Dagne Dover Sydney Checked Luggage Review: Why I Love It (2024) | The Quality Edit (2024)

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It came to my attention that it may be time for a new checked bag when I sauntered up to the carousel at JFK, ready to run out of the airport as fast as possible, to see my bag taped shut haphazardly. The zipper, which was now hanging on by a thread, had burst and the luggage workers had probably seen my underwear.

You may be asking: who is even checking a bag anymore? These days the luxury seems reserved for influencers, celebs and honestly the elderly, but after forcing myself to overpack in a carry-on, getting yelled at by gate agents and throwing my back out to lift my bag into the overhead bin, I decided I was ready to upgrade to this elite level myself.

Searching for new luggage is incredibly overwhelming, especially online where you are inundated with a million different brands, materials and seemingly meaningless features. I made it my problem to sort through them and test out some of the best—which led me to Dagne Dover’s Sydney Checked Luggage and Roma Packing Cubes.

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Dagne Dover

Sydney Checked Luggage

$675

$675

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Which One Should You Pick?

Although I am usually a hardshell luggage girl, I was eager to try a soft luggage like the Sydney in order to maximize space for longer journeys. Speaking of space, this luggage is hefty. The checked bags from Dagne Dover come in a 25-inch and 28.5-inch option, the latter holding up to 95-liters of clothes. It currently comes in 4 colors—black, a cool grey, olive green and clay pink. I decided to go with the 25-inch option in olive green.

Dagne Dover Sydney Checked Luggage Review: Why I Love It (2024) | The Quality Edit (2)

Dagne Dover

Sydney Checked Luggage

$675

$675

Code:

Dagne Dover Sydney Checked Luggage Review: Why I Love It (2024) | The Quality Edit (3)

Sydney Checked Luggage exterior in Warm Dust // Credit: Dagne Dover

Why This Luggage Caught My Eye

The exterior of the Sydney Checked Luggage is made from recycled materials and is a durable, woven material great for being tossed around the belly of a plane. There is nothing I hate more than the wheels on my luggage not functioning well, but that isn’t a problem with the Sydney, which is equipped with a 360-smooth-glide feature. The corner protectors and luggage feet give extra security to the integrity of the bag as it is handled in cargo. Back on the topic of maximizing space, the expanding zippers on the Sydney allow you to stuff in an extra sweater or a pair of jeans, and the lockable zipper heads keep everything safe.

The Sydney also offers the luxury of opening two ways to make packing even easier. You can still open it the way we are all used to—by unzipping the whole bag, but you can also open the interior from the front zipper pocket as well. For all your little bits and bobs, you can utilize the exterior back zipper pocket.

It’s the Inside That Counts

The interior of Dagne Dover’s Sydney Checked Luggage may seem pretty basic at first glance, but it is actually hiding some space saving features. The zipper pocket keeps everything protected on the left side of the luggage, while the right size boasts four compression straps with clip closures to really press your clothes down. On the inside you will also find a zipper pocket on the interior wall, perfect for all the small stuff.

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Roma Packing Cubes in Dark Moss // Credit: Dagne Dover

Space Saving Packing Features

For those of us who are constantly trying to maximize space, Dagne Dover’s packing system is perfect. Each piece of luggage is intended to be used with their Roma Packing Cubes which allow for ultimate organization. The packing cubes are made with their patented, air-mesh fabric which is breathable and protective. They come in four sizes (small which holds two liters to x-large which holds up to 20) so there is a cube to hold everything.

I am usually someone who tries to stuff as much as possible in my luggage, making it look like an explosion when I open my bag, but the packing cubes allowed me to organize my clothes and accessories based on category—which made everything easier to grab and go. The cubes all come in the same four colors as the luggage (black, a cool grey, olive green and clay) so feel free to mix and match your packing system.

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Dagne Dover

Seoul Dopp Kit

$95

$95

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Large Seoul Dopp Kit in Carbon // Credit: Dagne Dover

How I Pack My Toiletries

Packing my toiletries is always a point of contention. Toiletry bags are either a cavernous, black hole that create a jumbled mess, or are too small rendering them useless. So naturally I had to try Dagne Dover’s answer to my problem—the Seoul Dopp Kit. I had already been an avid user of Dagne’s Large Hunter Neoprene Toiletry Bag for years, but I found the unstructured design difficult for travel, as I tend to over pack it. I was intrigued by the Seoul Dopp kit, which comes in small and large styles, because of its compact, organizational structure.

The Seoul cylindrical shape allows it to slip in a small corner in your luggage, which gives it more space-saving, bonus points. Each Dopp kit is equipped with five interior slip pockets, a mesh zipper pocket, elastic loops for your toothbrush, an exterior zip pocket and plenty of space in the main compartment. Its wipeable lining makes for easy clean up, and it also has a plastic swivel hook to hang on a door or towel rack while you are traveling. The Seoul also comes in the same four colors of the luggage and packing cubes (black, cool grey, olive green and clay) so you can choose your own packing adventure.

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Sydney Checked Luggage

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Roma Packing Cubes

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Seoul Dopp Kit

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Dagne Dover

$675

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Dagne Dover

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$40

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Dagne Dover

$95

$95

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Travel Essentials

The Dagne Dover luggage system turned out to have the perfect spot for all my travel essentials. After touchdown, I make sure to do a full self-care routine in my hotel in order to reset my hair and skin. While I recharge, I’ll shower and then work in a hair treatment like Grow Strong & Long Activation Leave-In Treatment from Lee Stafford into my hair. I always make sure to pack my favorite hairbrush La Bonne Brosse N.02 THE ESSENTIAL in my Seoul Dopp Kit to keep my hair moisturized, protected and detangled. After taking care of my hair, I’ll put on a sheet mask like Avatara’s Hyaluronic Acid Mask to help hydrate, calm and plump my skin after exposing it to the airplane’s recycled air. I always like to feel my best before setting out on my adventure, and after a full beauty routine, who wouldn’t be ready to explore a new city?

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Is It Worth It?

So, with all that being said, is the Sydney luggage system worth it? If price is not a deterring factor I would say yes—go for it. With Dagne Dover’s Sydney Check Luggage starting at $675, it is on the pricier side compared to other brands like Away, who’s checked bags start at $375. However, if you are truly looking for a packing system not just a vessel to throw your clothes in, Dagne Dover hits all the marks when it comes to space and organization. I think it is an investment worth the price tag, and I do not know how I lived without it on my longer travels.

Dagne Dover Sydney Checked Luggage Review: Why I Love It (2024) | The Quality Edit (2024)

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