Samsonite Essensis - anyone?

[prettylotus]

I'm looking at buying a hardcase medium sized suitcase as my existing luggage proves to be oversized for my frequent 1-week domestic trips. I've set my eyes on the Samsonite Essensis which weights approx 4.6 kg. i know its not the lightest case out there but it fits my budget and the style is just great! Has anyone had any experience with this line from Samsonite at all? Any thoughts on it will be appreciated too as it will be my first ever hard case purchase

Thanks heaps!

 

[MissBurrill]

Welcome to AFF prettylotus!

My Mum has a hardcase Samsonite and loves them! I've used her Samonsites and found them to be great. My parents are going to buy me a set of the Essensis. I need to choose red or ivory.

I found this REVIEW: Samsonite Essensis for the Stylish Jetsetter - VenusBuzz.com review to be helpful.

My tablet is being unhelpful and not wanting to let me highlight text for a fancy hyperlink today. I guess an ok link is better than no link.

 

[munitalP]

the zips with the long bars absolutely suck. beware!

 

[MissBurrill]

the zips with the long bars absolutely suck. beware!

But this range comes in pretty colours and has flowers on them.....

 

[Princess Fiona]

I agree it does look very nice I have Samsonite Cosmolite roll-a-board and 75cm suitcase and I've been very happy with them as far as hard shell cases go. If the Essensis plastic is of similar quality then I would think its a good buy.
The separate zip compartment makes packing easy, I'm a four wheels are better than two traveller (not everyone agrees) and they are very light-weight.

And welcome to AFF

 

[prettylotus]

Thanks for the reply MissBurrill! I did see that review when i did my research but it was the only one thats why i was a bit sceptical. Didnt help that when i went to Myer to pick it up during their 40% off sale the sales lady talked me into getting the B-lite instead - she said the hard cases break quite easily! I walked in so determined to get the Essensis but wasnt quite sure anymore haha so great to ehar the good feedback on samsinite hard cases in general i guess its a bit of luck as well! Let me know ow you go ith your new set (lucky you!!! i wont be needing it until may so will be holding on for a bit

 

[prettylotus]

the zips with the long bars absolutely suck. beware!

Is this the inside or outside zip that you're referring to? Can you explain a bit more sorry I'm a complete newbie when it comes to both hard cases and samsonite... Thanks

 

[prettylotus]

thank you i think the cosmo is made of a better material from the research that i've done... A biton the pricer side as well... And as MissBurill said the Essensis comes with flowers haha.

 

[munitalP]

Is this the inside or outside zip that you're referring to? Can you explain a bit more sorry I'm a complete newbie when it comes to both hard cases and samsonite... Thanks

When you are closing a "full" case, your natural reaction is to pull the zip from the end of the bar - the bit that latches into the lock. This when applying pressure twists the zip end and is very uncomfortable in your hands particularly if you need to pull the zip 2/3rds around the case.

We don't have this particular case, however a similar model and I am pissed I wasted my money buying it.

 

[11sjw]

1 week, can you not get away with HLO travel?

 

[Alanslegal]

I am not a fan of hard shell cases with zippers. I do not have any scientific evidence but my gut feeling says that the zips will be the weakest point and when the bag is heavy, all of the weight will centre onto the weakest point and there is potential for it to fail.

I do have a Samsonite spinner hard case but with latch type locks. It is a heavy beast but it is very solid, it is also enough to support my whole body weight as I frequently body surf on top of the case when on smooth walkways (much to my girlfriend's embarassment).

 

[prettylotus]

Oh no sorry to hear about your experience nothing sucks more than getting something new, getting excited and then disappointed! which one do you end up having now?

When you are closing a "full" case, your natural reaction is to pull the zip from the end of the bar - the bit that latches into the lock. This when applying pressure twists the zip end and is very uncomfortable in your hands particularly if you need to pull the zip 2/3rds around the case.

We don't have this particular case, however a similar model and I am pissed I wasted my money buying it.

 

[prettylotus]

Wish I could... it would cut my time at the airport significantly! But by the time you add in the sport shoes, the work shoes and the toiletries bag, that's completely out of the question... I do get asked that quite a lot from the hubbie though haha.

1 week, can you not get away with HLO travel?

 

[prettylotus]

I've checked out the Samsonite range for a latch type hard case but the only one they have is the Firelite which is quite out of my reach price-wise so I think I'll just have to take the risk and buy a pretty case instead (I might just regret this very soon haha). Thanks for the advice

I am not a fan of hard shell cases with zippers. I do not have any scientific evidence but my gut feeling says that the zips will be the weakest point and when the bag is heavy, all of the weight will centre onto the weakest point and there is potential for it to fail.

I do have a Samsonite spinner hard case but with latch type locks. It is a heavy beast but it is very solid, it is also enough to support my whole body weight as I frequently body surf on top of the case when on smooth walkways (much to my girlfriend's embarassment).

 

[Alanslegal]

I've checked out the Samsonite range for a latch type hard case but the only one they have is the Firelite which is quite out of my reach price-wise so I think I'll just have to take the risk and buy a pretty case instead (I might just regret this very soon haha). Thanks for the advice

Yeah my Samsonite is around 4 years old now so its likely to be off the market. If you could wait for one of those 40% or more off sales, then it might work out quite good value. We bought our bag from Myer and the bag had a RRP$649. Luggages was on sale so we it 40% off, then on top of that we negotiated a 10% discount for a tiny 5mm unobvious scratch, plus an additional $75 off if the total price was over $300. Our bag ended up costing $275 I have used this bag many times, been on at least 50 sectors in the past 3 years, I often use it to body surf and its still going on strong.

My bag looks like this:

http://www.rakuten.ne.jp/gold/samsonite/item/pallone/pallone-color.jpg

 

[munitalP]

Locks closed all good



Pulling zip closed



Starting to twist



Here you can see the zip diving down and making life difficult

 

[Anna]

I've had a large Samsonite Oyster for a long long time and it is still going strong, but it weighs 6kg empty and is sometimes hard to fit in taxi boots if they have an LPG tank. On the weekend I happened to notice Myer had 40% off luggage so I bought 2 Samsonite Firelites (1 large & 1 cabin sized). Will try them out later this month.

I also have an Antler hardshell cabin-sized bag which I am always nervous about because sometimes the lock just decides to stick and I can't open it then suddenly for no reason it will un-stick. That's the main reason I prefer Samsonite.

 

[vetrade]

Luggagegear.com.au has a Samsonite sale on ATM - up to 70% off supposedly.
The promo code I got sent is luggagegearvip if you're interested.

FWIW we use Delsey spinner hard cases which have a double zipper which they claim is very secure.
We have found them to be excellent.

 

[MissBurrill]

Luggagegear.com.au has a Samsonite sale on ATM - up to 70% off supposedly.
The promo code I got sent is luggagegearvip if you're interested.

FWIW we use Delsey spinner hard cases which have a double zipper which they claim is very secure.
We have found them to be excellent.

My Mum received that email too. I need to hurry up and choose between ivory and red.

 

[jetlagger]

My bag looks like this:

http://www.rakuten.ne.jp/gold/samsonite/item/pallone/pallone-color.jpg

Nice bag..
I fully agree with you about the zip issue, I also much prefer the latch type. It is stronger, more user friendly, & doesn't allow moisture (rain & humidity) to enter the bag.
I have seen zips (even on the supposedly better ones) fail so many times.