Walmart Has a 20-Inch All-Aluminum Carry-on That's on Sale for Under $150
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Why We Love This Deal
All-aluminum luggage lives in what many might consider rarefied air. You'll often find these types of bags from luxury brands, pushing high-three to four-figure price tags. What we've seen lately is a push from more mid-tier brands in this space, offering a more affordable take on metal suitcases, but many still fall in the $300 to $500 range. That's why we were shocked to see this Walmart deal—the retailer has an aluminum carry-on on sale for under $150.
The Gliderra All-Aluminum 20-Inch Carry-On is now on sale for $134, an eye-popping price for a suitcase made of this material. It offers plenty of storage and will have everyone at the airport thinking you paid triple the cost—if not more. The biggest gripe about metal luggage like this is that it gets dents and dings in it as it passes through baggage processing. For our money, we'd rather know that this is happening to a bag under $150 than something we paid multiple hundreds of dollars for.
Gliderra All-Aluminum 20-Inch Carry-On, $134 (was $149) at Walmart
What Shoppers Should Know
- Build: Aluminum
- Dimensions: 22.2-by-14.9-by-9.2 inches
- Weight: 8.2 pounds
- Capacity: 45 liters
- Wheels: Four 360-degree spinner wheels
- TSA-Approved: Yes
Even though this may be one of the most affordable all-aluminum luggage options, the Gliderra doesn’t skimp on build quality. This model is a 20-inch, 45-liter carry-on with reinforced corners and a zipperless frame that uses TSA-approved locks. For luggage of this build, it comes in around a typical 8.2 pounds that uses four spinner wheels, a telescoping handle, and a top-mounted accessory hook for personal carry bags, travel pillows, purses, and more. It works with nearly all major airlines and measures 22.2-by-14.9-by-9.2 inches.
How it Compares to the Competition
In terms of market pricing for aluminum carry-ons, generally, the brand-name models will start around the $300 mark and climb quickly from there. For the luxury models like Rimowa and Sterling Pacific (which I myself am partial toward, as I have owned one for years), you’re generally starting around $1,500 and heading upward from there.
So the question remains, is this comparable to the industry standard of Rimowa? No, it probably is not, as brands like this, as well as Sterling Pacific, use aircraft-grade alloys, smoother wheel systems, premium-lined interiors, and tiger panel tolerances. While the Gliderra offers less refinement and potentially less longevity under heavy and frequent travel than the designer brands, it's a clear winner in the value category, and is worth the pick-up if you also aren't ready to pay the prices that Away or even NOBL are charging.
With the Gliderra, consider this: You're basically paying the same price as a good softside suitcase, yet getting that sexy metal shell that will last for years to come, all for under $150. That seems like a very good deal, comparatively.
If you only travel a few times a year or just refuse to commit to a $1,000 (or double) cost, this could be a very well-priced and calculated gamble. The Gliderra aluminum carry-on is practically a give-away at this point, and won’t be around for long. As long as you know what you’re paying for, it's a fantastic buy for the frugal traveler.