Antler Soft Stripe Medium Luggage: A Rare In-Between Size for Cruise Travel
I have been looking for something very specific: a suitcase that lands between a typical carry-on and a medium checked bag. That size range is surprisingly hard to find.
Related: Antler Soft Stripe Review!
We have used Travelpro Maxlite 5 21-inch carry-on bags and the Travelpro Maxlite 5 25-inch checked bags and have liked them very much. The 21-inch Maxlite is a great carry-on, and the 25-inch Maxlite has been our go-to checked bag for cruise travel. But there are times when a carry-on feels too tight and a full 25-inch checked bag feels like more suitcase than I want to take.
That is why I picked up the Antler Soft Stripe Medium Luggage. It has a rare middle-ground capacity: more useful packing space than a standard carry-on, but not as large as many traditional medium checked bags.
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Why This Size Makes Sense
Most luggage jumps from carry-on size to a fairly large checked bag. That can leave a gap for travelers who want more room than a carry-on, but still want to keep things compact and manageable.
That middle size can be especially useful for cruise travel. Cruise packing often involves more than just clothes. You may be packing shoes, toiletries, formal night clothing, swimsuits, layers, electronics, chargers, medications, cruise documents and pre-cruise or post-cruise hotel items. A standard carry-on can get tight quickly.
At the same time, not every trip needs a larger checked bag. For shorter cruises, warm-weather itineraries, solo trips, lighter packing, or travel that includes trains, taxis and hotels, a smaller checked bag can be much easier to manage.
The Rare Middle-Ground Capacity
This is the main reason I bought this bag. The Antler Soft Stripe Medium is listed with a 74L packing capacity and a maximum expanded volume of 88L.
On paper, 74L is a really interesting target capacity. It gives you roughly 60% more packing capacity than a 46L carry-on without going all the way to a 90L+ checked bag.
For comparison, the Travelpro Maxlite 5 21-inch carry-on is listed at 46L, while the Travelpro Maxlite 5 25-inch checked bag is listed at 91L. That makes the Antler Soft Stripe Medium much roomier than a carry-on, but still a step down from the larger checked suitcase we normally use.
Size Comparison
| Bag |
Listed Capacity |
Listed Weight |
General Role |
| Travelpro Maxlite 5 21-inch Carry-On |
46L |
5.4 lbs |
Carry-on travel |
| Antler Soft Stripe Medium Luggage |
74L packing capacity / 88L max volume |
5.29 lbs |
Smaller checked bag / in-between size |
| Travelpro Maxlite 5 25-inch Checked Bag |
91L |
6.8 lbs |
Full medium checked bag |
Why I Bought the Antler Soft Stripe Medium
The appeal here is simple: it gives me more room than a carry-on without automatically jumping to a larger checked bag.
That can be a really useful size for:
- Shorter cruises where carry-on-only feels too tight
- Warm-weather cruises with lighter clothing
- Fly-to-cruise trips where you want to keep checked luggage manageable
- European cruise travel where trains, taxis and sidewalks may be part of the trip
- Travelers who want a checked bag but do not want to overpack
- Anyone who likes the idea of a smaller checked suitcase with real packing capacity
- European travel, especially trips where you cannot quite get down to a single carry-on
Related: What size luggage should I take on my cruise?
Key Features
- Medium checked luggage size – larger than a typical carry-on, but not as large as many medium checked bags.
- 74L packing capacity – useful middle-ground capacity for cruise and general travel.
- Expandable design – expands from 11 inches to 13 inches deep, with a listed maximum volume of 88L.
- Lightweight construction – Antler lists this bag at 5.29 lbs.
- Softside design – flexible for packing cubes, shoes, layers and travel extras.
- Four spinner wheels – designed for upright rolling and easy movement.
- Adjustable handle – height-adjustable handle for easier maneuvering.
- TSA-approved combination lock – built-in lock for added security.
- Exterior front pocket – handy for flat, non-valuable items you want accessible before checking the bag.
- Interior organization – includes internal pockets and a compression strap.
- Recycled polyester construction – Antler lists the outer shell and lining as recycled polyester.
