Choosing Your American Tourister Suitcase

There are currently 18 suitcases in the American Tourister range. Below is a table that compares the suitcases.

(please note the weight, capacity and carry handle fields have up to three values each. The values for the Cabin/Medium/Large Suitcases are in this order. Expanded capacities are not shown in the table. Please look at the product page for complete information)

Suitcase Type

American Tourister Suitcases fall into one of three categories Hardside, Softside and Duffel.

Hardside Suitcases have a hard shell American Tourister offers 13 in total. Hardside cases are the most durable. They include spinner wheels, handles, TSA combination locks and two internal compartments. Unfortunately, Hardside cases don’t have exterior pockets, the only exception being the Hello Cabin Suitcase.

Softside Suitcases have a ‘soft’ shell yet are made from durable material. They include handles, four wheels and TSA combination locks. Exterior pockets feature on Softside suitcases, which some travellers prefer as they can access some belongings without having to open the main compartments. The Softside suitcases have a single compartment except for the Summer Session, which has two.

Duffel Suitcases are large pullable bags on two wheels. They are made from ‘soft materials’ also. They include exterior pockets but not TSA locks. The zips, however, can be sealed with a small padlock.

Suitcase Materials

American Tourister Suitcases are available in several materials.

Hardside Suitcase Materials

100% Polypropylene

100% Polypropylene is used for 8 of the 13 hard cases, a lightweight yet tough material that’s heat, cold and chemical resistant. The lightest suitcases are made from Polypropylene. The Airconic cabin is the lightest of all in the American Tourister range.

ABS

ABS Plastic features on the Speedstar, Marvel and Disney Hardside suitcases are another tough and light material, although not quite as light as Polypropylene. ABS is a cheaper material than Polypropylene.

Aluminium

The Alumo is the only case in the range made from Aluminium. As a result, Aluminium is heavier than Polypropylene and ABS plastic, the heaviest Suitcase in the American Tourister range.

Aluminium is a tough material that will never crack but will instead dent. As a result, an aluminium suitcase will likely accumulate a few battle scars throughout its life, adding to the already unique look and making your Suitcase more personal.

Softside Suitcase Materials

100% Polyester

American Tourister Suitcases are made from 100% Polyester, a durable and easy-to-clean material that will provide many years of service. Polyester is the most popular material for soft side suitcases.

400 & 600 Denier Polyester

The Road Quest Duffel is constructed from 400 & 600 Denier Polyester, which utilises fewer threads than 100% Polyester for a lighter material.

Recycle

The Urban Track Duffel is made from 100% Recyclex, an eco-friendly material made from 100% recycled bottles. The advent of Recyclex has prevented tens of millions of plastic bottles from going into landfill.

Suitcase Sizes

Most American Tourister suitcases come in three sizes Small/Cabin, Medium and Large. (The Hello Cabin, Lock N Roll and Road Quest are only available in a single size, while the Alumo is available in two sizes).

Small/Cabin

Small/Cabin suitcases are 55cm and have capacities of 32.5-42 litres. Cabin suitcases are carry-on luggage stored in an overhead locker (always check with your airline first).
Cabin suitcases are ideal for short weekend breaks and, when used in conjunction with larger ones, hold luggage suitcases for longer trips.

Medium

Medium-sized suitcases are between 66-68cm and have capacities of 61-72 litres. Like large suitcases, medium suitcases must be stored in the hold on planes. Medium suitcases are ideal for 3-7 day holidays or maybe longer if your packing skills are good.
Medium suitcases are suitable for longer city breaks as they are small enough to use on public transport and in taxis.

Large

Large Suitcases are between 75-79 litres and have capacities of 88-111 litres. Large suitcases are ideal for longer holidays of over one week and when packing for couples or family trips.

Suitcase Weights

Suitcase Weights vary depending on the size, model and material of the Suitcase.

The lightest American Tourister suitcase in the range is the Airconic (constructed from Polypropylene), weighing are mere 2 kilos for the cabin version and 3.7 Kg for the large model.

The heaviest American Tourister Suitcase is the Alumo (constructed from Aluminium), weighing 4.3 kg for the carbon version and 5.3 kg for the medium Suitcase.

All suitcases are easy to lift and transport despite the weight, especially when pushed or pulled.

Use the table to establish the exact weight for each Suitcase size.

Suitcase Capacity

American Tourister Suitcases vary in capacity, depending on the size and model. Therefore, capacity is listed in litres.

• Cabin Suitcases have capacities of between 32.5-42 litres
• Medium Suitcases have capacities between 61-72.5 litres
• Large suitcases have capacities between 88-111 litres

Some suitcases in the American Tourister range are expandable, so you can increase the holding capacity. Expandable suitcases include the Novastream, Soundbox, Speedstar and Sunside.

Suitcase Colours

American Tourister offers suitcases in a range of colours and designs. Some suitcases are available in more different colours than others. The colours available depend on the size and model you choose.

American Tourister Suitcase colours include

Suitcase Spinner Wheels

American Tourister Suitcases are double-wheeled and include four spinner wheels which rotate quickly, making it extremely easy to push and pull your Suitcase over various surfaces. The Duffels have two standard wheels.

Suitcase Handles

All American Tourister Suitcases include a double tube telescopic handle. Hand carry handles are also included at the sides and top of medium and large suitcases and the top only on cabin suitcases. Due to their size, cabin suitcases don’t require side handles, so they are omitted. (except for the small Novastream and Alumo, the only cabin suitcases in the range that have side handles)

Suitcase Locks

American Tourister Suitcases include three-point TSA combination locks.

TSA locks allow you to secure your luggage while allowing airport staff to open and inspect your Suitcase with a special key.

TSA Locks are recommended when travelling to America and other countries. They can save a lot of potential trouble and prevent your Suitcase from being damaged.

Airport security can quickly check inside your Suitcase and relock when done.

The combination lock can be set to any number and reset if you forget the code.

Suitcase Pockets

Hardside suitcases don’t have any exterior pockets (except the hello cabin) Softside cases and Duffels do.

Most American Tourister suitcases have interior pockets, usually, mesh pockets on the front of the compartment divider. Side pockets feature internally on some suitcases also.

Crossbody straps are included in one and sometimes both of the compartments. The straps keep your clothes secure and help prevent wrinkles.

The Alumo has the most interior pockets, with four in total.

American Tourister Warranty

American Tourister Suitcases include a global warranty of between 2-5 years, depending on the model of the Suitcase.

American Tourister has an extended network of service centres across the globe, so you can get your case repaired in multiple countries.

American Tourister History

Back in 1933, Sol Koffler used his life savings to start a luggage company in the capital of Rhode Island. Sol’s ambition was to create a tough suitcase that he could sell for a dollar.

As air travel started to dominate, cases had to evolve. American Tourister created the Hi-Taper range, which was lighter and easier to pack.

As a result, American Tourister made the world’s first moulded luggage. The company’s innovations spawned all the hard cases you see on the market today.

American Tourister sold hard suitcases while introducing soft side cases in the mid-’80s to meet the demand of the tourist market. The cases were soft but still extremely tough. In 1993 American Tourister was taken over by Samsonite.

To this day is one of the leading brands in the travel luggage market, offering high-quality, strong spinner luggage that is stylish and affordable.