Summary: I tested Roam’s fully customizable Carry-On and Everyday Tote during my travels this summer. Across six flights, two train rides, two bus rides, and an hour and a half drive to our destination, the sleek and compartmentalized design kept me organized and efficient while traveling, transitioning, and traipsing around the country, even with two kids in tow.

What I love:

  • Each piece is fully customizable for a truly one-of-a-kind bag
  • The lightweight, streamlined, and sleek design makes it easy to stay organized and feel chic during long travel days
  • Roam offers a 100-day trial & lifetime warranty on any non-cosmetic damage, making it a true investment that will last a lifetime

Things to keep in mind:

  • These are investment pieces, ringing in at $595 and $295, respectively, and the cost will be prohibitive for some
  • The glossy outer is delicate and easy to scratch. I recommend ordering a cover if you want to preserve the bag’s pristine condition

For me, travel has always been about the full experience. I remember romanticizing any and all air travel growing up — flights to the west coast for family vacation, trips via budget airlines to visit my long-distance boyfriend in college, even transit between my parents’ houses in elementary school, where I’d fly as an unaccompanied minor. No matter where I was headed, I loved to maximize the experience with the ideal outfit, a perfectly curated playlist, and a few quiet hours to myself.

“Over the last few year, I’ve landed firmly in the carry-on only camp, even when traveling with kids. The caveat? The bag has to be high quality, durable, and versatile.”

I actually enjoy the packing process. It’s satisfying, like putting together a puzzle that will allow me to enjoy my experience more fully, and I’ve come to love the way preparation for a trip feels like an on-ramp of excitement for what’s to come.

Over the last few years, I’ve landed firmly in the carry-on only camp, even when traveling with kids. The caveat? The bag has to be high quality, durable, and versatile. This has made me meticulously observant of each detail when it comes to any kind of roller, duffel, or backpack, and I’ve been known to purchase an expensive bag if it’s a daily staple, will improve our quality of life, and is covered by a warranty. 

That’s why I was excited to take Roam’s fully customizable Carry-On Expandable ($550) and Everyday Tote ($250) for a spin while traveling this summer. The set accompanied me on six flights over the course of two weeks — one family vacation, and one solo trip with friends. Here’s how it went ✈️✨

Ordering & customization

Roam’s bespoke luggage offers all of the bells, whistles, and more — it features fully customizable details, a compression hanging board, and more compartments than I’ve ever seen in a roller bag, TSA-friendly locks, and 360-degree wheels. Each piece is made of 100% recycled materials, crafted and finished by hand in Georgia, and is covered by a lifetime warranty, truly making this the last piece of luggage you’ll ever have to buy.

Every detail is fully customizable, from the handles to the trim to the wheels. I had so much fun and spent way too much time poring over the endless options — eventually, I called my friend (who is a professional designer by trade) to help me out.

A black expandable carry-on suitcase with tan trim is displayed on a customization page, showing options to select wheel and trim colors.
I loved how easy it was to customize the Carry-On, so that every detail (including the color of the wheels!) could be exactly what I wanted.

With her insight, I chose the Carry-On Expandable from the designer collection with the sleek, classic black gloss outer with tan trim. I’ll note that choosing the tan trim also made the wheels tan as well, and following her sound advice, I opted to make them all black so that any bumps or scuffs would be less visible and to keep them looking nice for longer. For the Everyday Tote, I selected the vibrant, all-red for a pop of color in my otherwise neutral color palette.

Red tote bag with zipper pocket displayed on a product webpage, with color options and customization features shown on the right side. Price listed as $250.
Though I’m typically into a more neutral palette, I went with the vibrant red hue for the Everyday Tote for a pop of color.

Unboxing

I was in the midst of three weeks of travel and was nervous my order wouldn’t come in time. While home for 48 hours between a work trip to Idaho and our family vacation, I was thrilled to see a Roam box on my doorstep the night before our flight to the Midwest. 

Upon opening, I originally thought the tote had shipped separately and would arrive sometime while we were away, but I was delighted to find it was packed efficiently inside the carry-on.

A black hard-shell suitcase stands upright on a striped cloth, partially wrapped in a blue bag, with a chair and houseplant in the background.
A black hard-shell suitcase and a red duffel bag are placed side by side on a beige striped fabric background.
The tote came packed inside the carry-on, which was in a blue dust bag.

