I have a confession. And it’s probably not one I should be making having worked in the lifestyle space for over a decade.
I have never had a decent suitcase.
With parents in the UK, I do travel both internationally and inter-state frequently over the course of a year.
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But for some reason unbenknownst to anyone, I’ve never thought to invest in one and upgrade from my mismatched, misshapen case collection – which comprises a very old Antler from the back of my parents’ wardrobe at home, as well as a gigantic budget buy from Sports Direct my husband and I snapped up before moving out to Australia in 2015.
Which is why, when I was given the opportunity to try out Samsonite’s new C-Lite Spinner Suitcase for an upcoming family trip to Noosa with my husband and our two-year-old daughter, Florence, I knew I just couldn’t say no.
What I didn’t know is how transformative travelling with a good suitcase can be.
I trialled the Samsonite C-Lite Spinner in Navy Blue, in the 75cm size.
The case, available on the Samsonite website, comes in five different colours and four sizes, ranging from a 55cm option all the way up to 81cm.
If you’re someone who likes to know all of the specifics before I go into my own experience, what you need to know is that it features smooth-rolling double wheels, a dual tube handle, TSA lock and USB port.
All of this is housed in a stylish lightweight case that was made in Europe from Samsonite’s trademarked Curv material technology.
And now, onto my thoughts.
First up, this suitcase is really light. It might look like it’s made of sturdy stuff, but the 75cm case weighs just 2.8 kilograms – a fraction of my other bulky cases that always reduce my weight limit in dresses.
I packed a week’s worth of clothes and toiletries for myself and my daughter, Flo, in the suitcase with ease, and we were well under the draconian Jetstar weight allowance thanks to the lightness of the suitcase.
Secondly, this case is a class apart when it comes to wheeling it around an airport.
As any parent will know, between juggling the travel pram, portacot, nappy bag and various miscellaneous cases and items at an airport, travelling with young kids is never easy.
But the Samonsite C-Lite Suitcase made everything a breeze it was that easy to wheel along next to me.
Honestly, I literally said to my husband: “Why have we been struggling all our lives before this?”
Finally, the case looks good.
While it’s not all about the appearance, it is also just a little bit about the appearance, and this stylish case features a shell-inspired design, shiny finish and versatile colours that will go with everything in your wardrobe.
It was also (handily) instantly recognisable at the baggage carousel, thanks to its unique look and class.
But you don’t have to take my word for it.
Reviews on the Samsonite website are similarly glowing, where shoppers have described the case as a “class apart” and the “world’s best long-haul luggage”.
“We have travelled extensively long haul from Australia to Japan and Europe. Our Samsonite Cosmolite is well up to the task – strong, durable, easy to trolley, and easy to lay out at the hotel for access. Love it. Highly recommended,” one shopper wrote.
“Super super super light. Looking forward to seeing how it fares on its first overseas trip in a few months. Great capacity and love that one side is completely separated by a zippered partition. Has more space than you can use before hitting airline weight limits – means you can be a bit lazy with packing!” another said.
A third added: “Fits everything I need for a winter trip. Looks great and is lightweight”.
To buy the case I trialled, you’ll have to fork out $699.30 at the time of publication.
I couldn’t heap more praise on this suitcase if I tried. It honestly has changed my life. Now, I’m saving up to buy the rest of the sizes to complete my ultimate travel collection.
For more information and to shop the Samsonite C-Lite Spinner range, head here.
Sophie’s top three holiday products
1. Recreation Beauty Hair and Body Oil: This Love of Mine, $79
This stuff is next level good.
Not only does it smell divine, but it’s also multi-purpose, and can be used on your face and body skin, as well as to help to tame dry or frizzy hair.
I used it in the evenings after a shower and a long day at the beach, and it worked wonders at keeping my skin feeling supple and hydrated.
I would buy this body oil again and again.
2. K18 Leave-in Molecular Hair Mask, $99.50
Ah, K18. Never a beauty round-up was written without including it.
But it honestly is the GOAT.
Never was it more useful than on holiday, where I used it to re-hydrate and nourish my sea-soaked locks.
It is expensive, but a little of this stuff goes a long way. I promise if you invest, you’ll never look back.
3. Ultra Violette Preen Screen SPF50+ Reapplication Mist, $42
A holiday beauty wrap isn’t complete without at least one sunscreen.
And one of the products I had on rotation this trip was Ultra Violette’s new Preen Screen SPF50+ Reapplication Mist ($42).
This buy is perfect for spritzing over your face every couple of hours, when you might have makeup on but know you need a sunscreen top-up.
It’s lightweight and breathable, meaning you can hardly feel or see it on your skin.