Lo & Sons Review: Stylish, Functional Travel Bags Worth the Splurge?

With the world opening back up, it‘s time to dust off your luggage and invest in some quality travel bags. If you‘ve been on the hunt for the perfect carry-on, weekender, or everyday bag, chances are you‘ve come across Lo & Sons. This popular luggage brand has been creating buzzy bags with frequent travelers in mind since 2010.

Founded by former retail exec Helen Lo and her two sons, Lo & Sons is on a mission to create the perfect bag that checks all the boxes – lightweight, functional, sustainable and stylish. Their thoughtfully designed bags have earned them a cult following and impressed everyone from Forbes to Travel + Leisure to Conde Nast Traveler.

But with prices ranging from $200-600+, are their bags really worth the splurge? I dug into real customer reviews and tested out a few of their bestsellers myself to find out. Read on for my honest Lo & Sons review, including a look at their top products, what customers have to say, how they compare to other popular travel bag brands, and more.

Overview of Lo & Sons Products

Lo & Sons offers a wide range of bags for every type of trip and traveler, from backpacks to weekenders to camera bags. Their collection is divided into a few main categories:

  • Travel Bags – Carry-ons, weekenders, and checked luggage
  • Work Bags – Laptop bags, briefcases, messengers
  • Everyday Bags – Totes, backpacks, crossbodies
  • Camera Bags – For photographers on the go
  • Accessories – Packing cubes, organizers, shoe bags
  • Apparel – Travel-friendly clothing and outerwear

Some of their most popular and iconic bags include:

  • The O.G. 2 – An overnight/gym bag with a place for everything
  • The Catalina Deluxe – A spacious, lightweight canvas weekender
  • The Rowledge – A leather laptop backpack
  • The Pearl – A chic leather crossbody with interior organization
  • The Waverley 2 – A convertible nylon tote backpack

Whether you‘re looking for a personal item for the plane, a weekender for quick getaways, a work bag for business trips, or an everyday tote, they truly have something for everyone. Now let‘s dive into the details on a few of their bestselling bags.

Lo & Sons Bag Reviews

The O.G. 2 Overnight Bag Review

The O.G. 2 is Lo & Sons‘ signature travel bag and has been a customer favorite for years. It‘s an overnight/gym bag designed to keep you organized and carry everything you need for a night or two away.

Some standout features:

  • Lightweight, water-resistant nylon
  • Spacious main compartment
  • Padded laptop sleeve that fits up to a 13" laptop
  • Removable messenger strap and luggage handle sleeve
  • Separate compartment for shoes or dirty clothes
  • 8 interior/exterior pockets for organizing small items

Pros:

  • Very lightweight and easy to carry
  • Fits under airplane seats
  • Extremely organized interior
  • High quality, durable zippers and material
  • Converts from satchel to backpack
  • Compresses for easy storage

Cons:

  • Some colors prone to showing dirt/wear
  • Straps are a bit thin/can dig in when heavy
  • Some find shoe pocket too narrow for men‘s shoes

Overall, the O.G. 2 is an excellent overnight bag if you‘re looking for something lightweight and organized. It‘s perfect as a carry-on personal item or for short trips and has a pocket for literally everything. Many users rave that it fits way more than expected.

The O.G. 2 comes in 2 sizes (medium and large) and retails for $295-328 depending on material, but you can often find certain colors on sale. All in all, a worthwhile investment piece built to last.

The Catalina Deluxe Weekender Bag Review

If you‘re looking for more of a traditional duffle/weekender bag, the Catalina Deluxe is one of Lo & Sons‘ most popular and top-rated pieces. Made of lightweight, durable organic canvas, it‘s designed to fit everything you need for a long weekend away.

