Samsonite Outline Pro Carry-On Review

1. Introduction

Samsonite is one of the big boys in the baggage biz. More than a century old, the company has the largest share of the luggage market in the world.

There are, of course, upsides and downsides to that. On the upside, the brand is well established and clearly knows what it’s doing. On the downside, it’s less boutique and has a dizzying number of products to choose from.

For our series on the best carry-ons for digital nomads, we decided to go with the Outline Pro. It’s one of the more affordably priced options in the Samsonite range, while still providing all the quality, convenience, and optimized capacity that we’d expect from the brand.

The best carry-ons make country-hopping a stress-free experience for digital nomads, as they are maneuverable, compact, and offer an excellent amount of space. So, how does the Samsonite Outline Pro stack up?

2. Size, Capacity & First Impressions

There’s no denying that the Outline Pro looks smart, but as we removed it from the cardboard box, we couldn’t help feeling that it didn’t look quite as swish as carry-ons from the newer, younger players. Sure, it’s modeling some of the same aesthetic choices as brands like Away and Monos, but it doesn’t have the same chic appeal.

The best analogy we can think of is that it’s like that middle-aged uncle who tries to dress like he’s still in his early 20s. But hey, perhaps we’re just being ageist. To be fair to Samsonite, we are reviewing one particular model, so we can’t comment on their other offerings.

We went with the Midnight Blue color, which we felt was slightly more exciting than Midnight Black, but not as bright as Vintage Blue or Emerald Green. Don’t expect any subtle pastel shades here!

Enough about style, let’s get down to the substance. The Outline Pro is incredibly light at 6.4lbs (2.9kg), which is a bonus if you tend to pack heavy objects in your carry-on.

It’s also impressive given its capacity is 49l, with chunky dimensions of 23” H x 15” W x 10” L (58.42cm x 38.10cm x 25.4cm). FYI, that’s too large for most carriers. As with several other luggage brands we’ve reviewed, Samsonite is banking on airlines being lenient with size, as it goes over the average airline limit by an inch in every aspect.

In fact, if you use the expandable zipper, you’ll be over by 2” on the length – and that really is a risk. Honestly, we didn’t even try the bag unzipped, as there was no way on Earth we were going to pay a check-in fee!

3. Features & Functionality

It’s always interesting (at least to suitcase geeks like us) to see how a brand sets itself apart from the competitors with little touches and flourishes. Here’s what we found with the Outline Pro.

Storage & Interior Design:

As with many modern carry-ons, the Outline Pro’s interior has one zippered side and one compression panel side. The zippered side has two pockets on top, one for your power bank (if you want) and the other for other odds and ends. The power bank pocket has a USB wire that connects to the external USB port.

The trademarked KompressPak on the other side comes with two buckles to cinch down your clothes, as well as being fronted with two more zippered pockets that are good for small, flat-ish items. If the panel’s not for you, it isn’t attached to the lining of the suitcase, so you can just flick it right out.

Speaking of the lining, all the interior fabric is Recyclex, which is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. It’s a very feel-good concept, even if the fabric isn’t anything special to touch or look at.

Wheels & Handling:

We found the four dual spinner wheels worked brilliantly in the airport, as well as on the pavement to our Airbnb. They didn’t have to navigate anything particularly rough or rocky while we were testing them, but they’ve got great maneuverability on normal surfaces.

The multi-stop telescopic handle is also solid. The coolest feature about the trolley handle is that it (along with the other handles) has been treated by Samsonite’s trademarked antimicrobial tech, designed to reduce bacteria buildup.

Security:

The Outline Pro has a TSA-approved lock on the top side of the bag, which locks the zippers in place.

The shell is made from polypropylene, which is a durable material that will protect your personal items from damage. It’s not quite as sturdy as polycarbonate, but it weighs less and costs less to manufacture, which translates into a lighter, cheaper suitcase for us.

Tech & Smart Add-ons:

There’s a USB port built into the suitcase, right next to the locking mechanism. No battery pack is included, but to be honest we kind of prefer using our own anyway. As we mentioned earlier, there’s a wire that connects from the exterior to one of the inside pockets.

