An honest Antler luggage review, according to GLAMOUR's shopping team

If you've come across our Antler review, you've probably caught wind of the fact that the designer luggage brand's suitcases are the stuff of legend. The Antler Clifton Cabin bag has sold out twice (!) in the past twelve months – and was one of the most-purchased products by GLAMOUR readers in 2023 – while the Stamford range provides a fresh update with tonal hardware. In short, we're Antler luggage fans, you're fans, and to quote Lizzo, it's about damn time someone gave you the lowdown on how the products actually hold up against their stellar reviews. Summer holidays are on the horizon, after all.

GLAMOUR's Team – Sophie Cockett, Georgia Trodd, Lucy Smith, Lian Brooks and Samantha Reynolds – set out to write an honest Antler review, by taking all three sizes of both the Antler Stamford and Antler Clifton ranges on holiday (that's carry-on bag, medium and large). Along with, the Soft Stripe Medium Suitcase and the Icon Stripe Cabin.

The Stamford cabin bag was headed to Barcelona for a weekend break, the medium-size Stamford was headed for five days in Barbados, and the largest Stamford – the 121 litre – was off for a week in Puglia. Meanwhile, three sizes of the Clifton range headed to Menorca. And, the Soft Stripe Medium suitcase was headed to Greece and the Icon Stripe Cabin was off for a staycation in Bournemouth. Lucky suitcases… In this honest report, you'll find out how they got on. And which Antler suitcase is best for you.

Ahead, our full Antler luggage review.

• SIZE: Cabin – 54cm x 40cm x 20cm – Medium – 68cm x 48cm x 29.5cm – Large – 81.5cm x 54cm x 34.5cm.
• CAPACITY: Cabin – 37 litres – Medium – 75 litres – Large – 121 litres.
• WEIGHT: Cabin – 2.7kg – Medium – 3.99kg – Large – 5.12kg.
• WARRANTY? Lifetime warranty on all Antler suitcases.
• TSA LOCK? Yes, fixed combination on all three sizes.
• SPINNER WHEELS? Yes, four, on all three sizes.
• COLOURS: Midnight Black, Field Green, Dusk Blue, Berry Red.

• SIZE: Cabin – 20 x 40 x 55 cm – Medium – 30 x 45 x 67 cm – Large – 35 x 52 x 80 cm.
• CAPACITY: Cabin – 37 litres – Medium – 75 litres – Large – 121 litres.
• WEIGHT: Cabin – 2.8kg – Medium – 3.9kg – Large – 5kg.
• WARRANTY? Lifetime warranty on all Antler suitcases.
• TSA LOCK? Yes, fixed combination on all three sizes.
• SPINNER WHEELS? Yes, four, on all three sizes.
• COLOURS: Navy, Black, Taupe, Mineral, Sage, Blush, Coral, Oak Brown, Meadow Purple, Woodland Green.

To be honest, there aren't that many differences between the Antler Stamford and Antler Clifton ranges. Clifton came first; Stamford came second. Clifton is slightly cheaper; Stamford more expensive.

Across both ranges, the three suitcase sizes are the same – as is the capacity of each. The Clifton range is slightly heavier, but only by a few grams; both are hard shell, both promise whisper-quiet wheels, both have TSA-approved combination locks, and both have three internal zipped compartments.

The wheels on Stamford suitcases are slightly updated comparison to those on the Clifton. Stamford wheels were developed in collaboration with the Japanese automobile experts at Mitsubishi, offering enhanced control and a muted tread, thanks to their Lisof tyre fabric. This increases the lifespan of your luggage and makes for a smoother ride.

Another difference to note is the fact that the Stamford suitcases have double buttons on the handle compressors. To make your handle taller or shorter, you only need to press one handle on the Stamford – in comparison to two buttons which sit either side of the handle on the Clifton. The lack of duo-button made for an easier ride when it came to collapsing the Stamford handle at airport security. Why double the number of steps to reach your goal?

Elsewhere, every Stamford case has its own built-in USB port for easy charging on the go – something the equally popular Clifton case range doesn't boast – and Stamford's hardware is tonal, rather than just being black.

On both suitcases, the lifetime warranty beats the offer of industry competitors like Samsonite and Tumi, who offer ten and five year warranty periods respectively.

The assignment: A self-proclaimed chronic over packer, I needed a suitcase to accompany me on a staycation earlier this year, to Bournemouth. While I was after a large enough suitcase that would fit all of my holiday 'fits inside, I also wanted something small enough to take on short trips in the UK.

The tester: Samantha Reynolds, Officer Manager and PA to European Editorial Director.
The product: Icon Stripe Suitcase in Taupe.

The verdict: "I was lucky enough to get my hands on Antler’s Icon Stripe Cabin Case in Taupe - the perfect addition to the Oak Brown Large Clifton I got a few months ago. Whilst not an exact colour match they compliment each other well, fitting seamlessly into my neutral aesthetic.

"I have this new thing of travelling with hand luggage only, so with my bucket bag perched on top, this duo holds just the right amount for a 3-4 night trip (after utilising my roll and stuff technique).

