Reviews You Can Rely On

Herschel Campaign Luggage Review

The Herschel Campaign combines a classic old school design with easy to organize mesh zippered compartments
gearlab tested logo
Herschel Campaign Luggage Review
Credit: Herschel
Price:  $150 List
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Manufacturer:   Herschel
By Clark Tate ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Jul 3, 2018
83
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Ease of Transport - 25% 8.0
  • Storage - 25% 9.0
  • Features - 20% 8.0
  • Durability - 10% 8.0
  • Weight - 10% 7.0
  • Style - 10% 9.0

Our Verdict

The Herschel Campaign is a simple yet highly functional bag that elegantly combines a stylish design with durability. Our favorite part of this bag is its zippered mesh compartments that provide plenty of storage and allow for easy organization. Its large muted urethane wheels handle varied terrain with ease and are sturdy enough to roll over stairs without worries. However, with only two fixed wheels, the Campaign does not perform as well through tight or narrow spaces as bags with four, 360-degree spinning wheels. Overall the Campaign is a sturdy and reliable bag that won't break the bank and is suitable for everything from business trips to travel adventures.
REASONS TO BUY
Zippered mesh pockets make it easy to organize
Stylish hipster design
Durable muted urethane wheels
REASONS TO AVOID
Only two fixed wheels make it harder to roll through tight or narrow spaces
No Longer in Production
Wouldn't you know it, this Campaign bag is on its way out. Herschel is now focusing more on its Trade line.

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Herschel Campaign Luggage is 24" x 15.25" x 9" and weighs seven pounds. It has two wheels and a sturdy telescoping handle with two settings. It has two external pockets and three interior pockets including zippered mesh compartments that make organization easy.

Performance Comparison


herschel campaign luggage - we dig the campaign luggage's hipster looks and durable construction.
We dig the Campaign Luggage's hipster looks and durable construction.
Credit: Chris McNamara

Ease of Transport


With large muted urethane wheels, the Campaign is sturdy enough to handle almost any kind of travel terrain. We found that it handles uneven pavement and gravel with ease. We could roll it over stairs with no worries about it's “Limited Lifetime” warranty. The only drawback is that its two fixed wheels do not mitigate tight spaces as well as bags with four, 360-degree spinning wheels.

herschel campaign luggage - this bag easily fits into standard overhead bins.
This bag easily fits into standard overhead bins.
Credit: Chris McNamara

Storage


The Campaign has 39L of capacity and comes with zippered mesh compartments for simple and convenient organization. It's possible to fold a suit or dress in-between the two mesh compartments, although they may not have been designed for this, and this method doesn't keep the garments entirely wrinkle-free.

herschel campaign luggage - campaign carry-on bag can go almost anywhere and has pockets and...
Campaign carry-on bag can go almost anywhere and has pockets and zippers to keep you and your carry-on needs well organized.
Credit: Miranda Oakley

Its two external pockets are perfect for quick access during TSA security checks. A small laptop can fit in one. Your wallet and phone can tuck into the other. We found that it could easily store everything needed for a winter long-weekend trip with room to spare. (I.E., laptop, toiletries, two pants, sweaters, shirts, running shoes, work clothes, undies, and a large novel.)

herschel campaign luggage - the campaign carry-on bag has exterior pockets for easy access to...
The Campaign carry-on bag has exterior pockets for easy access to your passport, wallet, cell phone or boarding passes.
Credit: Miranda Oakley

Features


The Campaign is a simple bag without too many extra features. Its pockets are conveniently located for TSA checks, and it has lockable outside zippers. Our favorite feature is the zippered mesh compartments. They keep everything organized and easily accessible.

herschel campaign luggage - the herschel has two sturdy, durable, fixed wheels to the...
The Herschel has two sturdy, durable, fixed wheels to the SwissGear's four, lighter-weight wheels that spin 360-degrees.
Credit: Miranda Oakley

Durability


The Campaign is a reliable bag with sturdy wheels and a large durable outside zipper. We found minimal signs of wear and tear after rolling it over one mile of gravel, dirt, stairs, and pavement. It's made with durable polyester and has an extra layer of harder plastic material between wheels where it tends to drag on uneven terrain. The telescoping handle seemed unaffected after testing it over terrain and pulling it out and pushing it back in over 25 times.

Weight


At 7 pounds the Campaign is not the lightest bag but is made to last.

herschel campaign luggage - this bag looks good from every angle.
This bag looks good from every angle.
Credit: Chris McNamara

Style


This bag has a simple and stylish design that can be appropriate for various types of travel. Its woven label and pleated exterior pocket give it a classic suitcase look without taking away from its functionality. This bag can be dressed up for business travel and would be fine getting worn and dirty with more adventurous travel.

herschel campaign luggage
Credit: Chris McNamara

Best Applications


As mentioned earlier the Campaign is suitable for various types of travel. It may not be your top pick for business travel (for the lack of wrinkle-free fancy garment storage) and, on the other end, may not be the best choice for adventure travel. That said it's a great choice if you want one bag that works in almost any situation. The Campaign is best suited for up to one week long vacations in a fashion-forward city.

The Herschel Campaign Luggage has large durable wheels that handle...
The Herschel Campaign Luggage has large durable wheels that handle varied terrain with ease.
The Herschel Campaign bag combines a stylish design with...
The Herschel Campaign bag combines a stylish design with peace-of-mind durability.

Value


At $149.99 the Campaign is one of the most affordable bags we reviewed. Its price combined with its durable and functional design and Herschel'sLimited Lifetime Warranty” makes the Campaign a great deal for almost any traveler.

herschel campaign luggage
Credit: Chris McNamara

Conclusion


At first glance, what might draw most buyers to the Campaign is its classy style and simple design. It may not have all the bells and whistles that some bags come with these days, but it has everything most travelers need to keep things well organized and easily accessible. Although it's not the lowest priced bag in our review, it's quite affordable and durable enough to justify spending the few extra dollars.

Clark Tate