A Surprising Brand Just Fixed My Biggest Issue With Carry-on Luggage

Seemingly out of nowhere, Herschel’s new Heritage Hardshell Pro appears to have nailed the oft-botched external laptop sleeve.

By Steve Mazzucchi

Published April 17, 2025

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Updated April 19, 2025

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Full disclosure, right off the bat: While I travel semi-regularly, I am not at all what you’d call a “rolling luggage guy.”

I’m generally so unimpressed with the category, my colleague Sean Tirman and I once wrote an impassioned op-ed extolling the virtues of trading in your suitcase for a quality backpack.

herschel hardshell pro takes flight — The Hardshell Pro boasts a number of worthy features, not least of which is a winning minimalist aesthetic.

That being said, a brand I mostly associate with quality backpacks, Herschel, recently released an impressive new rolling carry-on that has me reconsidering the hot take.

While it appears to have a number of strong points, the new Herschel Heritage Hardshell Pro Large Carry On stands out thanks to one particular quality.

From what I can tell, this release has mastered an often poorly executed carry-on feature: the external laptop compartment.

Believe in the sleeve

While extremely handy external pockets have been present on rolling luggage for many years now, the shift toward incorporating them into hardshell carry-ons is more recent.

Just last year, comparing flagship products from two standout brands, Away and Monos, former GP editor Hayley Helms lamented the fact that the former did not include the feature, while the latter’s pocket lacked the size and expandability to be legitimately useful for storing anything other than soft goods.

The “door” to the external pocket is constructed of the same durable, impact-resistant polycarbonate that makes up the rest of the hardshell. That means anything inside is not penalized for committing the understandable sin of being something you actually want to access while traveling.

Even in the intervening year, this reality has shifted, with both Monos and Away upgrading their offerings and a number of other brands entering the arena.

Yet, from what I’ve seen, the market is still lacking. Most compartments either lack the robustness of the rest of the bag or are attached to wildly overpriced high rollers (see Carl Friedrik’s Carry-on X Suitcase, which looks amazing but costs $645).

Into this void leaps Herschel’s head-turning new alternative, which has much to offer beyond its sleek good looks.

herschel hardshell pro clamshell layout — In addition to the external pocket, the Hardshell Pro’s internal storage appears to hit all the right notes.

Priced at $300 and made of 70% recycled impact-resistant polycarbonate, the 40-liter, 8.5-pound Hardshell Pro promises a blend of toughness and convenience that could surpass all competitors.

Firstly, it checks a lot of prerequisite boxes: retractable multi-stage locking trolley handle; premium inset 360-degree wheels; TSA-approved Travel Sentry Accepted lock; classic internal organization compression strap and zippered divider, plus a spine pocket and a custom sleeve for stashing a Bluetooth tracker.

More importantly, however, is everything going on with the Hardshell Pro’s external pocket.

herschel hardshell pro external pocket duo — The Hardshell Pro’s external pocket accordions out to reveal an inviting storage space for a laptop and more.

This critical addition opens via two-way lockable zippers with hypalon pull tabs, then hinges generously outward to reveal a sizeable storage compartment.

Within, there’s dedicated storage for books and magazines, not to mention a zippered slot for other slim essentials, a tech organizer pocket and pen sleeves.

Across the way, closest to the body of the bag to presumably provide the most protection, you’ll find a padded and fleece-lined sleeve that can accommodate laptops up to 16 inches.

herschel hardshell pro laptop sleeve detail — The laptop sleeve (left) safely ensconces that invaluable item, but other essentials are well sorted and shielded too.

Perhaps best of all, the “door” to this entire area is constructed of the same durable, impact-resistant polycarbonate that makes up the rest of the hardshell.

That means anything inside is not penalized for committing the understandable sin of being something you actually want to access while traveling.

Sheesh, I can just feel my go-to travel backpack cringing with jealousy and dread as I wrap up this piece. Relax, DB Roamer Pro, I’m not converted … yet.