Whether you’re an occasional traveler or a frequent flyer, a quality carry-on is an absolute must. But what makes a great carry-on? I look for a lightweight, easy-to-maneuver bag first and foremost. Second, I look for a bag with substantial packing space. I also like to stay organized on my travels, so unique organizational features are always a plus.
That’s how the Calpak Hue Front Pocket Carry-On found its way onto my radar. A front pocket on a hardshell carry-on isn’t super common, and I was curious to see how much extra packing space it actually provided. So I decided to put it to the test on a few recent trips.
Here’s a full look at what I liked, what I didn’t and how it compares to other carry-ons on the market.
Hue Front Pocket Carry-On Luggage
CalpakThe Calpak Hue Front Pocket Carry-On is a stylish and functional travel companion with a front pocket that fits up to a 16-inch laptop.
$265 at CalpakWhat we liked about it
Liz Hund/CNN Underscored 
CalpakOverall, the Calpak Hue Front Pocket Carry-On is a really nice roller bag. You can choose from eight different colors, allowing you to pick something that matches your style whether it’s a chic black or the more eye-catching Dragonfruit colorway. In terms of size, it’s a standard carry-on, meaning it fits perfectly in the overhead bin and can hold about a long weekend’s worth of clothes.
The Calpak Hue Front Pocket Carry-On also features dual spinner wheels and a combination TSA lock, both of which are always nice additions to have on any luggage. And of course, this carry-on has a special front pocket with space for up to a 16-inch laptop.
Smooth ride
Liz Hund/CNN UnderscoredOne of the first things I noticed on this suitcase was how seamlessly the wheels glided over the floor whether it was carpeted or tiled. This was a big win because there’s nothing more frustrating than lugging around a heavy suitcase with squeaky wheels and poor design.
The dual spinner wheels on the Calpak Hue Front Pocket Carry-On were top-notch. For the most part, I was able to move swiftly on all four wheels and didn’t have to do much two-wheel lugging. I also found that this roller was exceptionally good at making those tight bathroom-stall turns. No tripping, just a quick swivel around the door. These wheels made it super easy to navigate the airport.
Lightweight design
Nothing’s worse than a sore arm from lugging a heavy carry-on around. Thankfully, this wasn’t the case with this Calpak Hue Front Pocket Carry-On. Weighing in at 8.25 pounds unpacked, this bag is very lightweight to start.
Even when packed, I didn’t have any trouble rolling it around or lifting it. While the design isn’t anything special compared to other carry-ons, this bag felt like it distributed weight better than most.
What we didn’t like about it
Liz Hund/CNN UnderscoredEasily scratches
The big downside to the Calpak Hue Front Pocket Carry-On is that it scuffed easily — and I never even checked the bag. This all came from putting it through TSA and in the overhead bin. While the light color probably played a role in picking up scratches, I wouldn’t have expected it to show signs of wear and tear so early into using it. I’ve had my Away carry-on for over a year, and the scuffs are minimal compared to the Calpak.
Getty ImagesFront pocket
The big selling point of the Calpak Hue Front Pocket Carry-On is the front pocket storage. This isn’t a typical feature for hard-shell luggage, so I was interested to see how handy it was. Spoiler alert: I wasn’t a fan.
The idea is that it makes for easy access to things like a laptop or chargers, which is nice when you’re in the terminal, but it becomes more of a hassle than anything when you put it in the overhead bin.
I prefer bringing a backpack or purse since I can stow it under the seat and easily access all the things I need without having to get out of my seat to open the overhead bin.
That said, the Calpak Hue Front Pocket Carry-On is definitely geared more toward the minimalist traveler who wants to cut back on bags. But on that note, I also found that when the front pocket was packed, it took away packing space on the inside, so you have to be strategic with how you pack things.
How it compares
Liz Hund/CNN Underscored| Calpak Front Pocket Carry-On | Away The Carry-On | Monos Carry-On Pro | Samsonite Freeform Carry-On Spinner | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of colors | 8 colors | 7 colors | 13 colors | 6 colors |
| Dimensions | 21 x 13.5 x 9.5 inches | 21.7 x 14.4 x 9 inches | 22 x 14 x 9 inches | 21.25 x 15.25 x 10 inches |
| Packing capacity | 45 liters | 39.8 liters | 36 liters | 34 liters |
| Weight | 8.25 pounds | 7.5 pounds | 7.8 pounds | 6.5 pounds |
| Price | $265 | $275 | $262 | $160 |
Bottom line
I enjoyed how lightweight and well-functioning this carry-on was, but I struggled to appreciate the main feature of the Calpak Hue Front Pocket Carry-On: its front pocket.
I don’t think I’d get another hard-shell luggage with a front pocket. While I consider myself a minimalist traveler and an all-around great packer, I didn’t find the front pocket to be functional or practical for my use.
However, if you’re looking to cut down on bags and don’t necessarily care about having easy access to your laptop in flight, the Calpak Hue Front Pocket Carry-On could be a good option. But if that’s not the case, I’d suggest exploring Calpak’s other luggage options, as I didn’t find the front pocket feature worth the extra cost.
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