REVIEW: Samsonite Lite-Cube DLX Spinner 55
At 2.3kg this superbly constructed 4-wheel spinner is a great carry-on for light travellers
Purchasing a product using one of our affiliate links earns us a commission and supports this site at no additional cost to you. See our disclosures here.
Are you a fan of wheeled luggage? If you’re an airport regular or you visit many exhibitions and conferences, probably not; who hasn’t been mauled by badly dragged luggage? Thankfully the 4-wheeler spinner case is here, which is as much for pushing as pulling. And Samsonite’s smallest, the 55cm (76cm and 82cm versions are also available), is one of the most lightweight yet.
Strong yet lightweight
Eight top quality wheels that glide along are the Lite-Cube DLX’s functional highlight, with its strong yet lightweight construction in close pursuit. Here, it’s a tech success, with Samsonite’s Curv material (shin-guard style stretched polypropylene) providing a super lightweight but very strong 2.3kg shell that fits 36 liters of stuff and, yes, fits into most airline cabins (it’s 55x40x20cm). You can check exact airline bag restrictions here.
Game of two halves
What no laptop sleeve? Although the Lite-Cube DLX is clearly built for business travelers, it lacks – as all hard shells must – a laptop or iPad sleeve. Deal-breaker? Maybe for some, though inside are some features to tempt. Key is a mid-layer zipped compartment for storing an ironed shirt or dress, which is a neat idea. So too are the roomy halves, each self-contained, though only one contains elasticated hardnesses. The other is more of a lid compartment, with its own zipped lid complete with a zipped area for another shirt. It’s also got a three-digit TSA combination lock.
Other extras
TravGear doesn’t really do toiletries. Why travel with gels, creams, and other overkill when almost every hotel shower provides shampoo and body wash (and every corner shop on the planet sells them?). Still, Samsonite’s provision of a small and transparent wet pocket (also useful for swimming stuff) is handy, as is a shoe bag (though don’t count on getting your hiking boots in it).
Instant trav appeal
The hard-shell suitcase still doesn’t look stunning – Samsonite hasn’t achieved that (though we did like the brown leather zip trims and handles) – but so light is an empty Lite-Cube DLX that top marks are hard to avoid. The inside of the case is functional, too, and though it lacks a few nice touches (such as a glasses case, pockets around the inner walls, or a laptop sleeve), the Lite-Cube DLX remains one of the best choices for business travelers who travel without tech. Why? Speed. Test-drive a Lite-Cube DLX through an airport with it packed to bursting and you’ll instantly want to keep it.
Price as reviewed: £389 / US $550
