It might be arduous for 2 baggage manufacturers to be extra completely different than CALPAK and Samsonite. They’ve very completely different designs and approaches to constructing baggage, so to decide on between them, it’s essential resolve what your priorities are.
CALPAK is thought for its putting designs and clear aesthetic. These suitcases aren’t nearly carrying your stuff, they’re meant to make an announcement.
Alternatively, Samsonite baggage will not be as stylish as CALPAK, nevertheless it’s dependable (and yow will discover it all over the place). Samsonite has been round for over a century, they usually’re essentially the most well-known model within the enterprise. They promote a large vary of bags, particularly in comparison with CALPAK’s restricted providing.
Our workforce has examined over 150 suitcases over the previous 15 years, and I’ve put each CALPAK and Samsonite to the check alone travels. It’s simple to learn product pages and advertising and marketing information, however a lot more durable to judge how a suitcase works in the actual world.
I’ll delve into the CALPAK versus Samsonite debate, masking every thing from the standard of supplies to key design options. I’ll share insights from utilizing baggage from each manufacturers on journeys across the globe. I goal that will help you make an knowledgeable determination that fits your journey model and wishes.
Why You Can Belief Us
The TravelFreak editorial workforce has examined dozens of suitcases through the years, and we’ve realized quite a bit about what separates a top quality piece of bags from an overpriced, overhyped piece of plastic. We’ve examined and reviewed funds baggage, luxurious suitcases, and every thing in between.
We all know how arduous it’s to search out the proper suitcase, and we wish to make the method simpler for you. So we acquired our workforce of substances junkies and former product engineers collectively to develop essentially the most complete baggage check methodology potential.
We examined and rated 6 CALPAK suitcases and 15 Samsonite suitcases, together with carry-ons and checked luggage, hardshells and softshells from each manufacturers.
We evaluated each one among 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 drawbacks of every.
At a Look
CALPAK vs Samsonite: Fast Solutions
- Sturdiness: Samsonite makes extra sturdy baggage, however their funds fashions aren’t nearly as good as CALPAK baggage.
- Worth: Samsonite affords each budget-friendly and high-priced premium choices, whereas CALPAK is solidly mid-range on value.
- Guarantee: Most Samsonite baggage has a 10-year guarantee, whereas CALPAK solely has a 2-year guarantee.
- Sustainability: Samsonite makes use of recycled supplies and has applications to scale back vitality consumption and carbon footprint. CALPAK doesn’t have any sustainability initiatives.
- Supplies: CALPAK makes use of sturdy polycarbonate throughout the board. Some Samsonite suitcases use cheaper plastics and a few use cutting-edge supplies which might be extraordinarily sturdy and impact-resistant.
- Design and Fashion: CALPAK baggage is fashionable, minimalist, and really trendy. Samsonite has extra selection, however none of their designs are as glossy or refined.
- Inside Group: Samsonite affords far more alternative for inside group, whereas all CALPAK suitcases are just about the identical.
- Expandability: Each CALPAK and Samsonite promote expandable suitcases.
- Wheels: Each manufacturers use related double spinner wheels which might be smooth-rolling and sturdy.
- Deal with: The handles on CALPAK baggage are a bit sturdier than similarly-priced Samsonite fashions.
- Colour Choices: CALPAK has extra colour and magnificence choices than Samsonite.
CALPAK vs Samsonite: Which Ought to You Purchase?
Purchase CALPAK if you happen to…
- want baggage for holidays, cruises, or getaways.
- you prioritize model in your journey gear.
- typically take city-hopping journeys.
- desire a carry-on for shorter weekend journeys.
- you desire a mid-range piece of bags.
Purchase Samsonite if you happen to…
- journey for work.
- are a frequent traveler.
- you principally care about performance.
- desire a checked bag for prolonged stays.
- are on a good funds, OR
- are prepared to spend extra on a premium suitcase.
