Last updated: December 12th, 2024
Choosing a suitcase is a big deal. It’s a big investment you want to make carefully, ensuring you don’t end up with a product that will break down after just one use. As someone who has gone through a few suitcases, I am now quite picky when it comes to luggage. Whether it’s capacity, durability, or maneuverability, there are several key factors I now take into account before making a purchase.
In this Heys luggage review, I’ll share my experience with the Earth Tones collection, which has become my go-to luggage choice for both domestic and international trips. In this article, I will go over a few key features I look for when purchasing a new suitcase. I’ll break down the luggage quality, including durability and maneuverability, as well as user experience—meaning its packing capacity, price, and ease of use.
Now that I’ve had a few uses of this suitcase under my belt (including a move from France back to Canada), I can share my thoughts in more detail! By the end of this review, I’ll give you an honest opinion on whether I think the Heys Earth Tones collection is worth your investment. I hope this review helps you decide whether this is the right suitcase for you!
*Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase after clicking one of these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Summary
In this Heys luggage review, I’m focusing on the Earth Tones collection, which immediately caught my eye because of its sleek design and beautiful color selection. You can choose from colors like Umber, Moss, Glacial Grey, and Atmosphere, and personally, I went with the Moss color.
Heys is a well-known Canadian brand that began as a family-run business back in 1986. As a fellow Canadian, I always try to support Canadian businesses when I can, and Heys has been a go-to brand for our family for many years. Historically, I’ve found Heys luggage to be a reasonably priced option, but when it comes to picking a suitcase, there’s more to consider than just the price tag.
In this review, I’ll break down the main pros and cons I’ve experienced with the Heys Earth Tones luggage (I’ll focus on the carry-on luggage today). I’ll talk about its design, features, usability, and what I consider when choosing luggage.
Product Information (carry-on)
Material: 100% Pure Polycarbonate
Size: 21” x 13.8” x 8.5” – 53cm x 35cm x 21.5cm
Volume: 45 L (when expanded)
Weight: 6.8 lbs – 3.1 kg
Features: telescopic handle, 360-degree wheels, expandable lid, and a TSA-lock
Warranty: 5 years
Pros
- There are many internal pockets for maximum storage and organizational capacity, including a compression strap
- I love how easy it is to use; the 360-degree wheels are super smooth
- This is a very lightweight collection, maximizing your packing capacity without exceeding weight limits
- I find the suitcases very stylish and aesthetic – I love the design
- It comes with a 5-year warranty, which is usually the minimum I look for in a suitcase
Cons
- When expanded, the carry-on size didn’t meet Air Canada’s regulation for carry-on luggage, so you may need to check it in if you’re flying with certain airlines (which was a bummer since I love the benefits of expandable luggage!)
- After a few uses, the telescopic handle feels a little bit loose. They are still intact and functions perfectly fine however not as durable as I would have hoped
Heys Luggage Review: Quality
Durability
In this Heys luggage review, I’m happy to report that after multiple trips—ranging from international flights to domestic train trips—the luggage has remained in great condition. I can clearly see that this is pretty sturdy luggage. I usually opt for hardshell suitcases, however, there is the risk that they can become dented, cracked, or scuffed over time. I’ve been very happy to see my suitcase is completely scuff and dent-free so far, after several big trips and cobblestone streets.
The only thing I have noticed after a few uses is that the telescopic handle feels slightly loose. In terms of functionality, everything works perfectly fine but I was expecting it to be a little sturdier.
PRO TIP: Another way to protect your suitcase while you’re travelling is to get the right travel insurance in case of lost, damaged, or stolen luggage!
Maneuverability
By maneuverability, I am referring to the wheels – how well does the suitcase move? Maneuverability is one of the most important factors when choosing luggage, and I’ve been very impressed with the 360-degree wheels on the Heys Earth Tones collection so far. I have used it on cobblestone, pavement, and carpets, through airports, train stations, and busy streets, and it has been very smooth and withstood all tests. It is very well balanced and for this factor of this Heys luggage review, I am definitely impressed.
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PRO TIP: If you want to streamline your travel experience even more, be sure to check out my personalized travel planning services.
Heys Luggage Review: User Experience
Capacity
So far I have gone on three different weekend trips, moved from France to Canada, and two 2-week long trips using this suitcase and have managed to fit everything I need without any problems. Sometimes with room to spare!
With the help of the expandable lid, the suitcase gains an extra 20% of packing capacity which definitely is a game-changing experience for an over-packer like me. The suitcase has a lined interior with a large zipper compartment in the lid, plus six different internal pockets of various sizes for all of your packing needs. It has a buckled compression strap to maximize its space and capacity. I also used the Heys Metallic 5-piece set packing cubes to optimize my packing organization!
However, I would like to note that I used this carry-on luggage on an international flight with Air Canada recently and they told me the suitcase did not fit the carry-on requirements for the airline. At this time, the suitcase was expanded and I confirmed this using their sizing tool at the airport and it did not fit so I had to check it. While I disagree with the airline’s assessment (the suitcase would have fit just fine in the overhead bin), it’s something to be aware of if you’re flying with specific carriers.
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PRO TIP: I have noticed that airlines have been a bit pickier with their carry-on luggage sizes recently – ALWAYS measure and weigh your bag so you’re not stuck at the airport!
Price
Something you always need to look for when choosing a suitcase is the price range. Luggage can really get expensive quickly and you want to make sure you are getting the right value for your money. Personally, I find Heys luggage to be very affordable and good value for money. I also polled my audience on Instagram and 79% of people voted for Heys luggage pricing range as their ideal price range – so I’m not alone!
Plus, Heys luggage comes with a 5-year warranty, another aspect to look for when purchasing luggage. Anything less than a 5-year warranty makes me suspicious of the quality of the item. With Heys, I know that I am getting good quality at a good price.
PRO TIP: Don’t forget to register your luggage warranty after your purchase!
Ease of use
I have already talked about maneuverability but in terms of usability, I’ve had an excellent experience with this luggage. Despite being fully packed, the suitcase is still very lightweight, and I can glide it through airports without struggling. Zippers have been mostly smooth, though they occasionally get caught on corners—nothing too major, though. Overall, I’ve found the Heys Earth Tones luggage to be spacious, stylish, and the general use of this suitcase has been a breeze.
Is Heys Luggage worth it?
Taking all of these things into consideration, I would say that the Heys Earth Tones collection is worth the investment. The few problems I have experienced so far are relatively minor compared to the general great user experience and quality. Considering that they are one of the more affordable luggage brands on the North American market, I would say the value of their suitcases is great! It’s also worth mentioning that the customer reviews online list it at a 4.9/5!
Heys luggage is affordable, stylish, and durable. The 5-year warranty gives you confidence in your purchase, and the overall quality is impressive. Plus, it’s a Canadian brand, so it gets extra points in my book for supporting Canadian businesses! The Heys Earth Tones collection ticks nearly all the boxes for a reliable, affordable suitcase. If you’re in the market for new luggage, I highly recommend checking out Heys!
If you’d like help making the most of your travel experience (beyond just luggage), consider checking out my personalized travel planning services. I’d love to help you create the perfect itinerary and ensure a smooth trip from start to finish.