The carry-on arrived in a blue dust bag. I opened it up to see a glossy, pristine tag and my personalized monogram “MK” on the back, which would distinguish my suitcase from all the rest. 

Between the carry-on’s multicompartment compression and hanging board and the tote’s phone pocket, I was impressed by how many compartments each piece had, and knew utilizing these would be the biggest test for me. I’m a highly sensitive person and easily overstimulated, which means traveling at all requires peak thoughtfulness and strategy. Staying organized while in transit helps me remain calm and is helpful on a typical day — staying organized while traveling with kids is a lifesaver!

An open suitcase with neatly folded clothes, a red bag, and a gray packing pouch are laid out on a beige striped bedspread, with feet visible at the bottom of the image.
An open teal tote bag contains several books, a lemon-patterned pouch, a white tray, and a small clear case with items inside.
The interior of the Roam pieces came with multiple compartments and details that made organizing extremely easy.

In addition to the ample compartments, Roam’s bags feature an antimicrobial lining guard, which is nice, especially on trips when laundry isn’t available. We were headed to my family’s, where we would indeed be able to do laundry, but even so, traveling can feel gritty very quickly!

Packing List

Inside my Expandable Carry-on:

  • Long sleeve linen button down x 1
  • Linen skirt x 1
  • Cotton maxi dress x 1
  • Linen pants x 1
  • Cotton tee x 3
  • Cotton tank x 3
  • Denim shorts x 1
  • Jeans x 1
  • Athletic leggings x 1
  • Pull over sweatshirt x 1
  • Teva sandals x 1
  • Flip flops x 1
  • Silk pajamas x 1
  • Underwear x 6
  • Strapless bra x 1
  • Bamboo joggers x 1

Inside the Everyday Tote:

  • Electrolyte packet x 5
  • Toiletries and makeup
  • Laptop
  • Phone charger
  • Laptop charger
  • Book x 3
  • Journal
  • Pen
  • Fanny pack
  • Wallet
  • Keys
  • Phone
  • Sunglasses
  • 32 oz water bottle
  • Paint set
  • Sketch book
  • Protein bar x 2

As we literally navigated trains, planes, and automobiles, I noticed how incredibly lightweight the carry-on felt both while wheeling through the airport and lifting into the overhead compartment. I’m petite, and lifting my luggage over my head can be a challenge, but this was the first time I noticed I had no problem doing so. Additionally, the expandable carry-on was so smooth, my two-year-old was able to push it through the airport without any assistance (which I can’t say the same for the other comparable roller bag we brought with us!)

A red tote bag sits on top of a black rolling suitcase on a train station platform near railway tracks.
A person with a red cart stands on a sunlit train station platform under flowering trees, with tracks and buildings visible in the background.
Luggage that can hold a full family’s worth of belongings while still being easy to maneuver through transport makes Roam a real unicorn to me!

Even with the suitcase expanded and the tote filled to the brim, each fit easily into the overhead compartment and under the seat in front of me, respectively.

Final thoughts

I always feel like I’m squeezing more than I should into every space, but the carry-on and the tote allowed me to pack a few extra outfits and even my sketchbook, which I would have typically left behind for the sake of space. The pieces allowed more than enough space for all of my things, which has never happened before. (A bag just for mom! What a concept!)

“Whether solo or with my family, Roam has the sort of thoughtful design that makes travel a breeze.”

Roam’s luggage line is as luxurious as it is functional — stunning, sustainable, and swoon-worthy. Whether solo or with my family, Roam has the sort of thoughtful design that makes travel a breeze.

While the price is steep, if the prospect of customizing your luggage to be as unique as you are excites you and you’re ready to invest in a set that lasts a lifetime, I wholeheartedly recommend the brand for all of your upcoming adventures.

Kate Arceo is the Community Manager at The Good Trade. She has a Bachelor of Science from Evangel University and has over 5 years of experience reviewing sustainable home and lifestyle brands, as well as organic kids’ apparel and nontoxic cosmetics. When she’s not hosting dinner parties with her husband at their home in Southern California, you can find her sipping a latte at their local coffee house or shopping for strawberries with her kids at the farmers market. Say hi on Instagram!