I wrote a lot about high-end luggage these past few days, so I thought it was time to write a little about affordable luggage as well. After all, it is the type of luggage most choose to purchase for our travel needs. And, nobody does affordable luggage better than Ricardo Beverly Hills.
They have a lot of different suitcases, both softshell and hardshell. Some collections also feature totes and shoppers, so I’ll show you some of those too. But naturally, I’ll mostly focus on actual suitcases – carry-ons as well as luggage that needs to be checked.
So, without further ado, check out my Ricardo Luggage review and decide for yourself.
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The Ocean Drive is a lightweight, hardshell spinner suitcase, and it is available in 4 different sizes. It’s the first of the Ricardo Beverly Hills range we will cover here.
Out of those 3 sizes, 1 carry-on, and the other 2 need to be checked (depending on the airline you choose, naturally).
They are made of Makrolon polycarbonate construction; a material that is not only lightweight but also incredibly durable. It is also equipped with a TSA-approved sentinel lock, which is really helpful for anyone who often visits the United States.
An excellent feature of this suitcase is that it is expandable.
The suitcase features dual spinner wheels, which will make your trips to and from the airport much easier. You’ll have amazing maneuverability of the suitcase, and the multi-stage retractable handle only reinforces that. In addition to the retractable handle, there are also top and side carry handles, as well as an integrated bottom grip. And, there’s also a retractable add-a-bag strap that will make carrying other pieces of luggage much easier.
As for the interior of Ocean Drive, there are 2 separate packing compartments. The main compartment is equipped with tie-down straps, a large zip pocket, and a side mesh pocket. Additionally, a built-in suiter loop and an anti-wrinkle bar in the front compartment are excellent features that really help your items to stay organized. There is also a floating mesh zip pocket and a removable drawstring shoe/laundry bag. As well as a
removable water-resistant pouch for toiletries and other small items.
Check the links below to see the Ocean Drive suitcases on Amazon:
The San Marcos is a lightweight softshell suitcase. You can get it in 4 different sizes, 2 of which need to be checked, and 2 of which are carry-on. They also have a duffel bag that matches, if you want the whole set.
The San Marco is made from strong and weather-resistant nylon fabric. It also comes with integrated corner guards and has a strong internal frame assembly. This combination of materials remains lightweight, but unfortunately, it is not as durable as a full hard shell. There is one benefit of this suitcase that most fully hardshell luggage doesn’t have, and that is the exterior zip pocket and is fully expandable.
This suitcase is equipped with smooth 360 dual spinner wheels, which will make your life much easier. Instead of having to tilt your suitcase and pull it, you can actually just walk alongside it. On the other hand, if you prefer to carry your suitcase, you’ll be glad to know that there are carry handles on the sides and the top of it.
The San Marco features one large packing compartment that is fully lined with nylon. There’s actually a lot of cool organization features on this suitcase, such as a floating partition complete with mesh zip and shoe pockets. There is also a built-in suiter system and TSA-friendly removable pouch for toiletries.
There is a TSA-approved combination lock on this suitcase (only the carry-on’s don’t have or need that).
Overall, the San Marco cases are an excellent option for anyone who travels a lot for business (but also for pleasure!).
Check the links below to see the San Marcos suitcases on Amazon:
The Ricardo Beverly Hills Mar Vista collection features 5 pieces of luggage. 3 of those pieces are carry-ons, including a rolling tote, while the other 2 need to be checked. Additionally, all pieces share the same 10-year limited warranty.
This entire collection is available in Purple Paisley print, which is really cool. The print looks great, and it definitely makes these suitcases stand out. As for the 16” rolling tote, it’s the only piece in this collection that does not have spinner wheels. I don’t consider this a big deal; since it is quite a small tote, and you’re more likely to carry it on top of your larger suitcase. It does have a retractable handle, so you can pull it like a regular suitcase.
There is a large front pocket on the tote, with multiple pouches so you can keep your smaller items organized, while your bigger items can be stored in the large main compartment. The tote is also equipped with a padded sleeve for your electronics that can fit a 15.5” laptop.
As for the rest of the Mar Vista collection, all of it is equipped with dual spinner wheels, textured TPR grip handles, and exterior pockets. Additionally, the top and side carry handles are also padded, for your ultimate comfort. The shell of these suitcases is made of terylene polyester, which is a really lightweight material. But, this is obvious from the weight of the suitcases, as the largest one weighs only 10 lbs.
