Solgaard Review: The Sustainable Luggage That Doesn’t Fully Deliver on Hype
Solgaard has become the internet’s favorite answer to the question “what sustainable luggage should I buy?” The brand’s signature Carry-On Closet, with its built-in shelving system, went viral across travel blogs and Instagram, earning it a Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award and spots in TIME Magazine’s Top Inventions. On Trustpilot, it maintains a solid 4-star rating with over 2,300 reviews. So far, so good.
But here’s where things get interesting: beneath the praise are genuine durability concerns, wheel failures, and cracked shells appearing in quality control complaints. Meanwhile, you’re paying $355 for the standard Carry-On Closet, making it one of the pricier options in the market. The ocean plastic story is compelling, but the execution has real gaps. After reviewing customer feedback across Trustpilot, PissedConsumer, Reddit, and expert publications, we found that Solgaard delivers on sustainability and organization but struggles with quality consistency at premium prices.
This is a Solgaard review for travelers who care about environmental impact but also need luggage that survives a trip without cracking.
What Is Solgaard?
Solgaard is a premium sustainable luggage brand founded on the mission to “use business as a force for good and revitalize the ocean.” Every suitcase is made with a polycarbonate shell constructed partly from recycled plastics, and lined with their proprietary Shore-Tex fabric—made entirely from ocean-bound plastic waste collected from beaches and riverways in the Philippines, Indonesia, and China. For each item sold, Solgaard removes 6 pounds of ocean-bound plastic, and the company reports removing over 3 million pounds of plastic through partnerships with organizations like Sungai Watch.
The brand’s flagship product is the Carry-On Closet, priced at $355, with a lighter version (Carry-On Closet Lite) starting at $245. They also make checked luggage, backpacks, and travel accessories. The Carry-On Closet comes with a 10-year warranty, a 100-day return policy, and TSA-approved locks. Their suitcases meet 90% of international airline carry-on requirements and are approved for virtually all U.S. domestic flights.
Who Is This Actually For?
Solgaard is ideal for environmentally conscious travelers who pack regularly and want their luggage to make a statement about their values. If you’re taking business trips or longer leisure travel and you appreciate having clothes organized vertically (like a closet), the Carry-On Closet system does deliver real value. The brand also appeals to travelers who prioritize organization and are willing to pay a premium for innovation and sustainability.
You should skip Solgaard if you want budget luggage, if you prefer minimalist design over built-in features, or if you’re concerned about quality consistency. Stay away if you’ve read the durability complaints and can’t tolerate the risk. Also pass if you prefer a lighter bag (the medium weighs 7.5 lbs, which is heavier than some competitors) or if you want the simplest possible packing system without removable shelves.
What Real Users Love About It
The patented five-shelf closet system is genuinely useful. You can hang the entire mesh shelf unit from your hotel closet rod or remove it completely and hang it from the suitcase’s extended handle, turning it into a standalone closet. Multiple travel bloggers and reviewers noted this feature saves time unpacking and keeps outfits organized. Several customers on Trustpilot specifically praised how the closet lets you see everything at once without digging through the bag.
The organizational design resonates with people who travel frequently. You get dedicated compartments, compression straps, and frictionless 360-degree spinner wheels that glide smoothly. The integrated USB charging port is a small but appreciated feature for road warriors.
Customer service is Solgaard’s strongest point. Trustpilot reviews consistently praise the team’s responsiveness, kindness, and willingness to replace damaged units quickly, often within days. Several reviewers mentioned receiving replacements without hesitation, even for damage that might have been user error. This matters when you’re spending $355 on luggage.
The sustainability story resonates. Travel bloggers and conscious consumers appreciate that their purchase directly removes plastic from oceans. The Shore-Tex fabric is genuinely durable, water-resistant, and stain-resistant. For environmentally minded travelers, knowing your luggage is helping solve a real problem adds value.
What to Know Before You Buy
Quality control is the elephant in the room. On PissedConsumer, Solgaard has a 2.5-star rating with 36 reviews, with complaints including cracked shells arriving on delivery, wheels bending within one month of use, broken latches on open-box units, and locks falling off after minimal use. Some customers reported their expensive suitcases lasting less than a year. While Trustpilot shows a 4.7-star rating, the discrepancy suggests either selective review moderation or that negative experiences are more likely to be reported on complaint-focused platforms.
The closet system adds weight. The removable shelving insert weighs 0.75 pounds, and the overall medium suitcase is 7.5 pounds before packing. That’s heavier than competitors like Monos (6.4 lbs) and some Away options (6.9 lbs). If you’re flying budget airlines with strict weight limits, this matters.
