Briggs & Riley Baseline Large Expandable Spinner Review

Briggs & Riley tout the longevity of their luggage via a worry-free lifetime guarantee. While we haven't put in a decade of testing on the Expandable Spinner just yet, it is very well made, and we expect it to last. The innovative CX compression system, which we'll describe in more detail below, also lets you pack way more than an average bag this size.

Performance Comparison

Storage & Organization

In our pack test, we were able to fit one tester's entire wardrobe in this bag. It has a unique expansion/compression feature that lets you pack more than seems possible within the same limited space. This trademarked CX system uses two ratcheting plastic handles in the main compartment to expand its depth by 3.5 inches (adding about 30% more space), stretching out a fold of the bag's ballistic nylon outer fabric. From there, you just pack all your clothes in, zip up the case, and press the plastic expanders back to their original position. Viola, the suitcase is back to its original size.

The compression system works pretty seamlessly, though it is a little alarming to think about how much you've actually just packed away. It's also hard to keep the bag's weight under 50 pounds at that point. Still, we like it much more than the other expandable bags we tested. Most just use a zipper to unleash an extra band of flexible fabric, which works well but exposes your zippers to extra strain as the top and bottom of the bag are no longer tightly secured. The CX system tucks the extra fabric back in, protecting it and using the hard shell of the bag to hold it all together.

Aside from the massive amount of storage you get with this suitcase, you'll also enjoy a smart and intuitive organizational system. There is one small, external zippered pouch for day-of-travel necessities, like your ticket and ID. We love having those close at hand. The large, shallow U-shaped pocket behind then gives you easy access to layers, books, or other entertainment options.

The main compartment is spacious even without the expander. It doesn't unzip right down the center in clam form. Instead, a top panel zips open to reveal a tri-fold hanging compartment on the flip side. If you're bringing a dress or suit, laying it out here and using the thick bolsters provided will help keep wrinkles at bay. Once you've zipped those items away, you'll also find a small toiletry compartment on the inside of that main entrance flap.

From here you have a large, open compartment to organize as you'd like. To start, use the two smart garment panels with their additional cinching mechanism to affix loose items toward the back. This works great for those items we're less likely to use upfront — the just-in-case jacket, for example — and any pieces that have less immediacy for our travels. Once cinched down, there’s still plenty more space to add in the things we know we'll need first or most often. If you decide to throw in even more, simply expand the main compartment, stuff it in, and compress the whole bag down again.

Ease of Transport

The Expandable Spinner suitcase is our favorite four-wheeled roller. Larger wheels make for smoother rolling, and three settings on the telescoping handle mean it's easy to find a comfortable height for your body and whatever situation you're forging through. Double-swivel wheels keep up with instant directional changes, and the internal restraint and compression systems ensure the bag never topples unbalanced. On busy streets, it tracts right alongside you, staying out of your way and everyone else's. We even like this spinner bag's rolling action on cobbled streets and handle-housing bumper protection over curbs. While gravel and rough road were less maneuverable — more like a hard drag on two wheels versus a roll — it performed no worse than other spinners in our test group and was far and away the easiest to control on smooth terrain.

The telescoping handle has subtle V-indentations that Briggs & Riley claims make it stronger and less prone to jamming. We buy the stronger bit given the sturdy feel, and we never ran into jams. The handle extends and contracts easily with a press of the center button on the handle. We also like that the handle's housing is outside the suitcase, keeping the inside of the suitcase perfectly flat and making it easier to take advantage of all the interior space.

When you need to pick the bag up to tackle a shuttle bus or load it in a car, you have three handles to grip, increasing the chances that one will be within reach. There's a large, plush one up top, a tuck of fabric at the bottom, and a streamlined hand grip to one side. We like these low-profile options as they help you manipulate the bag without protruding enough to catch or get in the way while in motion.

We also really appreciate this bag'sSmartLink system. It's essentially an extra strap that quickly hooks on the top of the bag in a loop to hold another small duffel or purse. It snaps and unsnaps quickly, letting you stow your personal item as you make your way to checked baggage.

Reliability

Briggs & Riley aren't shy about advertising their worry-free warranty. They'll repair any functional piece of the bag for its lifetime. That guarantee goes a long way to justifying this bag's price tag, and we’re pleased to report its ease of use has been confirmed directly to us by travelers who’ve taken advantage of the resource successfully in the past.

This bag does seem very well made, with thick ballistic nylon outer fabric and low-profile edge guards to protect it from excessive wear and tear. The wheels are wobble-free, the handles sturdy, and the zippers not only thick but supposedly self-repairing. Even the zipper pulls seem thoughtfully constructed, with a divot for your fingertip to make them more comfortable in your hand. The bag doesn't come with an integrated lock, but they do send a TSA-compliant loop lock with the bag. It runs between the main zippers to secure your belongings. A hide-away leather ID tag lives discreetly on the other side as another convenient tracking feature.

Among the only concern to come up during testing applies to the suitcase’s water tightness. No question the protective outer nylon of the soft shell performed well overall, repelling water from all surfaces during consistent showers with top-side beading showing up as the only exterior signs of impact. However, a close inspection inside the case after the direct spray test unveiled a soaked interior liner and wet contents along the zipper lines, as well as pooling at the bottom of the main compartment.

The one other concern we have about the longevity of this bag is the plastic in the CX expansion/compression system. It seems well-made and won't be exposed to much sunlight or wear and tear, but plastic can fail. We'll just have to trust the company's warranty policy on that one. But for a case of this price, we think it’s important to consider where and how it will be used and then weigh the pros and potential cons accordingly.

Weight

Durable products are rarely the lightest ones available. Weighing in at 12.2 pounds, the Expandable Spinner certainly weighs enough to last a long time. It's not the heaviest option in our review, but it's on that side of the scale. You can still pack around 38 pounds worth of gear if you're planning to check this bag. And if you're road, boat, or train tripping, we're confident that you can fit in a lot more. Since this bag rolls so well, we're not that concerned about how hard it is to pick up, especially with those three exterior handles.

Style

The Expandable Spinner doesn't jump out as the most fashionable bag available today. We're going to call it a classic. It looks nice because it's well made, uses durable fabric that doesn't easily show wear and tear, and nothing about it is edgy or offensive.

This also means the style is unlikely to fade out of fashion completely. We really appreciate this since buying less means a smaller impact on your wallet in the long term. It's also better for the planet.

Value

Briggs & Riley offers a lifetime guarantee on their products. But remember, those always refer to the reasonable lifetime of the product, not your lifetime. And rarely do companies define what they think is reasonable. But Briggs & Riley promises to repair all functional components of your bag for free without any proof of purchase. This just doesn't apply to simple cosmetic damage.

To us, this warranty, and how well-built and sturdy this suitcase proved itself during testing, is key. It's expensive for sure, but if it lasts a decade or two, its cost per use drops sharply. If it is as durable as we think and you're someone who values packing flexibility and the ability to keep fancy clothes relatively wrinkle-free, we see this bag as a solid investment.

Conclusion

It's easy to see how thoughtfully constructed the Briggs & Riley Expandable Spinner is when comparing it to the rest of the lineup. From the smoothly pivoting wheels to the three-level telescoping handle, we're impressed. Its one-of-a-kind compression system will let you pack with abandon, and its organizational system will help keep your stuff tamed while on the go.