Samsonite vs Travelpro: Which Luggage Brand Is Better?

Samsonite and Travelpro are both leading luggage companies in the world. There is no chance you cannot find what you need from these two luggage manufacturers. Although Samsonite is a well-organized and much larger brand than Travelpro, the latter is not far behind. In fact, their suitcases are considered even better alternatives for everyday travelers.

Those two companies are both medium-price-range brands with a vast variety of products. However, they have distinct differences and this is the ultimate purpose of this article: to help you understand how these two leading manufacturers’ best suitcases compare in order to help you make an informed decision.

Travelpro vs. Samsonite

Introduction to Travelpro

Travelpro is a luggage brand that’s extremely popular among flight crews and frequent travelers. The story of this brand, which remains a much smaller company compared to Samsonite, began more than three decades ago. In 1987, a pilot named Bob Plath who was constantly traveling came up with the idea of creating a suitcase with wheels and a vertical handle. That was the original Rollaboard-the first product of Travelpro. Since then, Travelpro became a leading luggage company with more than 30 years in the global market.

The brand is constantly fighting to keep its name on top of the luggage industry by building original and convenient luggage pieces. Travelpro is particularly popular among pilots, business travelers, flight crews, and frequent travelers. Nowadays, Travelpro is used by airline staff members of over 90 airlines. They also have a variety of affordable suitcases which are perfect for everyone, not only professionals.

Introduction to Samsonite

Samsonite is the most popular luggage brand that was founded in 1910 in Denver, Colorado. Although it started as a suitcase brand, offering the public convenient and affordable suitcases, nowadays the company has focused on other types of luggage, including backpacks, toiletry bags, and makeup bags, as well.

Over the years, Samsonite became the leading luggage company worldwide and its products are sold in over 100 countries. Moreover, Samsonite has acquired other luggage manufacturers, including American Tourister, High Sierra, Hartmann, Tumi, eBags, and more. Thus, all these brands together are close to earning a monopoly status in the worldwide market.

Major Differences: Samsonite vs Travelpro

Weight

Travelpro offers lighter luggage than Samsonite, mainly through its Maxlite series. A good example is Maxlite 4 which weighs less than 6 pounds on its soft version, and about 6.7 pounds if you choose the hard-sided version. Samsonite also offers some lightweight luggage, through its Omni line that approximately weigh 6.8 pounds. That’s not the lighter the company has to provide, however. There are also the Firelite and Cosmolite options, and most prominently, their lightest suitcase which is no other than the LiteShock. It is a hardshell suitcase that only weighs 3.7 pounds.

Overall, Travelpro offers a wider variety of lightweight luggage, but the differences are truly insignificant. This is why Travelpro holds the 8th place among 32 luggage brands in terms of the average weight of suitcases, whereas Samsonite is 11th.

Size

Travelpro and Samsonite are quite similar in terms of their luggage sizes. This is natural since both brands are dedicated to offering suitcases suitable for air flights and they have been in business long enough to be aware of the most common airline restrictions. Both brands offer a series of mid-size luggage whose size ranges from 24-25 inches. These bags are ideal for small expeditions or short trips abroad when you need to have enough room for a few clothes and personal belongings.

Their smaller suitcases, including their most popular carry-on options, typically fall in the 20-21 inch range. However, it has been observed that all Samsonites popular carry-on luggage is a bit over the restrictions. That is also, true for the Travelpro suitcases, where we found only one suitcase within the most common airline restrictions, the Crew Versapack Carry-On.

The greatest variety of options comes in both companies’ largest luggage, ranging from 28-29 inches. They are perfect for longer trips or if you wish to share them with your fellow traveler.

Which Brand Offers Luggage Within the Airline Size Restrictions?

Overall, Travelpro does a better job in this field. The most common airline size restrictions are 22 x 14 x 9 inches for carry-ons. In most cases, being 1-2 inches above the upper limit will not get you in paying more. However, that’s not always the case, and there are crew members who will thoroughly check your suitcase’s size and weight. For checked luggage, the restrictions are 62 linear inches, that’s calculated by adding up the width, height, and depth of your suitcase.

As mentioned above, all Samsonite carry-ons are a bit over the size restrictions, at an average of 1.81 inches. Additionally, their large checked luggage is over the 62 linear inches limit at a relatively high percentage (78%). On the other hand, the percentages of the most popular Travelpro luggage that fail to meet airlines’ size restrictions are 60% for their larger checked luggage.

Luggage Brand Durability: Who is The Winner?

Choosing between Samsonite and Travelpro luggage in terms of durability is closely related to whether we talk about their soft or hard-shelled bags. Both brands use similar materials in their hard-shell suitcases in some of their most popular models. This polycarbonate material is durable and promises to keep your belongings safe during your trip. However, while Travelpro uses polycarbonate on all of their suitcases, the same does not apply to Samsonite where polycarbonate is only found in their more expensive and luxurious pieces. Their more affordable luggage are made from polypropylene, which is far less durable. What’s more, some of the company’s cheapest options are made from another type of high-tech plastic, called ABS.

