 This Product
Samsonite Freeform Spinner | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Great Value for a Hardshell Carry-On |  Our Favorite Carry-On Gear Hauler | Best Value for a Softshell Carry-On | Best Carry-On Luggage for a Tight Budget | |
| Price | $200 List $123.00 at Amazon | $200.00 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $275 List $295.00 at Dick's Sporting Goods | $120 List $119.99 at Amazon | $68 List $62.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
|||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | One of our favorite bargain hardshell models — it looks great, rolls smooth, and doesn't break the bank | From hopping planes to hopping rocks, take your gear just about anywhere with this lightweight carry-on, backpack combo | Made for extensive travel, this bag has clean modern lines mixed with a bring-your-lunchpail-to-work kinda vibe | A host of useful features combined with a durable foundation and solid functionality make this reasonably priced softshell an easy choice to meet your carry-on needs | A great bargain bag perfect for shorter jaunts and basic travel |
| Rating Categories | Samsonite Freeform... | Osprey Daylite Whee... | Away The Carry-On | SwissGear Sion Soft... | Amazon Basics 20-In... |
| Capacity (35%) | |||||
| Ease of Transport (25%) | |||||
| Construction Quality (20%) | |||||
| Design and Functionality (20%) | |||||
| Specs | Samsonite Freeform... | Osprey Daylite Whee... | Away The Carry-On | SwissGear Sion Soft... | Amazon Basics 20-In... |
| Weight (Measured) | 6.6 lb | 5.2 lbs | 7.4 lb | 7.3 lb | 6.6 lb |
| Exterior Dimensions | 23.0" x 15.0" x 10" | 22.0" x 13.0" x 9.0" | 21.7" x 13.5" x 8.5" | 23.0" x 14.1" x 10.0" | 22.0" x 14.8" x 10.0" |
| Main Compartment Volume (Measured) | 41.2 L | 42.2 L | 35.5 L | 40.5 L | 36.0 L |
| Exterior Material | Polypropylene | Recycled polyester | Polycarbonate | Polyester | ABS hardshell |
| Number of Wheels | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Pull Handle Heights | 1 (41.5") | 1 (40.5") | 4 (27", 34", 37.5", 41.5") | 3 (28", 34.5", 43") | 2 (33", 41") |
| Opening Style | Half shell | Top lid | Half shell | Top lid | Half shell |
| Locking System | Combination/TSA lock | Zipper loop | Combination/TSA lock | Zipper loop | None |
| Number of Exterior Pockets | None | 2 | None | 2 | None |
The Freeform Spinner has a friendly price tag and is as functional as it is stylish. It's more lightweight and modern than past Samsonite models, and it has better wheels and a much-improved ride.
| Samsonite Freeform | Delsey Paris Helium Aero | Away The Carry-On | Kenneth Cole Reaction Out Of Bounds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measured Volume | 41.2 L | 42.5 L | 35.5 L | 32.5 L |
| Number of Wheels | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Locking Mechanism | Combination/TSA lock | Combination/TSA lock | Combination/TSA lock | Zipper loop |
| Exterior Pockets | None | None | None | None |
The combining power of a lightweight polypropylene shell and a spacious cargo space earned the Freeform Spinner impressive scores on all of our tests for this metric. In particular, we liked its simple, uncluttered half-shell design that offers one of the larger interiors (based on our measurements) of all the bags in our review (41.2 liters). In addition to being spacious, we also loved that the Freeform weighs in at just 6.6 pounds.
In addition to a one-inch expansion, this unit's interior offers a zippered mesh divider on one side and cross-ribbon elastic straps on the other. Although basic in its design, we pushed this packing system to the max and found it capable of carrying a wide variety of payloads, including ski boots on one occasion and oversized hiking boots on another.
After weeks of testing and use, we feel the Freeform Spinner would function better if each of its half shells offered a zippered divider, like the Away The Carry-On or the high-end Rimowa Original Cabin. This is a design feature that many brands are switching to, and we feel it is superior to the status quo of the age-old buckled bungees.
Four double-wheeled spinners are a massive improvement over single-wheeled designs we've tested on past Samsonite models (like the Omni PC Hardside Expandable Spinner), resulting in much-improved marks for this metric.
As stated, this model's double-wheeled spinners are vastly superior to previous Samsonite models. Although we don't feel they are as rugged as other products in our lineup, like the Travelpro Platinum Elite 21" Expandable Spinner, we do feel they will perform well enough during typical airport hustle and bustle. This bag's spinners are quiet, smooth, very responsive, and roll at high speed with far less vibration than previous single-wheeled designs. Likewise, during our line tests, the Freeform Spinner tracked very well.
