I love Delsey.  In the 40 years I have been buying my own luggage it has lasted the longest and customer service for replacing a zipper tab has been prompt and courteous.  I have owned every major brand, some designer pieces and throw aways (or leave behinds) from discount stores.  I bought this piece to replace a similar item in my Delsey collection.  I had not used the Helium series before, but the replaced piece was also 29" Delsey and lightweight at 10.5#.  It was destroyed on a trip to Newark with improper handling in connection with United flights.  Due to time constraints, and not finding that the luggage had a damaged wheel until I was at my hotel several hours later, I sent an email to the carrier.  By time United replied, I was back in Houston and more damage had been done:  interior plastic supports were shredded.  Not a Delsey problem, but United chose not to honor damage as I had not stopped at their baggage claims' desk and reported original damage while in Newark airport. This particular piece had been to Mexico 8 times, all over US on other carriers and never anything more than a loose thread or scuffing on sides for 4 years.