Jeremy Scott Foster is an adventure-junkie, gear knowledgeable and journey photographer primarily based in Southern California.
Selecting the best baggage is all about discovering the suitcase that permits you to journey unhindered. You’re already heading in the right direction should you’re selecting between Travelpro and Samsonite, however that doesn’t make the selection any simpler.
I’ve zigzagged throughout continents, navigating every little thing from bustling airports to cramped bus cabins, all whereas holding a eager eye on how my baggage performs. My verdict comes from miles of real-world assessments, not simply specs on a display screen.
Plus, the TravelFreak staff has spent practically 15 years testing and reviewing baggage. We created an in-depth baggage ranking system, and we now have over 150 suitcases in our testing database. I had a wealth of data and experience to attract on for this comparability.
Travelpro and Samsonite are two of essentially the most well-known manufacturers within the baggage world, and so they have vastly completely different approaches.
You’ll discover Samsonite suitcases in most massive retail shops and each airport world wide, and so they have an enormous vary of merchandise with distinctive kinds and designs to go well with everybody.
Travelpro, then again, is a typical selection for flight crews and different frequent vacationers. Travelpro leans right into a function-first philosophy and has extra conservative, sensible designs.
As a result of they’re so completely different, it’s necessary to know the place every model excels so you may make the proper selection. I promise you an trustworthy, no-holds-barred comparability that digs into the small print that will help you determine which model most closely fits your wants.
Why You Can Belief Us
The TravelFreak editorial staff has examined dozens of suitcases through the years, and we’ve realized rather a lot about what separates a top quality piece of baggage from an overpriced, overhyped piece of plastic. We’ve examined and reviewed finances baggage, luxurious suitcases, and every little thing in between.
We all know how onerous it’s to seek out the proper suitcase, and we wish to make the method simpler for you. So we acquired our staff of drugs junkies and former product engineers collectively to develop essentially the most complete luggage test methodology attainable.
We examined and rated 17 Travelpro suitcases and 15 Samsonite suitcases, together with carry-ons and checked baggage, hardshells and softshells from each manufacturers.
We evaluated each one in every of these suitcases on 31 metrics throughout eight classes. We gave all of them the identical remedy and rated them on the identical standardized scales. This makes it simple for us (and also you) to match the benefits and downsides of every.
At a Look
Travelpro vs Samsonite: Fast Solutions
- Sturdiness: Travelpro builds stronger and extra sturdy baggage than Samsonite total.
- Worth: Each Travelpro and Samsonite supply baggage in a large value vary, from budget-friendly to premium.
- Guarantee: Travelpro has a a lot better lifetime guarantee in comparison with Samsonite’s 10-year guarantee.
- Sustainability: Samsonite does extra to scale back their carbon footprint, use sustainable supplies, and help employees’ rights.
- Supplies: Travelpro makes use of higher supplies total, whereas Samsonite baggage are sometimes produced from cheaper ABS or polypropylene.
- Design and Model: Travelpro baggage has a extra traditional, conservative type, whereas Samsonite has extra fashionable, techy designs.
- Inside Group: Most Travelpro suitcases have higher inside group and pockets than comparable Samsonite fashions.
- Expandability: Each manufacturers supply expandable suitcases, however Travelpro has extra choices for expandable hardside baggage.
- Wheels: Travelpro makes use of higher-quality, smoother spinner wheels total. The MagnaTrac self-aligning spinner wheels on their higher-end fashions are significantly good.
- Deal with: Travelpro suitcase handles are a bit sturdier and extra adjustable than the handles on most Samsonite suitcases.
- Colour Choices: Travelpro usually has extra coloration selections than most Samsonite fashions.
Travelpro vs. Samsonite: Which Ought to You Purchase?
Purchase Travelpro should you…
- are a frequent flier.
- journey for enterprise.
- are a digital nomad or long-term traveler.
- usually journey internationally.
- need a suitcase that may final for years (or many years) of journey.
