Suitcase Must Die: The Skyscanner Tough Test
We created a four phase ‘tough test’ to see how much punishment each piece of luggage could handle before cracking. We thought that having a car dropped onto them would finish them all off, but to our surprise, three of the eight cases survived even that!
Test 1: Sparta Kick
To simulate a fall (or a baggage handler’s throw!) from an aircraft luggage-hold onto tarmac, we kicked each case from a height of about 1.5m onto the ground.
Test 2: Hammer Attack
Suitcases can take a battering during transit, so we got Skyscanner’s very own ‘Polish Viking’ to go to work on each case with a 20 kg sledge hammer.
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Test 3: The Stomp
In their travelling lives, suitcases take a lot of rough treatment, like getting kicked and trodden on, so we got our Polish Viking, (who weighs the same as a juvenile polar bear at 150kg), to take a walk over a carpet of cases.
Test 4: The Car Drop
OK – so the chances of a car just falling out of the sky on to your suitcase during your everyday travels are very low (hopefully!), but we couldn’t resist the chance for a bit of case carnage. None of us thought any of the cases would survive this, but we were wrong! There truly are some tough pieces of luggage out there.
The Suitcases
We selected eight different cases, ranging from some rather cheap ones, right up to a premium Samsonsite luggage costing more than $700.
1. Eminent Move Air
You can find Eminent suitcases in Singapore at The Travel Store with 5 branches across the island, including a branch at Plaza Singapura. This Taiwanese luggage manufacturer claims their suitcase ‘was designed for the most demanding user, and is recognised worldwide for long lasting durability’.
Capacity: 66 litres
Dimensions: 68 x 43 x 24cm
Weight: 3.1kg
Functionality: 4/5
It has a five-year guarantee, four sturdy double-spinner wheels, a combination TSA lock, a plastic telescopic handle and handles on both top and side. Inside it’s lined and has a zipped internal pocket and restraining straps.
Tough Test: 5/5
This is one tough Taiwanese cookie! Made from the new Makrolon® polycarbonate and according to Eminent, ‘extremely break resistant’, this case was one of just three to survive having a car dropped on them! In fact, after pushing out the dents, the case was in such a surprisingly good condition that we used it to carry our film gear back to base.
Value for money 4/5
A light, functional and very tough case, this is built to last and a great choice for the frequent flyer.
2. Karabar K-Bar-310 Medium
UK manufacturer Karabar offers this low-priced suitcase described as ‘smart, durable and innovative.’ It can bought for S$48 (£26.99) from Amazon UK Store.
Capacity: 69 litres
Dimensions: 67 x 44 x 27 cm
Weight: 3.3kg
Functionality 4/ 5
It has four single spinner wheels, a combination TSA lock, a telescopic handle and handles on top and side. Plus it comes with a three-year guarantee.
Tough Test : 3/5
The makers state it is manufactured from the highest specification materials and is subject to strict quality controls. It did make it past our Sparta Kick Test (being booted off of a 1.5m high platform onto the ground) but the case cracked during our Stomp Test.
Value for money 5/5:
It’s not the toughest kid on the block but for the price (the second cheapest case in our test) the Karabar K-Bar is excellent value, offering a good, functional piece of luggage, at a very affordable price.
3. Delsey Helium
In Singapore, there is one Delsey flagship store at Suntec City. However, Delsey suitcases are also sold in 13 other department stores, including Isetan and Takashimaya. French luggage manufacturer Delsey promises that their sky-blue Helium suitcase boasts ‘the most secure ZIP ever’ and the ‘perfect equation between lightness and resistance’.
Capacity: 101 litres
Dimensions: 69 x 47 x 31 cm
Weight: 3.2 kg
Functionality: 5/5
It comes with a 10-year guarantee, 4 single spinner wheels, a combination TSA lock, a telescopic handle and handles on top and side. Inside it is lined and has a zipped compartment, a zip pocket, and elasticated restrainer straps.
Tough Test: 5/5
Delsey claim the Helium possesses ‘extreme resistance’ and they are right. It was apt that this case had a sticker on, depicting its hammer-proof properties, and it did indeed withstand the full force of a sledge hammer blow from our Polish Viking. In fact, the Delsey Helium is harder than a French Legionnaire, being one of only three cases that survived our intense ‘Car Drop’ test.
Value for money: 4/5
It’s not the cheapest case out there, but you are paying for quality, style and some great functionality. And it’s tough as hell!
4. Luggage X 77
Luggage X’s main selling point is that this suitcase is ‘virtually indestructible’. It is certainly quite sturdy, it feels tough and at 127 litres, was the largest case in our test. It can be bought for S$136.26 (£79.99) from Amazon UK Store.
Capacity: 127 litres
Height: 77 x 56 x 36cm
Weight: 4.9kg
Functionality: 4/5
It has a one-year guarantee, four multidirectional wheels that can spin 360 degrees for optimum manoeuvrability, a retracting towing handle with three different locking positions, two spring-back carry handles, and a zip closure with TSA Combination Lock. Its inside is fully lined with satin and has two main compartments with a zipped dividing wall, and also an additional zipped pocket for toiletries.
Tough Test: 5/5
When we saw Luggage X’s claim of being ‘virtually indestructible’ we thought – we’ll see about that! But the case was true to its claim. Made with ultra-lightweight Polypropylene, a ‘high impact resistant material’, we put this case through our punishing Tough Test, and it was one of just three to make it back to the Skyscanner office – bruised, but not broken. Any suitcase that can survive having a car dropped on it gets our respect.
Value for money: 5/5
For the price, this case is a real winner. It’s tough, functional and great value. We hadn’t heard of Luggage X before, but this case has proved itself against a set of better known competitors.
