Samsonite Winfield 3 DLX 28” Review

1. Introduction

The boom in air travel has led to a glut of luggage makers, with lots of new challenger brands aiming to disrupt the market and attract younger consumers to their banners.

But there’s still something to be said for experienced suitcase manufacturers that have stood the test of time. For digital nomads that depend on reliability, it can be a risk going for a company with less than a decade on the market.

Samsonite has been plying its trade for more than 100 years, so you know that it has the know-how to create quality travel-ware. Despite the changing luggage landscape, it has remained one of the largest players, offering a huge variety of checked bag options.

In this post, we’re going to look at the Winfield 3 DLX, an updated version of the popular Winfield 2. This model is a bit more of a traditional Samsonite product, rather than one of its new, flashier models that aim to emulate brands like Away  – and in case you’re wondering, DLX stands for deluxe.

2. Size, Capacity & First Impressions

The Winfield 3 DLX comes in three different sizes: one carry-on and two checked luggage. We went with the large-sized 28” checked bag, which is actually 31” H x 20” W x 12.75” L (78cm x 51cm x 32cm) and weighs 11.5lbs (5kg). FYI, the 28” refers to the interior dimensions, which provide a capacity of about 76l.

There’s also a more modest 25” model if you don’t need as much space and want something lighter and more maneuverable. The dimensions of this one are 27” x 17” x 11.4” (69cm x 44cm x 30cm), and it weighs 8.9lbs (4kg).

Both models are well within range for all airlines we can think of, so no worries on that front. There’s an expansion zipper than can give you an extra 1.5” in depth.

We weren’t especially excited by the Samsonite color options, which range from Black and Blue to Rose and Emerald. We went with the Navy, which looked a bit more cheerful and bright.

When it arrived, the suitcase looked nice – and we use that word specifically because it perfectly represents the level of our enthusiasm when we first saw it IRL. This isn’t a piece of luggage that is going to get you compliments from fellow travelers, but it’s also not as depressingly ugly as some Samsonite models we could mention…

3. Features & Functionality

While the Winfield 3 DLX doesn’t have any smart features, it does a good job in all the core functionality areas.

Storage & Interior Design:

The suitcase has the same clamshell design that’s common to a lot of hardshell luggage, creating two roughly equal spaces. The two sides are mirror images of one another, with open areas and cross-shaped compression straps. That’s a little different from a lot of suitcases we’ve tried that have a zippered compartment on one side.

To keep the two halves separated, there’s a divider, which has two zippered pockets on one side and two fabric pockets on the other. We used the fabric ones for dirty laundry and the mesh ones for books, cables and other small items, but it’s obviously up to you.

Wheels & Handling:

There are four 360-degree single spinner wheels, which perform well across the standard surfaces you’d find in airports. The Winfield 3 DLX is not as responsive as suitcases we’ve tried with double spinner wheels, but it’s by no means bad when it comes to maneuverability.

The telescopic handle has a couple of different height settings. Rather like the wheels, it’s not as responsive as some more expensive checked luggage we’ve tried, but it’s not a dealbreaker.

Security:

The side of the suitcase has a TSA-approved lock with a three-digit combo. If you want to get super granular, we don’t like the way the zippers sit up in the lock – it just seems like they are more likely to get damaged that way compared to if they were flat.

Unlike some Samsonite luggage, the Winfield 3 DLX has a polycarbonate shell as opposed to a polypropylene shell, which is more durable and better for keeping your possessions damage-free.

Tech & Smart Add-ons:

No smart locks, trackers, built-in scales, or charging ports on show here. The Winfield 3 DLX sticks to the core facets of a suitcase.

Mobility & Ease of Use:

We like that the top and side handles retract slightly when not in use. They look a bit more streamlined in their metal holders.

Admittedly, they’re not the most comfortable handles, but they seem sturdy, and we’d imagine they’d hold up long term. Short term, we had no problems.

4. Durability & Travel Performance

As with a lot of Samsonite luggage, the shell is grooved to prevent visible scuffs, which is very handy. It doesn’t look as smart as smooth-shelled alternatives, but we’ve found it to be more immune to scratching.

We like the rubber bumpers, which are designed to protect the slightly recessed wheels – although the wheels themselves don’t feel particularly robust. We also found the zippers a bit flimsy compared to some models we’ve tested.

Like most Samsonite luggage products, the Winfield 3 DLX comes with a 10-year warranty, which is less generous than the lifetime warranty you see with a lot of brands these days. It covers the handles, wheels, and zips, but if you have any issues with the shell – cracks, dents – you’ll have to pay for a fix.

Personally, we would have preferred to have one zippered compartment rather than two open areas, even if it does cut into the overall capacity. The divider didn’t really do as good a job as we would have liked at keeping our items in place in transit. The compression straps without a compression panel were only useful for clothing.

5. Pros and Cons

Pros

• Affordably priced
• Suitable for all airlines
• Grooved shell to avoid scuffing

Cons

• Limited warranty
• Wheels and zippers feel a bit flimsy
• Not as stylish as some competitors

6. Samsonite Winfield 3 DLX vs. Nomatic Check-In vs. Osprey Sojourn Shuttle

The Samsonite Winfield 3 DLX’s big advantage over a lot of competitors is its price. At $259.99, it’s a lot more affordable than other hardshell luggage in a similar bracket, such as the Nomatic Check-In ($649.99). It’s even less expensive than wheeled duffels like the Osprey Sojourn Shuttle ($395), which generally tend to be cheaper than hardshells.

Overall, the Winfield 3 DLX isn’t top of the line when it comes to aspects like the handles, zippers, and so on. The Nomatic, for instance, felt a lot sturdier and more robust. Still, we’re not sure the almost $400 difference in price matches up to the difference in quality.

In terms of capacity and size, it’s a pretty standard checked bag. While the Winfield 3 DLX has slightly larger dimensions than the Nomatic Check-In, the storage area is about the same (76l vs. 78l). Both models have an expansion zipper to increase the available space.

By comparison, the Osprey Sojourn Shuttle has a larger capacity at 100l. That’s normal for duffels, which tend to have a greater overall capacity but less organizational areas. For most travelers, a traditional-style suitcase like the Winfield 3 DLX is probably more useful, while people who go on hiking getaways or road trips might find a wheeled duffel like the Sojourn Shuttle a better fit.

7. Who It’s For (And Who It’s Not)

Perfect for: long-term travelers, nomads who want quality on a budget

Not ideal for: weekenders, lightweight packers

There’s no point in taking the Windfield 3 DLX out for a spin unless you’re traveling for at least a week. It’s too bulky to bother with for a short trip, but we’d be happy taking this on a two-week escape.

8. Final Verdict & Rating

Realistically, the Winfield 3 DLX isn’t visually in the same league as younger challenger brands. The big thing it has going for it is the price, which is significantly lower than comparable competitors.

Plus, we can’t overlook the cache that the Samsonite brand still has thanks to its longevity and experience in the market.

That said, we did feel this particular Samsonite suitcase was a let down in terms of quality. We’ve tried other models where features like the telescopic handle and the wheels were more ergonomic and effective.

Overall, a good option to have for bargain seekers after a mid-range suitcase, but not one we’d rave about to our friends.

Rating: 3.5/5.

9. FAQ Section

What’s the warranty policy?

All Samsonite luggage comes with a 10-year warranty that covers repairs for the handles, wheels, and zips if they get broken during normal usage. The guarantee doesn’t cover the shell.

Is the luggage waterproof?

The Winfield 3 DLX is not advertised as waterproof, but the hardshell design will protect your clothing and other items from a light rain or snow. Just don’t get caught in a torrential downpour!