Samsonite Flux Review: Great Lightweight Luggage

Want to know more about the Samsonite Flux luggage? You’re definitely in the right place!

In this detailed review, we will tell you everything worth knowing about these suitcases. From the quality and durability of the shell to the toughness of the top and side grab handles – if it’s important, it is listed here!

We’ll also suggest some other suitcases that are similar to the Flux, for those of you that realize that it’s not entirely up their alley. And we will be brutally honest – as you’ll soon see, the review starts off with a shortlist of items we love and hate about the Samsonite Flux. 

Scroll down to find out whether or not this is the right luggage for you!

Samsonite Flux Overview

The Flux is a lightweight suitcase, made from polypropylene. It is equipped with a TSA-friendly lock, double spinner wheels, and an ergonomic wheel handle. There are top and side grab handles on the suitcase, which makes it really easy to pick up and place in the overhead compartment.

Its capacity is expandable, and the expansion zipper is hidden – perfect for keeping your belongings secure.

But it does not have many pockets, and it is seriously lacking in the organizational aspect. We’d have loved to see some pocket on the full panel, but unfortunately, we were left disappointed. Additionally, the really lightweight polypropylene of this luggage is not remarkably durable, so there is a chance that the checked bags might end up beaten up on the luggage carousel.

That’s the basic version of what we loved and didn’t love about the Samsonite Flux. You can find a lot more details in the rest of this review!

About The Flux Collection

The Samsonite Flux luggage collection features four hard side suitcases, only one of which is carry-on sized. All four of the suitcases have the exact same features, so the only thing you need to worry about is which size is right for you.

The Flux suitcases were actually made for the UK market – the US already has a really similar Samsonite collection. That’s actually the Freeform collection, with the nearly identical exterior, but some key differentiating features.

This doesn’t mean you can only get these in the UK – you can get them on Amazon, but shipping might take a while. Plus, keep in mind that these were made for the European market, so they are designed to fit the airline restrictions of most European airlines. This is going to be perfect if you’re planning a trip to Europe, but not that great if you’re looking for luggage for mostly domestic trips in the States.

The smallest Flux actually conforms to the carry-on restrictions of most US airlines, so you don’t have to worry about that. And you can see a full list of airlines that will deem this suitcase a carry on the brand’s website.

Size Variety

The Flux luggage is available in four different sizes, ranging from a 37-liter carry-on to a 121-liter checked bag. So, what are you looking for – a lightweight carry-on for a short trip, or a giant suitcase for longer stays?

There are two other medium options, and I would recommend one of those if you want a checked bag. The main issue I have with really big suitcases is that you don’t really have a good idea of how much stuff you’re putting inside until you arrive at the airport and find out that you’ve overpacked your suitcase by 10 lbs.

Plus, when you have more space in your luggage it’s really easy to go overboard and pack a bunch of stuff you don’t need, just because you have all that extra space.

That’s less likely to happen with smaller suitcases. And 99 liters is still plenty of space even for longer trips. Also, keep in mind that these have an expandable capacity – even if you end up buying a lot of items on your trip, you will have extra space for them in your luggage.

So, choose wisely. Consider the kind of tips you most often go on and get a suitcase that you can use for almost everyone. Don’t grab the largest one just because you don’t own a giant suitcase – it will wind up taking space in your closet, instead of accompanying you on your trips.

Suitcase Materials And Durability

The Samsonite Flux is made from pure polypropylene. But what exactly does that mean, in terms of its durability and weight?

Polypropylene is one of the top three materials used in hard side luggage. The other two are ABS and Polycarbonate. If we were to rate them, PC would be the best, polypropylene would be the second and ABS would come in third.

Here’s why; polycarbonate is the most durable out of all these. It bends upon impact, which means that your suitcase can literally take a beating and the shell won’t break. But it is also the heaviest of the three materials, so it’s not really the best option if you’re looking to stay under a particular weight limit.

That’s when you get a polypropylene suitcase. Even though it’s not as tough and durable as polycarbonate, it is a close second. The shell won’t break easily, but it is not as flexible as a PC.

On top of that, polypropylene is by far the lightest of these three – if you’re specifically looking for a lightweight suitcase, then that’s the material you want. It’s perfect for staying under a weight limit and avoiding overweight baggage fees. And a lighter suitcase also means that you can pack more items inside, without going over the airline’s restrictions.

Double Spinner Wheels

The Flux is equipped with four double spinner wheels. They are smooth and silent like good spinner wheels should be.

The benefit of spinner wheels is that you don’t have to tilt your suitcase to get them rolling, unlike with in-line skate wheels. This removes any strain from your arm and makes it much easier to move around with a really heavy piece of luggage. On top of that, spinner wheels can move in any direction, which means you can push the suitcase in front of you or just drag it alongside you if you want.

Samsonite’s Flux luggage has double spinner wheels, which are a bit sturdier and more durable than single spinner wheels. They are really easy to maneuver, and you’ll be able to just glide around the airport with ease.

Double Barrel Wheel Handle

This luggage has a double-barrel wheel handle that makes it very easy to maneuver the suitcase. It has a push-button that allows you to lock it in place, in both the extended and stored positions.

However, it’s not a multi-stage handle – you can only lock it in one extended position, which might be an issue for some of you. Because it’s not adjustable, it won’t be a perfect fit for all people – that’s disappointing because Samsonite often puts multi-stage handles in their luggage. But, at least it is ergonomic, and it will feel comfortable in your hand.

