Product Description:
F'Lite GT features high-class styling, contemporary colors and first rate functionality. This fashionable collection combines aerodynamic design with an exclusive Samsonite patterned texture. The lightweight and rugged Polypropylene hardside shell with gasket tongue-in-groove closure helps protect contents and keeps out dirt and moisture. Rounded corners add an air of subtle distinction.
Product Details:
- Aerodynamic design includes hardside shell with gasket tongue-in-groove closure
- Mounted Travel Sentry combination lock
- Multi-stage monotube handle that reaches 42" from the floor
- Large smooth-rolling wheels
- Elastic cross straps to minimize shifting of contents
Customer Reviews:
Really liked it By JAW
I took a one-way flight from west coast to east coast to buy a car and drive back home across America. I therefore took a small carry-on and crammed everything else, including a picnic backpack, extra clothes, gifts for friends along the way, a warm coat for the cold areas, a rain coat, umbrella, portable DVD player and disks, empty soft-sided bags (to be packed with just what I needed for one night in the motel) and everything else I could think of to make my journey comfortable. The Samsonite was STUFFED to capacity. So much so that I worried it might spring open (it didn't) when mishandled by the airport people. It rolled easily across rough concrete parking lot - I like the wheels, and the handles on the top and side made it easy for this 5'2" weakling to horse it around. It also seals well. At one point in the trip it got drenched and everything within remained dry.
I witnessed it being loaded into the plane, and it was very thoroughly thrown around. When I claimed it five hours later, it was in fine shape, as was everything inside. After I bought the car, I put the Samsonite horizontally in the back seat, snapped a seat belt around it and used it as a vault for gifts and fragile things such as the glass pumpkins I bought at the Corning Glass Museum. It performed beautifully. The latches work. The lock works.
And it's commodious enough that when I am not traveling, all my soft-sided bags fit very nicely inside. It's made my closet neater too.
UPDATE 14 AUG 13
I have had to scrap the bag. The bag's integrity is fine but TSA broke the lock and it's not repairable. Although the bag went through dozens airports with no problem, the guys at Bakersfield managed to ruin it. I don't know if that's a design flaw or a handling problem.Simple, tough - Excellent! By D. McCarty
This, in my opinion, is the best luggage deal on the market. It has no frills (even though they list some features). It is tough - made of a flexible yet stout plastic resin of some sort. It is easily cleaned out and does not retain odor.
I purchased the previous model of this bag (case) 8 years ago for my first journey to Africa. Since that time, I have been back and forth NUMEROUS times to Europe (3 countries) , Africa (9 countries), Latin America (5 countries), and Asia (1 country) as well as throughout the U.S. My original bag is still going strong. FINALLY, I had to replace 4 bolts...which I easily did myself... and it has made 3 more trips to the dark continent since then.
So, on my most recent trip, when I took my oldest daughter along, it was the logical choice to purchase one more for her. They have changed the design a bit, (and I like the new handle design better... it fits deeper into the bag, protecting it further) but it is still the simple strong box it was designed to be.
PROs:
* Piano hinge down one side is sturdy.
* Latches - 3 latches are strong, and now are TSA compliant for locks. ANY zippered bag is easily overcome by jabbing a ballpoint pen into the zipper, causing it to separate. I can lock semi-valuables inside my bag in my hotel or guest house room with reasonable confidence.
* Plastic exterior - If you think your soft-sided bag will really protect what is inside, you simply do not understand physics. I have brought back fragile items (wrapped in a towel) and they have survived the airlines best efforts. My old one has gouges from various airline incidences... never gave up.
* Plastic interior - Plastic does not absorb scent or moisture. If anything spills in your bag, OR, if you are stuck with wet clothes just before you depart on your last leg of your journey, you will be grateful for this. Soft linings absorb both scent and moisture - and they are a pain to wash. This case is SIMPLE to wash out with soap and water, should the need ever arise.
* Dust seal - While, it does not seal out water completely, I have never had dust or water get inside my case. Let me be clear - on my last trip, my bag spent a total of over 50 hours exposed to the elements (in the back of a pickup or on top of a local bus) on dusty dirt and rough roads, etc.