Supplies & High quality
CALPAK makes use of 100% polycarbonate for his or her hardshell suitcases—similar to pricier manufacturers like Monos and Away. In case you’ve been eyeing these uber-trendy suitcases, however can’t fairly justify the spend, CALPAK could also be an amazing possibility for you.
Samsonite makes use of a variety of supplies for his or her suitcases. Price range fashions are made with ABS or polypropylene, each of that are weaker than polycarbonate. The high-end Samsonite fashions use fancy high-tech supplies which might be even stronger than polycarbonate.
CALPAK makes use of double spinner wheels, that are stronger than single spinners. Samsonite additionally makes use of double spinner wheels on every thing besides just a few of their least expensive fashions.
That’s just about the sample you’ll see throughout the board when evaluating CALPAK and Samsonite. Samsonite’s low-end fashions are cheaper and fewer sturdy than CALPAK, however Samsonite’s higher-priced fashions are stronger and use higher elements.
Samsonite scored 7.9 on common for Construct High quality—a bit larger than CALPAK’s 7.5 Construct High quality rating. Bear in mind, although, that’s an common from each suitcase we examined from every model.
Design & Options
In case you care about model, CALPAK is a reasonably clear winner. Their suitcases are glossy, minimalist, and on-trend. I particularly love the tremendous dialed-back look of the Hue Carry-On. One of these stylish hardside baggage design has change into actually standard in recent times as a bunch of latest baggage startups like Away, Monos, and July hit the scene. CALPAK retains up with the very best of them.
From the minimal Hue to the vintage-style TRNK, each bit has some character in-built, whether or not you like flashy or understated. Plus, they’re all obtainable in a variety of enjoyable colours.
Truthfully, model is without doubt one of the principal causes to decide on CALPAK over Samsonite.
Not that Samsonite circumstances look unhealthy, they only don’t have fairly the identical dialed-in, Instagram-ready look. Samsonite’s model tends to lean both towards skilled or techy. In case you’re headed on a enterprise journey, one thing like their Elevation Plus Carry-On might slot in higher than a colourful CALPAK bag.
When you get previous the floor, all CALPAK suitcases are just about equivalent. Inside they’ve a zippered divider with just a few mesh pockets on one aspect and a set of elastic compression straps on the opposite. It’s nothing fancy, nevertheless it works. I might most likely advocate shopping for just a few packing cubes to remain organized, although.
There are just a few fashions that diverge from this primary design. Their entrance pocket carry-ons (obtainable for the Hue or Ambeur types) embrace an exterior zippered pocket that’s excellent for a laptop computer or pill and has just a few smaller pockets inside for issues like a passport, cellphone, boarding go, and pocket book. Their softside fashions (just like the Terra 45L) even have extra pockets to maintain smaller issues tidy.
Typically, although, if you happen to choose extra pockets and group, you’ll be happier with Samsonite’s Define Professional than with something from CALPAK. For a similar value as a CALPAK suitcase, you will get a way more organized and purposeful design.
Samsonite has an enormous vary of merchandise with very completely different designs, and it looks as if their designers are at all times developing with new modern options, like built-in packing cubes and wi-fi charging pocket on the Simply Proper Carry-On or the included folding garment storage within the Samsonite Professional. There’s even a mannequin that has built-in LED lights to maintain you seen at night time on metropolis streets.
Principally, if you need a sure characteristic, Samsonite most likely has it.
Samsonite is extra sensible, and the group options make it simpler to pack. Samsonite scored 8.9 for Ease of Use, the place CALPAK solely scored 7.5. Samsonite additionally scored barely larger for performance.
Though CALPAK focuses on model and didn’t rating as excessive in our scores, their suitcases work effectively throughout real-world journey. Nonetheless, if model isn’t crucial factor, and also you need extra superior options, Samsonite has extra to supply.
Worth for Your Cash
Each CALPAK and Samsonite scored very effectively in our Worth-to-Efficiency class: 8.7 for CALPAK and eight.6 for Samsonite. If you wish to get an amazing bang to your buck, both model is a superb alternative.
