I took the Delsey Comete on a few real-world trips, so here I unpack all the pros, cons and in betweens.
The Delsey Comete comes out of the box with very few bells or whistles to its styling. It’s a classic hardside spinner with a crisp, simple look, some light texturing and a soft matte finish that doesn’t show fingerprints as easily as you might think. I purchased the large checked model in deep navy, and I felt it had a slightly elevated vibe without trying too hard.
First impressions were really positive. The scratch resistant twill texture is nice, and the case is light and easy to handle even when full. The checked model tips the scales at just under 10 lbs, and in person and use the weight doesn’t feel like you’re lugging around a lot of suitcase for the amount of storage space. I’ve tried my fair share of entry-level hard cases and they all tend to fall into one of two traps. They either look or feel cheap. With its mixed ABS and polycarbonate shell the Comete doesn’t do either. It’s not going to wow you as luxury, but it is very solid at this price point.
Build & Materials: Budget Tough, Mostly
The Comete’s shell is a mixture of ABS and polycarbonate. That makes it less expensive than hardcases made out of all polycarbonate shells like the Delsey Châtelet or Samsonite Freeform, but it’s also slightly less impact resistant as well. That is to be expected at this price point though.
Key Specs:
- ABS/polycarbonate hardshell
- Scratch resistant textured exterior
- Double spinner wheels
- Interlocking zippers (lock not included)
- 3 grab handles (top, side, bottom)
- 2″ expandable zipper section
It feels solid in the hand, and more substantial than other entry-level hardcases I’ve tested. The zippers are heavy duty and smooth as well and the handles have a bit of heft to them as well. I noticed one drawback fairly quickly, however. The expandable section is my only concern after two trips. In the second one the interior fabric next to the zipper expansion started to slightly separate (but not tear or rip). It could be that I packed that section too aggressively but this would have been the place for double or reinforced stitching at least for peace of mind.
Another element that became clear immediately was the lack of corner protection or cushioning. While the twill texture really helps to hide scuffs the truth is that one rough baggage handling session could easily leave a noticeable ding in the shell. It’s just something you’re going to want to take slightly more care with than a Rimowa or even a higher-end Delsey bag.
Interior & Packing: Simplicity Wins
I was pleasantly surprised with the simplicity of the interior. It doesn’t fall into the trap of many budget spinners by trying to overstuff the interior with bulky built-in organizers or too many compartments. It’s very bare bones and that might be a strength in disguise.
Interior Features:
- Two full interior compartments
- One with a mesh divider and zipper
- One with adjustable tie-down straps
No bells and whistles but it’s also not missing anything you need. In fact there are no small built-in pockets that I’ll never use like I have seen on some other models (looking at you old Delsey models!). The Comete has left it basic and open which I really like because that gives you access to 100% of the interior space. It was easy for me to pack a 6-day work trip with clothes, two pairs of shoes, toiletries and all my tech gear. Everything remained secure and organized even with the case tipped on its side at odd angles.
The zippered mesh divider is really nice if you want to separate dirty and clean clothes or keep your dress shirts separated from heavier items. The elastic tie-down straps are functional if not perfect. They work just fine, but a little wider would be better.
Rolling & Handling: Really Smooth
The double spinner wheels were another highlight. The case rolled smoothly through 2 airports, a hotel lobby and even down a few cobbled sidewalks. They’re quiet and roll smoothly, and the support that the double wheels have seemed to take on more weight than I expected. I’ve had spinners this price range where it’s hit or miss on smooth rolling or if the wheels tend to feel a bit loose or wobbly when full.
The telescopic handle locks firmly and is easy to extend and collapse. It’s very slightly flexy at full extension, which isn’t surprising given the price. It just never felt like it would fail when I was using it. A small upgrade here, like using a stronger aluminum handle or adding a third locking position would really bump up the handling and perception of quality.
The three built in grab handles (top, side and bottom) are very useful when lifting a heavy full case up into a trunk or onto a baggage carousel. They’re well padded and don’t dig into your hand like some cheaper suitcases I’ve used.
Security: Basic But Works
The Comete does not include a built-in lock but the interlocking zippers will work with any TSA approved padlock. It’s not as fancy as Delsey’s SECURITECH built-in lock system, but it works for this price. I used a simple cable lock and had no issues. The zippers didn’t pull apart or pop open under pressure which is always nice to know.
Actual User Reviews: Experiences & Lessons Learned
Traveler feedback I’ve found online matches up a lot with my experience. Here are some of the key takeaways.
“It’s a great suitcase, rolls easy and plenty big enough for several days of travel.” People seem to really like the size-to-weight ratio and packing flexibility.
“It still rolls nice after all these years.” A common comment in the reviews is that they still see people getting use out of the suitcase after a long time.
“The material is a joke. Dented easily.” This theme popped up a few times among the negative reviews that the shell doesn’t hold up to airline abuse as well as higher end luggage.
“Feels like it’s built better than those budget brands.” The shell thickness and improved texture seemed to be a nice surprise to a lot of users.
One user even stated that this was superior to a suitcase they had been using for 15 years. That is loyalty
What Could Be Better
Durability concerns: A few users reported dents or fabric tears after one trip
Material feel: Shell can feel thin or more susceptible to compression than premium models
Handle build: Telescopic handle may flex when fully extended
No integrated lock: Separate TSA padlock required
For heavy international travelers who frequently check bags these could be deal breakers. But if this is for shorter domestic trips, road trips or occasional business use, the tradeoffs may not be noticeable at all.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Delsey Comete | Delsey Châtelet Air 2.0 | Samsonite Centric 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shell Material | ABS/Polycarbonate | Virgin Polycarbonate | Brushed Polycarbonate |
| Expansion | Yes (2″) | No | Yes |
| Built-in Lock | No | Yes (SECURITECH + TSA) | Yes (TSA) |
| Spinner Wheels | Double Spinner | Dual-Density Spinner | Oversized Spinner |
| Interior Divider | Yes | Yes (Mesh + Buckles) | Yes |
| Weight (Large Checked) | ~10 lbs | ~12.5 lbs | ~10.8 lbs |
| Warranty | 3-Year Limited | 2-Year Limited | 10-Year Limited |
| Price Range | $ | $$$ | $$ |
Verdict: Good Value For Travelers In The Real World
The Delsey Comete isn’t trying to be a luxury bag, and that’s not a bad thing. For less than $100 (and often a lot less if you catch an Amazon Warehouse deal) it checks a lot of boxes:
- Smooth rolling
- Practical interior
- Solid style
- Lightweight with decent packing volume
In short this is a suitcase that I think lands in a great sweet spot for value oriented travelers. It’s great if you need an option that can handle the occasional trip without any problems, look good doing it and not empty your wallet in the process.
If you fly frequently or check this a lot, however, you may want to think hard on the material and build limitations.
Best for: Occasional travelers, road trippers, weekend getaways or anyone in the market for a durable, affordable and good looking spinner that performs far better than you would expect for the price.
Not ideal for: Frequent flyers, international travelers who check bags regularly or travelers that have high expectations for maximum durability under heavy baggage handling.
Overall Rating: 4.1/5
Let me know if you have a Delsey Comete of your own and what you think it’s held up to! The more real world traveler reviews, the better.
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