* Overlapping closure - The case actually has a sort of tongue & groove closure to make sure it does not come open due to pressure from the inside.
* Wheels are STRONG - I have the 2-wheel version and these wheels have been drug through dust, over gravel, down stairs, etc., etc., etc. No problems. When I received the bag, I was concerned since they seemed a bit loose and didn't have the feel of a sealed-bearing rollerblade-type wheel. I was wrong in my initial estimate. They have held up very nicely.
* Handle on top is strong - The handle slides down into the back of the case. It is safe and holds up well.
* Handle on side - The handle on the side is strong enough to carry the bag, even when it is completely full and well-loaded. It is spring-loaded to fold onto the side of the bag.
CON:
* It is rigid... therefore, it will not collapse to become smaller (but I store other stuff in it to make space at home).
One concern I have heard is the unloaded weight of a hard-side bag. I have a Pelican Case in which I take some sensitive electronics on rare occasions - that one weighs a LOT while empty, but this Samsonite does not not weigh any more than soft-sided bags that I have used in the past.
BOTTOM LINE:
If you want a bag that is impressive to your rich friends with a name-brand something or other, then choose a different bag [and what in the world are you doing shopping on Amazon?!?! If you want to look like a high-roller... then roll high - shop at some store known for its prestige and maybe valet parking!]
If you want a bag that protects the contents, stays looking reasonably presentable, is easily cleaned in the event of a problem, and is amazingly durable - then GET THIS BAG! It will take almost anything you dish out and show up for work the next day.
I don't know of another one on the market that competes with it. If you find one, please put a comment on this as I will probably need to buy my wife one in the next 12 months for another adventure!9 of 10 Excellent and Durable Luggage for Frequent Travelers By JR
I fly 100,000 miles a year and have seen the worst airline baggage handlers can dish out. My packed luggage usually weighs between 50-70 lbs per trip so this adds extra stress on the luggage. I have gone through several soft sided luggage in a year. I have had TravelPro and Sharper Image as well as numerous "cheap" luggage. None weathered the airports very well.
I don't like 4 wheeled spinner luggage because the airport usually breaks one of the wheels off after a few trips. The spinner wheels are very exposed to airport abuse. All my spinners have a broken wheel.
Baggage handlers also like to lift the luggage when the handle is extended...50% of my luggage ends up with a broken telescopic handle after a couple of months of travel.
After 6 months of usage, I think I finally found my ideal luggage in this Samsonite F'Lite GT. It looks like it was designed by structural engineers and not fashion designers. It is not damaged so far.
The telescopic handle is designed to lift a heavily loaded suitcase. Very sturdy design
The wheels are large (goes over rental car lot rocks and gravel easily), heavily braced and designed for rough, abusive use.
The polypropylene like outer case is very hard to scuff (try scuffing it with a 2x4) yet the airlines have scuffed it up pretty good in a few months. I think they are using my luggage as jet wheel stops. However the luggage still seals perfectly and the seams are water resistant. I would have faith in pitching my suitcase in a pool and expect to still have dry clothes if I scooped it out in a few minutes.
My suitcase has the TSA lock and they work well. (I get the love notes inside my locked luggage from TSA saying they have been through clothes and possessions.)
The inside has only one divider for your suits and it works great. I do not have to fold my suit in half to fit in the half shell.
There is no liner which i prefer because it leaves more room for clothes and stuff. I travel with a plastic bodied Water Pik so I wrap it in an old T-shirt to prevent it from banging around inside the suitcase. I also traveled with a travel guitar and banjo in padded gig bags with no problems.
This is a plain, very bare bones suitcase but the airlines will ruin any piece of luggage. This luggage still looks good after being beaten up. The basic black still looks basic black.
Besides the scuffing, the worst damage so far as been the airlines rubbing off the stickers provided to put your initials on the luggage. Overall I really like my Samsonite F'Lite. Kudos to Samsonite for allowing the engineers having the last say in making this luggage.
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