This top-loading suitcase is the only luggage I’ll travel with

After spending too much time in airports lately, I’ve realised that a suitcase can make or break your transit. Dodgy wheels will drive you mad, a heavy case before you’ve even packed will break your back, and poorly thought-out internal pockets will cause chaos for your belongings. Which is why I won’t stop talking about Samsonite’s Zipprix FT luggage, more specifically the 55cm carry-on suitcase. 

When it comes to carry-on luggage, you want it to work with you, not against you. It’s different to your check-in suitcase (that’s more of a pack-and-forget until you’re at your destination); the suitcase only needs decent wheels and a sturdy outer shell to get the job done. The carry-on needs to do a bit more heavy lifting to make transiting easier.

The Zipprix FT Carry-on Small 55cm Suitcase at a glance…

$549 | Samsonite

Features:

• Built-in Waypoint Smart Tag: fully compatible with Apple Find My and Google Find Hub, it eliminates the need for a Bluetooth tracker. It will sound if your device is nearby when you’re looking for it and notify you when it’s left behind in an unfamiliar location
• TSA combination lock: essential and expected in a new suitcase
• Top opening design: the future of luggage design
• Front zippered easy-access pocket: great for getting to your important bits fast
• 14-inch laptop compartment: with padding so you can trust that your laptop or tablet will be protected
• Expandable zipper: perhaps the best thing about the bag is its ability to grow big but still remain compact
• Dimensions: 55 x 37 x 23 cm, weight: 3.2 kg

What’s so good about the suitcase?

To dedicate an entire piece to one suitcase feels excessive; I get it. But I’ve taken an international trip and multiple intrastate trips with this one, and it’s all I’ll talk about when someone asks about my bag, or even looks in its direction.

Its sleek and sturdy exterior aside, the suitcase only opens from the top. At first, this felt like a weird feature, but once I started packing my belongings, it made so much sense.

You do away with the book-opening style of other suitcases and don’t have to worry about losing items or things falling out of place as you open and close. It’s how all carry-on suitcases should be designed.

The bag’s roominess is deceiving. Once you unzip the expander, you’re gifted an extra 10 cm of space. If you prefer to pack with packing cubes, this opening design makes it easy to stack them and fish them out as you need.

The quick opening of the lid means that you can access your laptop/passport/wallet/lip balm easily without needing to open the entire case.

Shop the set:

Zipprix FT Check-in Medium 68cm Suitcase

$635 | Samsonite

Zipprix FT Check-in Medium 75cm Suitcase

$699 | Samsonite

Is it worth the $549 price tag?

In short, yes! But I say this as someone who uses the suitcase at least once a month and prefers to buy quality luggage over cheaper alternatives that don’t last. This suitcase is sturdy enough to be thrown around in and out of taxis and wheeled hurriedly over cobbled surfaces without showing signs of rough handling. It also comes with a global warranty and Samsonite offers service and repairs if your suitcase ever needs a fix.

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