Specs at a Glance
| Product |
Antler Soft Stripe Medium Luggage / Soft Stripe 2.0 Medium |
| Style |
Softside expandable checked suitcase |
| Dimensions |
27.2″ x 17.1″ x 11″ – 13″ |
| Weight |
5.29 lbs |
| Packing Capacity |
74L |
| Maximum Volume |
88L |
| Wheels |
4 spinner wheels |
| Lock |
TSA-approved combination lock |
| Material |
Recycled polyester outer shell and lining |
| Expansion |
Expands to 13″ deep |
Note that specs can change, check out the product page for current info.
Why a Smaller Checked Bag Can Be a Good Cruise Choice
A lot of cruise packing advice focuses on either carry-on-only travel or larger checked suitcases. I think there is a very practical space in between.
A smaller checked bag gives you more room for real cruise packing, but it can still be easier to handle than a bigger suitcase. That matters when you are moving through airports, hotel lobbies, cruise terminals, parking lots, elevators and cabin hallways.
It can also help limit overpacking. Larger bags are easy to fill just because the space is there. A middle-size checked bag gives you extra room compared with a carry-on, but still encourages a more focused packing list.
Softside Luggage for Cruise Travel
We still like softside luggage for a lot of travel. Hardside bags are popular, but softside luggage can be more forgiving when you are packing around shoes, packing cubes, toiletry bags, jackets and last-minute extras.
The exterior pocket is also useful. I would not use it for valuables, but it can be handy for flat or flexible items before the bag gets checked. Think printed paperwork, a lightweight jacket, luggage tag holders or other non-valuable items you may want to access before handing the bag over.
How I Plan to Use This Bag
I bought this as a smaller checked bag option. For trips where the Travelpro 21-inch carry-on feels too small but the Travelpro 25-inch checked bag feels like too much, this Antler bag looks like a very useful middle-ground choice.
For cruise travel, I can see using it as the main checked bag for a shorter or lighter-packing trip, then pairing it with a personal item or small carry-on for essentials.
As always, anything truly important should stay with you. Keep passports, IDs, boarding documents, medications, electronics, valuables, chargers and a change of clothes in your carry-on or personal item.
Cruise Packing Tips for This Size
- Use packing cubes to keep the smaller checked-bag space organized.
- Pack shoes toward the wheel end of the suitcase.
- Use the expansion zipper as extra flexibility, not as an invitation to overpack.
- Weigh the packed bag before flying.
- Use a bright luggage tag or luggage strap so the bag is easy to spot.
- Keep cruise documents, medication, electronics and valuables with you.
- Unpack once onboard, then store the suitcase under the cruise cabin bed if space allows.
About Antler Luggage
Antler is a British luggage brand with roots going back to 1914. The company makes suitcases, travel bags and accessories, and its current lineup includes both hard shell and softside luggage options.
I was not specifically shopping for a new luggage brand when I found this bag. The size is what caught my attention first. But Antler’s long luggage background, lightweight softside design and this unusual medium capacity made the Soft Stripe Medium worth trying.
Who This Bag May Make Sense For
The Antler Soft Stripe Medium Luggage may make sense for travelers who want more packing room than a carry-on without moving up to a larger checked suitcase.
It looks especially interesting for cruisers who pack thoughtfully, want a lighter checked bag, or want something easier to manage during fly-to-cruise travel. The size is the star here. It fills a gap that many luggage lines skip over.
Final Thoughts
We have had very good luck with our Travelpro Maxlite 5 21-inch and 25-inch bags, so I was not necessarily looking to replace those. I was looking for something more specific: a rare in-between size.
That is what made the Antler Soft Stripe Medium Luggage interesting enough for me to buy. It sits between a carry-on and our larger 25-inch checked bag in terms of packing capacity, while staying very light for a checked suitcase.
For cruise travel, that could be a really useful size. I will update after I have more real-world travel time with it, but based on the dimensions, capacity and weight, this is exactly the kind of middle-ground bag I had been trying to find.
ANTLER – Soft Stripe Medium Luggage – 27″ Softside Suitcase, Adjustable Handle, 4 Spinner Wheels, Lightweight, Expandable, TSA Lock – Recycled Polyester Luggage – Black – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link
Learn More! Antler Soft Stripe Review!
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