The major differences appear in the companies’ fabric suitcases. There, you will come across two materials: polyester and nylon. Nylon is usually more durable and long-lasting compared to polyester, however, both materials will normally not tear during your trip. Samsonite uses polyester in all of their soft-shell suitcases, whereas Travelpro uses this material only on their more affordable luggage. The company’s more expensive suitcases are made of high-quality nylon or ballistic nylon. This material is more tear-resistant.

Overall, Travelpro luggage are more durable compared to Samsonite. The real difference is mostly apparent in their more expensive pieces. Both companies’ cheaper options are quite similar in terms of durability, mainly because they use the same type of materials. Therefore, those wishing to choose a durable and tear-resistant suitcase, that’s expensive as well, should probably opt for a Travelpro suitcase, like the Platinum Elite or Versapack options.

Features and Compartments: Which Brand Offers the Best Features?

The medium-priced suitcases of both brands offer some basic and similar features. Most of the suitcases have a TSA-approved lock, side handles, wheels, and expandable zippers. No big differences here.

Their more expensive models however differ a lot. Travelpro offers customers a series of premium features, like TSA pouches, USB ports, or improved compression systems in some of their most popular suitcases, like Platinum Elite. The same does not apply to Samsonite in which all of their models, even the more expensive share the same features with their cheaper editions.

When it comes to the available main compartment, both Travelpro and Samsonite seem to offer similar storage space. In both brands, you can find a second compartment with a divider in some of their models, as well as plenty of pockets, including an exterior accessory pocket for placing your passport or ticket. Another feature travelers usually look at in a suitcase is the handle. Travelpro handles are usually made of aluminum, and their telescopic handle settings typically lock in a few different places in order to allow users to find the position that feels best. On the other hand, Samsonite provides handles that can lock in several different handles. In fact, some of their more expensive models feature handles than can lock at every inch. What’s more, Samsonite’s telescopic handles are usually made of higher-quality materials.

Price and Value: Samsonite vs Travelpro

Both Travelpro and Samsonite offer a variety of luggage that cover a large price range. On average, Travelpro’s suitcases are around 15% more expensive than Samsonite. The average price is higher due to their most expensive models, like Platinum Elite and Versapack. Otherwise, they offer some really affordable pieces, like the Omni and Maxlites, some of which are even cheaper than similar products from Samsonite.

If you are wondering which brand is mostly worth the price, the answer is not that simple. Both brands offer some high-quality suitcases at affordable prices. However, in terms of value, Travelpro seems to be the winner, because on average their suitcases are lighter, made of more durable materials, and offer some additional features. However, Samsonite offers a really worthy model, the Samsonite Upright, which is really affordable and trustworthy.

Warranty Terms and Return Policies

When it comes to warranty terms, both brands have multiple versions depending on the specific product you wish to purchase. In general, their guarantee terms are pretty basic and they will only cover manufacturing defects. Travelpro offers a limited lifetime warranty for defects in materials or workmanship, and if you register the warranty within 120 days post-purchase, the shipping costs will be fully covered. On the other hand, Samsonite offers a 10-year warranty policy, however, no shipping costs are covered in case you wish to send their product for repair.

The return policies are quite different and it seems like Travelpro is the winner in this category. The company offers a 100-day trial period to see if the suitcase really meets your expectations. Otherwise, you may return the product and receive a full refund. However, the guarantee is only applicable to all orders made through Travelpro’s official site. On the contrary, Samsonite only allows returns within 30 days and they do not cover the cost of shipping.

Which Company Has Better Customers Reviews?

Both brands have similar ratings and customer reviews on Amazon. When comparing the most popular models of each brand, Samsonite ranks #13 among customers, whereas Travelpro is found in 7th place. However, there are a lot of differences if we take into account all of their products. Samsonite, in particular, has some pretty bad reviews in some of their cheapest luggage models.

Conclusion: Which Brand to Choose?

Overall, both Travelpro and Samsonite are decent choices. They offer a wide range of suitcases, with different features and prices. Most importantly, both companies have long been in the luggage industry and know exactly what the customers seek in a suitcase. However, in our opinion, Travelpro is the ultimate winner between those two. They offer lightweight suitcases, made of better materials and enriched with advanced features. Although many consider Samsonite as the king of luggage and for good reason, it seems like the smaller Travelpro company has managed to gain ground nowadays. This is why a lot of airline crews prefer Travelpro over Samsonite.

A really important thing consumers should have in mind is that not all models of those two brands are equal. For example, the Platinum Elite model of Travelpro is too overpriced, whereas the Winfield 2 and Centric models of Samsonite are popular choices, however, their fabric upright suitcases are better in terms of durability and price. For travelers wanting to have the extra protection a hard-shell bag offers, Samsonite Omni PC is available in different colors and features a scratch-resistant coating. However, Travelpro Maxlite 4 comes with more storage pockets and is a bit lighter. In the soft-shell category, Samsonite Silhouette XV features a removable WetPak pouch and a water-resistant coating. However, Maxlite Expandable Spinner wins again since it is more affordable, larger, and made of more durable materials.

By now, you know everything you need in order to choose between Travelpro and Samsonite luggage. Despite their differences, those two companies share a lot of common features and the ultimate choice should be made based on your preferences, budget, and the features you wish to see in your next suitcase.