CALPAK actually shines by way of the sheer worth and high quality you get for the cash. Their baggage is fairly corresponding to manufacturers like Monos or July—you get the identical polycarbonate shell materials and glossy aesthetic—nevertheless it prices considerably much less.
In case you like the trendy, stylish polycarbonate suitcase designs, CALPAK is just about the lowest-priced possibility on the market.
That mentioned, if you happen to’re on a very tight funds, Samsonite does have cheaper fashions than CALPAK, particularly if you happen to discover them on sale, which is widespread.
Guarantee and Shopping for Expertise
CALPAK’s guarantee will not be nice in comparison with the competitors. They solely have a 2-year restricted guarantee, the place many related manufacturers have lifetime warranties. I feel this is without doubt one of the locations the place CALPAK is reducing prices to promote their suitcases for cheaper. That’s not essentially a foul factor, you simply need to resolve if saving cash or having an amazing guarantee is extra vital.
Samsonite does higher, with a 10-year guarantee on most fashions. In addition they have a reasonably good repute for changing or repairing suitcases beneath guarantee, so if you need that peace of thoughts, Samsonite might be the higher alternative.
Model Influence & Sustainability
In case you care about shopping for sustainable merchandise and lowering your influence on the setting, you’ll wish to select Samsonite over CALPAK. Neither model is excellent on the subject of sustainability, however Samsonite scored considerably larger for our Model Influence class: 6.2. CALPAK solely scored 4.5.
Samsonite makes use of recycled supplies for many of their suitcases, and their Essens and Maxsum Eco fashions use 70% recycled materials for the arduous shell. Samsonite additionally has applications to scale back carbon footprint, use extra sustainable vitality, and help truthful working rights. The model nonetheless has an extended approach to go, however these are steps in the appropriate path.
CALPAK doesn’t use recycled supplies and has just about no sustainability initiatives in place. Their focus is making good merchandise at an inexpensive value relatively than making these merchandise good for the setting.
Remaining Ideas
The controversy between CALPAK and Samsonite finally comes all the way down to this: do you prioritize model or practicality extra?
CALPAK is the most cost effective model promoting stylish, well-built polycarbonate baggage proper now. The primary draw is the dialed-in model, so if aesthetics are vital to you, you’ll most likely be happier with CALPAK. Their baggage can also be well-built and well-designed, so that you received’t be sacrificing on perform.
Samsonite suitcases are only a bit extra sensible, although. They’re sturdier, have extra pockets and options, and include a greater guarantee. In case you journey for work (or simply journey quite a bit), you’ll most likely choose Samsonite’s reliability.
Right here’s one final query that will enable you to resolve: what are the chances you’ll be taking photographs along with your baggage in your subsequent journey?
CALPAK vs Samsonite FAQs
Is CALPAK or Samsonite Higher?
Is CALPAK baggage model?
Sure, CALPAK is famend for its trendy, purposeful baggage (together with keep it up baggage) with modern options like 360-degree spinner wheels. They provide nice worth and sturdiness.
Is a CALPAK carry-on too huge?
CALPAK carry-ons are designed to fulfill most airline dimension restrictions.
Is Samsonite the very best baggage?
Samsonite is extremely regarded for its high quality, modern baggage options, and international guarantee, making it a best choice amongst frequent vacationers.
Which model of bags is essentially the most sturdy?
Samsonite‘s use of polycarbonate and ballistic nylon supplies typically provides it an edge in longevity.
Jeremy Scott Foster
Jeremy Scott Foster is an adventure-junkie, gear skilled and journey photographer based mostly in Southern California. Beforehand nomadic, he’s been to ~50 nations and loves spending time outside. You’ll be able to often discover him on the path, on the street, leaping from bridges or hustling on his laptop computer working to supply the very best journey and outside content material at this time.
