CALPAK Luggage vs Samsonite Luggage: Is CALPAK or Samsonite Better?

Whether you’re spoiling yourself with new luggage or want to find the perfect set for that special someone in your life, you’ll be met by countless options online - including CALPAK luggage vs Samsonite luggage.

Each of these brands has earned a reputation for creating solid luggage, both carry-ons and checked suitcases, at a fair price. So is CALPAK or Samsonite better? We’re here to help you find out with this thorough Samsonite vs CALPAK comparison!

You’ll also discover how our own hard shell luggage stacks up. Nobl Travel has created carry-on luggage and checked luggage for the modern traveler. With unbreakable shells, intuitive features, and stunning design, your search for the best luggage online ends here!

“I am extremely pleased with my selection, particularly after my previous experience with Samsonite, whose product failed during my second journey. This new purchase has restored my confidence in luggage quality and service.” - Umesh

“I’ve had a Tumi, Samsonite, and other brands, but these are the best! I bought 2 sets- check-on and check-in- one for myself and one for my 20-something- year- old daughter and we both love it. Locking system works smooth. Love how easy the wheels work. Looks chic.” - Eleanor

“Traveling just got a whole lot easier with Nobl luggage! Perfect for those who are constantly on the go. Say goodbye to low battery anxiety with its built-in charging capabilities, so you can keep your tech devices powered up while you're on your journey.” - Beverly

Quick Comparison of CALPAK Luggage vs Samsonite (and Nobl Travel)

What matters	Nobl Travel	Samsonite	CALPAK
Closure & security	Zipperless latches; dual TSA locks	Mostly zippers + TSA locks	Zippers + TSA locks (select dual locks)
Shell materials	Aerospace aluminum; reinforced polycarbonate (by series)	Polypropylene / polycarbonate; Curv® on premium lines	Polycarbonate across hard-shell lineup
Built-in convenience	USB/USB-C pass-through, front laptop pocket, phone/cup holders, bag clips; collapsible options	Select lines with USB; ergonomic handles; standard layouts	Front laptop pocket on Ambeur; USB on select carry-ons; basic elsewhere
Interior organization	Compression panels; waterproof pocket; passport sleeve	Dividers, cross-straps; WetPak™/KompressPak™ on select	Split dividers, compression straps; simple mesh pockets
Warranty & support	Lifetime warranty	10-year limited warranty	Limited 1-year (typical on luggage)
Typical price (hard-shell)	Carry-on $245-$345; checked $320-$595	Carry-on $160–$550+; checked $190–$600+	Carry-on $165–$265; checked $255–$285

How Nobl Designs Luggage for the Modern Traveler

Nobl Travel builds luggage for people who actually live on the move - not just for showroom shelves. Every suitcase in our lineup balances security, convenience, and durability, so you can stop worrying about your luggage and focus on your trip.

Smart Features That Anticipate Real Travel Needs

Anyone who’s sprinted through an airport or tried to juggle coffee, phone, and boarding pass at once knows the difference between gimmicks and features you’ll use every trip. Nobl focuses on the latter.

Our All-in-One Carry-On has a phone and cup holder to keep essentials within reach during layovers. USB and USB-C pass-through ports make it easy to charge without digging through your bag, and built-in bag clips secure extras on the go. There’s also a front laptop pocket for a seamless security experience. 

We have expandable luggage for those who pack heavy, and collapsible luggage for those who don’t have much extra space to store their suitcase at home. There’s even a suitcase with a built-in seat for your little ones who don’t want to walk across a massive terminal.

You can also get the strongest, most stylish aluminum luggage here at Nobl Travel, at a price below what you’d pay with other brands. All of our suitcases are zipperless with TSA-approved latches for peace of mind against tampering and breakage.

From the compression panels to maximize space to the smooth-gliding spinner wheels, we haven’t overlooked a single detail - and you get all this at a price that fits your budget!

Durability Without Luxury Markups

It sounds too good to be true, but Nobl Travel delivers comparable durability to the popular brands like Calpak luggage vs Samsonite at a fraction of the cost. 

Our aerospace-grade aluminum and reinforced polycarbonate shells are built to take the dents, dings, and drops that come with constant travel. Handles and wheels are tested for long-haul reliability, so you won’t be stranded with a wobbly spinner halfway through your trip.

Most importantly, we back every suitcase with a lifetime warranty. If something goes wrong, you’re covered. With a 4.1/5 star rating on Trustpilot, you don’t just have to take our word for it. 

Your search for an Away suitcase dupe or Monos alternative ends here. But what about Samsonite vs CALPAK luggage?

