Pilots, even more so than frequent business travelers, know a good suitcase when they see one. It’s why, along with brands like Tumi and Rimowa, they trust Sterling Pacific, a relatively unknown, sort-of new brand headquartered in Reno, Nevada. Its silver suitcases are made almost entirely from aerospace-grade aluminum — no plastic parts whatsoever, save for the recessed wheels — and tanned Italian leather.
This material, as we’ve mentioned before, is meant to dent and ding, but withstand constant use. You see, aluminum suitcases don’t crack like polycarbonate does, which is why you’ll almost never see a pilot toting an Away suitcase — both because they’re made from plastic and because the technicolor hues don’t match their respective airline’s dress codes, which call for solid-colored suitcases in either silver or black.
Sterling Pacific, well, piloted its cases with pilots to see how they really stood up, since pilots take way more trips than the average person — and in a shorter window, too. As such, they should be more than enough for the everyday traveler, who, on average, only takes one or two trips a year, according to Expedia.
Editor's Pick
Sterling Pacific 35L Cabin Travel Case
Pros
- Fully aluminum build makes this option more durable — i.e. plastic handles almost always break, but not these Easier to pack because it only h
- Easier to pack because it only has storage on one side, the bottom
- Comes with a lifetime warranty and complimentary repair services
Cons
- Two-wheel design takes a while to get used to
- Can be a little loud if not fully filled
Sterling Pacific 35L Cabin Travel Case: What We Think
In a sea of similar suitcases, both in material or design, Sterling Pacific’s 35L Cabin Travel Case stands out — and for obvious reasons. But its deviations from the norm, if you will, aren’t without reason. The two-wheel design reduces the number of possible failure points, and the rectangular shape makes it easier to pack.
Sure, you’ll need to take a few trips to adjust to the wheel orientation, as well as how you’ll have to hold and roll it, but these training sessions will be worth it in the end. The $1,495 suitcase may come sans the legacy of a suitcase like Rimowa, for example, but Sterling Pacific is a new brand carving its own lane, catering to elite travelers with high standards — and staying with them through the life of their suitcase, offering a lifetime warranty and endless complimentary repairs.