Jeremy Scott Foster is an adventure-junkie, gear skilled and journey photographer primarily based in Southern California.
It could 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, you must determine 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 a press release.
Alternatively, Samsonite baggage will not be as fashionable as CALPAK, but it surely’s dependable (and you will discover it in every single place). Samsonite has been round for over a century, they usually’re essentially the most well-known model within the enterprise. They promote an enormous vary of baggage, 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 by myself travels. It’s simple to learn product pages and advertising data, however a lot tougher to guage how a suitcase works in the true world.
I’ll delve into the CALPAK versus Samsonite debate, overlaying every little 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 intention that can assist you make an knowledgeable resolution that fits your journey model and desires.
Why You Can Belief Us
The TravelFreak editorial workforce has examined dozens of suitcases over time, and we’ve realized rather a lot about what separates a high quality piece of baggage from an overpriced, overhyped piece of plastic. We’ve examined and reviewed price range baggage, luxurious suitcases, and every little thing in between.
We all know how arduous it’s to seek out the right suitcase, and we wish to make the method simpler for you. So we bought our workforce of drugs junkies and former product engineers collectively to develop essentially the most complete luggage test methodology potential.
We examined and rated 6 CALPAK suitcases and 15 Samsonite suitcases, together with carry-ons and checked baggage, hardshells and softshells from each manufacturers.
We evaluated each one in all these suitcases on 31 metrics throughout eight classes. We gave all of them the identical therapy and rated them on the identical standardized scales. This makes it simple for us (and also you) to check the benefits and drawbacks of every.
At a Look
CALPAK vs Samsonite: Fast Solutions
- Sturdiness: Samsonite makes extra sturdy baggage, however their price range fashions aren’t nearly as good as CALPAK baggage.
- Value: Samsonite affords each budget-friendly and high-priced premium choices, whereas CALPAK is solidly mid-range on worth.
- 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 cut back power 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 trendy, minimalist, and really trendy. Samsonite has extra selection, however none of their designs are as smooth or refined.
- Inside Group: Samsonite affords rather 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 elegance choices than Samsonite.
CALPAK vs Samsonite: Which Ought to You Purchase?
Purchase CALPAK in case you…
- want baggage for holidays, cruises, or getaways.
- you prioritize model in your journey gear.
- typically take city-hopping journeys.
- need a carry-on for shorter weekend journeys.
- you need a mid-range piece of baggage.
Purchase Samsonite in case you…
- journey for work.
- are a frequent traveler.
- you largely care about performance.
- need a checked bag for prolonged stays.
- are on a decent price range, 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—identical to pricier manufacturers like Monos and Away. Should you’ve been eyeing these uber-trendy suitcases, however can’t fairly justify the spend, CALPAK could also be a terrific choice for you.
Samsonite makes use of a variety of supplies for his or her suitcases. Funds 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 little thing besides a couple of of their most cost-effective 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 parts.
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
Should you care about model, CALPAK is a fairly clear winner. Their suitcases are smooth, minimalist, and on-trend. I particularly love the tremendous dialed-back look of the Hue Carry-On. Such a stylish hardside baggage design has turn out to be actually fashionable 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, every bit has some persona inbuilt, whether or not you favor flashy or understated. Plus, they’re all accessible 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 instances look dangerous, they only don’t have fairly the identical dialed-in, Instagram-ready look. Samsonite’s model tends to lean both towards skilled or techy. Should you’re headed on a enterprise journey, one thing like their Elevation Plus Carry-On could slot in higher than a colourful CALPAK bag.
When you get previous the floor, all CALPAK suitcases are just about an identical. Inside they’ve a zippered divider with a couple of mesh pockets on one aspect and a set of elastic compression straps on the opposite. It’s nothing fancy, but it surely works. I might most likely advocate shopping for a couple of packing cubes to remain organized, although.
There are just a few fashions that diverge from this primary design. Their entrance pocket carry-ons (accessible for the Hue or Ambeur kinds) embody an exterior zippered pocket that’s excellent for a laptop computer or pill and has a couple of smaller pockets inside for issues like a passport, cellphone, boarding move, and pocket book. Their softside fashions (just like the Terra 45L) even have extra pockets to maintain smaller issues tidy.
Normally, although, in case you want extra pockets and group, you’ll be happier with Samsonite’s Outline Pro than with something from CALPAK. For a similar worth as a CALPAK suitcase, you will get a way more organized and practical design.
Samsonite has an enormous vary of merchandise with very completely different designs, and it looks as if their designers are all the time arising with new modern options, like built-in packing cubes and wi-fi charging pocket on the Just Right Carry-On or the included folding garment storage within the Samsonite Pro. There’s even a mannequin that has built-in LED lights to maintain you seen at night time on metropolis streets.
Mainly, if you would like a sure function, 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.
Despite the fact that CALPAK focuses on model and didn’t rating as excessive in our rankings, their suitcases work nicely throughout real-world journey. Nonetheless, if model isn’t a very powerful factor, and also you need extra superior options, Samsonite has extra to supply.
Worth for Your Cash
Each CALPAK and Samsonite scored very nicely in our Value-to-Efficiency class: 8.7 for CALPAK and eight.6 for Samsonite. If you wish to get a terrific bang on your buck, both model is a wonderful alternative.
CALPAK actually shines when it comes to the sheer worth and high quality you get for the cash. Their baggage is fairly akin to manufacturers like Monos or July—you get the identical polycarbonate shell materials and smooth aesthetic—but it surely prices considerably much less.
Should you like the trendy, fashionable polycarbonate suitcase designs, CALPAK is just about the lowest-priced choice on the market.
That stated, in case you’re on a extremely tight price range, Samsonite does have cheaper fashions than CALPAK, particularly in case you 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 slicing prices to promote their suitcases for cheaper. That’s not essentially a foul factor, you simply need to determine if saving cash or having a terrific guarantee is extra vital.
Samsonite does higher, with a 10-year guarantee on most fashions. Additionally they have a fairly good fame for changing or repairing suitcases below guarantee, so if you would like that peace of thoughts, Samsonite might be the higher alternative.
Model Influence & Sustainability
Should you care about shopping for sustainable merchandise and lowering your affect on the surroundings, 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 cut back carbon footprint, use extra sustainable power, and help truthful working rights. The model nonetheless has an extended method to go, however these are steps in the fitting course.
CALPAK doesn’t use recycled supplies and has just about no sustainability initiatives in place. Their focus is making good merchandise at an reasonably priced worth reasonably than making these merchandise good for the surroundings.
Remaining Ideas
The controversy between CALPAK and Samsonite finally comes right down to this: do you prioritize model or practicality extra?
CALPAK is the most cost effective model promoting fashionable, well-built polycarbonate baggage proper now. The principle 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 operate.
Samsonite suitcases are only a bit extra sensible, although. They’re sturdier, have extra pockets and options, and include a greater guarantee. Should you journey for work (or simply journey rather a lot), you’ll most likely want Samsonite’s reliability.
Right here’s one final query which will assist you determine: what are the percentages you’ll be taking photographs together 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, practical baggage (together with keep on baggage) with modern options like 360-degree spinner wheels. They provide nice worth and sturdiness.
Is a CALPAK carry-on too massive?
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 baggage is essentially the most sturdy?
Samsonite‘s use of polycarbonate and ballistic nylon supplies typically offers it an edge in longevity.
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