The wheels on the Freeform Spinner are two inches tall, so it lacks the same clearance as some of our higher-rolling models; however, it handles most curbs or steps relatively well. Its spinners do lack the all-terrain capability of some of the adventure bags in our lineup, so they don't perform very well in grass, gravel, or dirt.
We tested all of this unit's handles and feel they are average. The Freeform Spinner has two basic plastic grab handles that work well, although they are thin and lack a comfortable grip. This bag's smooth shell also makes it a little difficult to hold while lifting overhead or positioning, but overall, the bag is well-balanced and stands firmly upright even when fully loaded.
The trolley handle is adequate and feels sturdy, but we were never fully convinced of its overall construction quality — it's a bit too thin. That all said, this bag is certainly ready for moderate travel and is perfectly sized to fit in most overhead compartments. It also maneuvers very well, especially in tight spaces.
We don't feel the Freeform Spinner is on par with some of the more robust bags in our review, so its scores for this metric don't match those reserved for our best bags. But this bag is no slouch. For its price point, we feel it competes very well against similar bags, and with proper care, it will be a reliable performer.
We don't recommend the Freeform Spinner to high-paced jet-setters who routinely travel the globe. However, we took ours on a few international trips without incident. This bag is certainly tough enough for broadly based travel; however, we feel travelers may see a breakdown in performance if trip frequency is more than mild to moderate. The Freeform's shell is made from polypropylene, which is lighter, softer, and more pliable than polycarbonate (the industry's standard material). Overall, it performed well during our drop and tumble tests, but as a whole, it may not be as impact-resistant as polycarbonate, and its softer properties cause it to scratch very easily. If you'd rather look into a true polycarbonate model that is reasonably priced, we suggest the Delsey Paris Helium Aero.
Collectively, this bag's zippers, wheels, handles, and buckles are all slightly above-average grade and should perform well for several travel seasons if used with care. Given its price tag, we were impressed with its overall quality, but we weren't as wowed with its performance in our water tests. With the help of a backyard hose, we showered the Freeform Spinner with a five-minute rainstorm. In short, nearly one-third of the interior took on water. The shell is certainly waterproof; however, the zipper system is not. The likelihood of a carry-on being exposed to this amount of rain is rare, but we still feel the test plays an important role in determining construction quality.
The overall vibe of the Freeform Spinner is certainly a step up from past Samsonite designs. The Freeform dons an appealing modernized pattern and a sleeker, more trendy look. Despite its well-needed makeover, this bag is still pretty basic in terms of functionality, resulting in average scores for this metric.
The Freeform Spinner will appeal to pleasure travelers looking for a good deal. It will also serve the thrifty business traveler well as long as their schedule is restricted to a quarterly basis. The Freeform has nice lines, but otherwise is rather basic in every way. Its half-shell design has two main compartments with two smaller zipper pouches for smaller items. It doesn't have a lot of extras, but we did like the built-in sliding name tag.
This carry-on's wide-open interior can pack just about anything, but it certainly lends itself to more traditional payloads, like shoes, clothing, and toiletries. The Freeform's main zippers are a little stubborn but are otherwise fairly solid, and we love the fact that it comes with a combination lock that is TSA-approved.
This bag is ideal for price-conscious travelers who don't want to give up quality in their search for a good deal. That being said, the Freeform Spinner is far from indestructible, but with proper care and light to moderate use, this bag should last for several travel seasons. It's perfect for leisure travelers and is even stylish enough to work well for basic business travel. If you're looking for a solid carry-on that will perform well for a handful of trips per year, the Freeform is a great option. We love this bag's price tag, but what we love even more is its modern edge and classic colors. Combined, they give off the vibe that says you paid more for your carry-on than you actually did.
The Away The Carry-On is a step up from the Freeform. It's one of our favorites and is tougher, has better wheels, and a great packing system. The Delsey Paris Helium Aero is another cost-friendly hard shell that has its own distinct style. However, if you're simply looking for the best deal possible, the Amazon Basics 20-Inch Hardside Spinner is a great option. If you still want to save money but you decide hardshells just aren't your thing, then you may want to consider the SwissGear Sion Softside Expandable 21-Inch or the Cotopaxi Allpa 38L Roller, which is a bit more trendy.