A downside of the Mar Vista luggage is that they do not feature a TSA-approved lock or any lock for that matter. While this might be the reason why they are priced lower than other Ricardo Beverly Hills luggage, it also means that anyone could open your suitcase and access your belongings. And, while the lack of a lock might not matter much when it comes to carry-on luggage, it certainly matters when it comes to luggage you need to check.
Check the links below to see the Mar Vista suitcases on Amazon:
Ricardo Beverly Hills San Clemente range features hardshell suitcases with double spinner wheels. There are 4 different versions of the San Clemente.
The shell of these suitcases is made of polycarbonate alloy with a diamond-textured finish. This is an exceptionally durable material that is scratch-resistant, and a lightweight one at the same time. The suitcases have a TSA-approved combination lock, so you can have some peace of mind when it comes to the safety of your belongings. Also, there are both top and side carry handles, as well as a bottom carry grip, for optimum handling.
The San Clemente is equipped with double spinner wheels, for the effortless steering of your suitcase. The multi-stage locking handle also helps make the steering effortless, especially because you can adjust it to several different heights. In addition, there is also a wheel locking system; you just push the button, and your suitcase will stay put until you push the button again.
A cool thing about this suitcase is that it can be expanded up to 2.5 inches. Just pull the zipper and voila; you’ll have extra room to comfortably pack everything you bought on your trip. But, you can also pack those things in the 2 zippered mesh pockets – one on the divider, and one inside the main compartment.
The interior of the San Clemente consists of 2 packing compartments. One side can be secured with a zippered divider, and the other side has tie-down straps that will keep your belongings in place. The top compartment features a suiter loop, as well as an adjustable anti-wrinkle bar, which will protect anything you have to carry on a hanger. Additionally, you will also get a water-resistant pouch, for any damp or wet items you might have to pack. This is quite useful if you tend to make the most of your vacations and go for a swim a couple of hours before your flight back. I know I do! :>
Check the links below to see the San Clemente suitcases on Amazon:
The Malibu Bay collection features softshell, super lightweight suitcases. There are 4 different versions of the Malibu Bay suitcase, all of which are available in 3 different colors.
The Malibu Bay stands out because of its unique material – dreamfel (polypropylene) fabric. It is 30% lighter than polyester, and 20 % lighter than nylon, while also being resistant to tears, abrasions and moisture. Regardless of the size you choose, you will get an extendable, lightweight, and durable piece of luggage.
The Malibu Bay has spinner wheels that, combined with the multi-stage retractable handle, make steering your suitcase a breeze. Your arms won’t be strained at all, as the wheels roll like a dream. There are also padded side and top handles, for whenever you need to actually pick up your suitcase.
The 25-inch spinner has a unique, useful feature – a weight sensor that will alert you when you’ve packed your suitcase over the 50lb limit. Awesome, right? Additionally, there are 2 exterior pockets. One is vertical and the other is horizontal, but both are there so you could have some travel essentials handy.
The only downside of this suitcase is that it has just one packing compartment. I prefer it when my luggage has two compartments because my belongings are more organized that way. But, the presence of many little pockets improves the organization of this suitcase – there is a mesh zip pocket on the “door”, as well as a water-resistant pocket for any wet or damp items. In the packing compartment there is one mesh zip pocket, and tie-down straps that will secure your belongings.
Check the links below to see the Malibu Bay suitcases on Amazon:
Even though this largely depends on your particular needs, there are a few suitcases that really stand out. The first one is Ocean Drive, which I find to be a great suitcase for people who have to travel for business often. I mainly say this because this suitcase has several features designed to make the packing of your business attire effortless.
If your travels are more of the pleasure type rather than the business type, then I recommend Malibu Bay. It is the most lightweight suitcase of this review, and it has a ton of pockets and cool features. The most impressive feature of this suitcase, at least for me, is the weight sensor.
For those of you who are looking for a suitcase that is suitable for family trips, I would suggest the 30” San Clemente. Even though it is the largest suitcase we reviewed today, it is still incredibly lightweight, with this version weighing a remarkable 10.5lbs! If you want to be able to pack the belongings of your entire family in a suitcase, and still stay under the 50lb limit, then this is the one for you.
In case none of these suitcases impressed you, might I suggest you check out our review of Skyway luggage. Maybe you’ll find one you love there! And if you were impressed by Ricardo Beverly Hills suitcases, head on over to Amazon to get a mind-blowing deal on any one of them.