We Put This Samsonite Carry-On Luggage Through the Ringer to Prove Its Durability
Updated: Aug. 21, 2024
What really sets apart Samsonite carry-on luggage from other suitcases is the additional features that make travel more convenient.
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A quality luggage set is a must for any traveler. Much like every other travel essential, there are countless options to suit every need and budget. You’ll have to choose between the best luggage brands, hard and soft luggage, zipperless luggage and carry-on bags or larger checked bags. Yikes! Well, in hopes of making things a bit easier for you, we’ve done our homework and tested the best options on the market. During our testing, there was one piece of affordable luggage that really stood out: the Samsonite Solyte DLX.
This suitcase is under $200 and loaded with convenient features that make traveling a breeze. To determine whether it’s as good in real life as it is on paper, our Product Testing Team took it into the Testing Lab for closer inspection. We also sent it home with one of our testers to see how it fared during real-life travel. Once our testing was complete, we compiled all of our findings in this helpful Samsonite carry-on luggage review.
What is the Samsonite Solyte DLX?
The Samsonite Solyte DLX is a piece of soft-sided luggage that functions as carry-on luggage. It’s lightweight and easy to maneuver, and it has several convenient features that make packing and traveling significantly less stressful. Better yet, it’s made by Samsonite, a trusted luggage brand that has been known for making quality products since 1910.
Measuring 22 inches tall by 14 inches wide by 9.5 inches deep, this suitcase meets the carry-on size guidelines for most domestic airlines. It weighs 6.8 pounds and has a telescopic handle and four dual 360-degree swivel wheels that make it easy to push or pull over a variety of surfaces. As far as storage goes, this suitcase has two zipper organizers in the main compartment, which are ideal for storing toiletries, accessories and other small items, as well as two smaller front pockets for items you’ll want to access quickly. There’s also a side pocket that can hold your phone or a portable battery.
But what really sets this suitcase apart from others we tested are the additional features. This suitcase features a universal serial bus (USB) port and charging cord (battery sold separately), hideaway tag and T-shaped zipper pull for increased leverage. It also has “Smart Fix” buckles on the elastic interior straps that clip into the sides of the suitcase so they’re not flopping about or in the way. Plus, the Stack It strap allows a bag to be threaded horizontally onto another larger bag’s telescopic handle.
TMB STUDIO
Editor's Pick
Samsonite Solyte DLX
This carry-on suitcase boasts a slew of features, including a USB port and charging cord, hideaway tag and telescopic handle.
How we tested it
In order to adequately judge this suitcase’s performance and durability, our Product Testing Team took the Samsonite Solyte DLX into the Testing Lab and performed 12 different tests. Annamarie Higley, product testing manager, led the effort and began by stuffing it with two heavy moving blankets to add weight and bulk before rolling it around various types of terrain, including up and down stairs and uneven sidewalks. “I was particularly impressed by the fact that it rolled easily over lips of uneven sidewalk without getting hung up,” she says.
The team also dropped it from roughly 4 feet high, tossed it over a barrier and dragged it for a yard or so to mimic the treatment it might receive at the airport while being loaded into the lower deck of the plane or thrown onto the carousel. As a result of these tests, our testers found some scuffing on the plastic corner protectors and other plastic detailing, along with some dusty dirt on the face and back of the luggage. They used water and a microfiber cloth to wipe away the dust and dirt and were pleased to find that no water seeped into the interior fabric.
Speaking of water, our testers deemed this suitcase to be largely weather-resistant after wetting it. They sprayed the bag with water in order to determine how it would fare in the rain or snow and found that the water immediately beaded with only a slight amount actually soaking into the exterior fabric. No water leaked through to the interior fabric during this test.
After testing, our team labeled this suitcase as a great value. “I have little concerns about the longevity of this piece. It cleaned up nicely, the hardware is great and the wheels were some of the best. For $170, it’s even more durable than you’d expect,” says Higley. Melissa Franco, senior set stylist, agrees.
“I feel like Samsonite is a trusted name in luggage. This is a great piece for the cost and should hold up over many years,” says Franco, whose husband used this suitcase during a five-day road trip. “My husband was able to fit four nights’ and five days’ worth of clothing in the Samsonite,” she says. “He is a light packer, but he did have to fit “all seasons” in the suitcase: swimsuit, summer clothes, jeans and a sweatshirt. It was a little tight, but he expanded the suitcase and packed it to the brim.” While the suitcase was in fact maxed out, this is par for the course for Franco and her husband. “We are the type of people that when we go on trips, we try not to check a bag. We use our carry-on luggage as our main suitcase and really try to utilize every square inch for storage,” she explains. If you prefer a suitcase with extra room for souvenirs, you may want to invest in some packing cubes to help maximize space.
During their trip, Franco found the push-button handle to be a bit temperamental at times. “It would often get stuck when trying to move the handle up and down. It wasn’t a deal breaker, but [it] did get annoying at times,” she explains. And at the end of her trip, she found that there were a few scuff marks on the outer edges. But overall, she was impressed by the performance and quality of this suitcase. In addition to its maneuverability, Franco also appreciated the high-quality hardware. “I like the zipper pulls. They seem more heavy-duty than my previous carry-ons and easy to grab and hold onto,” she explains. And while she didn’t utilize the bag’s added features, she appreciates that the convenience they offer.
Pros:
- Trusted name in luggage
- Durable
- Affordable
- Lightweight at 6.8 pounds
- Four dual 360-degree swivel wheels
- Sturdy zippers and handles
- Water-resistant fabric
- Easy to lift and hoist into overhead bins
Cons:
- Hard to be pulled over some surfaces
- Push-button handle can stick at times
Why you should trust us
At Reader’s Digest, we know how important it is to find quality products that make your life easier. This especially applies to luggage, since our editors and testers are a diverse mix of frequent fliers, international travelers, weekend trippers, road trippers, parents and pet owners. As such, we have years of personal experience with everything from hard-shell luggage to travel backpacks and anti-theft bags.
Our product testing experts on the Product Testing Team spent hours in our Testing Lab getting up close and personal with over a dozen soft-sided suitcases. Several of those hours were spent with the Samsonite Solyte DLX. We also sent this suitcase on a five-day long road trip with a tester to see how it holds up to real-life travel. So, you can feel confident that we put in the work to find how this Samsonite model holds up during real-life travel.
TMB STUDIO
Editor's Pick
Samsonite Solyte DLX
This suitcase meets the carry-on size guidelines for most domestic airlines, and it weighs just 6.8 pounds for lightweight travel.
Originally Published: August 21, 2024