Mobility & Ease of Use:

You would kind of expect Samsonite to have suitcase mobility down pat after a century – and they do, no complaints from us!

The handles are standard, aside from that anti-microbial treatment we mentioned earlier.

One of the more unusual features of the Outline Pro is that it has a pair of feet on one side of the suitcase, so that it balances perfectly when laid down.

4. Durability & Travel Performance

The hard shell is made from polypropylene, which isn’t as durable as polycarbonate, but to be honest, we didn’t notice any issues while we were testing the Outline Pro. Will it become a factor long term? Hard to say.

One thing that the Outline Pro absolutely has going for it is the textured surface, which seems to conceal scuffs better than many other carry-ons we’ve looked at. Of course, the Midnight Blue color we bought is going to conceal dirt and scratches better than lighter hues anyway, but still, we felt it was one of the best suitcases for hiding everyday wear and tear – and that’s a big bonus for digital nomads who are frequent flyers.

There is a limited 10-year global warranty for manufacturer defects, such as if the zips, wheels, or handles don’t last as long as they should. We didn’t have to use it, so we don’t know precisely how the process works, but it doesn’t seem to cover issues with the shell.

5. Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Cheaper than similar competitors
• Doesn’t weigh much
• Large capacity

Cons:

• Does not comply with most airline size restrictions
• Unremarkable design

6. Samsonite Outline Pro vs. LEVEL8 Road Runner Pro vs. Away Bigger Carry-On

When it comes to capacity, the Samsonite Outline Pro is up there with the biggest carry-ons. With 49l, it’s on a par with the Away Bigger Carry-On Pro (49.7l). The downside with both the Samsonite and the Away is that they’re just a bit too large for some airlines. For comparison, the LEVEL8 Road Runner Pro might only offer 35l, but it’s on the safer side when it comes to baggage restrictions.

Some luggage brands like Away have decided to do away with charging capabilities entirely. Samsonite, like LEVEL8, treads a kind of middle ground by providing a charging port next to the locking mechanism.

One of the biggest advantages of the Samsonite Outline Pro is that it’s the best value for money. At $199.99, its recommended retail price is much cheaper than the Away Bigger Carry-On ($295), as well as more cost effective than the LEVEL8 Road Runner Pro ($219.99). And that’s before you factor in the discounts that Samsonite usually offers (we got our Outline Pro for $169.99).

Some of those savings are probably coming from the fact that the Outline Pro is made from polypropylene, rather than the more robust polycarbonate that is used by the Road Runner Pro and the Bigger Carry-On.

7. Who It’s For (And Who It’s Not)

Perfect for: Over-packers, nomads looking for a more affordable mid-range option

Not ideal for: People on budget airlines often, style-forward travelers

We packed for a week, with a couple pairs of pants and seven different tops and had no issues at all. That all fit snugly, along with underwear and socks, in the compression section, leaving the zippered side for everything else.

8. Final Verdict & Rating

There’s a lot to be said for buying a bag from a brand like Samsonite, which has a long-standing reputation for producing top-notch luggage. It might not be one of the hot young things on the suitcase scene, but it’s a tried and tested stalwart providing a high-quality carry-on.

The Outline Pro is one of Samsonite’s cheaper models, but it still comes with quality features like 360-degree spinner wheels and a four-stage telescopic handle – and at a cheaper price point than some of the competition.

We’re not as keen on the design elements, and both the 10-year warranty and polypropylene shell are minor cons, but overall, the Outline Pro is a solid choice.

Rating: 4/5

9. FAQ Section

Does the Outline Pro fit under airplane seats?

No, the Outline Pro does not fit under airplane seats. It’s meant to be stored in the overhead locker, so make sure you get your laptop and/or your book out before takeoff!

What’s the warranty policy?

The warranty lasts 10 years and covers zips, handles, and wheels. That’s not bad, but it is less generous than other brands like July and LEVEL8, which offer lifetime warranties.

Is the luggage waterproof?

The Outline Pro makes no claims to being waterproof. However, like most hardshell carry-ons, we’d expect it to stand up to light rain without a problem.