Customer Reviews

Samsonite Oyster 29" Cartwheel

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

After 17 yrs of extensive travel (trains, planes, cruises)and abuse (I actually lent this suitcase to my parents and my sister whenever they traveled), the wheel finally got snapped off of my Oyster. After a cruise, we picked it up missing 1 wheel - with the tight corners of the ship halls and the fact that it probably weighed >70 lbs at the time, I can't blame the cruise ship.

I thought this suitcase was great for packing breakables; wine bottles merely surrounded by clothes never broke. I had no problem pulling this suitcase and we really would overload it. Because of its size, we really didn't need a lot of other luggage to deal with though. You wouldn't see me pulling this and handling more than a shoulderstrap piece of luggage. I have gone through a million cheap and expensive soft luggage - the telescoping handles always eventually break/get stuck, they rip and the zippers break. This suitcase really lasted! Geeezzzzzzz, I still can't believe it has been > 17 yrs.

Now I'm looking for a new hard suitcase and I'm considering something different but if there is one thing I can recommend and that I will stick with is the POLYPROPYLENE hardcase. I don't care what brand it is, that plastic is really tough. When the family travels, we can have multiple soft suitcases but we need 1 hardside suitcase to hold breakables. I've looked at the ABS, Polycarbs etc and they all give - the polypropylene does not give - I could sit on it! Unless you are getting into the aluminum, want to pay a thousand bucks, those other hardcase materials just seem flimsy to me. I would never chance a wine bottle in any of them.

I don't know why I didn't rate this a 5 star, other than that I'm not sure if the oysters selling today are as good as the ones made 17 yrs ago, it doesn't have TSA lock and I'm too lazy to go back and figure out how to change the rating to at least 4 1/2 stars.

Hope this helps.

I've used an earlier version of this suitcase for 10 years. It's gone with me to Europe twice, to Mexico five times, and to South America, China, and most major cities in the US. I have loved that suitcase. I like it's hard shell, its sturdy structure, and its bright color (easily recognized at airport baggage claims). But after a decade of abuse, it finally developed a little crack in the side. I patched it up with duct tape and used it on several more trips, but I thought I'd buy a replacement just in case (no pun intended).

The replacement is almost the exact same suitcase. But almost isn't good enough. It lacks two vital features of the old version. First, the doesn't have locking tabs on the side latches, but rather key locks. Why would anyone design a suitcase with one combination lock and two key locks? The locks aren't even TSA compatible. Second, the new case doesn't have a separate compartment, with divider, for hanging apparel (like a suit). Why would Sampsonite choose to omit this important feature?

I still expect the new suitcase will be durable. I know it will be colorfully easy to recognize at the airport, but I really wish Samponite had stuck with the original design.

You can't lock it with a TSA approved lock. So you have to either leave it unlocked or put a cable around it & lock the cable.

The clips on the sides also have a tendency to pop open.

One more thing, the empty suitcase is quite heavy.

I purchase a new Oyster to replace the Oyster I bought ten years ago. What a disappointment: take it froma road warrior--this was once a great suitcase; no more. I just bought a new one: it does not have the suit hanger inside. The once best suit case on the market: kept your clothes dry at Philly when it rained for hours with your bag sitting on the tarmac; no ironing at your destination; easy to handle; super durable. Now, the suit hanger is gone, the new Oysters do not have a suit hanger so one half of the suit case is useless--empty space. I am sending mine back: Warning: if you are buying a new Oyster thinking that you are going to get that great great suitcase of old--you aren't. Don't bother. It's sad really. So so sad.

Out of the box - my first reaction was flimsy. Bu then took to Chicago and dragged it many, many blocks. Then took to Ireland - not so much ddragging but thanks to United this piece of luggage got to visit Chicago for a couple of days before United located it and sent it back to Reagan. So... it feels light and flimsy and the latches don't inspire confidence. But... it is roomy, light, and has taken plenty of abuse without breaking. Using a pullman after years of wide two wheeled luggage took a little getting used to - but it was suprisingly easy to pull, tracked straight and didn't wobble as much as I expected as I dragged it around (expected it to be very unstable because of the narrow wheel base). So I am very happy. Also got it shipped o/n via Prime as I had an unexpected trip and my other luggage was in a different state! I will continue to use this piece.

The other reviewer on Amazon that rated this Samsonite Oyster luggage a "1" must have issues. I've had my original Oyster set, that looks identical to the black set being sold currently, for over 19 years and counting. I travel by air several times a year and have never had a bit of trouble with it. However, about a half-dozen soft luggage sets by various manufactures that I have also owned have lost wheels, broken locks and zippers, rips, etc. I'm now adding to that 19 year old set. It may not have cute, trendy looks about it, but it will last for many, many years.

Very good buy for the money. Before buying this suitcase i already had one for the past 6 years. Very much satisfied with it and decided to buy again. Quiet light for the size and very rugged. Highly recommended.

This is a superb piece of luggage. I own two for almost twenty years ago. I have used both extensively during this period for international and domestic travel. The luggage is indestructible, light (10lb), and provides ultimate protection for your contents. I am in the market for another piece and after reviewing the newer products, it is more likely that I will settle for an Oyster....again:)

This thing is super tough, holds a lot of stuff, and I like the 3-sided locking method.

However, the handle and wheel arrangement are not conducive to dragging this thing long distances when it's fully loaded. Because of the layout, you end up lifting and holding the weight of the loaded suitcase while you're wheeling it. Not fun. And if you're tall, you're double hosed. If I stand straight up and try to wheel it, it flips up on its end. Lame.

I'm fairly happy with it, but I'm currently looking for something easier to drag around. Maybe I'm just getting old.

I was disappointed with this product. First, there was no notification that the divider for suits that was a normal feature until now has been dropped so the buyer does not reaize that he is buying something different. Second, one of the side locks is defective -- it does not snap closed and requires the key lock to securely lock it.