Why we love it: Antler has released a premium luggage range, Heritage, and it’s the brand’s highest-quality offering yet. The collection comprises a carry-on case, check-in trunk and a smart cotton tote bag – sorting travellers for short and long-haul flights, with a matching underseat bag. According to the brand, the idea was to combine premium materials with a '50s-inspired aesthetic that nods to its legacy trunk designs from its launch in 1914. But despite a retro look, there’s plenty of innovation here.

Unlike any of Antler’s other luggage offerings, these suitcases have a robust aluminium frame with reinforced corners for additional structural integrity and impact protection. All Heritage cases are hand-built to order over a three-month period, undergoing rigorous quality and strength testing throughout. The brand-standard lifetime guarantee is included, and this range also features Antler’s first replaceable wheels – an eco-friendly boon.

Antler has released its latest luggage range, Heritage, and it’s the brand’s highest-quality offering yet. The collection comprises a carry-on case, check-in trunk and a smart cotton tote bag – sorting travellers for short and long-haul flights, with a matching underseat bag. According to the brand, the idea was to combine premium materials with a '50s-inspired aesthetic that nods to its legacy trunk designs from its launch in 1914. But despite a retro look, there’s plenty of innovation here.

Unlike any of Antler’s other luggage offerings, these suitcases have a robust aluminium frame with reinforced corners for additional structural integrity and impact protection. All Heritage cases are hand-built to order over a three-month period, undergoing rigorous quality and strength testing throughout. The brand-standard lifetime guarantee is included, and this range also features Antler’s first replaceable wheels – an eco-friendly boon.

Space-wise, it does the job for a shorter trip, especially for summer getaways. While you might struggle to fit more than three days' worth of winter clothes inside, you could easily get away with going carry-on only for a four or five-day trip when packing lighter, floatier clothes. I comfortably fit three days’ worth of outfits, an extra pair of trainers, a chunky hoody, two gym kits, two swimming costumes and a large wash bag for my four-day holiday. I even bought a couple of extra dresses while I was away, and it was fine, although I did have to kneel on the case to get it closed. All in all, I was impressed.

The compression pad works very well; much better than others I’ve used, with a velcro design that keeps the straps held tight – no gradually loosening here. I was dubious initially about the clasp closures, feeling they’d be less secure than a zip. However, my fears were not borne out. I especially appreciated the clasp when the case was full-to-bursting, as it was much easier to clip the case together than to have to battle to zip it up all the way around. I am a new convert.

As for handling, I had no complaints when trundling the case through the airport, and the telescopic handle never got stuck. I can’t say that for all the cases I’ve tried. I also found it easy to lift in and out of the locker myself when full, which is always a plus, although if you’re packing lots of heavy items, your mileage may vary.

The carry-on received an extra test when it had to be checked in the hold impromptu due to a full cabin. It came out of baggage reclaim with no dings and everything inside perfectly intact, although the pale exterior was inevitably a little grubby. Frankly, I’m not diligent enough to give my case a proper clean after every trip. If you’re the same, opting for the black version is an easy way to side-step travelling with a visibly marked case, or you can buy a cover to protect against scuffs.

We typically like Antler at Traveller due to its well-constructed cases that come with a lifetime guarantee at a reasonable price point. The Heritage carry-on is £110 more expensive than the next comparable cabin case from the brand, the Icon Stripe, £200, which also comes with a lifetime guarantee. If price is your main concern, go for the Icon Stripe. However, your extra money works hard in the Heritage cabin. The combination of replaceable wheels, additional aluminium frame and bumpers, elevated design and superior trims all make for a noticeable elevation on the brand’s usual pieces that feels worth the extra investment.