DELSEY PARIS Helium Aero Hardside Expandable Luggage with Spinner Wheels, Titanium, 2-Piece Set (19/24)

Replaced my existing large Suitecase after an extended trip that did not survive the airports. Decided to try this suitcase and have waited yo post a review. The quality and durability of this is proving to be superior. Since I purchased this several months ago it’s survived 1 ocean cruise, 2 trips to Europe, and 2 domestic trips. That’s about 14 airport/transfer adventures send this case came thru with flying colors. It large enough for extended trips (longest was 32 days). The hard shell has a few minor scuffs but it basically looks like new. I’ll be buying a carry on size next.

From someone who has traveled internationally frequently, reviewing a checked bag (24")1. 10lb weight unpacked. Even some carry-on's weigh that much. So....if you are limted to 50lbs (45 even on some airlines, you'll want to save weight. This bag is nice and light despite the hard sides.Because you DON'T repeat don't don't pack to the limit. I let my traveling buddy do this just once and it was DISASTER. She overloaded on the way back (of course!) and I was tossing stuff into my (underloaded bag) while saying naughty words. Oh, yes, I travel with a small luggage scale. If you have an over-packer with you, or can't estimate weights, you will want one too. They are a small investment saving hundreds. Believe me....Overweight bags? The airline gets this look of "OH BOY!" in their eyes at the agent desk and you'll be hauling out your wallet. Don't do it. 100pct would not recommend.2. Structure: the surface is shiny ABS --the titatium color is a lovely shiny gunmetal grey but you may want some decoratively bright tape in fluorescent barbi pink, evil orange or gruesome green to make it stand out among all the black and grey luggage. The surface is ridged vertically for extra strength.3. Inside: there is a zip compartment in the top and straps on the bottom. The zip compartment has an extra zip pocket in the nylon divider. Huge points for this. Keeps shoes and say, equipment off the clothing. The small compartment on the divider holds little items or USB cords or a copy of your insurance.4. Spinner wheels. Why I bought it. My well-traveled and now obsolete suitcase has only drag wheels and though I'm sentimental about it (we rounded the Horn together) it has to be retired. Spinners are the way to go; you can wheel it unlifted all over long walks in airports like Houston, Rome, Berlin and Madrid.5. Hard sides: I've seen musical instruments being tossed like circus acrobats into the cargo ramp (and the hapless musician crying like a baby as they watched while being given smelling salts) so you want hard sides.6. Expanding zipper: I've used this. I like a 24" suitcase (keeps me from being tempted to overpack) and then when I'm forced to take on the traveling companion's overweight items, I can expand to fit them unexpectedly. Or if I'm bringing home something I just couldn't resist .5. Zipper pulls fit a 3 combo lock with TSA compliance. If you rotate the zip pulls around they snap into a lock on the long side. If it happens to get destroyed during travel, you still can lock with a TSA compliant loop lock separately.6. 24" size. Big enough for a week or two, can be checked (too big for carry-on.) Why not the 29" This limits the temptation to overpack. However, if you travel with an over-packer and you can restrain yourself, the 29" larger is handy as you can leave room and weight in case of someone being overweight on the way home. You can then rescue them from an overweight bag by redistributing. Also a 29" is better for long trips (3-4 week or more.)Summary: This is a very well designed, useful piece of luggage

I have several of these bags in different size or for other family members. Have used the carryon size to travel all over the world multiple times, dragged across cobbles, carpet, stairs, running to the train, in the rain, etc. I pack it super full at expanded zipper size and then usually force that zipper closed. Have carried bottles of wine, shells, all kinds of stuff and no breakage. At least 10 international trips with dozens of shorter flights and train rides. It is a little scuffed up now and I have some tears on the interior zippers which is not surprise considering how hard I push them. Always want to be one of those people with a Rimowa or other cool bag but just can't see why I would switch, this bag has been amazing, very durable, rolls very well, is light, fits a ton of stuff, looks fine and is reasonably priced. Usually fine in the overhead except on smaller planes.

I've been on the search for the "perfect" luggage for twenty years. Changes in size restrictions, weight restrictions, etc. have complicated matters. Add to that the frustrations of finding sturdy handles, interiors that actually keep belongings in place, and exteriors that will hold up to being tossed around... well. Those are all factors that make mine an ongoing search.The last round of soft-sided suitcases developed some tears. The last round of hard-shell suitcases began to detach along the zipper seams. I've read the pros and cons of polycarbonate, ABS, combination materials - and still end up placing a bet rather than buying with confidence. I'm not even sure the super-expensive, top-of-the-line suitcases are worth the money - not that I can afford them. If they hold up better, I wonder if it's because the owners are traveling business- or first-class and the luggage also gets better treatment.At any rate: I've used these Delseys (I bought two) four times now. They began to show scrapes and scratches after the first trip, but I don't really give a d'mn how the outside of a suitcase looks. I only worry about performance (and cost).The insides are holding up well - I like how the zippered covering zips to the inside, rather than to the outside - and the interior lining looks brand-new. I'm not crazy about the straps over the other half of the interior: when snugged-up, they have a "loop" of excess strap. I don't see that it's a better idea than just having the extra strap-end loose, but it's a small matter, perhaps even of personal preference.The wheels have held up well - I've had suitcases that lost a wheel almost with the first use, so this is a plus. And they spin well, but not to the extent that they tend to take off on their own. Another plus.The handles have been adequate: they have a bit more play and wobble in them than I'd like (the kind of play and wobble that makes me wonder how well they'll hold up and how long they'll last), but I like "full" handles as opposed to T-handles (even if it slightly benefits the interior design), so it's a plus, even if it's personal preference.One thing I dislike - and dislike on most suitcases - is the "expandable gusset." I wish suitcases came with an option to choose with or without gusset, because I would surely choose "without." Once expanded, your suitcase will most likely be over the size limit - so what's the use? I suppose if you're going on a road trip, you can make the suitcase as large as you like, but you wouldn't really be able to use the extra space for planes, trains, buses, cruises... And the other problem is, as soon as you expand the gusset to pack more things, the better the odds that you will end up over a weight limit. Who needs that?These Delseys have held up for three (round-trip) flights and one train trip. They wheel fairly easily, the handles are manageable, and the stuff I pack stays in place. The exteriors have shown wear but no cracks, breaks, punctures, dings. In short, so far, so good. They get four stars for price and doing what I bought them to do; they lose a star for exterior "dingability," wobbly handles, and the unnecessary extra zipper for the unwanted gusset.