Sterling Pacific 35L Cabin Travel Case | Luxury Luggage defined

Over decades of airline travel, I’ve continually searched for that perfect piece of luggage. Small enough to be carried onto the aircraft. Yet roomy enough for a 4-6 day trip. And most importantly, durable enough to withstand the abuse associated with travel. Overhead compartments, cabin aisles, airports, trunks, hotels, you name it. Although I’ve used soft sided rollers almost exclusively, I’ve never owned any hard case luggage. Until now. And I can’t imagine going back. The 35L Cabin Travel Case from Sterling Pacific is quite honestly the sexiest piece of luggage I’ve ever seen, much less owned.

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A recent trip to the Nations Capitol allowed my wife and I to test drive this luxury aluminum case. With 4 days worth of clothes to pack, a carry-on was all that was required. My last carry-on measured 40L so I was a little concerned about the smaller 35L capacity of the Sterling Pacific. Those worries were quickly put at ease as I started to pack. A few pairs of pants, dress shirts, t-shirts, shorts, a light jacket, shoes, toiletries, laptop, etc. All fit with ease and remained secure with a pair of crossed straps.

“The core structure of the case is constructed from aviation-grade 5052 aluminum, a non-heat treatable aluminum alloy that can bear a weight load comparable to steel alloys. Over 50,000 tons of hydraulic pressure is used to bend and corrugate the aluminum sheets.” ~sterlingpacific.com

The buttery smooth 2.5″ recessed wheels effortlessly glided over the rough airport parking lot, curbs, escalators, jet-ways and cabin isles. Our first leg of the trip was in a first-class cabin of a smaller Regional jet. And the Cabin Travel Case just barely fit in the overhead compartment. While most passengers were left gate checking their larger carry-on items. As we hustled through Detroit Metro Airport to catch our connection, I accidentally ran the luggage into my heel while running. Torquing the case out of my hand and sending it sliding across the floor. Albeit a bit embarrassing, it turned out to be a worthy test of the extendable aluminum trolly.

Overview of the 35L Cabin Travel Case

35L Cabin Travel Case Specs & Dimensions:

• Full 5052 Aluminum Case with Impact Bearing Ridges
• Reinforced A380 Aluminum Corners
• A380 Aluminum Wheel Housings
• A380 Aluminum Trolley Housing
• Retractable Full-Aluminum Trolley
• Italian Full-Grain Leather Handles
• Extruded 6063 Aluminium Frame
• Dual Thru Axle Wheels
• TSA Double Combination Latch Locks
• Dimensions: 22.5″ x 14″ x 8.5″ (Maximum allowable carry-on size on major American airlines)
• Volume: 35L
• Weight: 11.5 lbs
• MSRP: $1950

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Fit & Finish:

The fit and finish of the Sterling Pacific Cabin Travel Case is incredible. From the aviation-grade 5052 aluminum core structure to the die-cast A380 aluminum load-bearing corners. All are fastened with SAE 304 Stainless Steel Rivets. The look reminds me of a WW2 P-51 Mustang. Even the top and side handles of the case utilize full-grain Italian leather. Handcrafted from a tannery in the small town of Chiampo, Italy. Dual through axle wheels and a retractable full-aluminum trolley make maneuvering a breeze. A luxurious ring spun twill weave lining covers the interior of the case.

The contents of the case are secured on the outside with TSA-compliant combination locks. And on the inside by a pair of crossed straps with chrome buckles. On the interior of the lid is a zippered mesh pocket for smaller flat items. Additionally, Sterling Pacific includes a nice little amenity & care kit. Including an amenity bag, leather care wax & cloth, manual and an aluminum pen. Each Sterling Pacific case has the batch ID number engraved into the frame and pressed into the leather tag on the inside. A warranty covering defects in the workmanship assures your investment is covered.

Final Thoughts:

Although I never considered myself someone who would own such a high-end piece of luggage. I’m quickly realizing the functionality of such a piece. The immensely durable and crush-resistant aluminum shell ensures my contents are safe and secure. The size is perfect for a 4-5 day trip. Maybe even a week or more to a warm climate. When searching for a new wheeled carry-on, almost all of them now come with 4 castor wheels. I struggled to find a fixed 2-wheel piece of luggage. Not sure what the allure is with those wobbly uprights. But I’m happy Sterling Pacific and I are on the same page.

The synergy between the high-quality components makes this a true gem. All the boxes are checked by Sterling Pacific. The look, the feel, and the materials inside and out. Even the packaging. It’s like driving an Audi. But just like the Audi, it comes with a premium price tag.

The 35L Cabin Travel Case from Sterling Pacific is not inexpensive. In fact, the $1950 is quite pricey. With the caveat that it might be the last piece of luggage you ever buy. I can easily tally up the cumulative cost of carry-on bags I’ve worn through over the years. And get to this price pretty quickly. It’s like a Yeti Cooler. Expensive, but well-engineered and will last forever. So do the math and see if this makes sense for your travel needs. It sure does for me. I’m so impressed that I’m looking into Sterling Pacific’s 80L Check-In Travel Case. So stay tuned…

About Sterling Pacific

“The origins of the Sterling Pacific corporation date back to June 22nd of 1907 when Richard Herz and his brother Carl Otto registered the company to open up their business, initially with a focus on jewelry and watches. The Herz family, natives of Leipzig, arrived in Nevada after years filled with travel, having worked in Dresden, Vienna, Budapest and London before making the journey across the Atlantic. Remembered as true Nevada pioneers, the Herz family built their business to become a local staple over decades, known for their commitment to excellence of their jewelry and watch products.”

“In the 21st century, the corporation was renamed Sterling Pacific after the Herz family had already shut down their store. After that, the company was acquired by the brand developer Galton Voysey, who launched a new line of aluminum suitcases inspired by the travels & legacy of excellence of the Herz family under the Sterling Pacific banner.” ~sterlingpacific.com