Kenneth Cole Vs. Samsonite: Which Luggage Brand Is Best?

When it comes to buying new luggage, two of the most popular and well-known brands are Kenneth Cole and Samsonite. But which one should you choose?

This comprehensive guide compares the key features, pros and cons of Kenneth Cole vs Samsonite luggage to help you decide which is best for your needs and budget.

A Brief Comparison Table

Feature	Kenneth Cole	Samsonite
Durability	Decent, but not as sturdy as Samsonite	Very durable, built to last
Style	More fashionable designs	Classic and professional styles
Weight	Lightweight materials used	Heavier but very sturdy
Warranty	10 year limited warranty	10 year limited warranty
Price	Affordable, lower price points	Mid-range to premium pricing
Size Options	Limited sizes	Wide range of sizes
Interior Organization	Basic organization	Advanced multi-compartment designs
Spinner Wheels	Smooth spinner wheels	Rugged spinner wheels
Customer Service	Good	Excellent customer service

Overview of Kenneth Cole Luggage

Kenneth Cole luggage comes in both hardside and softside varieties. The hardside cases feature a tough ABS composite shell to protect belongings. The softside versions use ballistic nylon fabric with some leather accents for a stylish look.

Some key features of Kenneth Cole luggage include:

Affordable Pricing – Kenneth Cole bags are very competitively priced, making them budget-friendly options compared to premium brands. Price range is approximately $100-$300.
Lightweight – By using ABS composite shells and nylon fabric, Kenneth Cole keeps the weight down in its luggage. This makes it easy to maneuver and carry.

Fashion Forward Styling – With unique textures and leather trim details, Kenneth Cole luggage has a more fashionable look compared to basic black suitcases. The styles are modern and sleek.
Smooth Spinner Wheels – The double spinner wheels roll smoothly and make it easy to maneuver the luggage. The wheels also help absorb vibration and impact.
TSA Approved Locks – Most Kenneth Cole luggage comes with TSA approved combination locks to keep belongings secure. This allows TSA agents to open and inspect the luggage if needed without damaging the lock.

10 Year Limited Warranty – Kenneth Cole offers a 10 year limited warranty against defects in materials and workmanship, providing consumer peace of mind.

While Kenneth Cole offers stylish and affordable luggage, there are some downsides to consider:

Not as Durable as Premium Brands – The hardside shells and fabric may be prone to scratching, scuffing and cracking over time with rough baggage handling. It’s not built to last like Samsonite.

Limited Interior Organization – The interior tends to feature basic organization like divider flaps and zippered pockets rather than more advanced multi-compartment designs.
Limited Size/Style Options – Kenneth Cole has a smaller product selection compared to other major brands. The focus is more on basic and carry-on sized bags rather than large checked suitcases.

Overview of Samsonite Luggage

Samsonite is known for making very durable and quality luggage with innovative features. As one of the most recognized luxury luggage brands, Samsonite offers a wide range of size and style options.

Some standout features of Samsonite luggage:

Ultra-Durable – Samsonite uses highly durable materials like polycarbonate and polypropylene to make the shells virtually unbreakable. The zippers, wheels and handles are also built to last.
Lightweight – Despite the ultra-sturdy construction, Samsonite’s advanced materials keep the weight low for easy mobility.

TSA Approved Locks – Like Kenneth Cole, most Samsonite bags also come with TSA approved locks for security.
Smooth Rolling Spinner Wheels – The multi-directional spinner wheels offer smooth, quiet rolling in any direction.
10 Year Limited Warranty – Samsonite also provides a 10 year limited warranty against defects.

Advanced Interior Organization – Interior divider panels, zippered pockets, wet pockets and other compartments keep items neat and organized inside.
Wide Variety of Sizes – From carry-ons to large checked luggage, Samsonite has a vast range of sizing options to meet needs.
Classic, Professional Styling – The understated, classic designs are ideal for business and travel. Less trendy than other brands.

Some potential drawbacks of Samsonite include:

Expensive – Samsonite sits at a premium price point, with most bags ranging from $200-$500. The high quality comes at a cost.
Heavy – The ultra-durable materials like polycarbonate do make these bags heavier than average, although still manageable.

Conservative Styling – Those looking for trendy patterns and colors may find Samsonite’s classic styles a bit boring. The focus is function over fashion.