"The interior compartments, expander zips and 360 spinner wheels are exactly what’s needed for a weekend away in the UK or to Europe; with the cobbled streets and stairways to overcome, the one-click handle makes it easy to go from push to pull to carry.

"The Icon Cabin case is super light but sturdy. I’m a chronic over-packer so I fill every case (no matter how small or large) to the brim and to its limits. With Antler, there are no worries about if the zip is going to break, you can tell from the moment you take your new case out of its dust bag that it’s quality made to last.

"One minor drawback is that the cabin bags are prone to scratches, which is a bit disappointing. Antler offers fitted luggage covers for their medium and large cases, but unfortunately, not for the cabin size—such a shame to hide the beautiful colours.

“But with a lifetime guarantee on all Antler products, investing in any of their cases is a no-brainer! Next on my wishlist? The weekender bag to match!”

The assignment: Antler's Medium Soft Stripe case accompanied me on a five day trip to Greece. Notorious for overpacking, I like to have multiple fallback outfit options for any given day, so cramming everything I wanted into a cabin bag simply wasn't going to happen, but equally I didn't feel like the shorter trip warranted a larger case.

The tester: Lian Brooks, Senior Audience Development Manager. 
The product: Soft Stripe Medium in Green.

The verdict: "Antler has been my go-to luggage brand for years because they make cases that are built to last. That said, after over 15 years with my old faithful, I was excited to trade in my case for a newer model.

"The first thing I appreciated about the Soft Stripe Medium case was its size – perfect for my five day trip to Greece where I was struggling to fill up a larger case but couldn't face attempting to cram everything into a cabin bag. Light yet sturdy, it was incredibly easy to pack, with two internal zip pockets and the external pocket proving useful to separate out a few key items I wanted to have readily accessible.

"I consciously noticed the difference when it came time to rush to the airport, with its 360 spinner wheels making it a breeze to get around quickly. Likewise, after years of having to remember to bring a suitcase lock (and vitally not lose the key!), it was such a treat to be able to simply set a code with its TSA-approved combination lock and send my suitcase off without fear that it might return to me emptied of its contents and sans lock.

"The muted colour palette of this model perfectly suits my style and crucially doesn't show scuffing, while still being distinguishable enough to easily pick out from the conveyor belt on the other side. This proved the ideal companion for my trip and genuinely made the often stressful airport experience so much more manageable."

The assignment: Headed to Barcelona for a long weekend break, I needed some luggage that would be big enough to fit all my city and beach outfits, plus space for evening clothes, shoes, makeup and hair tools. That said, I didn’t want anything too huge so as to need to pay to check it in. A tough few boxes to tick.

The tester: Georgia Trodd, Senior Commerce Writer.
The product: Stamford Cabin.

The verdict: "The Stamford cabin suitcase was surprisingly spacious despite its petite appearance, and it was really easy to pack in thanks to its two compartments (one zipped, so you can keep your clothes separate from your shoes) and extra storage pockets. I used packing cubes to help keep everything neat and tidy - which also meant that I could get away with squeezing even more in - but realistically I probably could have gone without. The hardshell design meant I couldn’t overpack (which, again, is likely a good thing), but I felt it could have done with an extender zip for a little extra leeway should I have needed it. Extender zips do feature on the medium and large sizes.

"From house to car to airport to plane and then through the city, this nifty little case didn’t once feel uncomfortable to manoeuvre. It features a one-button handle collapser which was arguably my favourite feature, because it meant that I didn't have to struggle getting it onto the security belt, into or out of the taxi at the other end. On the same note, the four multi-directional wheels were a dream. They never once got caught which meant a brisk stroll was easily achievable.

“There’s nothing more embarrassing than turning up for your holiday with a suitcase that’s clearly several years old, battered and bruised. I honestly don’t think I’ll ever experience that feeling again though with the Stamford cabin. It came home unscathed bar a couple of scuffs (which are only visible because of its pink hue), and I have no doubt it’ll stay that way for as long as I continue to use it. It also features a USB charging port, though you will need to provide your own battery, and the TSA fixed combination lock sits on the top of the bag instead of on the side - so you can easily access things without having to lay it down.

“Overall, this case is spot on for city breaks or long weekend getaways where a holdall won’t suffice. I will 100% be using it again, and my partner is already sharking after one too.”

The assignment: I took my Antler Clifton away on my first beach holiday of 2023, to Barbados. I was there for five days, but my first experience of 30+ degree heat this side of the new year meant I had a *major* desire to overpack. I needed choice; I needed options and I needed space. My Antler needed to serve me well.

The tester: Sophie Cockett, Senior Commerce Editor, Europe.
The product: Stamford medium in Black.

The verdict: "I am *such* a fan of Antler luggage, not least because the act of having a cabin suitcase which matches your hold suitcase and weekend bag is such a luxury.

"My suitcase arrived wrapped in a sleek, grey dust bag which was such a nice touch – and my first impression upon lifting it out of the box was how lightweight it was. The medium Stamford weighs less than 4kg when unfilled, which isn't very much given the quality.

