Rockland Luggage: 2019 Brand Review and Rating

By Oscar Brumel | Last Updated August 18, 2019

Thinking about getting a Rockland suitcase?

Well, then you’re in the right place because in this Rockland luggage review we’ll determine if they’re a good choice or not.

In this article, we’ll look at their quality, reviews, warranty terms, features, and compare them to similar alternatives.

On Clever Journey’s Best Luggage Brands, Rockland gained 63 points and took the 11th place on our leaderboard

In the affordable range, we’ve also reviewed American Tourister (74 points / 7th place) and SwissGear (70 points / 8th place.)

You can see how we determined the 63 points over here. We’ll go in-depth into each category down below.

The Good

• Affordable. It’s hard to find anything cheaper than Rockland with better durability and better customer reviews.
• Well-reviewed. Between all the cheap luggage manufacturers, Rockland’s customer reviews are one of the best ones. Their products are rated between 3.7-4.4 stars, which is pretty high.
• Colorful and good-looking. Their suitcases are offered in countless colors and patterns, and some of them look pretty amazing. They’ll have something for just about anyone.

The Bad

• Not made to last. From what we’ve seen, their luggage doesn’t stand up to frequent use. They’ll probably be fine for a few years if you’ll be traveling one or two times per year, but don’t expect them to last if used frequently.
• Their warranty is basically useless. In addition to 10-20$ shipping, you’ll also have to pay a 40$ “Evaluation fee” before your suitcase is even looked at. And even then you’re not guaranteed to be covered. In most cases, it’s cheaper to buy a new suitcase instead.

The Verdict

Although we wouldn’t recommend Rockland luggage for frequent flyers, we don’t think that they’re bad for people who travel for leisure. If you’re using the suitcase only a few times per year, it will most likely last one to five years.

Their luggage is pretty good for children because it’s colorful and printed in various fun patterns. Rockland’s suitcases cost only a few bucks, so you won’t be mad when your kids break them. 

That said, in the affordable range, American Tourister (74 points) and SwissGear (70 points) are both better choices than Rockland, because both brands are more durable and offer better warranty terms.

But if you’re looking for luggage that will stand up to frequent use, we’d recommend choosing something from the medium price range instead. If you’re willing to pay twice as much, it’s a smarter choice to go with Chester (91 points,) Travelpro (90 points,) or Samsonite (85 points) instead.

Top-Rated Rockland Suitcases

	Best overall: Polycarbonate carry-on	Editors rating: 4.2
	Most popular: Melbourne carry-on	Editors rating: 3.5
	Best luggage set: 2-piece carry-on set	Editors rating: 3.2
	Best value: Dotted 4-piece set	Editors rating: 3.2

Full Review

Key Facts About Rockland

Fox Luggage Inc., other known as Rockland luggage, was established back in 1995, USA.

Their main products are luggage sets, hardside and softside suitcases, duffels, and kids luggage.

Rockland doesn’t have an online store, and their products are available only through other retailers. You’ll find them on Amazon, ebags.com, Kohl’s, Sears, Target, Walmart and Marshalls. 

If you ever need to contact them, it’s best to do it through their website.

Reviews (18/30)

Between all the cheap luggage manufacturers, Rockland’s suitcases are actually pretty well-reviewed. Most of their suitcases are averaging at 3.7-4.4 stars, which is fairly high, given how little they cost.

Of course, if you were to compare their reviews with some more popular brands, like Travelpro, Samsonite, or American Tourister, Rockland still has heaps to improve.

We read all the reviews that we could find, and here are the most common issues that people complained about:

•  Their hardcase suitcases may smell weird when you first open them up – similar to rubber and plastics. But the good news is that the smell goes away after a while. We would suggest leaving the bag open for the first few days before finally using it.
• Sometimes the products don’t 100% match the description and pictures. 
• A lot of their carry-on’s are 1-3 inches above the dimensions mentioned in the product description.

But other than that, most people were happy with their purchases. We think that probably their reviews are so good because their prices are really low. For cheaper products, people don’t usually expect that much and don’t care about minor issues.

