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Loan up to ₹5 Lakhs Starting at 11% p.a.* I have tested more suitcases than I can count comfortably now. My testing of its Serendipity luggage showed that you can get attractive design, useful features and good travel performance without immediately moving into the ₹ 20,000-plus bracket. So I would never tell someone that a ₹ 3,000 or ₹ 5,000 suitcase is a compromise they should feel bad about. There is also a big difference between spending ₹ 2,500 more and spending ₹ 15,000 more. If a medium suitcase costs ₹ 2,500 instead of ₹ 5,000, I might happily spend the extra amount for better wheels or construction. But if the choice is ₹ 3,000 versus ₹ 25,000, that is a completely different conversation.
Because the logo says so, not. Because the suitcase looks expensive on a shopping page, not. Because the difference starts showing in the things you actually use, it is. Because apparently I have never learnt the art of leaving enough space in a suitcase for the return trip, it was packed heavily too,. Because it sits closer to the middle of the price spectrum, uppercase is another brand I find interesting.
From Safari and HRX to Swiss Military, Victorinox, Delsey Paris, Rare Rabbit, Uppercase and several others, I have travelled with luggage across different price points and in very different conditions. My recent suitcase testing has included five popular cases put through actual travel, along with individual reviews across brands and price ranges. And I have come to one conclusion. Premium luggage really can feel different. The wheels. The handle. The shell. The zips. The internal compartments. The weight. Even the way the suitcase feels when you are dragging it through an airport after a long flight. My biggest lesson? A budget suitcase is not automatically a bad purchase. But if you have the money to spend, premium luggage can make a very noticeable difference to the experience. I recently took a Swiss Military suitcase from its premium collection to Singapore. It went through four flights, a cruise and multiple taxi transfers. When I finally looked at the case after coming home, I could barely spot a scratch on the body. That genuinely surprised me. I have used suitcases that look gorgeous when they are new but start showing marks, scuffs and signs of wear surprisingly quickly. The Swiss Military case was different. It still looked fresh after a trip that gave it plenty of opportunities to get battered. That experience made me look at premium luggage differently. For me, the difference is in the details rather than one big feature. This is something I have become increasingly particular about after testing so many suitcases. This is where I think premium luggage gets the design process right. Someone has clearly thought about how much space a traveller actually needs, where a compartment should sit and how deep it should be. I have also found that some affordable suitcases offer similar features, but the construction can feel thinner or less substantial. At that point, I would rather buy an affordable suitcase, use it for three or four years and replace it than spend money I am not comfortable spending. For me, yes, if you can comfortably afford it. After using premium luggage from Swiss Military, Victorinox, Delsey Paris and Rare Rabbit, I have realised that you are paying for more than the brand name. You are paying for better hardware, considered construction, lighter materials, stronger interiors and an experience that feels better every time you travel. My Victorinox Airox testing, for example, showed me how much difference lightweight construction, a stable handle and smooth wheels can make when you are actually moving through airports. At the same time, budget luggage has its place. Safari, HRX and Uppercase have shown me that affordable cases can work perfectly well when your expectations match what you are paying for. After testing luggage across so many price points, I would put my money on Swiss Military. It gives me the premium experience I now look for without feeling completely out of reach. The Singapore trip was a big reason for that confidence. Four flights, a cruise, taxis and an overpacked suitcase, and the case still came home looking remarkably fresh. That is what has changed my thinking about luggage. Premium is not essential. Budget does not mean bad.
My earlier Swiss Military Lithane testing also involved four flights, a Disney cruise and serious overpacking, with the suitcase continuing to perform well.
A suitcase can have a beautiful shell and impressive wheels, but if the inside is badly planned, I am not interested. Safari has actually been a particularly good example of affordable luggage working well for me. But when you can afford the difference, good luggage makes you notice the quality every single time you pick it up, roll it, pack it and take it on a flight. And after testing this many suitcases, those little moments are exactly what I am now willing to pay for. Here’s what to know about the Grand Train Tour I compared hard shell VS soft shell luggage; here’s what I’d buy again Handpicked monsoon destinations in India backed by hospitality experts; what to pack, how to plan Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.
The best interiors I have tested tend to get these details right: Here is the part where I refuse to say that everyone needs to spend ₹ 15,000 or ₹ 20,000 on luggage. Tried and Tested: Every suitcase I have reviewed so far, simplified into one buying guide Destination Buzz: Planning a Switzerland train holiday in 2026? We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products.
Because the prices made more sense for the trip and the way I was travelling at the time, i have personally bought Safari and HRX.
I have previously tested one across eight holidays and three airports over a year, and it continued to perform reliably.