"Packing was a breeze: the extender added 5cm of space which meant I could overpack to my heart's content, and in addition to the packing straps and zipped compartment, I found the suitcase divider a helpful feature. It meant my clothes remained flat for the duration of my travels, and creasing wasn't too much of an issue.

"At the airport, the TSA-approved combination lock meant I could send my suitcase away without a worry, and the 360-degree rotation wheels made speeding through customs *so* easy. I was surprised by how quietly the wheels glided along the ground.

“All-in-all, my Antler Stamford was perfectly suited to a long-haul beach holiday and I can't wait to use it again later in the year. My only disappointment was the fact that the black polycarbonate shell scratched fairly easily, so after being thrown around on luggage carousels, my case was subject to a few white marks. I'd maybe opt for a lighter colour next time so that scratches aren't so visible.”

The assignment: Headed to Puglia for a week with my boyfriend, I needed a bag big enough to fit both mine and his clothes as we only paid for one in-hold suitcase. I'm an over-packer to begin with, let alone when the weather forecast is looking mixed, requiring me to prepare for both a sunny and rainy holiday. Also, with a walk from the car port to our Airbnb in Puglia, I'd need a suitcase that's capable of taking on a large chunk of cobbled roads. Good luck, Antler.

The tester: Lucy Smith, Commerce Writer.
The product: Stamford large in Khaki.

The verdict: "Having dabbled with the Antler Clifton medium case, I had high hopes for the brand's higher-spec Stamford range. Upon first glance I was impressed with the sleek, matte colourway and the addition of a fillable suitcase divider to keep the bulk of my clothes flat was a nice surprise when initially zipping open the case. It was something I hadn't seen previously as part of the Clifton set, nor from competitor luggage brands. When packing, as someone who frequently ends up sitting on their case in order to seal it shut, I was pleased to find that such a struggle wouldn't be necessary and, indeed, myself and my partner had oodles of space on either side for all our shoes, waterproofs and swimwear. With the expandable zip, our larger suitcase was made even larger, allowing us even a little bit of wiggle room to take gifts home.

"In the airport the case rolled like a dream, but it wasn't the flat, glossy airport floors I was worried about. After landing in Puglia, the case was a tad heavy coming off the carousel, though that was doubtless said shoes, waterproofs and swimwear… I will say though, if you're after a travelling hack to get the most out of a 23.5kg hold luggage limit, the brand's hard shell Stamford suitcase is a good 1.92kg heavier than their soft shell large suitcase from the Prestwick range, which is super lightweight by comparison. That said, the peace of mind that I gained having a protective hard shell in my arsenal was invaluable. God forbid my toiletries fall victim to the handling of the time-pressed airport staff.

"The final test for the Stamford on my journey to Puglia? A mass of cobblestones. Thankfully, the spinner wheels exceeded my expectations, traversing from pavement to road to cobblestone without a struggle.

“Overall, the case looked stylish and professional as I wheeled it around the city and the USB charger proved vital when our flight home was inevitably delayed, leaving Bari airport's charger ports overwhelmed with panicked Brits. What's more, the small feet on the side of the suitcase protected the shell from scuffing against the floor and the TSA lock gave me an extra ounce of calm as I put my belongings into the hands of airport security. 10/10 would recommend the Stamford large suitcase to couples and buyers heading off on bigger vacations, I'll definitely be using it again.”

The assignment: “A week-long girls' holiday in Menorca. I took the medium, my friend took the carry-on, and two of my other friends shared the Clifton Large.”

The tester: Sophie Cockett, GLAMOUR Senior European Commerce Editor.
The product: Clifton range – all three sizes.

Verdict: "I'd already tested the Stamford 2.0 range before heading to Menorca with my Clifton suitcases, and I was aware they aren't quite so high-tech. Honestly? I had nothing to worry about. If a slightly elevated design, marginally smoother wheels and a USB charging port are priority for you, spend a little more on the Stamford. If they're not? Saving a few pennies and investing in a Clifton suitcase instead will not leave you hard-done-by.

"Upon ordering my Clifton suitcases, I was pleasantly surprised by how many colours they come in. Way more options than you get with the Stamford. My suitcases arrived bundled together, each in chic dust-bags, and delivery was super speedy.

"In all three sizes, the TSA-approved lock gave me piece-of-mind that my belongings were safe, and various packing compartments meant we could organise a weeks' worth of outfits like a dream, and the whisper-quiet wheels made navigating a very-busy Heathrow airport far less stressful.

“The handle features two buttons which need to be pressed to compress it, which was slightly fiddly when bundling into a taxi, but honestly, that was my only tripe. All of my friends have invested in their own sets since borrowing mine – which is the most glowing review they could get.”

The wonders of Antler don't stop there. If you're after soft-shell suitcases, the Prestwick and Brixham ranges are a dream, and for accessories, find water bottles, laptop backpacks, packing cubes, luggage tags, luggage straps and vanity cases also online.