Overview of CALPAK Luggage

CALPAK started in Los Angeles in 1989, and still remains a solid choice for travelers more than 35 years later. The brand has earned a reputation for its bold colors, playful design, and mid-range pricing. 

It’s especially popular with younger people who want travel gear that feels fashionable without luxury price tags. Let’s take a look at some of the suitcases you can choose from, and their respective pros and cons. 

Popular CALPAK Collections

The Hue Collection is CALPAK’s flagship line, available in both carry-on and large checked sizes. These cases feature lightweight polycarbonate shells, TSA-approved locks, and 360° spinner wheels. Both the carry-on and the large checked Hue expand for extra packing space, and the interiors include compression straps to help manage bulkier loads.

The Ambeur Front Pocket Carry-On takes the Hue’s design and adds a padded laptop pocket and USB port, which is great for business travelers or really anyone who likes to keep their tech at arms reach on the road. 

The Evry Large Luggage sits at the higher end of the brand’s offerings. It builds on CALPAK’s formula with dual TSA locks, more robust spinner wheels, and expanded compartmentalization inside, catering to extended trips.

Strengths and Weaknesses

There are so many other suitcases worth exploring at CALPAK, but they all share a few common themes. CALPAK shines in variety and style, with plenty of color options and details that stand out in a crowd. 

Prices are pretty accessible, especially for travelers looking for TSA locks and expandability without breaking the bank. But some of the shells rely on ABS blends, so you’ll have to be careful about which suitcases you buy - and set your expectations accordingly.

We’ve also seen complaints that warranty coverage can be hit or miss. This can be seen through the company’s 3.6/5 star rating on Trustpilot - not terrible, but not impressive. You’re not getting nearly as many travel-friendly features as you would with Nobl Travel, either. 

How does the other half of our CALPAK luggage vs Samsonite luggage comparison stack up?

Overview of Samsonite Luggage

Samsonite has been in business for over a century and remains one of the most recognizable luggage names worldwide. You’ll see these suitcases in duty-free shops at airports, department stores in your town, and they’re widely available online as well. 

Here’s what Samsonite brings to your travel experience. 

Popular Samsonite Collections

The Freeform Collection is one of Samsonite’s most popular, known for its lightweight polypropylene shell and clean design. The carry-on and medium checked spinner have TSA locks, expansion capability, and they move really well thanks to dual spinner wheels.

The Cosmolite 3.0 Carry-On is a bit more premium with a unique Curv® thermoplastic composite shell that’s exceptionally lightweight and durable, a smart upgrade for frequent flyers who don’t want to stress as much about luggage damage.

At the highest end of Samsonite’s lineup, you’ll find the Paralux Large Spinner. This luxury suitcase features refined finishes, smooth handling, and more premium interior organization. Even this suitcase leaves a bit to be desired in terms of sophistication and features, though. 

Strengths and Weaknesses

Samsonite does the basics really well, but these suitcases aren’t exactly winning any awards for innovation. The brand’s biggest selling point is how it balances price, accessibility, and style. 

There’s a piece of luggage for almost any budget, destination, and preference. The brand also benefits from decades of refinement, producing reliable shells and smooth-rolling wheels.

But almost every suitcase Samsonite makes still relies on zippers (the most common failure point in suitcases), and there’s no real tech-friendly features worth writing home about. 

You get what you pay for as far as durability, too, which can be especially troubling in looking at the fine print of the company’s 10-year warranty. It’s not all that surprising that Samsonite has just a 2.9/5 star rating on Trustpilot. 

We’ve written similar articles comparing Delsey vs Samsonite, Lucas luggage vs Samsonite, and Travelpro vs Samsonite if you want to explore other options. Let’s take a closer look at Samsonite vs CALPAK luggage below, though. 

Samsonite vs CALPAK vs Nobl Travel: Key Differences to Consider

Shopping for luggage can feel overwhelming with so many brands, countless models, and tons of features and materials to navigate. We’re here to simplify it by just comparing CALPAK luggage vs Samsonite luggage through the criteria that really matters when you hit the road. 

Materials and Build Quality

Materials dictate how well your suitcase holds up to careless airport baggage handlers and rough pavement. But it also influences how heavy your suitcase will be.

Samsonite has an edge in variety. Its Freeform uses lightweight polypropylene, while premium lines like Cosmolite 3.0 use Curv® thermoplastic composite, making them some of the lightest on the market. The downside is that this lightweight design comes at the cost of strength. 

On the other hand, CALPAK uses almost exclusively polycarbonate shells, with options like the Hue and Evry series. You get these stronger materials at a pretty fair price. 

