Suitcase must die! We carried out a series of 'tough test' on eight suitcases to find the strongest suitcases which will survive the rough and tumble of your next flight.

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Is your luggage really as tough as it claims to be? We reviewed eight suitcases in a series of gruelling tests to find the toughest luggage on the market.

Skyscanner puts 8 popular suitcases through the extreme ‘Suitcase Must Die: Tough Test’. Watch the videos below to see the suitcases go through tests from a sledge hammer attack, to having a car dropped on them! Click to find out which suitcases are superb, and which just couldn’t take the abuse.

Suitcase Must Die: The Skyscanner Tough Test

We created a four phase ‘tough test’ to see how much each piece of luggage can take before cracking! You’ll be just as surprised as us to know that three of eight cases survived having a car dropped onto them!

Easy Test 1: Sparta Kick

To simulate a fall (or a baggage handler’s throw!) from an aircraft luggage-hold onto tarmac, we kicked each case from a height of about 1.5m onto the ground.

Medium Test 2: Hammer Attack

Suitcases can take a pummelling during transit, so we got Skyscanner’s very own ‘Polish Viking’ to strike each case with a 10-pound sledge hammer.

Hard Test 3: The Stomp

It’s not a secret that the suitcases get thrown, kicked, trodden on throughout a flight and any connections. For this test, once again we got our Polish Viking, (who weighs the same as juvenile polar bear at 150 kg), to cat walk over a carpet of cases.

Extreme Test 4: The Car Drop

Well, the odds of a car falling out of the sky randomly and on to your suitcase during your travels is unlikely to none. But how could we resist the chance for a bit of case carnage? None of us thought any of the cases would survive after the test, but boy, we were wrong! There really are some strong pieces of luggage out there.

The Suitcases Tested

Eight lucky and unique cases were selected, ranging from a colourful and cheap $43, right up to premium Samsonsite luggage costing $620.

1. Eminent Move Air

$195 from The Luggage Professionals

Eminent, a Taiwanese luggage manufacturer, promotes their suitcase as ‘designed for the most demanding user, and is recognised worldwide for long lasting durability’.

Capacity: 66 litres

Dimensions: 68 x 43 x 24cm

Weight: 3.1kg

Functionality: 4/5

Five-year guarantee

Four sturdy double-spinner wheels

Combination TSA lock

Plastic telescopic handle (including handles on both top and side)

Lined insides

Zipped internal pocket and restraining straps

Tough Test: 5/5

This is one tough Taiwanese cookie! Made from the new Makrolon® polycarbonate and claimed to be, ‘extremely break resistant’, this strong suitcase was one of just three survivors of the car drop! In fact, after pushing out the dents, the case was still in good condition that we used it to carry our film gear back to base. Redefining ‘made in Taiwan’, we definitely rate highly for the sturdiness of this case.

Value for money: 4/5

Final Verdict: For the frequent flyer, it’s a good choice as it is built to last. It is light, functional and very tough suitcase.

2. Karabar K-Bar-310 Medium

$61.10 from Amazon

Karabar (Made in UK) offers a low-priced suitcase, described as ‘smart, durable and innovative.’

Capacity: 69 litres

Dimensions: 67 x 44 x 27 cm

Weight: 3.3kg

Functionality: 4/ 5

Four single spinner wheels

Combination TSA lock

Telescopic handle (includes handles on top and side)

Three-year guarantee

Tough Test: 3/5

Karabar claimed that it is manufactured from the highest specification materials and is subject to strict quality controls. Although it did make it past our Sparta Kick Test (being kicked off of a 1.5m platform), the suitcase didn’t survive all tests as it cracked during our Stomp Test (cat walk across the cases).

Value for money: 5/5

For the average consumer, Karabar K-Bar is excellent in value, offering a functional luggage. I mean, come on, who’s going to stomp on your luggage? So what if it’s not the toughest kid on the block, it comes at a very affordable price (the second cheapest case in our test).

3. Delsey Helium

$429 from The Luggage Professionals or Myer.

Well-known French luggage manufacturer Delsey guarantees that their sky-blue Helium suitcase has ‘the most secure ZIP ever’ and the ‘perfect equation between lightness and resistance’.

Capacity: 101 litres

Dimensions: 69 x 47 x 31 cm

Weight: 3.2 kg

Functionality: 5/5

10-year guarantee

Four single spinner wheels

Combination TSA lock

Telescopic handle (including handles on top and side)

Lined insides

Zipped compartment & a zip pocket

Elasticated restrainer straps

Tough Test: 5/5

Delsey was right to claim that the Helium possesses ‘extreme resistance’. Its hammer-proof properties really did withstand the full force of a sledge hammer pounding from our Polish Viking.

In fact, the Delsey Helium suitcase is tougher than a French Legionnaire, being one of only three cases that survived our extreme ‘Car Drop’ test. And if it can survive that, then it definitely can survive being roughed up by any over-zealous baggage handlers.

Value for money: 4/5

It’s not the cheapest suitcase available, but for the price, you are paying for quality, style and great functionality. And it sure is one tough cookie.

4. Luggage X 77

$163.18 from Amazon

Luggage X’s unique selling point is that this suitcase is ‘virtually indestructible’. It is certainly quite robust, it feels tough and at 127 litres, was the largest case in our test, but was it the toughest suitcase?