5. Antler Talara
You can find Antler suitcases at department stores like Robinsons and Takashimaya. The Antler suitcase is probably the most stylish in our test. With Great British design, it claims to be ‘light and durable to withstand rough treatment’ and it comes with a 10 year warranty.
Capacity: 63 litres
Dimensions: 69 x 45 x 28 cm
Weight: 3.6kg
Functionality: 5/5
Its four easy-glide wheels spin 360 degrees, it has two tough handles on top and side of the case, central locking trolley system and telescopic handle that seems quite resistant and is supplied with a TSA padlock for better security. The beautiful interior is fully lined and includes a very practical interior mesh pocket.
Tough Test: 3/5
Made of PC/ABS emboss structure ‘to give strength and durability’, it survived Stage 3 (The Stomp Test), although it was starting to show signs of stress, but our car drop test left it cracked and crumpled.
Value for money: 4/5
This is a stylish, functional case which is very well priced. As long as you’re not planning to drop a car on it, this case should serve you well and stand up to normal travel wear and tear just fine.
6. Samsonite Cosmolite
Samsonite luggages are sold in many locations all over Singapore. In Changi Airport alone, there are 3 retailers. You can also visit their retail stores at Ion Orchard and Vivocity. US brand Samsonsite are renowned for their quality cases and the Cosmolite claims to be their ‘strongest and lightest case ever’ due to their ‘revolutionary Curv technology’, and comes with a 10-year warranty.
Capacity: 88 litres
Dimensions: 51.5 x 31 x 74 cm
Weight: 3.4 kg
Functionality 5/5
It comes with four multi-directional spinner wheels, a lightweight but sturdy monotube pull-handle with push buttons, a top carry handle and a side carry handle, a TSA combination lock and protected zippers. Inside, it has an interior divider pad made of zipped mesh and functional elastic cross ribbons to secure packed items and reduce wrinkling.
Tough Test: 4/5
Samsonite claims that Curv® is ‘one of the strongest, lightest and most scratch-resistant materials available’, and indeed the company are known for producing high quality luggage. In our tough test, the Cosmolite did well, making it to the final test unscathed, but it didn’t fully survive the car drop test, and was left with a small hole in the side.
Value for Money: 3/5
It was the most expensive in our test (by some margin), which is perhaps to be expected from such a well-known brand. There’s no doubting this is a tough, quality piece of kit, but you’ll have to pay a premium for it. However, fans of Samsonite’s trademark sleek silver designs are likely to be happy to do just that.
7. Roncato Flexi
You can buy Roncato luggages at special luggage sales like those held during the Robinsons or Isetan Great Singapore Sale. Tangs on Orchard Road stocks them as well. Italian luggage manufacturer Roncato delivers a cool, classy suitcase in the Flexi. This is a weighty piece of luggage with two very sturdy wheels and a guarantee of 10 years.
Capacity: 85 litres
Dimensions: 68 x 30 x 50cm
Weight: 5.5kg
Functionality 5/5
It has a combination lock (not TSA) on the side and the top and below security clasps can be locked with a key. The telescopic handle feels very resistant and is made of metal and it also has tough handles on top and side. Inside it features elastic straps and a mesh dividing compartment with a pocket for toiletries, as well as another detachable pouch.
Tough Test: 3/5
This suitcase is made from hard Polypropylene. Of all our cases this material seemed the toughest, as it was rigid and heavy, but that rigidity and weight was also its weakness. In our very first test (the Sparta Kick) it broke open at the zip. Without the flex that other cases had, the ironically named ‘Flexi’ didn’t flex much, and in fact our car drop test almost completely obliterated it, shattering the case into several pieces.
Value for money 4/5
This is a well-priced and functional case. It was the most rigid, (but heaviest), which is a potential weakness, but it comes with plenty of Italian style.
8. Borderline Trolley Case
This was the cheapest case in our test, and we could tell. Compared to the other cases, it feels weak and the spinner wheels are not very stable.
Capacity: 62 litres
Dimensions: 61 x 45 x 23cm
Weight: 2.8kg
Functionality: 3/5
The interior of this trolley is fully lined with luggage straps and a zipped divider with several compartments. It is closed with a zip that comes with a built-in locking mechanism and a padlock.
Tough Test: 2/5
According to the manufacturer this suitcase is made from ‘durable lightweight ABS hard plastic’. However, its four spinner wheels don’t seem particularly durable, nor does its retractable handle. In our Tough Test, it took a hammering at stage 2 (Sledge Hammer Test), cracked in the Stomp Test, and by the end of the Car Drop Test, the casing was completely split rendering it useless.
Value for money: 4/5
This piece of luggage is no tough guy, but for little over S$34 (£20), we wouldn’t expect it to be. If you’re after a small, light suitcase for a quick weekend getaway, then this cheap and cheerful spinner will do the trick. If you’re a global jetsetter looking for luggage to last you a lifetime, this isn’t the case for you.
The Survivors
How hardy is your luggage? Time to put it to the test – plan your next getaway with Skyscanner. Search for cheap flights, hotels and car rental deals, and for easy browsing and booking on-the-go, download our free mobile app!
Originally published in April 2014 and updated in August 2017. Any prices are lowest estimated prices only at the time of publication and are subject to change and/or availability.
Adapted from an article originally written by Laura Gavin for Skyscanner
Read more:
- Best lightweight luggage for Singaporeans
- Guide to carry-on luggage requirements for low-cost carriers
- How to deal with lost luggage: 10 tips
- Travel smart: tips to survive long-haul flights
