Travel Diary: Bougie but Affordable Luggage & Travel Accessories
- Bree's Lifestyle
- Aug 24, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 6, 2025
PRODUCT REVIEW
This is a review it's taken me a solid year to write. Partly because I've been distracted with life offline, but also because I wanted to really use this product long-term before giving my thoughts. I've been using part of this set for what will be a full year next week and I'm ready to let you know what I think.
First, my experience with Merax luggage began with the 3-pc carry-on set featured below. It consists of an expandable hard-shell carry-on with four 360-degree wheels, an expandable tote bag, and toiletry bag. Before investing in the full size 3-pc luggage set, I decided to see what kind of quality I would get from the carry-on variety, which turned out to be a pleasant experience.
Initially, I was hyped because it's as beautiful in person, if not more, than it appears online. The mocha brown and dark tan combo screams luxe and quality, while costing me around $70 max (tax included). This was my first foray into luggage with 360-degree wheels, having traipsed around for years with my standard 2-wheelers. I had a cute purple canvas carry-on set for a while, and then a larger purple set which I thought was the bees-knees for 17 years. That set has seen as much of Disney World as I have, but I tired of dragging it behind me. An upgrade was needed; something that could repel water, was more secure, and grown-up looking for traveling the world.
Hard-shell luggage was a concept that took some time for me to get onboard with. It just didn't appeal to me for some reason. But as the years went by, I began seeing them in snazzy colors and designs that caught my attention. Seeing folks glide by with those 360-degree wheels was the thing that really sold me. Moving my luggage forward beside me seemed less cumbersome than lugging it behind. Heaven help me if I had two pieces of luggage. It didn't seem so bad unless one of them was heavy. However, having 4 wheels that could be maneuvered with ease alongside me was the game changer. For about a year, a beautiful forest-green set piqued my interest in Ross Dress for Less. It seemed a bit pricey to purchase all 3 pieces separately, so I hopped online to shop for a similar set, which I found on Amazon (of course) for around $200. It sat in my cart for about a year while I mulled it over. Do I really need it? Did I really want that color? Etcetera etcetera. I loved the look of it, but I wasn't IN love. And then Temu came along.
After testing out my shopping experience on Temu for a few months with super-cheap things I wouldn't be heart-broken over if the purchases were a fail, I was pleased enough to venture into "over $50 territory" when I laid eyes on this luggage set. The colors drew me in. The style of it, the advertised features, I was officially IN love. But not so in love to spend over $100 for possible trash. It looked pretty online and the reviews were great, so I took my chances on the carry-on set. I knew the larger set was available and figured if the carry-on passed quality control, I could go back for it - if it was still available. Needless to say, when I unboxed it, I gasped. It was prettier in person and everything worked as it should. My one concern, it was plastic. I knew hard-shell luggage was plastic, but would this seriously stand up to even the most minor of handling? I took it out for a literal spin almost immediately and those 360-degree spinner wheels didn't disappoint. HOW had I been living without them all my life? The zippers are strong, the interior aesthetically pleasing, and the tan banding and corner protectors are beautiful design touches. It's giving modern, but with that old-fashioned suitcase look I love.
Outfit 1 Details
Cargo Shorts: SHEIN (old)
Cream Satin Shirt: SHEIN
Camo Tank: Target (old)
Beige and Orange Sneakers: Ross Dress for Less
Outfit 2 Details
Light blue jeans: SHEIN
Light blue denim shirt: Temu
Beige Plaid poncho scarf: dd's Discounts
Beige Sneakers: TJMaxx
Brown Sunglasses: SHEIN
Tan belt: SHEIN
Outfit 3 Details
Beige 2pc lounge set: Temu
Gray and white sweater (on shoulders): Temu
ONE BIG HAPPY TRAVELING FAMILY!
After about 9 months of quick trips of stuffing and hauling this bad baby around, I felt confident enough to go bigger on the full set, which also comes with a carry-on identical to the one in my tester set - so now I have two of them. The precursor to treating myself to the full set was to finally get my passport. I told myself I would only get the set once I had a passport in hand. As soon as I had the little blue book literally in my hands, I hopped online and finalized the purchase.
The full set came in just over $100 from the vendor I chose, and doesn't include the overnight tote and toiletry bag, so I'm happy I got the previous carry-on set for those pieces. They really fill out the set and keeps everything looking on point. The amount of compliments I get in the airport is incredible. When I tell people I got it from Temu they are instantly surprised and I can't blame them. I own it and remain surprised. Meanwhile, I've seen influencers complaining about expensive luggage brands whose wheels are coming off after a trip or two.
Now, for full disclosure, I've not had to check a bag, yet. I will be going on a trip soon that will require me to check one, so I'll update this post afterwards to let you know how well these hold up under heavy handling by airport personnel. Granted, if I lose a wheel, it would be somewhat expected for what I paid. I can't imagine the amount of consolation I'd need after losing a wheel on luggage worth hundreds.
One last thing, all pieces come with a security lock. I've not had to use it yet, to know if that works long-term, so stay tuned for that update as well. If you're not concerned about that and it's about the vibes, I can say this is a beautiful, functional and affordable set worth recommending.
I love it so much, I've purchased sweatsuits and travel wear that coordinate. Yes, I like to coordinate my travel outfit and accessories with my luggage (even when it was purple).
Below are some items I've picked up from Temu to complement and coordinate with my travel set, which makes packing and unpacking less of a chore and a fun experience. Everything is just so...cute!
Leave me a comment and let me know what you think? Have you tried luggage from Temu? Would you try luggage from Temu? Do you coordinate your travel outfit or accessories to match your luggage or is it just me?
TRAVEL ACCESSORIES
PASSPORT ACCESSORIES
PACKING EXTRAS
PERSONAL CARE ITEMS
USEFUL ELECTRONICS FOR
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL
Stay tuned for an updated post and video review once my checked-bag trip is completed! The video is expected to include a "pack/unpack with me" portion so you can see these items in action!
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