Nobl Travel goes above and beyond both brands with the most durable design on the market. Every suitcase starts with an aluminum frame and is completed with either a polycarbonate or aluminum shell to withstand anything your journeys bring. 

Even the telescoping handle and 360-spinner wheels we’ve manufactured are designed to last trip after trip. This is the last luggage you’ll ever buy!

Security and Closure Systems

Most Samsonite and CALPAK models use zippers as the main closure. That’s not necessarily all that surprising, as most luggage brands still use these. 

But the problem is, zippers are notorious for letting you down while you’re on the go. They can snag, split, or even be bypassed with a ballpoint pen in cheaper builds. You always have to worry about theft or damage with CALPAK luggage vs Samsonite luggage.

This is why we have totally done away with zippers in our design at Nobl Travel. Most of our suitcases use latch closures with dual TSA locks. It’s hard to beat the peace of mind you get with Nobl Travel!

Convenience Features and Organization

This is where the differences between Samsonite vs CALPAK vs Nobl Travel become even more glaring: the features you get to streamline your packing and travel experience. 

Samsonite outfits higher-end lines with wet pockets, compression dividers, and expandable zippers. The Freeform, for instance, expands up to 1.5” and includes simple cross-straps. It’s practical but not game-changing.

In contrast, CALPAK leans a bit more into trendy, functional extras. The Ambeur Front Pocket Carry-On integrates a padded laptop sleeve and USB port, making it a strong choice for tech-savvy travelers. Interiors are simple but functional, with compression straps and divider panels across the board.

As we said earlier, though, no brand designs suitcases quite like we do. The All-in-One Carry-On includes a hidden cup holder and phone stand, plus USB and USB-C pass-through ports. Select models integrate front laptop access, waterproof toiletry compartments, and compression panels that maximize space.

There’s also luggage with built-in seats, expandable designs, and a collapsible line to save closet space at home, something frequent travelers know is a rare blessing. Just take a look at our lineup and discover the most sophisticated luggage features on the market. 

Warranty and Long-Term Support

Your luggage is going to get put through tough conditions, so you want to know it’s protected from design or manufacturing flaws. There are subtle differences between CALPAK luggage vs Samsonite luggage as far as warranties go, though.

Samsonite offers a 10-year global warranty - a fair standard, albeit limited when compared to Nobl Travel. It is far better than CALPAK’s warranties, which tend to be capped at 2 years. That means once your bag wears down, replacement is on you.

You can order luggage with peace of mind at Nobl Travel knowing it’s backed by a real lifetime warranty. You’re covered if something breaks. Our customer service team is quick to get replacement parts (or full suitcases) sent out so you can get back on the road. 

Price and Value Comparison

You should also look at the price differences between Samsoniste vs CALPAK before making your decision - but remember, you get what you pay for. That’s why value is the more important consideration.

Samsonite has something for everyone, whether you want a lightweight soft-shell suitcase for around $100 or a more durable, sophisticated model like the Cosmolite (priced closer to $600).

CALPAK’s Hue Carry-On runs about $165, while its larger cases top out around $285. It’s a solid choice for budget-conscious buyers who still want TSA locks and a modern look. The trade-off is shorter warranties and less robust construction.

Nobl Travel offers the best value for the money when you zoom out and look at the full picture: better materials, more impressive features, and customer support you can truly count on. Prices range from $245-$300 for carry-ons, and $320-$595 for checked luggage.

It’s not bargain-basement, but you’re getting premium-level features that usually cost double elsewhere. So, is CALPAK or Samsonite better than Nobl Travel - or is this your sign to upgrade here in our online storefront today? 

So is CALPAK or Samsonite Better?

Don’t get us wrong, CALPAK is a solid option for casual travelers who want colorful, stylish luggage at a fair price. Samsonite offers more choices and proven reliability, especially in its premium lines.

But, travelers who want durability, modern features, and long-term support without luxury markups choose Nobl Travel - and it’s easy to see why. Our luggage not only looks good in the airport but also simplifies every step of your journey. Experience the difference firsthand today!

Closing Thoughts on CALPAK Luggage vs Samsonite

That concludes our CALPAK luggage vs Samsonite comparison. Hopefully, you have a solid grasp on what each brand brings to the table and which best suits your preferences.  

The key takeaway is that both brands have strengths, but neither fully addresses the needs of modern travelers who expect lasting durability, stress-free features, and long-term support. That’s where Nobl Travel stands apart from Samsonite vs CALPAK.

You get aluminum security, thoughtful conveniences, and a lifetime warranty at a price point that makes sense. What more could you ask for? Elevate your next adventure at Nobl Travel today.