Price is high, even with the quality concerns. At $355 for the standard Carry-On Closet, you’re paying at the top end of the carry-on market. Away’s standard carry-on is $275, and Monos starts at $225. You’re paying a premium for innovation and sustainability, not necessarily durability.
Warranty claims can be complicated. One customer reported having their warranty denied because they bought the suitcase through Costco, which Solgaard claims is an unauthorized vendor. If you buy from a third-party retailer, verify warranty coverage first.
Zippers can feel stiff initially. Several reviewers mentioned the zippers require a break-in period and feel stiff out of the box. This usually improves with use but can be frustrating on your first trip.
How It Compares to Away and Monos
Against Away, Solgaard wins on organization and sustainability but is heavier and more expensive. Away luggage ($275-$745) focuses on sleek minimalism with hidden laundry bags and simple wheel-and-handle design. Away suitcases tend to be lighter, but they’ve received durability complaints about polycarbonate exterior degradation and unstable wheels when fully packed. Solgaard’s closet system offers more functional organization, but Away’s simpler design appeals to minimalist packers.
Compared to Monos, Solgaard offers more features and better sustainability credentials, while Monos prioritizes aesthetic minimalism. Monos luggage ($225-$400) emphasizes clean design with hybrid pocket configurations and premium materials. The Monos suitcase feels more luxurious, with reviewers noting better-quality straps and buckles. However, Monos has minimal sustainability focus. Choose Solgaard if you want organization and impact, Monos if you want a beautiful minimal bag that will make you happy every time you use it.
Both Solgaard and Monos cost more than budget alternatives like COOLIFE ($61) but less than premium aluminum options. The real competition is between feature-rich (Solgaard) versus design-focused (Monos) at similar price points.
Is It Worth the Price?
Solgaard is worth $355 if you travel 4+ times per year, prioritize organization, and care deeply about sustainability impact. The closet system delivers genuine value for frequent travelers and business professionals. The warranty and customer service support the higher price.
It’s not worth the price if durability concerns worry you (and they should), if you pack light and don’t need the closet system, or if you want something cheaper. At this price point, you deserve reliable quality control, and Solgaard hasn’t consistently delivered that.
Our Verdict
Solgaard makes innovative, sustainably-focused luggage with genuinely useful organizational features and excellent customer service. However, quality control issues and durability complaints suggest the product doesn’t fully justify its premium price, especially at $355. If you’re drawn to Solgaard’s mission and features, go in eyes open about potential quality risks, and take advantage of the 100-day return policy to verify it arrives undamaged. For most travelers, Monos offers better aesthetic design at similar pricing, while Away provides cheaper minimalism. Solgaard is best for eco-conscious frequent travelers who can absorb the potential quality variance and want the closet system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Solgaard luggage actually sustainable?
Yes, Solgaard luggage is made with ocean-bound plastic and removes 6 pounds of plastic per item sold. The Shore-Tex lining is 100% recycled ocean plastic. However, sustainability requires more than materials, it also requires durability, so if your suitcase fails after a year, the environmental benefit is diminished. Choose this brand if you care about ocean impact and plan to keep the luggage long-term.
How does the Carry-On Closet system actually work?
The removable mesh shelving system sits inside the suitcase with five shelves that compress vertically. You can access items without unpacking everything. The shelves pull out and hang from the suitcase handle or a hotel closet rod, turning it into a standalone hanging system. It’s genuinely useful for organized packing, though some reviewers debate whether it saves space compared to traditional packing.
Will my luggage arrive damaged?
Reports are mixed. Trustpilot shows mostly positive experiences with quick replacements, but PissedConsumer reports cracked shells and damaged units on arrival. Quality control appears inconsistent. Always inspect your luggage immediately upon delivery and use the 100-day return window if needed.
How long does Solgaard luggage last?
The warranty is 10 years, but customer experiences vary widely. Some travelers report using their bags for years without issues. Others report failures within one year (cracked shells, broken wheels). Durability appears dependent on handling and luck, not guaranteed quality.
Can I use Solgaard luggage for international travel?
Yes. The medium carry-on (20.8 x 13.4 x 9 inches) meets all international airline requirements including European budget airlines. The large (22.4 x 14.6 x 9.6 inches) is approved for 90% of international airlines. All sizes have TSA-approved locks.
Is Solgaard cheaper than Away?
No. Solgaard starts at $245 (Carry-On Lite) and goes to $395 (Carry-On Closet). Away starts at $275. Solgaard’s standard Carry-On Closet at $355 is more expensive than most Away options. You pay more for the closet system and sustainability.
