Summary: I tested out CALPAK’s eco-friendly Terra luggage collection during a staycation with my partner this summer. I immediately found that these pieces allowed me to pack more items than I’m used to with my old luggage, kept me organized, and were easy and light to travel with en route and on foot. The functionality and sustainability cred of CALPAK easily made it my new standard for getaways.
What I love:
- I love how spacious and durable each one of my CALPAK luggage pieces are! Each piece allowed me to carry more items than I normally ever have been able to with other luggage items I’ve tried in the past.
- The unique compartments available in each one of my CALPAK pieces made it easy for me to stay organized throughout my trip.
- Made from recycled plastic water bottles, the soft and water-resistant material of my CALPAK pieces makes it weather-proof and easy to clean as needed.
Things to keep in mind:
- The brand initially sent me the wrong items from what I originally ordered — the issue however was quickly resolved by the CALPAK team.
- There were some small scuff marks and stains on some of the CALPAK luggage items I received, but it didn’t take away from the overall appearance of the luggage.
Though I’ve only recently started getting into international travel, travelling locally has always been my bread and butter. As a child, my family and I took long road trips to different cities, including a 16-hour drive to the southeastern US to visit my family. I’d be in awe of the eroding Appalachians we’d witness en route, and we’d have the best time having a makeshift picnic at a rest stop every couple of hours. As much as I now appreciate the ease of airline travel, there’s something special about seeing the small cities we’d drive by, experiencing the changing weather, and connecting deeper with my loved ones on the long trek.
“I rarely find luggage that’s up to the challenge — lightweight, easy to organize, and spacious enough for all my must-haves.”
One thing my family was always notorious for (and a habit I eventually picked up) was overpacking — you just never know what you might need, right?! Though I’m still trying to find a balance between packing just the right amount of items, I tend to always carry extra clothes and essentials with me. I rarely find luggage that’s up to the challenge — lightweight, easy to organize, and spacious enough for all my must-haves. (Yes, I’m that person sitting on top of her bag while my husband wrestles the zipper closed. What can I say? A girl needs options!)
But I think I can officially call off the search, because the brand that ticks all the boxes is definitely CALPAK.
About CALPAK
While my trusty check-in luggage has done me right over the last decade, I figured it’s time to consider adding some smaller luggage pieces to my collection. I’ve planned a couple of staycations this summer, and a carry-on and personal item is perfect for me when I’m travelling on foot, or taking trains and streetcars.
Upon browsing the CALPAK website, I was intrigued by their luggage options. Everything looks so chic, yet functional? The LA-based company is AAPI- and family-owned and has been operating since 1989. Originally known as California Pak, the company initially focused on soft luggage and duffels, eventually introducing hard-sided luggage to their collection. The brand’s goal is to create luggage that becomes your most beloved travel companion and push the boundaries of travel gear, while never compromising on quality or style. CALPAK averages a 4.7 Google star review, which made me excited to try out their luggage myself!
“The brand’s goal is to create luggage that becomes your most beloved travel companion and push the boundaries of travel gear, while never compromising on quality or style.”
As I dove deeper online, I was impressed with all of CALPAK’s offerings — from backpacks, kids bags, gym bags, insulated bags, packing cubes, organizers, and more, CALPAK has everything you need for daily and long-haul work, play, and travel. US customers even have the option to personalize their bags with the font, color, and placement of your choice (which is the cutest gift idea ever!). When it came to picking out my new luggage items, the Terra collection intrigued me the most. Each luggage and bag item in this durable and eco-friendly line is made from recycled plastic water bottles (recycled ripstop polyester with TPU) and is water-resistant, making it perfect for all types of travel, especially walking and train travel in unpredictable weather! My mind was made up, and I placed my order.
Shipping & unboxing
I initially ordered the Terra 35L Soft-Sided Carry-On Luggage ($215), Terra 35L Water Resistant Zippered Tote Bag ($168), and Terra Hanging Toiletry Bag ($68) all in the White Sands shade, which is a beautiful creamy bone with a pale tan trim. The Terra collection features four classic shades, alongside a number of matte and limited edition shades, which are all vibrant and will definitely have you strutting in style. I’ve always dreamed of having a matching luggage set, and I was super excited to finally have a functional travel set that is also fashion-forward! Shipping was quick, with my package arriving in just a few short days.
“The Terra collection features four classic shades, alongside a number of matte and limited edition shades, which are all vibrant and will definitely have you strutting in style.”
