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- I tested the viral bag on two long-haul flights. Find out if it's worth the hype
Air travel comes with a steady set of rules that must be followed, with some being so rigorously enforced that travelers can't risk taking a chance on making the wrong buying decision.
One of the most notable is the policy on personal item bags. In short, they must fit under the seat in front of you. If not, they must either be stored in the overhead bin (in the event that you're not also traveling with a larger carry-on bag), or checked at the gate.
With so many travelers playing the guessing game of "will it or won't it fit," we figured we'd do the heavy lifting and actually put one of today's most viral travel bags, the Calpak Luka Duffel, to the test, ourselves. And what we found was pleasantly surprising (with a few minor disappointments).
Check out our honest thoughts on the famous travel bag below after weeks of real-time testing.
Calpak Luka Duffel
Our Verdict
Today, so many travel accessory brands — especially those with tons of marketing support and social media-forward branding — deliver more in perception than performance.
After noticing the hype surrounding the Calpak Luka Duffel, I was prepared for this to be the case for this TikTok-famous find. So, when I learned, first-hand, that the quality matched the hysteria, I was pleasantly surprised.
The best way I could describe this bag is "deceptively spacious." I fully packed it for use as my personal item on an international flight and was surprised by my findings.
Not only did it fit everything from my over-ear headphones case, iPad, Kindle and toiletry bag to a medium-sized packing cube filled with a change of clothes and a water bottle, but it slid under the seat with no struggle whatsoever — while fully packed.
What impressed me even more is the extra room that was left after all of those contents neatly stacked inside the roomy main compartment with ease.
As far as under-seat-storage-approved personal item bags go, this one gets an A+. For its overall grade, though, it loses a few marks for its easily scuffed polyester fabric and slightly flimsy structural build.
All in all, though, this bag is worth the investment and just became my first-pick for the best personal item bag for worry-free air travel.
How we test
We put all of our products through a rigorous testing process and personal item bags are no different. We test every bag for at least a week (usually longer), and use them in real-time air travel scenarios for practical, trial-based testing.
We focus on airline regulation compatibility, durability, practicality, compartment convenience and more.
From testing if a personal item bag easily fits under the seat on a plane to if the compartments are easily accessible and spacious, we've put it all to the test.
You can read more about how we test luggage and travel accessories on our dedicated page.
Why trust us
While implementing and enforcing a thorough testing process is essential for producing honest and well-researched content, we also believe that experience is invaluable. This is why all of our testers are experts in their field.
Moriba has been testing and reviewing travel products for over six years and formulates the testing methodologies and rubrics we use in this vertical as well as our tech and men's fashion reviews and buying guides.
His reviews are honest, impartial, direct and don't shy away from highlighting the bad as much as the good to help you make the most informed buying decision.
Calpak Luka Duffel review
The Calpak Luka Duffel has been a viral travel staple for a few years now with travel enthusiasts, frequent flyers and everyday air travelers raving about its spaciousness, lightweight build and practical, uncomplicated design.
So, I decided to get my hands on the bag and test those claims for myself. I ultimately found that the bag is a solid investment, especially for the traveler who prefers having more storage space than needed without giving up the extra convenience of using a larger carry-on.
Plane under-seat test performance
Most of today's commercial airlines enforce strict personal item size guidelines, and while some are more generous than others with the amount of space allowed for these bags, the general range is about the same across the board.
The Calpak Luka Duffel falls within these airlines' recommended measurements perfectly, while somehow feeling like it's much larger than it is.
For reference, I tested this bag on a JetBlue flight (Airbus A321), and it slid under the seat with no extra force needed on my end. For reference, I am 6-foot-2 and had just enough room in front of my feet after the bag was properly stowed under the seat.
I've traveled with tons of personal item bags over the years — some of which required a bit of physical compression and force to fit in this designated space. This is one of the few bags I've tested that fit like a glove on its own without compromising my foot-resting space throughout the flight.
Roominess
The inside of this bag looks like the inners of a raincoat at first glance. It's all monochromatic polyester, making finding pockets in the dark a bit of a pain, but that's really the only drawback. The pockets themselves are deep, spacious and thoughtfully designed.
There is a netted zipper pocket at the back of the main interior compartment. I used this space to store my jewelry pouch, wallet and keys.
On the opposite side, there's a full zippered compartment that's large enough to fit an iPad and cables. In front of this pocket are two open slip pockets where you can slide in travel-sized bottled products like lotion and sunscreen. And since these pockets are slightly elasticated, they keep the bottles in place during transit.
The main compartment itself, though, located between these two zippered sections, is extremely large and since the bag is not structurally rigid, you're able to fit more than you'd expect since the duffle automatically expands as you pack. While this is a welcomed convenience for most, it's definitely a feature that over-packers should be weary of as overpacking can potentially compromise the bag's ability to fit easily under the plane seat.
Material and structural integrity
Though the Calpak Luka Duffel is a spaciously generous travel accessory that actually aligns with personal item air travel guidelines, it falls a bit short in one area: its material. Since it's made of 100% polyester, it is extremely lightweight — a feature most travelers will absolutely love. However, this also makes the bag more susceptible to stains, tears and scratches.
Just a few days into my trip, a water droplet fell onto the top of the bag and left a temporary stain that eventually came out after wiping the area down with a damp rag.
While this is definitely not a deal breaker, given the bag's stellar performance in several other testing areas, it's worth noting that, despite the brand's claim of this bag being water-resistant, water or water-based products may leave marks on its surface which will likely wipe off with a little elbow grease.
Some shoppers may also find issue with the bag's bendable design, especially when packed with heavy contents. I, personally, had no problem with its structural inconsistencies, especially considering that the zippers were extremely strong and substantial, keeping my bag's contents fully secure.
Value for money
So, now for the golden question: is the Calpak Luka Duffel worth the investment? All in all, yes, it is! Its viral appeal and generous marketing matches its performance. It is dependable, easy to use while moving, is structurally sound and is airline tested and approved.
Its polyester build will require travelers to be a bit more cautious with its use, even though the bag is said to be water- and scratch-resistant, to ensure it actually lasts. But, for the average traveler who prioritizes bag interior real estate, weight and convenience, the Calpak Luka Duffel gets high marks on all fronts.
FAQs
Does the Calpak Luka Duffel fit under an airplane seat?
Yes, it does! Below are the different personal item size guidelines across a few major airlines. This bag's exterior dimensions fit within the ranges of each and passed our real-time under-seat test, for added reassurance.
- Delta: 22 x 15 x 9 inches
- JetBlue: 17 x 13 x 8 inches
- United: 17 x 10 x 9 inches
- Southwest: 16.25 x 13.5 x 8 inches
- American: 18 x 14 x 8 inches
Is the Calpak Luka Duffel waterproof?
This bag is not waterproof, but is water-resistant. This means that you should avoid traveling with this bag in a torrential downpour as this may damage its structural integrity and exterior material. However, a light drizzle should not affect the bag's form or performance. Any minor stains should easily wipe off with a damp rag.
Does the Calpak Luka Duffel count as a weekender bag?
Though it's extremely spacious, the standard Calpak Luka Duffel does not have the capacity to hold a full weekend's worth of clothes for an adult. It does come in different sizes, though, that have the volume needed for weekender bag status.
Specifically, the Calpak Large Luka Duffel and the Calpak Weekender Duffel are the brand's best weekender bag options. I recently used the former while traveling to New Jersey from New York for a weekend wedding, and, like the standard Luka Duffel, it didn't skimp in the space department. I was able to fit two and a half days worth of clothing in the main compartment with lots of room to spare. In fact, only half of the bag was filled when I was finished packing.
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