Ranked #4 in Best Carry-On Luggage
Samsonite Freeform Carry-On Spinner4.3
$145Outdoor Gear Lab scored the Samsonite Freeform 73/100 with the verdict 'a perfectly priced hardshell that doesn't sacrifice style or performance,' while Pack Hacker rated it 7.7/10 and CNN Underscored called it 'a terrific option for budget-conscious travelers.' At $145, the polypropylene shell delivers most of what a hardside should — light weight, impact absorption, smooth-rolling dual spinners — but you give up water resistance and interior organization compared to bags twice the price.
Strengths
- — $145 starting price is roughly half the Away Carry-On and a fifth of Briggs & Riley
- — 6.6 lbs empty is the lightest bag in this roundup
- — Polypropylene shell flexes under pressure and absorbs impact better than ABS plastic
Watch-outs
- — 23 x 15 x 10 in dimensions risk failing strict 22" sizers on regional jets and European LCCs
- — Water-resistance testing showed one-third of the interior took on water through the zipper
- — Top and side grab handles are 'thin and lack a comfortable grip' (Pack Hacker)