Quality (10/20)

How has Rockland been able to keep their prices so low? Partly, the answer hides in their choice of materials.

Instead of using Polycarbonate, Rockland went with ABS for their hard shell suitcases, which is more fragile, but cheaper. And their fabric cases are made from Polyester, instead of Nylon or other more durable fabrics. They’ve also spared some costs on the handles, wheels, and zippers.

Based on all the reviews that we researched, here are the most common issues that their clients have experienced:

• Their hardside suitcases can get cracks in the hard shell;
• The zippers break easily;
• The hardside suitcases get scratch marks only after a few uses;
• Fabric bags can start to tear at the bottom;
• Spinner wheels can break off if the bag is checked-in;
• The retractable handle can be wobbly and get stuck after a few uses.

Their suitcases will last anywhere from one to five years. After that, don’t bother with the warranty, just get a new case.

We wouldn’t advise choosing Rockland if you’re flying frequently. However, if you’re on vacation only one or two times per year, you might be just fine with Rockland. Also, consider getting their carry-on’s instead of checked suitcases, because often checked bags are treated much worse than in-flight bags (thrown around, left in the rain, e.t.c.)

If you’re looking for something more durable, check out Travelpro. We’ve been testing them for a while now and were impressed by their durability. Although their suitcases cost twice as much, they’ll last at least four times longer. 

Features (8/15)

In features, Rockland’s luggage is pretty limited. And we can understand why, given how affordable they are.

However, with Rockland, you’ll still get the most essential features, which is nice.

Most Bags Come With Spinner Wheels

It’s nice to see that most of their suitcases come with spinner wheels.

Based on the reviews, they’re actually pretty durable. They’re not the best ones we’ve seen, but good enough.

Expandable Zippers on Most Suitcases

Almost all of their suitcases come with expandable zippers. This means that you’ll get a few more inches in width when you’re short on space.

For instance, if you’re low on space on the return flight, unzip the expandable zipper, and you’ll get 20-30% additional space.

Comes With The Most Essential Packing Features

When you take a look at their most affordable options, they don’t come with too advanced packing features.

Basically, you get the same features as you would in the mid-2000s: A large inner compartment with compression straps and one zippered mesh pocket.

Design (14/15)

Although Rockland isn’t as good as Mia Toro Italy in design, they’re very close. 

And we’re not the only ones who agree… Their reviews are filled with comments on how good their luggage looks in real life.

Variety of Patterns and Colors

Most of Rockland’s models are usually available in 10, 20 or even 50 different color options. For instance, the Rockland luggage 2-piece printed set is available in 50 different colors and patterns!

Most other luggage brands offer their models only in two to five different colors, which is why we appreciate Rockland’s wide selection. They’ll have a color or pattern for just about anyone.

Warranty (3/10)

Although Rockland’s suitcases come with three or five-year warranty, it’s pretty much useless.

If you want to file a claim for the warranty, you have to contact them by mail. I’ll repeat that. By MAIL, not e-mail or telephone.

Here’s a screenshot of what you should do (taken from their website):

They do provide a contact email customerservice@foxluggage.com, but it’s not for warranty-related inquiries.

Now comes the next part, once you send the letter, and wait for the response, you’ll have to pay a 40$ evaluation fee. Also, you will have to pay for the shipping, which is about 10-20$. When you’ve spent 50-60$ in total, Rockland will only then inspect the case and could deem it as not covered by warranty.

The price of a new suitcase starts at 30-50$, so in reality, their warranty is pretty much useless.

A smarter choice would be just to get a new case and not even bother with the warranty.

Price (10/10)

We’re impressed with how affordable their luggage is.

If you’re looking for a single carry-on, expect to pay 30-50$, or for a full 4-piece luggage set – 50-100$. They might as well be the cheapest option on the market.

Not many brands offer such low prices, but the ones who do usually are less reliable than Rockland. From the price/quality standpoint, their luggage is actually a solid choice, and that’s why we’ve given them the maximum rating of 10 points.

Individual Rockland Suitcase Reviews

Best Overall: Rockland 20-Inch Polycarbonate Carry-On

This 20-inch carry-on by Rockland is actually a really solid choice, even for semi-frequent users. It’s more durable than all other Rockland’s suitcases.

