Tried & Tested

Samsonite Smarttop Spinner

21 Aug 2016 by Tom Otley

The name of this bag comes from the compartment in the top of the bag where you can put items you need ready access to such as passport, phone or toiletry bag for airport security.

Both this top compartment and the main bag is easily secured via a cable lock (TSA approved) which loops through both the zip on this top section and the main zips.

It’s an ingenious solution, and the bag itself impresses both for build quality and price – this is one of Samsonite’s most inexpensive bags, yet seems light and strong.

I found the double tube handle flexed slightly when fully laden, but with a five year guarantee, perhaps that’s not a worry. It comes in two colours – red and midnight blue (I thought it was black), and four sizes. We tested the 55x40x20 with four multidirectional double wheels (called the Spinner), though there is a two-wheel version (called Upright). The bag has a comfortable Neoprene padded top handle which is easy on your hand but strong, and the exterior is a mix of polypropylene and 200 dobby nylon, while the interior is 100% polyester.

In addition to the top pocket the bag has a front pocket for some magazines (it wouldn’t fit a laptop). Inside there are elastic cross ribbons with smart fix buckle closure and there are some zip pockets for documents.