Notable features:

  • Spacious main compartment (can fit 3-5 outfits)
  • Padded laptop sleeve that fits up to 15"
  • Thick, comfortable messenger strap
  • Trolley sleeve to slip over luggage handle
  • Separate bottom zip compartment for shoes/toiletries
  • Interior/exterior pockets for small items
  • Folds for easy storage when not in use

Pros:

  • Lightweight canvas material
  • Holds a surprising amount
  • Suitcase sleeve very useful for travel
  • Love the bottom compartment for separating items
  • Comfortable to carry
  • Easy to pack/unpack with wide opening

Cons:

  • Canvas shows dirt/stains (recommend darker colors)
  • Handles are a bit thin
  • Shoe compartment may not fit larger men‘s shoes

The Catalina Deluxe has earned a nearly perfect 5-star rating from 1000s of reviews for good reason. Frequent travelers love its lightweight yet sturdy construction, genius organization, and deceivingly large capacity. It‘s a fantastic weekender bag for everything from road trips to being used as a carry-on.

The Catalina Deluxe ranges from $208-$215 depending on the color and material. For the quality, features and glowing reviews, I think it‘s more than worth the price.

The Seville Prima Camera Backpack Review

Attention photographers: Lo & Sons hasn‘t forgotten about you. The Seville Prima is their signature camera backpack designed for photographers and videographers on the go.

Key features:

  • Customizable padded inserts to protect camera gear
  • Rear access for security/easy access to gear
  • Fits up to a 13" laptop in padded sleeve
  • Water-resistant zippers and material
  • Luggage handle sleeve
  • Comfortable padded shoulder straps
  • Interior organizing pockets for small gear
  • Converts to regular backpack by removing inserts

Pros:

  • High quality, durable materials
  • Love rear access design to safely access gear
  • Very comfortable to wear even when packed with gear
  • Fits a surprising amount of gear
  • Removable inserts are super functional
  • Stylish, doesn‘t look like typical camera bag
  • Multi-functional as camera bag and regular backpack

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Can get heavy when fully loaded
  • Insert dividers are a bit thin
  • Doesn‘t stand up on its own

If you travel frequently with lots of camera equipment, the Seville Prima is a great investment. Users love the flexibility of the removable inserts, comfortable fit, smart organization, and modern styling that doesn‘t scream "camera bag."

It‘s one of Lo & Sons‘ pricier pieces at $398-448 depending on material, but for photographers who want one bag that can hold all their gear and then some, it‘s worth the splurge. Your back will thank you!

What Customers Are Saying

One of the best testaments to Lo & Sons‘ quality is their glowing customer reviews. All of their bestselling bags have hundreds to thousands of 4 and 5-star reviews from happy customers. Some common themes from customer reviews:

On quality and durability:

  • "I‘ve owned a Catalina Deluxe for over 4 years and it still looks new. It has held up incredibly well to frequent travel."
  • "The materials on the O.G. 2 are so lightweight yet sturdy. The stitching and zippers are very high quality. You can tell it‘s made to last."

On functionality:

  • "It‘s amazing how much you can fit in the O.G. 2 while still sliding it under the airplane seat. The pockets keep me so organized."
  • "The Catalina weekender is like a Mary Poppins bag. It looks small but fits 3-4 days worth of clothes, toiletries, laptop, etc. The shoe compartment is a lifesaver!"
  • "The Seville Prima makes travel with camera gear a breeze. I feel secure with the rear access and can fit all my gear plus some in the main compartment. Game changer!"

On comfort:

  • "I can wear my Catalina Deluxe as a backpack or messenger bag and it still feels comfortable even when fully packed."
  • "I was skeptical about the thin straps on the O.G. 2 but it distributes weight really well. Very comfortable to carry."

On customer service:

  • "You can tell Lo & Sons really values their customers. I had an issue with my order and they responded quickly and made it right immediately."
  • "I love supporting this family-owned business. You can tell how much care they put into their products and their customer service is top notch."

Of course, no product is perfect and there are a few critiques to be found. Some wish the canvas bags were more stain-resistant, while others with larger shoe sizes find the shoe compartments a bit narrow. But overall, the vast majority of customers seem thrilled with their Lo & Sons bags.

How Lo & Sons Compares to Other Travel Bag Brands

If you‘re considering a Lo & Sons bag, you might be wondering how they compare to other popular luggage brands like Away, Beis, Dagne Dover and more. Here‘s my take:

  • Quality: In terms of quality and durability, Lo & Sons bags are top notch and on par with other premium brands like Away and Tumi. You‘re paying for high quality materials and construction that will hold up beautifully to frequent use.

