The Béis Suitcase Comes with a Weight Limit Indicator (and Just Saved You $100)

• Value: 18/20
• Functionality: 20/20
• Quality: 19/20
• Aesthetics: 19/20
• Organization: 20/20

TOTAL: 96/100

It was my son’s spring break and my family of three was Charleston-bound. I knew the drill: Yes, I’d have my own suitcase, but mine was also the bag destined to be filled with a heck of a lot of kid-related overflow. In other words, gone were the days where the lightweight, carry-on style from kid-free days could cut it.

Enter the Béis Large Check-in Roller suitcase: At 29 inches, it seemed destined to hold everything I needed to carry—not just my denim jacket, sun hat and espadrilles, but my son’s bathing suits, tiny pillow (he’s particular!) and ­toiletries. Let’s just say, I absolutely stuffed it to the gills before the moment of truth: Looking at the handy weight limit indicator (ingeniously included on the bag itself) to avoid hefty airline overage fees. Here’s how it all worked out.

I was over the weight limit.

But only at first. The Béis suitcase is spacious (there’s even two bonus inches you can expand to utilize in a pinch), which meant I really could fit enough for a weeklong getaway—with the occasional fancy dinner outfit change and travel steamer—without having to having to fight to zip it shut. Just as I lifted it up, ready to load it into my airport-bound car, I saw red. The indicator near the side handle that lets you know if you’re over the 50-pound checked baggage limit made it crystal clear at a glance that I needed to recalibrate. So I did, using my husband’s suitcase to relocate a few pairs of shoes and a couple of jackets. I checked again and saw only the edge of the red indicator, so tried again at the airport. I came in at—not kidding—49.9 pounds. Dollars saved. (It’s worth noting that the suitcase itself weighs about 12 pounds, which is fairly average.)

There are a plethora of bells and whistles.

The weight limit indicator is one of the main selling points for this suitcase, but I was surprised at the range of other useful features. Yes, the basics are there (like the expansion zipper and TSA-approved combination lock), but I loved the organizational features the most. For example, the waterproof pocket on the interior, which turned out to be perfect for stuffing my family’s wet bathing suits in between hotel transfers (we stayed in two different parts of South Carolina while there). The suitcase also comes with a separate pouch set for dirty clothes and shoes and a retractable bag-attach strap—a lifesaver for transporting carry-ons.

Still, at the end of the day, it’s about functionality.

Even at peak capacity (according to airline standards), this suitcase cornered like it was on rails. The 360-degree wheels are responsible for that. The handle also has a soft hand cushion, which I didn’t know I needed until I experienced it. Beyond all that, the suitcase looks pretty—and comes in a range of colors. (I opted for the navy hue.)

There’s only one thing missing.

A cute luggage tag.