Also Read: Comparison Between Samsonite And Calpak Luggage

Key Differences Between Kenneth Cole and Samsonite Luggage

Now that we’ve provided an overview of each brand, let’s take a deeper look at how Kenneth Cole and Samsonite luggage compare across some key factors:

Durability and Materials

Samsonite luggage is known for its ultra durability and use of high quality materials like polycarbonate, ABS, ballistic nylon and polyester. This makes it essentially indestructible and built to last for years of frequent travel. Kenneth Cole uses similar materials like ABS and ballistic nylon, but the overall construction is not as heavy-duty. The Kenneth Cole bags are decently durable but may show wear and tear over time.
Samsonite’s zippers, wheels and handles are sturdy and stand up well to rough baggage handling. Kenneth Cole bags have standard hardware and wheels that are prone to damage or breaking with very rough treatment.
The polycarbonate and ABS shells used by Samsonite can resist cracking, abrasions and punctures more effectively than Kenneth Cole’s shells. Kenneth Cole’s ABS shells do offer some impact resistance but may succumb to dents or fractures over time.

Both brands offer water resistant fabric protection. However, Samsonite offers specific models treated with Teflon stain-resistant coatings and sealed seams. This gives Samsonite an edge for keeping contents protected from moisture.
Overall, Samsonite takes durability to the next level with their ultra-protective materials that are made to withstand years of intensive travel. Kenneth Cole provides decent durability that works for occasional vacations but frequent fliers would benefit from the longer lifespan of Samsonite.

Style and Appearance

In terms of style, Kenneth Cole luggage definitely has a more fashionable, contemporary look compared to Samsonite’s classic and professional designs.

Kenneth Cole features stylish textures like leather trim and textured patterns on their softside bags. Samsonite sticks with smooth, solid color shells and fabric.
Those who want a suitcase that makes a stylish statement will likely prefer the modern flair of Kenneth Cole luggage. The colors and textures are chic.
Samsonite’s focus is function over fashion. The bags have a simple, clean-lined look and come in muted, business-appropriate colors like black, navy and gray. Frequent business travelers may prefer this traditional, low-key aesthetic.

Kenneth Cole has collaborations with designers and fashion houses to create limited edition bags with bold prints and colors. Samsonite does not offer any high fashion collaborations or limited editions.
If you want luggage that turns heads, Kenneth Cole provides sleek, contemporary styles you’ll be proud to have on display. Samsonite’s classic silhouettes simply get the job done without attracting much attention.

Weight and Mobility

Samsonite uses ultra light but durable materials like Curv and polypropylene to create incredibly sturdy yet lightweight luggage. Kenneth Cole also uses lightweight fabrics and materials to reduce weight.

On average, Kenneth Cole’s hardside luggage weighs between 6.5-8 pounds while its softside bags are 4-6 pounds. Samsonite’s hardside bags weigh 7-9 pounds and softside versions weigh 5-7 pounds.
Considering Samsonite’s added durability, the lighter weight is impressive and makes the bags easy to carry and maneuver despite the heavy duty construction. Both brands offer reasonable weights for their respective price points.
Kenneth Cole and Samsonite both feature smooth, multi-directional spinner wheels that roll effortlessly. Samsonite casters tend to be a bit more heavy-duty but overall the wheels work comparably between the brands.

For those wanting ultra lightweight luggage, Kenneth Cole gets the slight edge. But frequent fliers will appreciate that Samsonite keeps weight low despite the rugged materials used, preventing shoulder and arm strain.

Warranties and Customer Service

Both Kenneth Cole and Samsonite back their luggage with 10 year limited warranties. This provides reassurance that defects in materials and manufacturing will be covered.
From reviews, Samsonite appears to have better customer service when it comes to filing claims. Response times tend to be quicker and issues resolved more smoothly.

Kenneth Cole also responds to warranty claims but some reviews cite frustrations with response times taking longer vs Samsonite’s customer service.
For customer service, Samsonite is the winner. Their service reputation exceeds expectations regularly. Kenneth Cole’s customer service is decent but doesn’t seem to go above and beyond like Samsonite.
The 10 year warranties are comparable but Samsonite’s advantage is how they handle requests and fix issues promptly through supportive customer service.

