Victorinox Mythic Frequent Flyer Carry-On Business Review

A roomy and tough carry-on bag is the only surefire way to prevent an airline from losing your luggage and sending your trip into a tailspin. As one of those weirdos like me who refuse to travel with checked luggage, I was intrigued by Victorinox’s Mythic Frequent Flyer Carry-On Business ($543).

Like the multitools that Victorinox is known for, there’s more to the Mythic Frequent Flyer than meets the eye. Many carry-on bags are either hardshell or fabric, but the Frequent Flyer is a hybrid of the two. Plus, the eight wheels and internal organization showed a lot of promise. So I trusted it with my gear for a slew of week-long trips. I haven’t found any tweezers stashed away anywhere (OH MY GOD IT ACTUALLY HAS TWEEZERS), but I’m still looking.

In short: The Victorinox Mythic Frequent Flyer Carry-On Business is a high-end carry-on roller bag. It’s a fabric and hardshell hybrid that’s tough, roomier than it looks, and rolls very well. Aside from a few dings, the bag is very tough, and its interior organization is perfect for the Type A traveler. 

Looking for more luggage? Check out our Best Carry-On Luggage Buyer’s Guide. 

Victorinox Mythic Frequent Flyer Carry-On Review

Brand Background

Founded in 1884, Swiss company Victorinox is known for creating the original Swiss Army Knife. While most famous for its multitools, the company has expanded its offerings into other areas, including cutlery, watches, travel gear, and even fragrances. The Victorinox Mythic Frequent Flyer Carry-On Business is part of the company’s newest line of luggage, the Mythic collection. 

How I Tested the Victorinox Mythic Frequent Flyer Carry-On

I used the Victorinox Mythic Frequent Flyer Carry-On Business on half a dozen trips, including both road trips and air travel, over a period of about 4 months. These trips ranged from 2 days to over a week long, and I made it a point to use this bag exclusively, along with a backpack. I tested the pack for durability, ease of use, and utility during these trips.

Key Features

The Victorinox Mythic Frequent Flyer Carry-On is primarily made of durable, recycled hardshell plastic. The front panel, however, has an aesthetically pleasing fabric with several organizational pockets. This hybrid design combines the protection of a hardshell carry-on with the additional pockets and softer look of fabric. 

There are four double-wheel castors that ensure smooth rolling, and the telescopic handle deploys smoothly and is very sturdy. And (it took me a while to find these), there are some nods to Victorinox’s Swiss Army Knife origins — a tiny pen is hidden under the handle, and a pair of tweezers is stashed inside the logo on the back.

The Good 

When you’re deciding on a carry-on roller bag, you usually have to decide between a super-protective hardshell design and a more pocket-friendly fabric design. The Mythic Frequent Flyer offers the best of both worlds with a protective hardshell over the bottom and most of the top, and a fabric front with extra pockets and organization. 

I refuse to check bags, so I’m very picky about the carry-ons that I travel with. I love hardshells because I can sit on them to cram more gear in, but I hate having to open the bag and cram it shut if I need to get any small items out of it. The front pockets on the Mythic Carry-On are an excellent solution.

The front pocket has foam-padded slots, including one that fits a 14” laptop and one that fits an 11” tablet. The tablet pocket is lined with a soft material to protect the tablet screen as well. There are also two open pockets to store cords or a charger, as well as a zip pocket for passports and other essentials. I travel with a Kindle Fire tablet (don’t judge me), so I loved the ability to just open it up and grab it anytime I had a chance to stop and read. 

Inside are two main compartments. One side of the carry-on is open with a locking strap to compress its contents, and the other zips shut. This came in handy when I traveled home from a hiking trip with muddy boots — I stowed them in there to keep them separated from the rest of my gear. The zippered compartment also has two more pockets and a handy little pocket for stashing an AirTag or any other tracker that you use.  

The compression and organization worked like a charm on every trip. I was able to pack a week’s worth of clothes and gear on a recent trip to Texas and still had room to cram in a few books I picked up on the trip. 

In the airport, the wheels glided smoothly, and I never felt like the bag was going to tip over. The telescoping handle is sturdy, and the deployment is very smooth. I never had to furiously shake it to make it work, unlike with other bags. 

It’s worth mentioning that it’s just a great-looking bag. The fabric front with the Victorinox emblem just looks classy. Plus, Victorinox added a few fun little inside jokes. There’s a hidden ID pad just underneath the handle, and right next to it is a little pen, just like the ones you’ll find in the company’s Swiss Army Knives.

But the real kicker is the tiny set of tweezers set into the logo on the back of the bag. It’s a little detail, and I may never use it, but it’s an excellent nod to the company’s origins. 

The Bad

There’s a lot to love about the Mythic Carry On, but I did have one big mishap. On the first trip I took with it, a flight to Tennessee, one of the zipper tabs on the front panel broke off. It has two zippers, so I can still use the bag, but it’s a bit inconvenient. 

I have no idea what happened — I’m guessing that the tab got caught on something when I was stowing it in the plane’s overhead compartment. It might have been a one-off accident, but for a bag that costs north of $500, I expected more. 

Victorinox Mythic Frequent Flyer Carry-On: Final Thoughts

The broken zipper tab is a concern, and the bag does accumulate some scuffs and scars over time, but this carry-on roller has been a solid traveling companion. For everything from weekend getaways to week-long treks, it has fit all my gear with room for more. 

The organization is excellent without creating a cluttered interior, and it allows easy access to your electronics and other necessities. Plus, the fun design add-ons like little multitool features are a reminder of where the company started (you’ll never know when you need tweezers). If you’re looking for a bag that looks good, keeps your gear safe, and rolls like a dream, the Victorinox Mythic Frequent Flyer Carry-On Business is a solid choice.