When I opened my package, I was surprised to see that I received three different items from what I initially ordered. In the box was CALPAK’s Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack in Amethyst ($198), the Luka Duffel in Chocolate ($138), and the Medium Clear Cosmetics Case in Stone ($85). After reaching out to the CALPAK team about my order, the customer service team was relatively quick to investigate what happened with my order and realised there was a mix-up at their warehouse. The brand then shipped out my correct items and was kind enough to allow me to keep the original items I received, too. I’ll be doing a short review on these pieces as well, so keep on reading!
My second package arrived and thankfully everything I ordered was correct. All my items came wrapped up nicely in a single cardboard box, which felt surprisingly light as I carried it up to my apartment. During unboxing, my tote and toiletry bag were nestled nicely inside the carry-on, and everything was sealed individually with a thin recyclable plastic bag. I appreciated that the brand was so thoughtful in packaging everything so minimally and in a single box, to help limit waste and make it easier to bring into my home.
The Terra Carry-On Luggage even came wrapped with a cute dust bag, matching the color of my luggage, which is perfect for protecting its soft exterior when not in use. I also love that there was no setup needed for any of the CALPAK items I received — everything was ready to go.
Packing my new CALPAK luggage
I planned to use my new CALPAK luggage on a short two-night getaway in my city. I’d be travelling in a car, on a train, a streetcar, and by foot to get to my destination, and I was excited to get to packing and seeing how CALPAK would make my travel day smooth, stress-free, and organized. Here are my notes on the details of each of my CALPAK items and what I packed in them:
Terra 35L Soft-Sided Carry-On Luggage ($215)
First things first — this carry-on is the lightest luggage item I’ve ever used! I could easily toss it up with one hand if I wanted to. Made from 29 plastic water bottles, the hardware on the Terra Carry-On Luggage felt sturdy and substantial despite the luggage feeling feathery light. There are padded grab handles on the top and side of the luggage, three exterior and interior zipper pockets, with two of the interior pockets hidden on either side of the carry-on — perfect for sliding in a shoe on either side. The compression straps and clips also felt thick and good quality, so I had no qualms of any of the items I packed moving around.
“This carry-on is the lightest luggage item I’ve ever used! I could easily toss it up with one hand if I wanted to.”
One small thing I did notice — there were some light scuff marks on the front of the carry-on. It’s nothing too noticeable, but I was curious to find out how the luggage holds up once on the road (more on that in a bit!). Everything fit well, and there was no awkward bulging on the front of the carry-on.
Here is what I packed:
- Birkenstocks x 1 (size 9)
- Hoodies x 2
- Shirts x 3
- Shorts x 1
- Dress pants x 1
- Linen pants x 1
- Jeans x 1
- Journal
- Macbook Air laptop (13-inch)
- Chargers & laptop accessories
Terra 35L Water Resistant Zippered Tote Bag ($168)
I have to admit, this tote bag might be my favorite travel bag I’ve ever owned. The Terra Water Resistant Zippered Tote is crafted from 28 recycled water bottles and is extremely spacious. The amount of compartments is seriously impressive — two large open pockets on the sides, three outer zippered pockets (including a hidden one on the back which is perfect for your passport or any valuables), two large inner open pockets, and a large inner zipper pocket. There’s even a key leash and a trolley pass-through strap. My favorite feature? The roll-away zippered top gives you the option to keep the bag open or completely sealed, depending on your need.
Here’s what I packed in my tote:
- Waterbottle x 1
- Hat x 1
- Small shoulder purse x 1
- Socks x 4
- Underwear x 4
- Bras x 3
- Yoga pants x 2
- Activewear tops x 3
- Sports bras x 2
- Pajamas x 2
- Bath towel x 1
- Terra Hanging Toiletry Bag x 1
Terra Hanging Toiletry Bag ($68)
I’ve definitely never had a toiletry bag like this, and I’m sure you’ll probably agree! Made from 6 recycled plastic water bottles, the soft material of this toiletry bag makes it easy to carry lots of items without compromising space in your bag. There are lots of clever compartments and features sprinkled throughout, including a hidden collapsible hanging hook, and lots of zippered pockets, open pockets and brush holders throughout. I packed nearly every toiletry item I could possibly need, with tons of room to spare. I also appreciate the smooth water resistant material, in case any liquid spill, as it would make for an easy wipe down.
