I received this bag and the matching laptop tote (see my other review for details on it) as a birthday gift last month. After much online research and reading countless reviews and an in-store trial at a local Macy's, I decided to ask for this particular Samsonite line. I am very impressed with the luggage and plan to buy the bigger bag for checking luggage on longer trips. I wanted a carry-on that had spinner wheels, a suiter, and was high-quality enough to last several years. I balked a bit at the price, but similar luggage that didn't appear to be as of good quality was within the $30 range of this bag, and I honestly think it is made very well.

The stitching/seams are totally finished, no loose thread ends or places where it's come unsewn. Others reported on the iffy quality of the zippers, but I have used this twice so far and have had no problems with my zipper getting stuck or feeling flimsy or like it might rip off. The bottom has a nice extra flap of fabric sewn on to be used as a handle when hoisting overhead, as well as a built-in constructed padded handle on the side. The telescoping carry handle adjusts to two different heights, and I am fairly tall (5'10") and have no trouble pulling it at the higher setting, and I found the lower one useful while in the aisle of the plane.

The inside is great--roomy, fully lined, has a built-in plastic-lined zipper compartment to keep liquids from leaking onto clothes. I really like that the suiter compartment is separate from the main area, so your hanging clothes get zipped up into the top and away from dirty shoes, etc. There are a couple of smallish zippered compartments on the outside of the suiter, one mesh and one opaque fabric--I guess you could store ties or accessories there (I only put my necklaces in it) but it's pretty flat so only small things will fit there. Probably thin trouser socks would be fine, but bulky athletic socks have to find somewhere else to go. It also has the expandable feature that you may either unzip for a fuller suitcase or leave closed for a thinner profile.

It rolled along effortlessly in the airport and on gravelly paths back to the parking lot...I did have a bit of trouble trying to roll it across the thick carpet of my sister's house, but that was it. It rolled fine across the low-profile carpet of a hotel. Others reported the wheels being eaten up by gravel or cement, and while they ARE soft rubber, I didn't notice any excessive wear and tear on mine after either trip (and I did check since I was a bit concerned about the negative reviews). They're still perfectly round and rolling along smoothly.

The one feature I wish this bag had is the zip-up compartment for when you are no longer using the telescoping handle, like my last Samsonite bag had. It's not essential though, so no star deductions.

The only reason this didn't get five full stars: I ordered the Mars Red, expecting a brilliant dark red as pictured online (they didn't have red in the store I went to see in-person). I was a bit disappointed when they arrived and I found out it's more of a dark maroon...the fabric is actually a maroony-red with black thread in it, and the plastic and faux leather bumpers on the corner are most definitely maroon. It's not the end of the world, but I really did want a bright red. If I had known they were maroon, I probably would've chosen the Solar Rose, which in person is a lovely mauve shade. Oh well. I'm still satisfied and intend to use this bag till the wheels literally fall off!