Samsonite Inova Review

Thinking about getting the Samsonite Inova suitcase? Then you’re certainly in the right place because this detailed review will tell you all you need to know about the Inova luggage from Samsonite!

We’ve covered the materials, packing compartments, and all the other features that are included in the Inova suitcases. We’ll tell you everything we (don’t) like about this luggage from Samsonite, so keep reading to see whether the Inova suitcases are the best option for you!

Materials And Water Resistance

The Inova luggage from Samsonite is made from 100% Makrolon polycarbonate. This is a high-end material designed with impact resistance in mind, and it’s one of the sturdiest materials used in the manufacturing of luggage.

Polycarbonate is a lightweight but flexible kind of plastic that outperforms ABS and polypropylene. Upon heavy impact, polycarbonate dents and then you can just pop it back into shape, whereas non-flexible plastic like ABS just cracks. That’s what makes polycarbonate such a popular option, especially for checked luggage that gets thrown around a lot.

Makrolon polycarbonate has incredible impact resistance, but it’s not very scratch resistant. If your luggage gets thrown around a lot, it will quickly become scuffed and scratched, but you can easily prevent that by putting a luggage cover over your suitcase. The case will not break easily, which is the main advantage of polycarbonate.

Another thing to note here is that it’s incredible just how lightweight this plastic is. The Inova luggage is not a lot heavier than standard softside suitcases, which is pretty amazing considering these have got a hard shell.

On the other hand, polycarbonate is also the priciest kind of plastic suitcases are made of, so it’s also why you only see it in premium luggage. Only metals are tougher and sturdier than PC, so if you’re specifically looking to get yourself a nice, checked bag, the Inova collection is an excellent option.

Spinner Wheels

All the Inova suitcases are equipped with low-profile double spinner wheels. The low-profile design is actually great because it minimizes the total height of the suitcase. This allows the designers to make the packing compartment even bigger, so you can fit more items inside the Inova 28” spinner than you could in a suitcase of the same size from a different brand.

The wheels are smooth, sturdy, and multi-directional. They allow you to maneuver your suitcase however you want, and they roll easily on most types of terrain. You might struggle a bit if you’re trying to roll this luggage over grass and dirt, but bumpy concrete poses no challenge to the Samsonite Inova.

In addition to that, the wheels on the Inova luggage are secured with plastic corner guards. This makes them a bit easier to replace in case of malfunction, but it also increases the overall durability and impact resistance of the luggage. If the suitcase lands badly on one of the corners, only the plastic that’s holding the wheels will get damaged, instead of the suitcase shell.

The Handles

The Inova suitcases have three handles each. There’s a retractable wheel handle that allows for easy maneuvering of the luggage, plus two grab handles on the top and sides.

The wheel handle is a single-barrel handle that locks into place with a push button. It is height-adjustable and it can be locked into multiple positions, ensuring a comfortable maneuvering experience for most people.

Because it’s a single barrel handle, it’s significantly lighter than the handles with two barrels. It’s just as sturdy, but the downside is that it might not work well with suitcases from other collections. If you have a softshell carry-on with a luggage sleeve in the back, it won’t secure perfectly to the top of this suitcase because of that single-barrel handle, so keep that in mind.

Another important thing to note here is that the grab handles are flat, in order to help maximize baggage allowances. The handle barely adds any height to the luggage, which is another example of how Samsonite managed to make this luggage collection larger than what most other brands are doing.

TSA-Friendly Lock

All of the Samsonite Inova suitcases are equipped with a TSA-friendly lock at the top. It’s supposed to give you some peace of mind while you’re traveling because the lock ensures that no one but you and TSA agents can get inside your luggage.

At the same time, the TSA-friendly lock means that TSA agents can open your luggage with a special key, and then lock it up again when they’re finished inspecting it. Without a TSA-friendly lock, agents are authorized to just tear your suitcase apart to get it open, which is certainly not something you want on long-haul flights.

The Inova luggage has a standard three-digit TSA-friendly lock that secures the zipper pullers of the main compartment.

Main Packing Compartment

The Inova suitcases feature a very spacious main packing compartment that can fit a lot more clothes than you’re probably expecting. Remember that both the handles and the wheels are low-profile, which really allowed Samsonite to put a very big packing compartment on these suitcases.

In terms of capacity, you’ll be able to fit about half your wardrobe in the largest Inova suitcase. But there’s certainly room for improvement in terms of organization.

The upside is that the Inova suitcases feature a zippered divider in one compartment and tie-down straps in the other. That’s for all the luggage in the collection except for the largest checked bag, which has zippered dividers on both compartments.

But that’s it. There’s lining in the compartments, of course, but there aren’t any pockets, additional compartments, or special features. That can be seen as just another way of maximizing the amount of packing space you get in these suitcases, but it’s certainly a downside if you’re trying to stay organized while you’re traveling.

Also, it’s worth noting that, because these are hardside suitcases, you can’t really rely on external compartments and pockets. There’s nothing to keep your boarding pass and smartphone handy, and you will need a smaller bag or a purse to hold all those essentials you need during a flight.

(Lack Of) Additional Features

The Inova suitcases don’t really have any features that make them special. They lack expandable capacity and pockets, and you can forget all about special features like external compartments, USB ports, and luggage sleeves.

That doesn’t mean that they’re bad suitcases, it’s just they’re not quite as convenient as some other options. On the other hand, the emphasis with the Inova collection is on its incredible durability and minimal weight, which is something Samsonite wouldn’t have been able to achieve if they had decked out the cases with all the bells and whistles.

The lack of additional features is a downside for sure, but one that’s outweighed by the quality craftsmanship and incredible durability of these bags.

Samsonite Inova Review: Final Thoughts

Is the Samsonite Inova luggage good enough for you? It really depends on what you’re looking for in the ideal suitcase.

If you need a large, checked bag for air travel, the Inova suitcases are an excellent option. They’re incredibly lightweight and insanely durable at the same time, which describes the ideal checked suitcase. There’s also a TSA-friendly lock that makes it easy for TSA inspectors to get inside luggage without damaging it, as well as the low-profile wheels and handles that really help maximize baggage allowances.

On the other hand, if you’re just looking to buy a big suitcase to take wherever you go, it’s not a bad idea to check out some more options first. The Inova suitcases are excellent, but they lack organizational features that make packing easier. They don’t have any pockets or expandable capacity, so they’re not perfect in that sense.

It all comes down to what you need the suitcase for. If you just want something that can fit a lot of stuff and will hold up with frequent air travel, then this is the luggage to get. But if you want a bag that makes packing easy and you don’t even plan to fly with it too often, you should check out some other options first.

Head over to Amazon to see the price points and all the color options of the Samsonite Inova luggage. If you’ve decided that this isn’t the right luggage for you, go through our related posts for ideas on some other awesome suitcases!

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