There’s a unique kind of dread that sets in when you spot your suitcase on the baggage carousel—not with relief, but with horror. A gaping tear, a broken zipper, or a wobbly wheel can instantly sour the end of a perfect trip. We’ve all been there, or at least feared it. The search for a reliable luggage set often feels like a gamble, especially when you’re trying to find a comprehensive solution for the whole family without breaking the bank. It’s a quest for that sweet spot between affordability and the durability to survive the rough and tumble of modern travel.
- Carry-on Upright: 20"x 12. 5"x 7. 5" (with wheels)
- 24-inch Upright: 24"x16"x10"
What to Consider Before Buying a Budget Luggage Set
Before you invest in any luggage, it’s crucial to be honest about your travel habits. Are you a frequent flyer navigating busy airports several times a year, or do you primarily take road trips and occasional weekend getaways? The Rockland Journey 4-Piece Softside Luggage Set Expandable is designed for the traveler who needs versatility and volume on a strict budget. This set is ideal for families who need multiple sizes for different trip lengths, or for students moving into a dorm. The key appeal is getting four distinct pieces—a large checked bag, a medium checked bag, a carry-on upright, and a tote—for a price that often rivals a single suitcase from a premium brand. However, the trade-off for this value is often in long-term durability, especially against the harsh treatment of airline baggage handlers. If your travel plans involve more car trunks than cargo holds, a set like this could be a perfect fit. For those seeking maximum value and a variety of packing options, the Rockland Journey set presents a compelling case.
While the Rockland Journey 4-Piece Softside Luggage Set Expandable 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.
First Impressions and Key Features of the Rockland Journey 4-Piece Softside Luggage Set Expandable
Upon unboxing, the Rockland Journey 4-Piece Softside Luggage Set Expandable impresses with its completeness. The four pieces nest neatly inside one another for incredibly efficient storage. The black polyester fabric feels standard for this price point, and the EVA-molded front panel provides a bit of structure. We immediately noted the generous number of pockets—two on the front of each upright and several inside—which is a huge plus for organization. The inclusion of the 14-inch tote bag is a thoughtful touch for keeping travel essentials close at hand. The uprights are remarkably lightweight, which is great for avoiding excess baggage fees. The two-wheel, in-line skate system is recessed into the body, which can help protect the wheels from being snapped off during transit compared to exposed spinner wheels. The overall first impression is one of immense value, offering a complete travel solution right out of the box.
What We Like
- Excellent value with four pieces for a very low price point.
- Generous packing capacity, further increased by the expandable zippers.
- Very lightweight design helps to avoid overweight baggage fees.
- Multiple pieces and sizes offer great versatility for different types of trips.
What We Didn’t Like
- Significant concerns about long-term durability, especially for air travel.
- Zippers and handles are common points of failure, according to our findings and user reports.
- The two-wheel design can cause the larger bags to tip over when fully packed.
- Material is thin and prone to tearing and scuffing.
Putting the Rockland Journey to the Test: A Performance Breakdown
A luggage set’s true worth is only revealed on the road. We took the Rockland Journey 4-Piece Softside Luggage Set Expandable through its paces, from packing it to the brim to navigating curbs and corridors, keeping the real-world experiences of other travelers in mind.
Durability and Construction: The Elephant in the Room
The product description highlights a “heavy-duty EVA-molded hi-count fabric,” but in practice, we found the material to be quite thin. This was a concern echoed by numerous users who reported holes and tears after just one flight. As one user bluntly put it, their suitcase “did not make it through the airport without tearing.” Another shared a photo of significant damage from a single trip, advising it’s best for “car travel ONLY.” Our assessment aligns with this: while the construction might hold up for a road trip or being stored in a closet, it struggles with the brutal reality of airline baggage handling. The plastic stability bars and wheel housing also feel brittle, with one traveler reporting the support structure was broken right out of the box. This set is not for the frequent flyer.
Packing Capacity and Organization
This is where the Rockland Journey truly shines. The capacity of all three uprights is impressive, especially with the expansion zipper that adds an extra two inches of depth. For a week-long trip, we found the 28-inch bag swallowed clothes, shoes, and toiletries with room to spare. The two large front pockets are perfect for stashing last-minute items or documents, and the internal mesh pockets help keep small items organized. Many users praised the “plenty of room in cases.” If your primary goal is to pack as much as possible for a family vacation, this luggage set offers incredible volume for its price.
Mobility and Handling: A Wobbly Journey
The Rockland Journey 4-Piece Softside Luggage Set Expandable uses a two-wheel in-line skate system. On smooth airport floors, the bags pull along reasonably well. However, they lack the effortless 360-degree glide of four-wheel spinner luggage, making tight corners a bit more cumbersome. The biggest issue we, and many other users, encountered is stability. The larger 24-inch and 28-inch suitcases have a strong tendency to lean or fall over completely when packed full, especially if the weight isn’t perfectly balanced. One user noted, “The larger suitcases tend to fall over or lean causing me to have to adjust the balance.” This can be incredibly frustrating when you’re trying to manage multiple bags.
