Being someone who loves Samsonite due to the quality of its luggages (I own the hard shelled Epsilon luggage) I can't say anything bad about the Ultralite 3 carry on upright luggage.

For more information on the Samsonite Epsilon hard shelled luggage, please read my review:

http://www.epinions.com/bags-review-2752-167A5C2-39F0A08D-prod1

The Ultralite 3 Carry-on Upright Suiter has the dimensions of 22 x 8 x 14 or 44 linear inches which conforms to the newly revised carry on baggage dimensions of 45 linear inches (9 x 12 x 22). The dimension limits can vary among airlines and destinations so check with them before you make your carry on luggage purchase.

The carry on is made of Fiberloc 1200, a durable denier polyester fabric that helps prevent moisture from seeping through and and increases the durability of the fabric. Many times I have spilled things inside it and only required to wipe it clean with a cloth and it was fine. The hardware of the luggage such as the pull handle and parts of the frame are made of matte nickel and coated to prevent it from rust. The pull handle is very sturdy and can be retractible and hidden inside for easy storage. The pull handle can snap and lock when pulled out for secure pulling without worrying about it retracting as some carry on luggage may do. There is a snap-on strap that can snap down the pull handle when not in use and keep the handle from getting in the way during storage.

There are two front gusset pockets, one small lid zippered pocket near the top for airline tickets and other small items and a larger zippered pocket near the bottom for magazines or bigger items. The carry on opens up from the top to the bottom (or vice versa) like a sideways "u" via a pair of interlocking, self-mending zippers. The top and side carry handles are padded and makes carrying comfortable. The corners of the luggage have plastic guards for any accidental bumps and also ensure the durability of the carry on . At the top, there is an adjustable interlocking baggage strap that can be used to carry additional bags in a piggy back fashion. The strap can also be easily removed and tucked away in any one of its pockets. At the back, there is a luggage tag that can be easily pulled out for identification or pushed discretely back in. Two Widetracker(tm) inline skate wheels at the back of the carry on provide smooth rolling along all surfaces and make it easy to maneuver, especially in the tight, cramped walkway of airplanes. Rather than pulling my carry on along the walkway, I push it along easily without much trouble or bumping into anything due to its wheels. Two plastic legs at the front provide stability when the carry on is standing upright.

Opening up the carry on, the backside of the carry on's flap has a side mesh pocket the length of the flap to carry thin items such as clothes or newspaper and allows you to see what's packed inside. There is a snap on strap that can keep the mesh pocket attached to the flap and thin items from falling out. Matted nickel screwed bolts from the inside ensure that all handles are securely attached to the luggage. Inside the main compartment of the carry on, there is a set of adjustable crisscross straps to keep clothes or other things in place. Also included is a removable mesh and nylon suit packer that folds into three and can be packed inside the luggage. The three enclosed hanger hooks can be turned over when packed and turned back out for hanging . As well, a small lock is included although it can be easily opened with a pocket knife and thus isn't really much of a bonus.

My only gripe about this carry on is the design of the interior of the main compartment. The retractable pull handle sticks out from the inside of the luggage so packing is a bit of a pain sometimes. Why Samsonite didn't spend a bit more money to at least provide a flat plastic lining against the handles to make packing easier, I don't know. I usually place a few garments against the hard handles to cushion the items I will pack into the carry on to avoid any accidents from happening. Other than that, I'm quite happy with my Samsonite carry on.

While I am a fan of hard luggages, I find that soft sided carry on luggages are adequate for most travellers. Since, it is a carry on luggage and it's with you at all times, you will ensure that it will not get abused. Thus, spending extra money on a hard shelled carry on luggage is actually a waste of money, unless you intend to check it in. But, then, it won't be a carry on, will it? The main thing you need to check for when shopping for a carry on luggage is its wheels. Ensure that it is of good quality and rubbery enough to cushion against uneven surfaces, because you never know when you'll need to pull it along a construction area of the airport. Also, check to ensure that the wheels are big enough to roll smoothly and allow effortless pulling. Check the pull handles to ensure that the handles don't retract when pulled. Also check on the zippers for quality. Don't settle for cheap zippers as they may become costly to repair when broken. And select based on the features that you need and can afford. Brand names can be nice and can somewhat provide warranties (but don't count on it) and can also be costly.

Overall, I like the Samsonite Ultralite 3 Upright Suiter Carry On for its durability, the smoothness of the inline skate wheels which makes the carry on quite maneuverable, the locking pull handle and the gusset outer pockets which allows me quick access to items. The luggage is a good size and quite light weight. I would recommend it for anyone wanting a quality carry on luggage.

Thanks for taking the time to read my review.



Recommended: Yes