- care about having a dependable lifetime guarantee.
Purchase Samsonite should you…
- you might be on a decent finances.
- journey much less often.
- want baggage for cruises or summer season holidays.
- primarily take home flights inside the US.
- care about shopping for extra sustainable merchandise.
Supplies & High quality
The Travelpro fashions we examined scored a median of 8.3 for Construct High quality, whereas Samsonite solely scored 7.9 on common. Travelpro baggage is persistently well-built and sturdy throughout the board, whereas Samsonite’s sturdiness is extra hit-and-miss.
Travelpro doesn’t use many fancy high-tech supplies. They persist with supplies and parts which are dependable and time-tested: high-density nylon and polyester for delicate shell suitcases and polycarbonate for hardshells. Even their inexpensive Maxlite Air suitcases are made with high-quality polycarbonate onerous shells.
Travelpro’s wheels, handles, and zippers are additionally stable, even on their extra budget-friendly fashions.
However, Samsonite’s high quality varies broadly. Their high-end fashions (just like the C-Lite) use high-quality parts and cutting-edge supplies which are impressively impact-resistant. On the different finish of the spectrum, although, their budget-friendly suitcases use cheaper supplies like ABS and simply don’t measure as much as the sturdiness of similar-priced Travelpro fashions.
I’ve damaged the wheels on a number of low-cost Samsonite baggage, however I’ve but to see that occur with Travelpro.
In the event you’re keen to spend some huge cash, Samsonite’s high-end fashions with the high-tech supplies are among the strongest suitcases available on the market, however in any other case, Travelpro wins with regards to sturdiness.
Don’t get me incorrect, Samsonite suitcases are nonetheless a lot sturdy for many journeys, however should you’re a frequent traveler and wish to get years of use out of your suitcase, Travelpro is a more sensible choice.
Design & Options
Travelpro baggage is rather more conventional and conservative-looking than Samsonite baggage, which tends to have extra fashionable, flashy designs.
In order for you a professional-looking suitcase for enterprise journey, Travelpro is a more sensible choice. Nonetheless, if you would like baggage that may stand out and make an announcement, you’ll have higher luck with Samsonite.
Travelpro baggage usually have extra options and higher group than Samsonite, particularly should you’re buying at a cheaper price level.
Travelpro suitcases have nice pocket layouts to maintain every little thing organized, well-designed compression straps, and a few even have folding garment holders to retailer fits or attire. Their baggage is simply actually sensible.
That’s why Travelpro scored 9.1 for performance on common and Samsonite solely scored 8.9.
Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply all Samsonite suitcases are primary. They’re lower-end fashions don’t have any fancy options, however in addition they promote specialty fashions with modern designs.
For instance, the Essens Carry-On has two giant packing cubes which are fully detachable so you possibly can customise the way you wish to pack the case, and the Stryde 111 has built-in LED lights to maintain you seen whereas strolling metropolis streets at evening.
For many vacationers, the no-nonsense practicality of Travelpro might be a greater match. In order for you one thing modern and distinctive, although, Samsonite has far more to supply.
Worth for the Cash
Each Travelpro and Samsonite make baggage for a variety of budgets, from inexpensive to luxurious. They each scored 8.6 in our Worth-to-Efficiency class on common, so yow will discover glorious bang to your buck from both model.
Right here’s the way in which I see it.
In the event you’re looking for the most affordable suitcase that may do the job and never disintegrate after a number of journeys, Samsonite is the way in which to go. Their finances fashions are cheaper than Travelpro, and you’ll usually discover nice offers at brick and mortar shops or on Amazon. For what you pay, these suitcases will serve you very properly.
However, should you’re in search of an actual high-quality suitcase that doesn’t break the financial institution, you’ll have higher luck with Travelpro. Their entry stage Maxlite 5 and Maxlite Air traces are nice suitcases, and they’re surprisingly inexpensive.
