MOKOBARA Hardside Suitcase Trolley Review: A 23 & 27 inch Masterpiece

The MOKOBARA Hardside Suitcase Trolley is a premium quality spinner with great durability, compatible style, and is fully packed with features.

Manufacturer: Mokobara
Price: 11,999/- (single) MRP
Double: 23,999/- (Double) MRP

Our Verdict

The MOKOBARA Hardside Suitcase Trolley has won our favor as the top premium hardshell suitcase due to its thoughtful engineering, elegance, performance, and functionality. 

With over a century of expertise in manufacturing and innovation, Mokobara has mastered the art of luggage design. The Essential Check-In, crafted from top-tier materials, is perfect for business trips or vacations. 

It glides effortlessly over long distances, securely holds clothing and essentials, and stands out in any setting. Nevertheless, its signature polished surface is prone to scratches, which can be somewhat disheartening given the suitcase's hefty price.

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Our Analysis and Test Results

We favor the MOKOBARA Hardside Suitcase Trolley as our top premium hardshell suitcase due to its exceptional blend of the highest-quality construction materials in the luggage industry.

Capacity

Our measurements indicate that the Mokobara spinner trolley offers a packing volume of 40 liters. While there are more spacious options available, the bag compensates with its excellent compression capabilities. 

The Mokobara excels at securely compressing clothing and accessories into tight bundles, reducing wrinkles and providing added protection, creating more space. 

During our packing tests, this feature proved highly effective, often allowing us to fit as much clothing into the Mokobara as we could in larger hardshell suitcases. 

Although the bag lacks an expansion feature, its ability to compress its contents is one of its most appealing and distinctive qualities. Weighing 4.6 kg, the Mokobara is neither the lightest nor the heaviest suitcase on our list, but it is lighter than most comparable hardshells. 

Its relatively shallow depth further enhances its compression efficiency. Overall, this premium spinner doesn't need extra size or volume because it utilizes space more efficiently.

Ease of Transport

The Mokobara's landing gear is outstanding, featuring four double-wheeled polycarbonate spinners that are almost works of art. However, the excellence of this suitcase isn't limited to its wheels; it includes the handles, trolleys, and overall maneuverability, including lifting, loading, curb jumping, and stair climbing. 

The Mokobara exceeded our expectations in all these areas. Navigating airport terminals and baggage claim areas was a breeze, as it glides effortlessly over commercial flooring at any speed. 

We even ran with it, and it kept pace without rattling or vibrating, unlike many lower-end spinners. We tested it on various terrains, including grass, gravel, and dirt, and its 2.25-inch wheels handled everything with ease. 

The top and side grab handles are comfortable, well-placed, and easy to grip, though we did miss having a bottom handle or finger grab for pulling the bag from any angle. 

During our walking tests, the Mokobara was easy to maneuver and stayed in line, though it tended to twirl due to its highly responsive spinners, which wasn't an issue when the bag was at our side. 

Stairs and curbs posed no challenge, as the robust trolley handle supports the bag's weight effectively, making it suitable for city, hotel, or airport use.

Construction Quality

When it comes to quality, the Mokobara Hardside Suitcase Trolley delivers exactly what you'd expect for its price. Mokobara doesn't cut corners or skimp on materials; everything about this bag is premium. 

However, we did deduct a few points because its polished exterior is susceptible to scratches. The shell is made from robust polycarbonate, which is more pliable than other hardshells in our lineup, giving it a somewhat rubbery feel. 

This flexibility helps it withstand blunt force impacts better, preventing dents or cracks. Dropping the Mokobara spinner from a height of 6-7 feet usually results in no serious damage, though it tends to flip end over end when falling down stairs, which is less than ideal. 

We’d prefer it to slide or ski down to minimize potential damage to the case and its contents. Additionally, while the shiny shell does attract scrapes and scuffs, many are just dust, though some are permanent.

On a positive note, the Mokobara is water-resistant. Its sturdy shell and thick zippers effectively protect against rain and spills. During our tests, we thoroughly drenched the suitcase with a hose and found the interior almost completely dry, confirming its excellent water-repellent properties.

Ergonomics

Layout, durability, and aesthetics were crucial in determining the Mokobara's ranking in this category. The bag's design and functional packing system are well thought out. However, the Velcro stays that secure the compression panel straps could be stronger; they need a more robust seal. 

We also didn't award the highest marks in this category due to the bag's high price, which may be impractical for many.

Nevertheless, the Essential stands out for its exceptional quality, style, functionality, and elite status, which undeniably drew us in.

Should You Buy the Mokobara Hardside Suitcase Trolley?

This bag is designed for extensive business or leisure travel, but its features come at a significantly higher price than the average hardshell. It's a suitable choice if you seek premium style and functionality and are willing to pay extra for it. However, many other checked bags on our list offer comparable performance at a much lower cost.

Alternate Suitcases To Consider?

If you prefer the best but tend to favor softshell bags, we recommend considering the Samsonite Synch Large Expandable Spinner. If you're looking for a quality hardshell suitcase but need something more budget-friendly, we highly recommend the Uppercase Bullet Hardshell. If you're into bargain shopping, the American Tourister Ivy 26" Hardside Spinner is an excellent choice.

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