My Suitcase Broke Mid-flight, So I Switched to This Zipperless Bag That’s Practically Indestructible

The last time I used a traditional, softside suitcase was in January 2022. I had packed for a ski weekend (sans boots and skis) to Salt Lake City and used a new-ish duffel that I was forced to gate check in the Albany airport. When I arrived at SLC baggage claim, I was appalled at the sight of my luggage on the conveyor belt: it had either a) exploded mid-flight or b) been searched by TSA and not zipped properly, leaving my clothes, gear, and toiletries everywhere. The remains of my duffel bag, and everything else inside that was luckily wrapped in the equivalent of a giant plastic Ziploc, was left to sadly circle the carousel. 

Shortly after this debacle, I was graciously offered the opportunity to test the Lojel Voja Medium, a zipperless, hardshell suitcase that uses large latches to lock your belongings safely and securely. I jumped at the chance, received a Voja Medium in ink blue (my favorite color), and haven’t looked back since. 

Lojel Voja Medium 

The main reason I keep traveling with my Lojel Voja suitcase is its impressive durability. Unlike softshell luggage, which is prone to rips, punctures, and general wear and tear, the Voja is constructed from polypropylene, a material that is both lightweight and incredibly impact-resistant. I’ve tossed it into car trunks, wheeled it over cobblestone streets, and watched it get loaded into airplane cargo, and it has yet to show any signs of cracking or denting. After three years of travel, it barely has a scratch on it. 

The three-point latch system is another game-changer. As I begrudgingly learned from my duffel bag, zippers are a weak point on luggage that can break or snag. With my Voja Medium, the sturdy latches snap shut with a satisfying click, keeping everything secure. There are even slidable locks on two of the latches to keep things extra sealed, so even if I have to gate check it, I do so with peace of mind. 

Even though I don’t know for sure that my duffel bag was searched and not properly packed up in 2022, I’ve since gone out of my way to always lock my luggage — compliantly, of course. All of the suitcases in Lojel’s Voja collection sport a main latch with a built-in TSA-approved lock to keep luggage protected while also allowing for hassle-free security checks. There’s no extra bulk and no dangling padlocks that can get caught when going through security — the combination lock is super easy and super fast to use, making travel, well, super easy and super fast.

Lojel Voja Medium 

I’m not the only one who loves a zipperless hardshell suitcase — travel professionals love it, too. “Zippers can get stuck or break, so it seems like the Lojel Voja could be a more durable option,” says Polly Witker, a travel designer and CEO of the travel agency The Legacy Untold. “I’ve seen ‘exploded’ zipper bags come down the carousel at baggage claim… hard shell is certainly the way to go for larger capacity, sturdiness, and security, and protecting any items that otherwise might be damaged while going through the rough journey in and out of a luggage hold.” 

Zipperless bags might not be for every traveler, however. Leslie Ann Graham, a Houston-based travel designer with the travel agency Fora, cautions overpackers to think twice about buying one. “It’s harder to force zipperless bags closed once stuffed full,” she says. I can confirm this is true, although I have stuffed my Voja Medium (which has a capacity of 66L) to the gills and have sat on it to get it closed. Works like a charm!

Lojel Voja Medium 

Since switching to the Lojel Voja Medium years ago, I know my luggage will always arrive in one piece, whether I’m lugging it around myself or leaving it to the mercy of the airlines. It’s sleek, sturdy, and designed with travelers in mind, offering security and ease of use. If you’re in the market for a suitcase that will survive more than just a few flights, this is the bag to get. And if you want more zipperless hardshell options, scroll to shop a few more options from Amazon that are worth checking out. 

Shop More Zipperless Luggage at Amazon:

Samsonite S’Cure Zipperless Medium Spinner Bag  

Luggex 20-inch Zipperless Suiticase

Krute Aluminum Zipperless 24-inch Hardshell 

Level 8 Zipperless Aluminum 20-inch Carry On 

AnyZip 20-inch Zipperless Hardshell Suitcase 

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