Actually, the Maxlite 5 Carry-On with two wheels is likely one of the best-value carry-ons available on the market.
It’s additionally fairly spectacular that Travelpro presents their Maxlite Air polycarbonate baggage at a cheaper price than many of the common polycarbonate suitcases—like, rather a lot cheaper. Simply examine it to one thing like Away or Monos and also you’ll see the worth distinction.
Guarantee and Shopping for Expertise
There’s actually no comparability between Samsonite’s guarantee and Travelpro’s. Samsonite’s 10-year isn’t unhealthy, however Travelpro has among the finest lifetime warranties within the enterprise.
Travelpro’s core collections include their “Built for a Lifetime Warranty,” which covers any practical harm to your suitcase. In the event you break the wheels, handles, or zippers, they’ll restore or change it for you.
Travelpro will even cowl the prices of harm brought on by an airline. Most baggage corporations (together with Samsonite) received’t try this. In the course of the first 1-5 years (relying on the mannequin) they’ll even pay for transport to have your suitcase repaired.
If you’re a frequent traveler, damaging your baggage (even well-made baggage) is a definite chance. Travelpro’s guarantee presents nice peace of thoughts that you just received’t need to pay for a brand new suitcase if that occurs.
Model Affect and Sustainability
Our Model Affect rating awards manufacturers that use recycled supplies, take steps to scale back their environmental footprint, are clear and accountable, and have Third-party certifications like Honest Commerce manufacturing.
Samsonite scored 6.2 for Model Affect, and Travelpro solely scored 5.8.
Each manufacturers use recycled supplies of their merchandise, however Travelpro solely actually makes use of recycled materials for inside linings. The outer shells are all made from virgin materials.
Samsonite, then again, launched their “Recyclex” program a number of years in the past and is incorporating extra recycled supplies into their merchandise, inside and outside. Many Samsonite softside fashions (just like the Elevation Plus) use 100% recycled inner and exterior materials.
Samsonite can also be extra clear with their affect and sustainability. They launch an annual report, and so they have applications in place to enhance their affect.
Actually, if affect and sustainability are your high priorities, neither of those manufacturers is doing something out of the peculiar. Paravel baggage may be price trying out; their complete enterprise relies round sustainability (and so they additionally scored the very best for Model Affect in our testing).
General although, Samsonite is a more sensible choice than Travelpro with regards to sustainable merchandise.
Remaining Ideas
Travelpro and Samsonite are each nice baggage manufacturers, and selecting one will finally come all the way down to your journey type.
Travelpro’s baggage kinds are simple, sensible, and really well-built. Plus, Travelpro has among the finest warranties within the enterprise. This makes Travelpro perfect should you journey often and see your baggage as a necessary software to get the place you might want to go.
Samsonite suitcases are typically a bit extra flashy, and their higher-end baggage have extra modern options. If Travelpro baggage are extra skilled and sensible, Samsonite baggage are extra enjoyable.
Plus, you possibly can usually discover Samsonite baggage on sale properly under retail value, so it’s an awesome possibility should you’re pinching pennies to your subsequent journey.
In the event you want a sensible carry-on for enterprise journeys or frequent journey, decide Travelpro. In the event you want a enjoyable checked bag for household holidays, decide Samsonite.
Travelpro vs Samsonite FAQ
Is Travelpro an excellent baggage model?
Sure, Travelpro is likely one of the greatest baggage manufacturers within the enterprise.
Is Samsonite higher than Travelpro?
Typically, Travelpro luggage is greater high quality and extra sturdy than comparable Samsonite fashions.
How lengthy does Travelpro baggage final?
Travelpro luggage comes with a lifetime guarantee and might final for years or many years of frequent journey.
Why do pilots use Travelpro?
Many pilots and flight crew members use Travelpro luggage as a result of it’s well-made, dependable, and sensible.
The place is Samsonite Baggage made?
Samsonite luggage is made in China, India, and Hungary.