Capacity: 127 litres

Height: 77 x 56 x 36cm

Weight: 4.9kg

Functionality: 4/5

One-year guarantee

Four multidirectional wheels (spin 360 degrees)

Retracting towing handle with 3 different locking positions & 2 spring-back carry handles

Zip closure with TSA Combination Lock

Lined insides with satin

Two main compartments with a zipped dividing wall & additional zipped pocket for toiletries

Tough Test: 5/5

When we saw Luggage X’s claim of being ‘virtually indestructible’ we thought – challenge accepted! And the case was true to its claim. It is made with ultra-lightweight Polypropylene, which is a ‘high impact resistant material’. Having tortured it through our 4 stage Tough Test, it was one of just three to make it back to the Skyscanner office – bruised, but not broken.

Value for money: 5/5

Luggage X is surely unheard of, but it has proven itself against a set of well-known competitors. In addition, for the price, our reviews found this case to be a real winner. It sure is sturdy, functional and of great value.

5. Antler Talara

$163.24 from Amazon

The Antler suitcase is one beautiful case! Designers from Great Britain claims the case to be ‘light and durable to withstand rough treatment’ and it comes with a 10-year warranty.

Capacity: 63 litres

Dimensions: 69 x 45 x 28 cm

Weight: 3.6kg

Functionality: 5/5

Four easy-glide wheels (spin 360 degrees)

Two telescopic handles (on top and side)

Central locking trolley system (with TSA padlock)

Beautiful interior fully lined (with an interior mesh pocket)

Tough Test: 3/5

Made of PC/ABS emboss structure ‘to give strength and durability’, it survived The Stomp Test but did looked like it was about to crumble. Unfortunately for the beauty, our car drop test left it cracked.

Value for money: 4/5

As long as you’re not planning to drop a car on it, this case is good enough for normal travel. This is a stylish, functional case which is very well priced.

6. Samsonite Cosmolite

$549 from The Luggage Professionals

Samsonsite (US makers) is well-known for its quality luggage and they claim the Cosmolite to be their ‘strongest and lightest case ever’ due to their ‘revolutionary Curv technology’, and comes with a 10-year warranty.

Capacity: 88 litres

Dimensions: 51.5 x 31 x 74 cm

Weight: 3.4 kg

Functionality: 5/5

Four multi-directional spinner wheels

Monotube pull-handle with push buttons

Top & side carry handle

TSA combination lock (with protected zippers)

Interior divider pad made of zipped mesh

Elastic cross ribbons (to secure packed items and reduce wrinkling)

Tough Test: 4/5

Samsonite claims that Curv® is ‘one of the strongest, lightest and most scratch-resistant materials available’, and sure lived up to the company’s ideals of producing high quality luggage. In our tough test, the Cosmolite did well, surviving the Stomp! However, it did not pass the car drop test unscathed, and was left with a small hole in the side.

Value for Money: 3/5

Samsonite, known for its quality and its hefty price, is the most expensive case of the test. It is definitely tough but the premium for the case may not seem value for money, unless you’re a big fan of Samsonite’s cases. Its trademark sleek silver design does appeal to many.

7. Roncato Flexi

$169.72 from Amazon

Roncato is true to its origins as an Italian luggage, having a classic suitcase in the Flexi. It is a weighty luggage but has two sturdy wheels with 10-years guarantee.

Capacity: 85 litres

Dimensions: 68 x 30 x 50cm

Weight: 5.5kg

Functionality: 5/5

Non-TSA combination lock

Security clasps locked with a key (top and bottom)

Metal telescopic handle (top and side)

Elastic straps and a mesh compartment for toiletries (plus detachable pouch)

Tough Test: 3/5

This suitcase is made from hard Polypropylene and seemed to be the toughest as it looked the most rigid and heavy. However, it didn’t even make it pass the first test. The Sparta Kick broke open at the zip. It was ironically named ‘Flexi’ as it lacked the flexibility unlike the other cases. In addition, our car drop test almost completely obliterated it, shattering the case into several pieces.

Value for money: 4/5

It was the most stiff, (and heaviest), which is a potential weakness, but it comes with plenty of Italian style. However, for the simple travellers, this is a well-priced and functional case.

8. Borderline Trolley Case

$46.94 on Amazon

Not only was this the cheapest case in our test, compared to the other cases, it feels weak and the spinner wheels are not very stable. However, it is only $40, we couldn’t resist testing its durability!

Capacity: 62 litres

Dimensions: 61 x 45 x 23cm

Weight: 2.8kg

Functionality: 3/5

Fully lined interior

Luggage straps and a zipped divider

Built-in locking mechanism & a padlock

Tough Test: 2/5

According to Borderline, this case is supposedly made from ‘durable lightweight ABS hard plastic’. However, its four spinner wheels don’t seem particularly sturdy, nor does its retractable handle. In our Tough Test, it thrashed at stage 2 (Sledge Hammer Test), cracked in the Stomp Test, and by the end of the Car Drop Test, it was completely useless, with the casing completely split.

Value for money: 4/5

It’s not that this luggage is fragile, it’s just not that tough for our tough test! This piece of luggage is little over $40, and we wouldn’t expect it to be fantastic. It is a cheap buy for the budget traveller, looking for a small, light and cheap suitcase for a quick weekend getaway. However, if you’re a global jetsetter looking for luggage to last, you should look elsewhere.

The Survivors!

Ready to put your luggage to the test? Plan your next trip with Skyscanner Australia. Search for the cheapest flights, and find the best deals on hotels as well as car hire– no booking fees!