Mira Salcedo

Data Editor · Select Gear

Scores, spec tables, and the boring work of checking that a listed weight matches the manufacturer's own page.

What Mira covers

• scores
• specs
• capacity

6 pieces on Select Gear

• Travelpro Maxlite 5 Carry-On Review 2026-08-05
  The Travelpro Maxlite 5 Carry-On wins for capacity and wheel performance, both praised more than criticized across owner reviews. The main flaw reviewers flag is the zipper pull, which tends to come off within the first trip or two. Frequent flyers on American, Delta, or United should also check its dimensions against gate-sizing enforcement before buying.
• Level8 Carry On Review 2026-07-07
  The Level8 Grace Carry-On wins this review for its front laptop pocket, which reviewers say beats a same-price plain hardshell for organization. Its main flaw is size: at 22 x 14.5 x 10 in, it exceeds the 22 x 14 x 9 limit set by American, Delta, and United, and owners report gate-check fees around $50 as a result.
• Best Luggage For Cruises: Picks That Actually Hold Up 2026-06-26
  The Samsonite Omni PC 24" is the top pick for a week at sea, with a shell and three-position pull handle that owner reviews call durable despite a high raw count of wheel and durability complaints tied to sales volume. Cruisers who want a cabin document organizer instead should consider the Level8 Grace Carry-On, though its zipper ring is prone to early failure.
• Best Luggage Under 300 for People Who Fly Every Week 2026-06-07
  The Travelpro Platinum Elite Carry-On 21" is the top pick for weekly flyers, since owner reviews show its top complaint is warranty and customer service rather than the bag itself breaking down. At around $280 it costs more than most alternatives, but frequent flyers calling customer service from a layover get the most reliable case here. Budget flyers checking bags should consider the Samsonite Omni PC 24" instead.
• Best Luggage For Train Travel for People Who Fly Every Week 2026-05-26
  The Away Carry-On is the top pick for weekly flyers who also train, since owner reviews describe wheels that track straight on both smooth and rough platform surfaces, and reviewers report the telescoping handle stays stable under a full load. Zipper failures show up in reviews too, but mostly in early production runs. Travelers loyal to Travelpro can stick with it, though owners flag slow warranty support.
• Level8 vs American Tourister: Carry-On: Picks That Actually Hold Up 2026-05-03
  American Tourister's standard 20-inch spinner is the safer pick for anyone flying American, Delta, or United, since Level8's Carry-On measures ~22 x 14.5 x 10 in, over the 22 x 14 x 9 carry-on cap, and owner reviews describe gate agents flagging it and one ~$50 checked-bag fee. Level8 wins on interior organization and laptop storage if size compliance isn't a concern.

How we work

• We do not handle the products. We run no physical tests, no instrumented tests and no hands-on evaluation of any kind.
• The word "tested" on this site refers to testing done by the owners whose reviews we read, over months of real use — not to testing done by us.

Full method: How we score. Corrections and questions: desk@theselectgear.com.