 20 inch, 24 inch , 28 inch Upright
Finding the Right Hardside Luggage Set: A Buyer’s Checklist
Before you invest in new luggage, it’s crucial to know what you’re looking for. The ideal customer for a set like this is typically a family preparing for a vacation, a student heading off to college, or an occasional traveler who wants a complete, matching solution without a hefty price tag. Key factors to consider are durability, weight, maneuverability, and of course, budget. Hardside luggage is prized for its protective shell, but the material matters. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), used in this Rockland set, is extremely lightweight and helps keep costs down. The trade-off is that it can be less resilient to cracking under pressure than more premium materials like polycarbonate. For us, smooth-gliding spinner wheels are non-negotiable for effortless airport navigation. The Rockland Melbourne set checks these initial boxes, offering a comprehensive solution at a very attractive price point. For those looking for an affordable, all-in-one travel upgrade, this three-piece hardside collection is a compelling option to consider.
While the Rockland Melbourne 3-Piece Expandable Hardside Luggage Set is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- ALL-IN-ONE SET: Includes carry-on, medium checked, and large checked suitcase to suit every travel need; carry-on measures 14.8 x 10 x 21.7 inches; medium...
- 【5 Piece Luggage Set】Luggage sets include a 28-inch large suitcase, 24-inch medium checked luggage, 20-inch carry on luggage, an extended duffel bag,...
- Sleek Durability: Crafted with a high-performance polypropylene shell and sandy-smooth texture for superior impact resistance and long-lasting protection.
Unboxing the Rockland Melbourne: Sleek Looks and Smart Features
Our first impression upon receiving the set was its clever, space-saving design. The three pieces—a 20-inch carry-on, a 24-inch medium case, and a 28-inch large suitcase—arrived neatly nested inside one another like a Russian doll. This is a fantastic feature for apartment dwellers or anyone with limited storage space. The silver ABS shell has a modern, glossy finish that looks sharp right out of the box. Each piece feels impressively light, a key benefit of the ABS construction. The telescoping handles extend smoothly with a push of a button, and the interior organization, featuring a zippered divider and pockets, appears well thought out for separating belongings. For a budget-friendly set, the initial presentation and feature list are surprisingly robust.
What We Like
- Excellent value for a complete three-piece set
- Extremely lightweight ABS construction helps avoid airline weight fees
- Smooth and effortless 360-degree spinner wheels
- Pieces nest inside one another for compact storage
- Good interior organization with a zippered divider
What We Didn’t Like
- ABS shell is prone to scuffs and can crack under severe impact
- Durability of wheels and handles is a concern for frequent, rough travel
- Some units may have a strong chemical odor upon arrival
Putting the Rockland Melbourne Set to the Test
A luggage set can look great out of the box, but its true worth is only revealed on the road. We took the Rockland Melbourne 3-Piece Expandable Hardside Luggage Set on a multi-leg journey involving flights, car trunks, and hotel corridors to see how it held up under real-world travel conditions.
Shell Durability and Material
The core of this luggage is its ABS hard shell. The main advantage we immediately noticed was its light weight. The 28-inch case weighs just 10 pounds, which leaves you plenty of capacity before hitting the typical 50-pound airline limit. During our travels, the cases did their job protecting the contents inside. However, the glossy silver finish, while attractive, began showing scuffs after its first encounter with baggage handlers. This is common for most hardside luggage, but it’s something to be aware of. More concerning are the reports from some users who have experienced cracks in the shell, sometimes after just one or two trips. While our set survived intact, this feedback suggests the ABS material may not withstand the most brutal handling, making it better suited for car trips or for travelers who are gentle with their gear.
Maneuverability: The Spinner Wheels
Here is where the Rockland Melbourne set truly shines. Each suitcase is equipped with eight spinner wheels (four double-wheel sets) that glide effortlessly in any direction. Pushing the fully-packed 28-inch case through a busy airport terminal was a breeze; it felt weightless and responded instantly to changes in direction. One user confirmed our experience, noting the “360 spinning wheels made running across terminals easy.” This level of mobility is a massive upgrade from traditional two-wheeled luggage. However, this is also the set’s potential Achilles’ heel. We saw numerous user reports of wheels being pushed into the case or breaking off entirely after being checked. While our wheels held up, the housing does appear to be a potential weak point under significant stress.
Packing and Interior Organization
Inside, the clamshell design opens into two main compartments. One side features elastic straps to hold down folded clothes, while the other is fully enclosed with a zippered divider. This divider is a fantastic feature for organization, allowing you to separate shoes from clothes or clean items from dirty laundry. We found it genuinely useful for keeping our belongings tidy throughout the trip. One user echoed this, saying they “love how each suitcase comes with a separator between the sides that you can zip up.” The 20-inch carry-on was perfectly sized for a weekend trip and met standard airline overhead bin requirements. The expandable zipper also provides a welcome bit of extra space for souvenirs on the way home, a feature we definitely put to good use.
