Solgaard built its name on a simple but genuinely clever idea: what if a suitcase worked like a closet instead of a bucket you dig through? The brand’s signature Carry-On Closet and Check-In Closet use a five-shelf hanging system called FlowCloset™ that turns packing and unpacking into a matter of seconds, all wrapped in a durable polycarbonate shell with an aluminum frame.
That same inventive streak runs through everything Solgaard makes, from backpacks and weekenders to its Solarbank power banks, and it’s paired with a sustainability mission the brand treats as core business rather than marketing. Every purchase helps fund the removal of ocean-bound plastic, and the materials used to build that plastic into Shore-Tex® fabric are part of what makes the brand stand out in a crowded luggage market.
Who is Solgaard?
Solgaard was founded by Adrian Solgaard, who partnered with Chris Cavill to launch the brand’s first product, a solar-powered backpack, just six weeks after the idea came together. That fast, collaborative spirit has stayed central to the company, which is now headquartered in New York and has grown into a full line of luggage, bags, and travel accessories.
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The brand describes its mission around three values: loving to travel, protecting the planet, and building community, and it backs that mission with Certified B Corp status. Solgaard states it has helped clean up more than three million pounds of plastic from going into the ocean, with every purchase funding the removal of several more pounds through its ongoing plastic cleanup partnerships.
What Solgaard does best
A few standout features explain why Solgaard keeps showing up on best-of luggage lists.
The FlowCloset™ shelving system
The Carry-On Closet and Check-In Closet use built-in hanging shelves instead of a single open compartment, so packing and unpacking becomes an organized, closet-like process rather than a dig-through-everything scramble.
Recycled ocean plastic, real durability
Shore-Tex® fabric is made from recycled ocean-bound plastic, and it’s paired with a polycarbonate shell and aluminum frame that reviewers describe as genuinely rugged, with quiet, smooth-rolling wheels that hold up well over repeated trips.
A mission built into every purchase
Rather than treating sustainability as an add-on, Solgaard ties its ocean plastic cleanup efforts directly to sales volume, and its B Corp certification gives that claim third-party backing.
A full travel ecosystem
Beyond luggage, the lineup includes the Venture, Artemis, Compass, and Lifepack backpacks, Voyager weekenders, packing cubes, toiletry kits, and the solar-charging Solarbank, letting customers outfit an entire trip from one brand without piecing gear together from multiple sources.
Thoughtful everyday details
Latches instead of zippers on the Carry-On Closet make it quicker to pop the case open at security, while a curved, ergonomic handle and quiet 360-degree wheels round out a design that feels considered rather than purely functional.
Products and pricing at a glance
| Product line | What it is | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Carry-On Closet Original | Hardside carry-on with 5-shelf FlowCloset™ system | $275–$345 |
| Carry-On Closet Lite Expandable | Lighter expandable carry-on | $265 |
| Check-In Closet | Full-size checked suitcase with shelving | From $395 |
| Hybrid Check-In Medium | Hybrid hardside/softside checked luggage | $435 |
| Venture Backpack | Everyday travel and commuter backpack | $225–$265 |
| Voyager Weekender | Soft-sided weekend duffel | $245 |
What customers say
Solgaard holds a strong reputation among verified buyers, with a public review score around 4.6 out of 5 across more than 2,500 reviews. Customers frequently praise the sturdy construction and the convenience of the built-in shelving system, along with a warranty program they describe as genuinely reliable rather than a hassle to use.
The support team draws particularly consistent praise, with buyers describing prompt, professional replies when a suitcase cracks or a lock breaks, often resulting in a replacement suitcase arriving within days. Several customers specifically mention that years of regular use didn’t dampen their enthusiasm for the brand’s design or its handling of warranty claims.
Who Solgaard is best for
Solgaard is a strong fit for travelers who want their luggage to double as an organizational system, especially anyone who dreads unpacking a traditional bucket-style suitcase. It also appeals to sustainability-minded shoppers who want their purchase to carry a real environmental impact backed by B Corp certification, and to travelers who’d rather buy one well-made piece of gear than replace a budget suitcase every couple of years.
Commuters and remote workers are also well served by the Venture and Artemis backpacks, which carry the same design-forward, recycled-material approach into a daily-use bag rather than something that only comes out for trips. For travelers who want their gear to match a broader set of values around reuse and ocean health, Solgaard offers one of the more credible stories in the category, backed by its B Corp status rather than marketing language alone.
Price and value
Solgaard’s pricing sits in the accessible-premium range, with carry-ons starting around $265 and full Check-In Closet pieces reaching into the $400s. For that price, customers get a distinctive shelving system, durable recycled materials, and a warranty program that reviewers describe as fast and genuinely helpful, which adds real value on top of the hardware itself. Free US shipping and a trial period further reduce the risk of buying online.
Compared with other direct-to-consumer luggage brands, Solgaard’s pricing is competitive rather than discount, but the combination of the FlowCloset™ organization system, recycled Shore-Tex® materials, and a dependable warranty team gives shoppers a clear reason to choose it over a cheaper, less distinctive alternative.
Verdict
Solgaard proves that sustainable luggage doesn’t have to mean a compromise on design or durability, backing its clever shelving system and recycled materials with a warranty team that customers say actually delivers.
Frequently asked questions
Yes u2014 customers consistently say the organizational shelving system and durable build justify the price, especially paired with the brand's responsive warranty support.
Yes, Solgaard offers free US shipping (excluding Alaska and Hawaii) along with a trial period and standard returns on eligible items.
Solgaard backs its luggage with a lifetime warranty, with multi-year coverage on bags and electronics, and customers report fast, hassle-free replacement when something breaks.
Both are strong choices; Solgaard stands out for its built-in shelving system and ocean-plastic mission, while Away leans into a broader color range and simpler, minimalist hardside design.
Solgaard is headquartered in New York and was founded by Adrian Solgaard, who first launched the brand with a solar-powered backpack.
Shore-Texu00ae is Solgaard's proprietary fabric made from recycled ocean-bound plastic, used across its luggage and bag collections without compromising durability.
Yes u2014 Solgaard is a Certified B Corp, and the brand states that every purchase funds the removal of several pounds of ocean-bound plastic, with millions of pounds diverted to date.
