New from Samsonite! We’ve looked at the pro’s and con’s of Samsonite’s most recent releases, 6 hard side and 1 soft side suitcase. Read on for our opinions in the latest Samsonite Suitcase reviews.
Samsonite have released 7 brand new designs in the back end of 2018, and in store we’ve been hearing “but what makes them all different” on repeat. A fair enough question really as how different can 7 suitcases from the one manufacturer be? Let alone their other 20 odd ranges! So for those who can’t make it in store to check them out, we thought we’d summarise the latest collection and the unique aspects of each case by way of a trusty pro’s and con’s list!
Samsonite Stryde Glider Review
To ease into this we’ll start with the Stryde, as it’s markedly different not just to Samsonite’s range, but to everything currently available. With a landscape orientation rather than a portrait shape, the smaller of the Stryde’s is only as tall as a cabin suitcase but has the capacity of a medium suitcase. Shorter, wider and a little chunkier the Stryde has a low centre of gravity for better performance when wheeling it around. Inside is a deluxe interior with double packing straps and built in wet pack.
PRO’s
CON’s
From $315 on sale – Shop it here
Samsonite Lite-Box Review
Whilst we’ve seen updated releases of our favourite ‘Curv’ suitcases (Cosmolite, Lite-Cube etc), we haven’t seen a completely new Curv model for a couple of years. The Lite-Box is brand spanking new and features the undeniably class leading Curv material (woven polypropylene that is unique to Samsonite) with the latest Samsonite hardware and customer centric design features. We know our customers love the durability and stability of double wheels, the practicality of a double handle and double zipped dividers inside, and whilst these do add weight, the Lite-Box can handle it with the ultralight Curv material of the shell.
PRO’s
CON’s
Starting at $465 on sale for the cabin – shop it here
Samsonite Theoni Expandable Suitcases
In the twelve or so years we’ve been selling hardside suitcases the most variation we’ve seen in design is bright colours or ‘painted’ shells. The vast majority are black or grey boxes with linear patterns to differentiate them. Well, Samsonite have stepped out of the box (pun intended) and released the Theoni – a bold and rare stand alone with it’s attractive 3D geometric flower print. Finished with soft rounded corners, copper metal hardware and a premium interior; the Theoni is for those who don’t like to blend in.
PRO’s
CON’s
Starting at $195 on sale for the cabin suitcase – shop it here
Samsonite Aspero Lightweight Suitcase
If you consider Samsonite as having 3 tiers of hard suitcases;
1) American Tourister hard side – well built, reliable suitcases at budget friendly prices
2) Samsonite hard side – well built, reliable suitcases with additional user-friendly features and premium /fittings. These range from budget friendly through to premium.
3) Samsonite Curv suitcases – the lightest and most premium of Samsonites offering. The prices reflect this, they are suited to frequent travelers.
The new Aspero is the top of Samsonite’s non Curv suitcases. It’s a premium suitcase, with a very lightweight construction and solid, reliable wheels, handle and zippers. If you want the best from Samsonite, but at a couple hundred dollars less than a Curv suitcase, the Aspero is for you.
PRO’s
CON’s
Starts from $285 on sale for the cabin – shop it here
Samsonite Polygon 80/20 Suitcase
The latest 80/20 style suitcase is the Polygon. The 80/20’s are designed for those that want a hard suitcase but don’t love the split through the middle 50/50 style packing. (Read our review of the first 80/20 suitcase – the Spin Trunk here to see how the 80/20 works and the pro’s & con’s). The Polygon have taken this packing style a step further with the flat max design, so it’s better for living out of and closer in nature to living out of a soft suitcase. Packing style aside, the Polygon also boasts our standard user-friendly checklist of double wheels, double handle and double zipped packing dividers inside.
PRO’s
CON’s
Starts from $225 on sale for the cabin – shop it here
Samsonite Evoa suitcase range
The Samsonite Evoa was technically released early in the year, however we still thought we’d cover it. We love how it looks, and evidently our customers do to as its been very popular. It has an attractive brushed silver or brushed black finish and is modern and appealing in its simplicity. The Aero-Trac suspension and premium interior set this suitcase apart from the competitors, in simple terms, it’s smooth to manage, quieter than other cases, it’s expandable and fully lined with a built-in wet pack compartment. There are 4 cases in the range including a laptop friendly cabin suitcase.
PRO’s
CON’s
Starts from $239 on sale for the cabin – shop it here
Samsonite Base Boost 2 Softside Suitcases
The only softside addition this year, which is a great indicator of the way luggage is going (hard, hard, hard!) But there is a lot to like about the new Base Boost. This is a second edition, not a completely new concept, and happily they have kept the innovative cable lock system and gotten rid of the strange ball wheels of the previous model. The cable lock solves the rather annoying issue of needing multiple locks to lock a typical soft side suitcase, there is a built-in cable that extends through the front pocket zipper and locks into the main compartments built in TSA lock, very handy. Lock aside, the case is lightweight, has an expander, comes in 4 sizes including a 2-wheel 50cm upright and a lower, more economical price point than the first edition.
PRO’s
CON’s
Starts from $155 on sale for the 50cm cabin suitcase – shop it here
Prices correct at the time of publishing and subject to change.
Images via @samsonite_au Instagram with thanks.