Samsonite has an expansive collection of roll-on cabin cases, ideal for travelers who want light maneuverable cabin bags that can be popped into the overhead luggage rack without too much trouble.
I recently chose the Black C-LITE expandable spinner, which has four wheels to take on my travels with me. The size of the bag means that this roll-on case will have no problems fitting into the overhead luggage compartment of a British Airways or Easyjet flight.
My immediate observation of this case was how light it was. The weight of the case is 2.1 kg, which, when compared to my previous roll-ons at 3 kg or more, felt extremely light when empty. Once I had loaded the case up with my favorite shoes, which are the most expensive part of my wardrobe and the bit I really don’t want to lose, the case was not noticeably lighter until I lifted it and put it in the overhead luggage racks on the plane.
At this point, the light Samsonite cases come into their own as they really are lovely and light to lift.
The case itself looked great and was nicely maneuverable around the airport. Its compact design meant that I had no problems driving it around the British Airways Galleries lounge at Terminal 5.
Overall, I was very pleased with it. The case’s rounded design meant it was easy to fit into the boot of my car, but the tapered, rounded top did mean that when I tried to balance my rather large and heavy handbag on the top of my wheelie, it kept slipping off.
In retrospect, considering I need a resting spot for my handbag when I dash around airports, a case with a more rectangular shape might have suited me better. Then again, I do love the lightness of the Samsonite C-LITE.
On this particular journey, British Airways didn’t fly my luggage with me, and my hold luggage was left at London Heathrow while I flew to Nice Airport. When my case didn’t come out on the conveyor belt, I checked my phone and my Apple AirTag, which was inside my hold luggage. I could see my case still sitting on the tarmac at Heathrow.
All I could do was report my bag as lost at the counter in Nice airport and enter the details of the case and the hotel I was staying. We then headed off to Hotel Hermitage in Monte Carlo and I was left hoping my luggage would arrive at some point.
Which brings me to my packing. I had cleverly packed all my valuable shoes in my roll-on case but I hadn’t packed anything useful in there. As lost luggage has only happened to me twice before and I’m an optimist, I assume my luggage will arrive when I do. I always put my expensive things in my hand luggage, but I just assume my hold luggage will arrive at my destination with me.
What should I have packed in my hand luggage and roll on case? Moisturiser would have been handy. Paracetamol would have been good after the stress of missing luggage. I also needed earplugs, a hairbrush, makeup essentials, a hot water bottle, and most important of all, Pajamas!
When we arrived at Hotel Hermitage, I had nothing to moisturize my skin after my flight. The hotel provided a toothbrush, thankfully. I had no paracetamol for my headache, and I had nothing to sleep in! I usually wear a nice pair of leggings to travel in, which are not suitable for sleep. I also missed my hot water bottle, which I tend to take on my travels as I get a chill easily.
So my advice, following our Christmas travel disaster, is to put an AirTag in your hold luggage so you can trace it and see where it is. Always keep your valuables in your hand luggage along with a pair of pajamas, earplugs, and paracetamol, just in case British Airways or whatever airline you’re flying on forgets to board your hold luggage.
As for my new Samsonite cabin case, it was beautifully light and easily maneuverable through the airport, and gets 5 stars from me.
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