Price and Value

Kenneth Cole luggage is very competitively priced, with most pieces ranging from $100-$300. This makes it an affordable option compared to premium brands.
Samsonite sits at a higher price point, with most luggage costing between $200-$500. The ultra durable construction and quality comes at a price.
When viewed as a cost per use given Samsonite’s longevity, the higher prices may provide greater value over time compared to Kenneth Cole’s shorter lifespan. But the lower upfront cost of Kenneth Cole can be easier to budget for some.

Those wanting inexpensive yet stylish luggage will get great value from Kenneth Cole. If investing in luggage to last for a decade or more of travel, Samsonite provides tremendous value at its price point.
Overall Samsonite represents a bigger upfront investment but exceptional value long-term for frequent travelers. Kenneth Cole gives budget shoppers strong value, but may need replacing sooner.

Size and Interior Organization

Kenneth Cole has a smaller product selection focused on carry-ons and smaller checked luggage. Light packers can likely find a suitable size.

Samsonite offers an extensive range of sizes from mini carry-on bags up to massive 32” checked suitcases. Heavier packers will appreciate the larger size offerings.
Interior organization is basic with Kenneth Cole bags – typically just a couple elasticized pockets and divider flaps or panels. Samsonite offers more advanced organization.
Samsonite has wet pockets, mesh pockets, accessory pockets, compression straps, and cinch down dividers for customizable packing. The variety of compartments keeps contents neatly organized and secure.

Those who need maximum storage space and compartments for organized packing get more options with Samsonite. Kenneth Cole works fine for light packers who don’t require robust organizational features.

Also Read: Comparison Between Nomatic And Away.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are Kenneth Cole suitcases good quality?

Kenneth Cole luggage offers decent quality and durability at an affordable price point. The hardside and softside bags are constructed from materials like ABS and ballistic nylon that resist scuffing, tearing and damage. They work well for occasional vacations and short trips. However, Kenneth Cole suitcases are not as ultra durable as premium brands like Samsonite that use nearly indestructible polycarbonate shells. For intensive, frequent travel they may not hold up as well over time. But Kenneth Cole provides good style and quality for the low prices.

Is Samsonite still the best luggage?

Samsonite remains one of the top premium luggage brands on the market. Their use of innovative, ultra protective materials like Curv and polycarbonate make their suitcases virtually unbreakable with extreme durability. Samsonite frequently updates their luggage lines with the latest advances in materials and spinner wheel technology. They offer an unmatched range of sizes and interior organization options. For anyone wanting quality luggage that will last for years and years of adventure, Samsonite remains the best brand available. Their classic professional styling also makes Samsonite an ideal choice for business travel needs.

Which luggage brand is most durable?

Of all the major luggage brands currently available, Samsonite is hands down the most durable. By using cutting edge proprietary materials like Curv, Samsonite has mastered the art of creating an extremely rugged polycarbonate shell that is essentially indestructible yet lightweight. Their spinner wheels are equally rugged and built to withstand any terrain or rough baggage handling. Samsonite’s zippers, handles and hardware also outperform competitors in durability testing. While other brands make quality luggage, none match Samsonite’s extreme durability resulting from the superior materials and construction techniques they utilize. For the ultimate in long lasting luggage, Samsonite is the top choice.

Which suitcase brand is best?

The “best” suitcase brand depends on your priorities and needs. For a balance of quality, durability and affordable pricing, brands like American Tourister, Delsey and Travelpro rate highly. For ultra luxury and durability, Rimowa and Briggs & Riley are top tier. And Samsonite remains the best overall for combining maximum durability with functionality and innovative design. Samsonite’s use of materials like Curv and polycarbonate make their luggage virtually unbreakable, backed by a strong 10 year warranty. Their smooth rolling spinner wheels, TSA locks, and well-organized interiors also make Samsonite our top pick overall. But focus on your ideal features, budget and style preferences to choose the best brand for your travel needs.

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Final Thoughts

When choosing between Kenneth Cole and Samsonite luggage, consider your priorities in terms of budget, lifetime usage needs, packing requirements and style preferences.

Kenneth Cole wins for affordable, fashionable bags for occasional vacations. Samsonite is the way to go for investment pieces that withstand years of frequent travel with their unprecedented durability.

Focus on your travel habits, packing needs and sense of style to decide if Kenneth Cole’s modern affordability or Samsonite’s timeless quality best fits your lifestyle. Either brand will keep you stylishly organized on your journeys.