  • Style: Lo & Sons bags have a sleek, minimalist aesthetic that is stylish yet timeless. If you prefer a bolder look, Beis or Dagne Dover might be more your speed. But for a bag that is professional, modern and versatile, Lo & Sons hits the mark.

  • Features: This is where Lo & Sons really shines. All of their bags are incredibly thoughtful in terms of pockets, compartments and unique features for travelers. In my experience, Lo & Sons bags are some of the most functional and intelligently designed on the market.

  • Price: There‘s no denying that Lo & Sons bags are an investment, with most of their popular styles priced $250+. However, they are in line with other premium luggage brands and built to last for years. Plus, you can often score 15-50% off during their sales.

Ultimately, if you‘re looking for a high quality, travel-specific bag from a trusted brand, Lo & Sons is hard to beat. Their unique features and organisation, comfortable carry options, and durable, lightweight construction make them well worth the price for frequent jetsetters.

Is Lo & Sons Worth It?

So, is Lo & Sons worth the hype and the relatively high price tag? In my opinion, 100% yes – with a few caveats.

There‘s no denying that Lo & Sons bags are expensive, with most of their popular travel bags priced from $200-$400+. If you‘re on a tight budget, there are certainly more affordable options out there.

However, if you travel frequently for work or play and are willing to invest in a bag that will last for years, Lo & Sons is absolutely worth considering. Their materials and craftsmanship are top quality, and their smart designs and unique features are a traveler‘s dream. I‘ve put my Lo & Sons bags through the wringer and they barely show any wear.

So while the price is steep, I view it as a long-term investment that more than pays for itself in terms of function, quality and longevity. Lo & Sons‘ commitment to sustainability and waste reduction is also a big plus for me.

Of course, every traveler‘s needs and preferences are different. I always recommend making a list of your must-haves in a travel bag and then comparing brands and models to find the best fit. But for me and 1000s of other happy customers, Lo & Sons has earned its cult status as one of the best travel bag brands on the market.

Bonus Lo & Sons Travel Tips

Before I wrap up this beast of a Lo & Sons review, I wanted to share a few tips for making the most of your purchase:

  • Sign up for emails/texts to get notified of sales. I‘ve seen their best-sellers up to 50% off!

  • If in between sizes, opt for the larger one. You can always cinch things down but can‘t expand a too-small bag.

  • Check the product details page for the exact dimensions of each pocket/compartment to ensure your tech and other items will fit.

  • Lighter colors show dirt/wear faster, especially canvas. Consider black or darker colors for frequent use.

  • When in doubt, order 2 sizes or 2 bags and return the one that doesn‘t work for you. Lo & Sons offers free returns on unused items within 30 days.

  • If you‘re not satisfied or your bag gets damaged, reach out to their customer service. They have a reputation for going above and beyond to make it right.

Lo & Sons FAQs

Still have questions? I‘ve rounded up answers to some of the most common queries about Lo & Sons bags:

Where are Lo & Sons bags made?
Lo & Sons bags are ethically made by artisans in China and the U.S.

Does Lo & Sons have free shipping?
Lo & Sons offers free standard U.S. shipping (3-10 biz days) on orders over $250. Otherwise, standard shipping is $8-10 based on order total.

What is Lo & Sons‘ return policy?
Unused items in original condition can be returned within 30 days for a full refund, minus the cost of return shipping.

Does Lo & Sons ever have sales?
Yes – you can find seasonal sales on their website a few times a year with up to 50% off. The best way to catch a sale is to sign up for emails/texts.

How do I contact Lo & Sons‘ customer service?
Contact the Lo & Sons customer care team via email at [email protected] or through the form on their website. They typically respond within 1 business day.

Does Lo & Sons offer international shipping?
Lo & Sons does not currently ship internationally, but they plan to in the future. U.S. customers can use a freight forwarder service to ship internationally.

Do Lo & Sons bags come with a warranty?
All Lo & Sons bags include a 2-year limited warranty that covers manufacturing defects. Proof of purchase is required.

Here‘s hoping this Lo & Sons review has helped you decide if their cult-favorite travel bags are worth the investment for you. Wherever your next adventure takes you, cheers to happy, organized and stylish travels!

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