Zippers, Handles, and Hardware
Unfortunately, the hardware seems to be a significant weak point. We found the zippers felt somewhat flimsy and were prone to snagging. This observation was confirmed by many users who experienced zipper failures. One traveler reported a front zipper “completely fell apart” upon arrival, without even being used. The push-button telescopic handle functions, but it has a noticeable wobble that doesn’t inspire confidence. The carry-on tote bag, while useful in size, also suffers from quality issues; one user reported the shoulder strap “snapped in the airport on the first use” with the bag only lightly packed.
What Other Users Are Saying
The feedback from other travelers paints a very clear picture of the Rockland Journey 4-Piece Softside Luggage Set Expandable. The prevailing sentiment is best summarized by the common refrain: “You get what you pay for.” Many buyers were initially thrilled with the price and the amount of luggage they received. However, a significant number of reviews detail catastrophic failures after one or two trips, especially when flying. One user noted it’s perfect for a “trip… in your personal car where you know your luggage won’t be thrown around.” Conversely, another stated, “One airline trip and the case has holes in it.” It’s a product with polarizing outcomes: some travelers have successful trips, while many others are left with unusable luggage and the hassle of a warranty claim.
How the Rockland Journey Compares to the Competition
The budget luggage market is competitive, with many brands offering different features. The Rockland Journey’s main selling point is its four-piece softside configuration at a rock-bottom price. Here’s how it stacks up against some popular hardside alternatives.
1. SHOWKOO Expandable Luggage Set
- Top Quality Luggage Sets: Made of brand new extra-thick PC+ABS materials for hardshell, which make the luggage more durable, lighter and impact-resistant....
- Silent & Smooth Multi-directional Spinner Wheels: Benefit from brand new soft TPU and lubricating balls inside wheels, luggage moves very silent and...
The SHOWKOO set is a hardside competitor that offers a more durable PC+ABS shell, which is better suited to withstand impacts during air travel. It also features double spinner wheels, providing superior 360-degree mobility that the two-wheeled Rockland set lacks. Furthermore, the inclusion of a built-in TSA lock is a significant security upgrade over the Rockland’s basic key lock system. You get three pieces instead of four, but the durability and modern features may be worth the trade-off for frequent travelers.
2. LARVENDER 3 Piece Hardside Carry-On Luggage Set
- 3 piece luggage set includes 20 inch carry on luggage 22x14x9 airline approved (no additional extension layers), a travel duffel bag and a toiletry bag,...
- Lightweight yet extremely durable PC+ABS material (gradient color hardshell)
Like the SHOWKOO, the LARVENDER set features a protective hardside shell and smooth-gliding spinner wheels. Marketed with vibrant, stylish colors, it appeals to travelers looking for both function and fashion. It also includes TSA-approved locks. Compared to the Rockland Journey, the LARVENDER offers a significant step up in material toughness and handling, though you sacrifice the fourth tote bag and the extra organizational pockets typical of softside luggage.
3. SHOWKOO 3 Piece Expandable Hardside Luggage
- Ultra Tough Hardshell Luggage Sets: High resilience and sturdiness are the outstanding features of this suitcase, originating from 100% Polycarbonate (PC)...
- Suitcase with Double Spinner Wheels: The adjustable and sturdy aluminium 3-step telescopic handle is suitable for people of different heights, and with...
This is another strong hardside offering from SHOWKOO, emphasizing expandability, a feature it shares with the Rockland Journey. However, its robust hardside exterior, double spinner wheels, and integrated TSA lock place it in a higher tier of durability and convenience. For travelers who want the packing flexibility of an expandable suitcase but demand the protection of a hard shell, this SHOWKOO set is a formidable alternative to the softside Rockland.
Our Final Verdict: Is the Rockland Journey Set Right for You?
The Rockland Journey 4-Piece Softside Luggage Set Expandable is the definition of a high-risk, high-reward purchase. If you are an infrequent traveler, primarily take road trips, or simply need a large volume of luggage for a one-time move, the value is undeniable. You get four functional pieces for an exceptionally low price. However, we cannot in good conscience recommend this set for frequent flyers or anyone who needs their luggage to reliably withstand the rigors of airport baggage systems. The widespread reports of tears, broken zippers, and instability are too significant to ignore. It’s a starter set for the lightest of travel duties.
If you’ve decided the Rockland Journey 4-Piece Softside Luggage Set Expandable is the right fit for your specific, light-duty travel needs, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API