TravelPro vs Samsonite soft shell checked luggage

wafliron

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After 15 years of use - and a complete drenching in salt water earlier this year (don't ask :rolleyes:) - my trusty Samsonite suitcase needs to be replaced.

I've always preferred soft shell, and after a bit of research on current mid-market offerings, think I've narrowed it down to the following two options:

- Samsonsite 73h Spinner 71cm - Samsonite 73h Spinner 71 Cm Exp - $346 in black after current sale and 10% off newsletter-subscription voucher
- TravelPro MaxLite 5 25" - https://www.amazon.com.au/Travelpro-Luggage-Lightweight-Expandable-Suitcase/dp/B07BLD9NMM - $435 (haven't found a better option to buy than importing via Amazon)

(I've historically had a preference for two-wheel cases due to perception that four-wheeled cases are more prone to wheels breaking - but options in soft shell + two wheel seem extremely limited, and I thought perhaps I should actually give four wheel a try.)

The former is cheaper, slightly lighter (only couple of hundred grams though), and has the benefit of local servicing options if it breaks. The latter is potentially better built / more durable (although not entirely clear - hence question #2 below), and ergonomics look a little better to me (e.g. thicker at bottom than top, for stability tipping).

Couple of questions for the AFF crowd here:

1) Anything else I should consider? I don't care what my luggage looks like - primary concerns are lightweight, good quality/durability and reasonable price. Or, perhaps, a balance of those last two - I don't want to spend a fortune, but I'm also trying to spend enough to get something that won't break on me mid-trip / will last a long time. Happy to spend up to around $500 if the justification for spending it is there.

2) Can anyone provide any comparison of the quality of these two cases (or even just brands, in their mid-market offerings)? TravelPro gets a great rap online, whereas Samsonsite potentially a bit hit and miss (albeit their product line-up is so wide it's hard to know for any given case). But I've not been able to find any real direct comparison between the two cases (or even two brands), and quite a bit of what I can find (particularly re Samsonite) isn't current. My previous Samsonsite case has gone the distance - if the 73h was build like that, I'd be more than happy with it - but not really a safe assumption given the current one is 15 years old.

Thanks,
Matt
 
I just bought this Antler, its ~150g lighter than the Samsonite. Obviously can't comment on the durability just yet, but I am fairly impressed with the quality.
 
@wafliron , have a look at this, but some of it is about carry-on.


I agree 2 wheels Vs 4 (there are others who may disagree :) ) My own champion 2 wheeler here:

 
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I just bought this Antler, its ~150g lighter than the Samsonite. Obviously can't comment on the durability just yet, but I am fairly impressed with the quality.

Thanks, will have a look at it.
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@wafliron , have a look at this, but some of it is about carry-on.


I agree 2 wheels Vs 4 (there are others who may disagree :) ) My own champion 2 wheeler here:

Thanks for the links, will have a browse.

What brand / model is your two-wheeler?
 
I am won over by Travelpro but only their platinum line. The toughest bags that I have ever had they outlasted anything else that I’ve had. That‘s all I will buy now and the prices aren’t bad.
 
I agree 2 wheels Vs 4 (there are others who may disagree :) ) My own champion 2 wheeler here:

Agree totally. Keep on paying for (mainly zip) repairs on my 11 year old Samsonite soft shell 2 wheeler that's served me well, due to the lack of a replacement available in the market. Not sure if the shift was supply or demand driven, but either way it sucks.
 
Where are you guys buying your TravelPro Bags here in Australia?

I had a pretty thorough look into this around the time I started this thread - the only viable option I found was importing via Amazon.

Was why I didn’t go the TravelPro route in the end - comparatively more expensive than overseas, and no local support in case of any repairs/etc being required.
 
I think I have one of the Antler Brixham models. After regular, but not excessive, use, the telescopic handles have brown off midway inside the suitcase (inside the lining). This is at the junction where the telescopic handles ‘click’ to hold the tubes extended or retracted.

It’s a shame as the case was good otherwise. Can still use it, but. dan’s a bulge halfway down the case when trying to wheel it.
 
Are there any lifetime warranty travel bags that are available here in Australia? RIMOWA and TUMI aren't really good options as they no longer have lifetime warranty on their bags.
 
Rimowa still do?
Rimowa dropped its customer service and repair warranty honouring post LVMH acquisition, so it was a bit iffy getting them. Then, the justification of buying luggage that is the price of a return ticket to Japan from Australia.

It's a shame that the TravelPro (or LuggageWorks) route is only available via Amazon. Like Wafliron said, support will be difficult as it's not really servicing here.
 
Update on research:
Although the Rimowa hard case is nice, it will not be able to handle some of the abuse that is planned for the upcoming travel plans. However, compared to other major players with the new lifetime warranty under LVMH, it could be easier to service. ~$50 to pay to undo all the dents are good but could buy x2-3 more bags for just 1 Rimowa.

Other companies such as TravelPro and Briggs & Riley are quite an option too - B&R has an option through Harrods UK that ships to Aus, still cheaper than buying from amazon for some of their items: https://www.harrods.com/en-au/shopping/briggs-riley
 
It's a shame that the TravelPro (or LuggageWorks) route is only available via Amazon. Like Wafliron said, support will be difficult as it's not really servicing here.
true, but wouldn't a refund or replacement be sufficient?
 
true, but wouldn't a refund or replacement be sufficient?
Refund/Replacement with these types of items usually requires the bag to be shipped at the owner's cost - and can be a pretty penny depending on when/where its sent. Having a local distribution/repair centre can cut such costs - I would like to ideally get these types of bags repaired if possible as I have some sentiment on the travel its been with.
 

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