Another thing to note is that the barrels of the wheel handle protrudes into the bottom packing compartment. This means you will have to pack around them if you want to make the most of the space in your suitcase.

If you’re tired of the barrels taking up space inside your luggage, maybe look for a suitcase that has a single-barrel handle – these take up a lot less space inside the packing compartment. Or check out some IT Luggage suitcases – they have very innovative wheel handles that are wide, and that don’t protrude into the packing compartment at all.

Top And Side Grab Handles

There are top and side grab handles on this suitcase, which makes it really easy to pick up. This is especially important on the smallest one since it’s the only bag you will actually have to pick up to place in the overhead compartment on an airplane.

The handles are also plastic, and they are very sturdy and durable. They are riveted onto the suitcase, and it would take a lot of effort to rip them off the body. And I do mean a lot.

They are also ergonomic, so they feel pretty comfortable in your hand.

Oh, and even the luggage doesn’t have a proper grab handle at the bottom, there is a hollow space that you can hold onto when trying to place it in an overhead compartment.

The Main Compartment

The main compartment of the Flux is pretty standard. It consists of two fully lined packing compartments, and it has expandable capacity. The cool thing about the suitcase is that the expansion feature is hidden – the zipper is not on the outside of the suitcase, but it is hidden inside.

This makes your stuff just a little bit safer, which is particularly great for checked suitcases.

As for the organizational features of the main compartment, they’re not that great. There’s only one zippered pocket, and it is inside the bottom compartment that also has elastic cross straps.

The top compartment is equipped with a full panel zippered divider, but there are no pockets on it. And that’s one of the few downsides of this suitcase. But is something that can be solved easily, by adding packing cubes or your own organizer panel. It’s something you can actually work around, unlike a flimsy handle or a fragile shell.

TSA Friendly Lock

The Flux features a three-digit, TSA-friendly combination lock. It will keep the items inside your suitcase secure, while still allowing access to TSA agents, should they choose to randomly inspect your luggage. Or, at least it should.

Here’s the thing – zippers are really easy to break into. Lock or no lock, a thief or a smuggler could just insert a ballpoint pen between the zipper teeth of your luggage and gain access to the entire main compartment. The only way around this is to get yourself a zipperless suitcase – they are by far the safest options out there. But they tend to be expensive and heavy, which is the exact opposite of the Flux.

However, if you’re traveling with some extremely valuable items, then it might be worth it.

On the other hand, there are so many suitcases out there that don’t even have a lock. It’s not an everyday thing that someone’s going to break into your suitcase because they are trying to use you like a mule, so you shouldn’t get a ridiculously expensive aluminum suitcase just to be on the safe side.

Anyway, the TSA lock on the Flux is a great thing – it’s a high-quality combination lock that will give you some peace of mind while traveling. It’s a feature a lot of cheaper suitcases lack, but an important thing to have on your luggage – especially on checked bags.

Integrated Luggage Tag

This Samsonite luggage features an integrated tag that is concealed at the back of the suitcase. It is in the back of the suitcase, and since the exterior of the tag is the same color as the rest of the body, you can’t even tell that it’s a luggage tag unless you know it’s there.

This is great for people who value their privacy – if your suitcase gets lost, airline personnel will be able to contact you, thanks to the tag. But random weirdos at the airport won’t be able to get your name and number just because they’re standing closer to you than they should.

Value For Money

The great thing about the Flux luggage is that it is not very expensive. It’s actually really good value for money, especially considering that you’re getting the high, Samsonite quality, which is backed by a 5-year global warranty.

Meaning that if your suitcase gets damaged in the first five years you own it, you can send it to Samsonite for free repairs. And if they can’t repair it, they will send you a brand new one.

The prices of the Flux range from $135 to $170, depending on the size and color you choose. That’s pretty good for Samsonite – their suitcases are known to cost several hundreds of dollars, and they’re usually worth the money.

But, you can still get a Samsonite suitcase for a lot less money. The Winfield luggage is usually around $100 price point, and it’s one of their best-selling luggage collections ever. The Centric is also pretty cheap, and even the Freeform is more affordable than the Flux.

But keep in mind that the Flux collection is pretty new – as time goes by, their prices will drop. So, if it’s a little too pricey for you now, just wait a couple of months until there’s some sort of a sale.

Samsonite Flux Review: Is It Right For You?

There’s no denying that Samsonite Flux is some really good luggage. It is very lightweight, so perfect for people who have to pack with a specific weight restriction in mind. And it is hard side luggage, meaning that it is perfectly suitable for air travel, thanks to the toughness and durability of polypropylene.

The packing capacity of these is expandable, with an expansion zipper that is hidden inside the luggage, and which you can’t access from the exterior.

On top of that, these hard sides are equipped with all the features you want in good luggage – a TSA-friendly lock, double spinner wheels, ergonomic top, and side grab handles, and a telescopic wheel handle that locks with the push of a button.

But they’re not perfect suitcases by any means. The single pocket inside the main compartment is so disappointing for anyone who likes traveling organized. The wheel handle locks only when fully extended, so people of different heights won’t be able to adjust it to fit them perfectly. And when all is said and done, the durability of polypropylene just can’t compare to the durability of polycarbonate.

So, it is entirely up to you, and what you are looking for in good luggage. If Flux seems like a good fit, head over to Amazon to see the prices and all the color options.

If you’re having second thoughts, be sure to check out our related posts for ideas on other lightweight luggage you will love!

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