Handles, Zippers, and Hardware
The push-button telescoping handle on each piece is ergonomic and functional, but it does have a bit more flex than we’ve seen on premium sets. The top and side grab handles are crucial for lifting the cases into overhead bins or off a baggage carousel. Here, we must raise a significant red flag backed by multiple user accounts. Several travelers reported that these handles can break off, sometimes with very little force. One user stated a handle broke off their empty suitcase, revealing that the screws securing it are “ridiculously shallow.” This appears to be the single biggest design flaw. If you frequently pack your bags to the 50-pound limit, the handles are a serious point of concern. For those who travel light, this may be less of an issue, but it’s a risk worth noting. The zippers, thankfully, performed well, zipping and unzipping without any snags during our evaluation.
What Other Users Are Saying
Online feedback for the Rockland Melbourne 3-Piece Expandable Hardside Luggage Set is deeply divided, painting a clear picture of its strengths and weaknesses. On one hand, many users praise it as an incredible value, loving the vibrant colors, light weight, and smooth wheels for vacation and family travel. One reviewer happily noted, “My girls love them and the colors are beautiful. They’re sturdy and the wheels spin nicely!”
On the other hand, a significant number of reviews from frequent flyers tell a story of poor durability. The most common complaints center on catastrophic failures after just a few trips, including wheels breaking off, shells cracking, and handles ripping out. As one disappointed user bluntly put it, “Three out of six (we purchased two sets) had broken off by the second use.” This suggests the set excels in light-use scenarios but may not be built for the rigors of frequent air travel.
How Does the Rockland Melbourne Compare to the Competition?
While the Rockland set offers fantastic value, it’s important to see what else is on the market. Here’s how it stacks up against some popular alternatives.
1. Samsonite Winfield 3 DLX 2-Piece Expandable Luggage Set
- Set includes 20" Carry On (meets carry-on size restrictions for those traveling domestically and looking to stay light) and 25" Spinners (maximize your...
- Industry leading expanded capacity in all sizes.
The Samsonite Winfield 3 DLX represents a significant step up in quality and price. Its shell is made from 100% polycarbonate, a material known for being more durable and impact-resistant than the ABS used in the Rockland set. You also get premium features like integrated TSA locks and higher-quality wheels and handles. If you’re a frequent traveler and view luggage as a long-term investment, the Samsonite is a much more durable choice, though it comes at a higher cost for fewer pieces.
2. Travelers Club 4-Piece Hardside Luggage Set
- 26" Spinner suitcase: 26" H x 17. 5" L x 11" W, 8. 4 lbs.
- 20" Carry-on spinner luggage: 20" H x 13" L x 9. 5" W, 7. 2 lbs.
This set from Travelers Club competes directly with Rockland in the budget category but offers four pieces instead of three, often including a travel tote or boarding bag. This can be a huge bonus for families or travelers who appreciate extra organizational options. The materials and overall build quality are comparable to the Rockland set, meaning it likely shares similar durability concerns. The choice between them comes down to whether you prioritize the value of an extra bag (Travelers Club) or the specific sizes offered by Rockland.
3. Vipbox 3-Piece Hardshell Expandable Luggage Set
- LUGGAGE SETS 3 PIECE, 3-YEARS GLOBAL VIP WARRANTY: Comfortable travel, worry-free use. These confidences come from Vipbox's excellent standards, VIP...
- SUPER DURABLE, PC LIGHTWEIGHT HARDSHELL LUGGAGE: 100% Polycarbonate (PC) material travel suitcase is the representative of lightweight and durable. Every...
The Vipbox set is a very strong competitor that bridges the gap between budget and premium. Like the Samsonite, it features a 100% PC (polycarbonate) shell, offering superior durability to Rockland’s ABS. It also includes built-in TSA locks, a feature notably absent from the Rockland Melbourne. If you’re looking for a set with a more resilient shell and enhanced security features without jumping to a premium price point, the Vipbox is an excellent alternative.
The Final Verdict: Who Should Buy the Rockland Melbourne 3-Piece Luggage Set?
After thorough testing, we can confidently recommend the Rockland Melbourne 3-Piece Expandable Hardside Luggage Set to a specific type of traveler: the budget-conscious, infrequent flyer. It is an outstanding choice for family road trips, students, or for those who fly once or twice a year and primarily use a carry-on. The value proposition is undeniable—you get a full, functional, and stylish set for the price of a single suitcase from a premium brand. The smooth wheels and light weight make travel a pleasure.
However, we cannot recommend this set to the road warrior or serious globetrotter who frequently checks their bags. The documented issues with the handles, wheels, and shell durability are too significant to overlook for heavy use. For those travelers, investing in a more robust polycarbonate set is a wiser long-term decision. But if your travel needs are modest and your budget is tight, this Rockland set delivers far more than its price tag suggests.
If you’ve decided the Rockland Melbourne 3-Piece Expandable Hardside Luggage Set is the right fit, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API