Bonus: Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack in Amethyst ($198), Luka Duffel in Chocolate ($138), Medium Clear Cosmetics Case in Stone ($85)
While these items I received were extra and I didn’t get to take them on my trip, I wanted to give them a quick trial for this review. The Terra Laptop Duffel Backpack is made from 27 plastic water bottles, can carry a 17-inch laptop, has a luggage-trolley sleeve, and even features a detachable adjustable shoulder strap, so you can decide how you want to carry it. I was able to fit all the items from my Terra Water Resistant Zippered Tote bag (except my hat) in the backpack, in addition to my laptop. This backpack is a great option for anyone who’ll be walking long distances or for a backpacking/hiking trip. I did see that there were some small yellow stains on the front, which is only noticeable with a keen eye. This had me wondering if the scuffs and stains on my Terra pieces were mere coincidences or common with the Terra collection.
The Luka Duffel, while not made from recycled materials, is definitely my favorite style of the bunch. The material is thick, feels pillowy soft, and comes with a convenient shoe compartment. With the exception of my hat, I was again able to easily fit all the items from the Terra Water Resistant Zippered Tote in this bag. The Medium Clear Cosmetics Case is definitely the prettiest and most unique item I got to trial — this case has separate compartments making it easy to separate your liquids and cosmetic items, and the transparent material is perfect for transporting your liquids through TSA.
CALPAK shared with me that these items are some of their top sellers and would make wonderful gift ideas, and I have to agree — each of these pieces are beautiful and I’m excited to share the extra items I received with my loved ones!
My getaway experience
Before heading out the door, I slid the trolley pass-through of my zippered tote over the collapsible luggage handle of my carry-on, which made it oh-so convenient to transport my items all across town! The 360-degree spinner wheels as my husband said “felt like a well-oiled machine,” seamlessly spinning any direction I needed, without any extra effort.
I never felt like I needed to drag my luggage over bumps and potholes on the ground. Both my carry-on and tote easily fit in the back of the trunk of our 4-door sedan, with plenty of room available for any additional luggage items. After helping me carry my luggage up and down the steps at the train station, my husband mentioned the carry-on felt a lot lighter than other carry-ons he’s lifted up and down steps before, which was a major win!
I carried the tote bag on my shoulder for the majority of the train ride since it was packed, and the strap felt comfortable on my shoulder — I never found myself having to re-adjust the tote throughout my journey.
During my trip, all the pockets throughout each of my CALPAK pieces made it so easy to stay organized. I was able to repurpose the large inner pockets in my tote bags to store any items that needed to be laundered, keeping them separate from my clean clothes. I also had no worries about getting my toiletry bag wet, as I knew the bag is water-resistant. I easily was able to access my skincare, haircare and makeup items without any digging since everything had its place within the bag. After I got home from my trip, I inspected each one of my CALPAK items to see if there was any damage, and am happy to report there were no additional scuffs or issues!
Is it worth it?
100%. Even with the slight hiccup in shipping my items and the tiny scuffs and stains on some of the CALPAK pieces, the luggage and travel bags themselves were easy to travel with, and made my trip more enjoyable. Thanks to CALPAK, I was able to stay organized, and carry more items than I normally would (with plenty of room to spare!). I see myself using the carry-on for international trips, and the zippered tote for not only long trips but also day trips, like a picnic or beach day. The toiletry bag is also such a lifesaver that I’ve started using it at home — seriously, my skincare, haircare, and cosmetics have never been this organized!
“Thanks to CALPAK, I was able to stay organized, and carry more items than I normally would (with plenty of room to spare!).”
CALPAK offers a 2-year limited warranty for their Terra Carry-On and a 1-year limited warranty for both their Terra Zippered Tote and Terra Toiletry Bag. When it comes to other luggage brands on the market, I find that CALPAK’s prices fall somewhere in the middle — for all its features, sustainability considerations, and for luggage that’s versatile for both short and long trips, I say it’s well worth it. For someone who loves to pack lots of items, stay organized, and look cool and put-together while you’re at it, CALPAK is the brand for you.
Silsila Bahrami is a Contributing Editor at The Good Trade. She has a BA in Communications and Marketing from York University and has been writing and fact-checking the latest happenings in sustainable fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and home goods since 2023. When not writing or editing, you can find her at the yoga studio, catching the latest flicks, or testing a new matcha recipe. Say hi on Instagram!
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