The tester: Lucy Smith.
The product: Stamford large in Khaki.
The verdict: “Having dabbled with the old Antler Clifton medium case, I had high hopes for the brand’s higher-spec Stamford range. Upon first glance I was impressed with the sleek, matte colourway and the addition of a fillable suitcase divider to keep the bulk of my clothes flat was a nice surprise when initially zipping open the case. It was something I hadn’t seen previously as part of the discontinued Clifton set, nor from competitor luggage brands.
When packing, as someone who frequently ends up sitting on their case in order to seal it shut, I was pleased to find that such a struggle wouldn’t be necessary and, indeed, myself and my partner had oodles of space on either side for all our shoes, waterproofs and swimwear. With the expandable zip, our larger suitcase was made even larger, allowing us even a little bit of wiggle room to take gifts home.
“In the airport the case rolled like a dream, but it wasn’t the flat, glossy airport floors I was worried about. After landing in Puglia, the case was a tad heavy coming off the carousel, though that was doubtless said shoes, waterproofs and swimwear…
“That said, the peace of mind that I gained having a protective hard shell in my arsenal was invaluable. God forbid my toiletries fall victim to the handling of the time-pressed airport staff.
“The final test for the Stamford on my journey to Puglia? A mass of cobblestones. Thankfully, the spinner wheels exceeded my expectations, traversing from pavement to road to cobblestone without a struggle.
“Overall, the case looked stylish and professional as I wheeled it around the city and the USB charger proved vital when our flight home was inevitably delayed, leaving Bari airport’s charger ports overwhelmed with panicked Brits. What’s more, the small feet on the side of the suitcase protected the shell from scuffing against the floor and the TSA lock gave me an extra ounce of calm as I put my belongings into the hands of airport security. 10/10 would recommend the Stamford large suitcase to couples and buyers heading off on bigger vacations, I’ll definitely be using it again.”
The assignment: A self-proclaimed chronic over packer, I needed a suitcase to accompany me on a staycation earlier this year, to Bournemouth. While I was after a large enough suitcase that would fit all of my holiday ‘fits inside, I also wanted something small enough to take on short trips in the UK.
The tester: Samantha Reynolds, Officer Manager and PA to European Editorial Director.
The product: Icon Stripe Suitcase in Taupe.
The verdict: “I was lucky enough to get my hands on Antler’s Icon Stripe Cabin Case in Taupe — a stunning shade that perfectly complements my minimalist style and, despite the difference in design, pairs effortlessly with my trusty Louis Vuitton handbag.
“I have been trying my best to travel with hand luggage only lately, so with my LV bag perched on top, this duo holds just the right amount for a 3-4 night trip (after utilising my roll and stuff technique).
