Osprey’s new Shuttle 100 is a sporty-looking suitcase on wheels. I put it to the test on a skiing trip to Europe.
For years, I have envied the many people I’ve seen with luggage on wheels. But with a cupboard full of bags and rucksacks it seemed like an extra expense that I didn’t need. However, when my back began to play up last year, I decided that a suitcase with wheels was more of a priority.
I didn’t want a heavy suitcase because that would limit the amount of luggage I could pack (due to airline weight limits) and I was keen for the bag to be similar to a rucksack/sports bag with lots of spaces for different items.
The other requirement was that the bag would comply with various airlines for hold luggage restrictions.
British Airways is 90cm x 75cm x 43cm
Easy Jet is a total of 275cm, when you add together length + width + height.
The Osprey Shuttle 100 is 77cm x 41cm x 36cm.
But I also prefer a suitcase that is not so huge that I pack tons of stuff. I have found, over years of travel, that if you have a large case you pack it to the max while if you keep your luggage sensible, what you pack remains sensible, too.
Osprey Shuttle 100 features:
- StraightJacket compression with foam sidewalls
- Osprey HighRoad chassis, with an ABS polymer for durability
- Had working polyurethane wheels
- Retractable handle with ErgoGrip
- 2 large zipped compartments with bellows divider (internal)
- 4 grab handles
- Easy access liquids and valuables pocket
- ID card holder
- Various organisation options, including a liquid/accessory pocket and dual mesh pockets (for example, to separate dirty clothes and shoes)
- Internal compression strap system
- Panel zip access to main compartment with lockable zippers
- Rear panel pocket for magazines and small items
Weight : 3.70 kg
On test: Osprey Shuttle 100
Parked at gatwick Airport as I waited for a flight.
This is a 100 litre suitcase on wheels. There is a 130l version but the more space I have the more I pack. I found there was enough room for a four-day skiing trip. To be honest, whether it’s a four day trip or a two week trip I would take almost the same amount of kit.
I packed a pair of ski boots, a ski helmet, ski jacket and pants, baselayers, two lightweight insulated jackets, trainers and running kit, swimming costume and goggles, several sets of off-piste clothes, underwear, a large bag of toiletries, hair straighteners, a plug adapter for Europe and my laptop and lead. I still have room for more.
What I really like about the Shuttle is all the places for organising clothes and kit. There is a bag, kind of like an internal sewn-in dry bag, at the base of the suitcase that allows you to add in shoes or clothes that you want to keep separate. I used this for dirty washing during the trip.
A similar but smaller internal area is found at the top of the suitcase and this is perfect for a toiletries bag. If you wanted to have easy access to something then this is the ideal space for it.
There are zipped pockets inside, too, for stowing all sorts of bits and pieces. And once everything is inside you can close two straps and pull them tight to keep it all in place.
Straps on the outside of the pack allow you to compress any leftover space so that the whole suitcase is as neat as possible.
There is an added external pocket on the back of the case. This is large and flat and useful for air tickets, a laptop (if you want to keep it handy before checking in) and magazines etc.
My packed bag weighed about 22kg and I know it would have further hurt my back to pick it up. Instead I was able to easily wheel the load from the taxi, to the airport, through the airport and at the other end to reach the hotel.
I know that some wheeled suitcases have wheels that allow you to roll them in any direction but I was quite happy with the simple forward and back motion of the Shuttle 100.
The suitcase was super easy to pull along and the handle pops up for wheeling and retracts back when you want to store the bag.
The bag sits upright even when full and doesn’t fall over.
The large and padded carrying handles are really good quality. I used these when I needed to carry the bag down stairs and put it on the weighing belt at check in.
The Shuttle is not a hard case. It has sturdy, no dent sides but most of the pack is made like a rucksack. I don’t mind this at all and I like that the bag weight is very light. If you prefer a hard sided case you will need to find an alternative.
Overall, the suitcase is exactly as I would have imagined it would be. Osprey are masters at making useful carrying products and although this is not their usual rucksack style it is well designed and good quality.
The wheels and undercarriage look like they will be long-lasting and withstand a lot of to-ing and fro-ing. The suitcase has plenty of useful areas and pockets and the general feel and look is perfect for a sporty or outdoorsy person. I really like it.
As Osprey say on their website: “Let the good times roll.” I will be letting more of the good times roll on several trips abroad this year with my Osprey Shuttle 100!
The Osprey Shuttle 100 costs £180.