The polycarbonate carry-on is available in more than ten different patterns for you to choose from. Out of all, we think that the owl, tribal, and multi heart patterns look the best. From outside, the suitcase is fitted with top and side handles, a retractable top handle and four spinner wheels. 

When you open the carry-on, the interior is made in a split-book style, which means that both parts are equal and divided by a fabric sheet. Other than that, the interior is fitted with two compression straps, a zippered pocket, and an open elastic pocket. Again, nothing spectacular, but good enough for its affordable price.

Now when it comes to durability, this suitcase is the most durable one that Rockland has to offer. It’s made from polycarbonate/ABS mix, which is better than regular ABS, and the retractable handle is much more rigid.

This is a nice hardside carry-on suitable for people who travel 2-5 times per year.

Most Popular: Rockland Melbourne 20-Inch ABS Carry-On

The Rockland Melbourne 20-inch carry-on is Rocklands most popular hardside suitcase, and we can understand why… It has received decent reviews, it’s good-looking and is really cheap.

Its main weakness is that it’s made from ABS. This material is often used in cheaper carry-ons because it’s less expensive to manufacture than polycarbonate. However, it’s not that durable as polycarbonate.

From the exterior, the suitcase is fitted with four double spinner wheels for smooth moveability, side and top handles for carrying the bag and a retractable handle for pulling the bag. A cool feature that’s not included in the polycarbonate hardside is that the Melbourne has expandable width. This one is also available in over ten different colors to choose from.

From the interior, the bag is made in a split-book style, where both sides are divided by a fabric sheet. Inside you’ll find two compression straps, a zippered pocket, and an open elastic pocket. Nothing too advanced.

Given its low price, this suitcase can be a solid short-term option.

Best Luggage Set: Rockland 2-Piece Carry-On Luggage Set

The Rockland 2-piece carry-on luggage set is incredibly cheap. In fact, this 2-piece set is cheaper than most affordable carry-ons from other brands. Although it’s not made to last, it’s a solid choice for people who travel for leisure.

What strikes us the most is that this luggage set is available in 50 different variations and colors. It’s their most popular model yet and has received thousands of positive reviews.

When it comes to features, this set isn’t too advanced. From outside, you get two front pockets on the carry-on and one front pocket on the tote for all of your smaller gadgets. You can either carry the tote by hand, on your shoulder with a detachable shoulder strap or keep it on top of the carry-on by securing it on the retractable handle. If you need to, you can expand the suitcase by using the expandable zipper, which will make the carry-on wider by an additional two inches.

From inside, the carry-on is fitted with a large main compartment, a large zippered pocket, and two compression straps.

Although the price may seem tempting, don’t expect this set to last for years. It’s great for people who travel one or two times per year but offers limited packing options.

Best Value: Rockland Dotted 4-Piece Luggage Set

Imagine if I told you that you could get a 4-piece set cheaper than most medium-tier carry-ons. Well, with Rockland, this has become a reality because this 4-piece set is priced pretty ridiculously.

It’s available in three different colors and features a dotted pattern, which looks kind of cute.

In features, the bags are pretty limited. You’ll get a few outer pockets for smaller items, and only one pocket in the main compartment. It’s good that these bags are expandable in width, except for the tote.

Another bonus is that all of the bags stack inside one another, which results in less storage space when not used. To shave off some dollars off the price, they’ve used polyester and went for skate wheels instead of spinner wheels.

To be frank, we’re not even sure how they’re able to sell them at such low prices. Just for our interest, we couldn’t source any Chinese companies willing to make suitcases for less than 15-20$ a piece. How is this set so cheap? We have no clue.

Don’t purchase this set if you’re frequently flying though. It’s not made to last, so don’t expect it to. It’s suitable for people who travel one or two times per year, and even then the set should last only 1-3 years.

• Best luggage brands
• Briggs & Riley
• Chester
• Travelpro
• Tumi
• Samsonite
• Delsey PARIS
• Ricardo Beverly Hills
• American Tourister
• Swiss Gear
• Mia Toro ITALY
• Rockland