CALPAK vs Samsonite: Which Ought to You Purchase in 2024?

Why You Can Belief Us

The TravelFreak editorial workforce has examined dozens of suitcases over time, and we’ve realized so much about what separates a top quality piece of baggage from an overpriced, overhyped piece of plastic. We’ve examined and reviewed funds baggage, luxurious suitcases, and every part in between.

We all know how exhausting it’s to seek out the proper suitcase, and we wish to make the method simpler for you. So we obtained our workforce of substances junkies and former product engineers collectively to develop probably the most complete baggage take a look at 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 every of 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 downsides of every.

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 gives 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 packages 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 are extraordinarily sturdy and impact-resistant.
• Design and Model: CALPAK baggage is fashionable, minimalist, and really fashionable. Samsonite has extra selection, however none of their designs are as modern or refined.
• Inside Group: Samsonite gives way 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 are smooth-rolling and sturdy.
• Deal with: The handles on CALPAK baggage are a bit sturdier than similarly-priced Samsonite fashions.
• Shade Choices: CALPAK has extra colour and elegance choices than Samsonite.

CALPAK vs Samsonite: Which Ought to You Purchase?

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 fantastic choice 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 are 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 part besides just a few 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 increased than CALPAK’s 7.5 Construct High quality rating. Keep 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 modern, minimalist, and on-trend. I particularly love the tremendous dialed-back look of the Hue Carry-On. Any such stylish hardside baggage design has develop into actually common in recent times as a bunch of recent baggage startups like Away, Monos, and July hit the scene. CALPAK retains up with one of the 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 out there in a variety of enjoyable colours.

Actually, model is among the principal causes to decide on CALPAK over Samsonite.

Not that Samsonite circumstances look dangerous, they simply 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 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 facet and a set of elastic compression straps on the opposite. It’s nothing fancy, however it works. I’d most likely advocate shopping for just a few packing cubes to remain organized, although.

There are just a few fashions that diverge from this fundamental design. Their entrance pocket carry-ons (out there for the Hue or Ambeur types) embody 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, telephone, boarding go, and pocket book. Their softside fashions (just like the Terra 45L) even have extra pockets to maintain smaller issues tidy.

Normally, although, if you happen to favor extra pockets and group, you’ll be happier with Samsonite’s Define Professional 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 at all times arising with new revolutionary 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 evening on metropolis streets.

Principally, if you need 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 increased for performance.

Despite the fact that CALPAK focuses on model and didn’t rating as excessive in our scores, their suitcases work properly throughout real-world journey. Nonetheless, if model isn’t an important factor, and also you need extra superior options, Samsonite has extra to supply.

Worth for Your Cash

Each CALPAK and Samsonite scored very properly in our Worth-to-Efficiency class: 8.7 for CALPAK and eight.6 for Samsonite. If you wish to get a fantastic bang on your buck, both model is a superb 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 modern aesthetic—however it prices considerably much less.

Should you like the fashionable, stylish polycarbonate suitcase designs, CALPAK is just about the lowest-priced choice on the market.

That mentioned, if you happen to’re on a extremely 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 shouldn’t 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 among the locations the place CALPAK is chopping prices to promote their suitcases for cheaper. That’s not essentially a foul factor, you simply must resolve if saving cash or having a fantastic guarantee is extra essential.

Samsonite does higher, with a 10-year guarantee on most fashions. Additionally they have a fairly good repute for changing or repairing suitcases below guarantee, so if you need that peace of thoughts, Samsonite might be the higher alternative.

Model Influence & Sustainability

Should you care about shopping for sustainable merchandise and decreasing your impression on the surroundings, you’ll wish to select Samsonite over CALPAK. Neither model is excellent with regards to sustainability, however Samsonite scored considerably increased 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 exhausting shell. Samsonite additionally has packages to scale back carbon footprint, use extra sustainable vitality, and assist honest working rights. The model nonetheless has an extended technique to go, however these are steps in the proper path.

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 slightly than making these merchandise good for the surroundings.