Tripp Make Budget Hard and Soft-Shell Suitcases – Here are the Pros, Cons and Things to Watch For
Tripp suitcases have taken the budget luggage market by storm – the key question is, are Tripp Suitcases any good?
At ¼ the price of the big brands, they are certainly a bargain. You can choose hard or soft-shell options, and sizes ranging from cabin luggage through to large. Add the distinctive styles, and that welcome 5-year warranty, and Tripp cases appear to be excellent value.
Not so fast.
Key factors to consider include weight and durability. You should also ensure that you choose Tripp luggage which won’t get easily dented. Finally, you’ll need to avoid the dreaded scene where your cabin luggage gets rejected – and the costs which go with this.
This page covers Tripp luggage in depth.
Here is what you will find below:
- Table: Quick Summaries of the Best Quality Tripp Suitcases
- Tripp Luggage Designs and List of all Hard / Soft Shell Options
- Build Quality Assessed: Will Tripp Luggage Last?
- Negatives: What Has Gone Wrong with Tripp Suitcases?
- Key Positives from 1000’s of Buyer Feedback Comments
- Mini-Reviews of the Most Popular Tripp Luggage Options
I have repeated the table at the bottom of the page. By the time you see it, you’ll be in a great position to answer the main question: Is Tripp luggage any good?
The best place to get deals on Tripp luggage is always their official amazon.co.uk store – check it out!
Table: Tripp Luggage – The Main Designs and Most Popular Lines
Is Tripp Luggage Good? Hard-Shell and Soft-Shell Design Options
Tripp suitcases cover hard-shell and soft-shell options and include both classic and vibrant designs.
Hard shell cases from Tripp are made of polypropylene or ABS. Based on the medium options, the weight of 3.5 to 3.9kgs is reasonable, though heavier than you’d get with the more expensive brands like Samsonite.
You get multiple design choices, and colours.
Hard Shell Options from Tripp:
- Graphite: Sheer, clean design with contrasting trim.
- World II: Distinctive grey and black blocks design.
- Chic: Angled ridges, elegant and modern.
- Pewter: These cases shine, large vertical ridges.
- Anthracite Lite: Classic rounded corners, retro feel.
- Holiday 7: Vibrant colours and checkered design.
- Escape: Smaller horizontal lines, understated style.
- SlateCool Mint Azalea: Floral, sharp, and beautiful.
- Retro II: Metallic finish contrasts with classic looks.
- Supreme: A serious case for regular travellers.
See all the Tripp hard-shell designs side-by-side on this page.
Soft-Shell Suitcase Options from Tripp:
- Ultra Lite: Just 2.6kgs (medium), classic design.
- Style Lite: Angles towards base, contrasting trim.
- Ultra Lite: 2.8kgs (medium), elegant and rounded.
- Full Circle II: Unique boxy design with clean lines.
- Wheeled Duffel: Based on Style Lite design with straps.
See all the soft-shell options from Tripp on this page.
There are also bags, including holdalls – and accessories. This page covers Tripp suitcases to save space I will cover the other options on a separate page.
Build Quality: Will Tripp Luggage Last?
Materials used for Tripp suitcases will depend on which range you opt for.
Hard-shell cases are either polypropylene or ABS. Of these the polypropylene cases are lighter. Remember these cases are cheap – you won’t find the super-lite hard-shell cases made of Curv at this price point.
That said, Tripp cases are good enough to withstand the bumps and bashes of air travel. I will note that metallic shiny cases (the Pewter range) are more prone to scratches. The single shell options are the most robust – though tend to be heavier.
Tripp soft-shell cases include different levels of lightness. The weight is saved using a mix of polyester for the covers and keeping the frame simple. These cases are wipe-clean, and naturally resist scratches and scuffs.
Linings and inside materials include polyester and nylon materials. Spinner wheels are robust. With 1000’s of comments – issues with them are super-rare (and you can be sure that the first thing people will do is fly to the Tripp store at amazon if their wheels did break).
Is Tripp Luggage Any Good: My Picks for Hard Shell Tripp Suitcases
When it comes to the designs, the Style Lite and Pewter Absolute Lite appeal to me most.
Whatever your taste, Tripp make high-quality hard-shell cases for their price range. I have picked four distinctive designs below for summaries which include the build, inside elements and feedback gained from thousands of users over the years.
#1 – Hard-Shell Options from Tripp: The World 4 Spinners
This design is both unique and distinctive. It brings a chess board to mind, though the panels are not uniform. The black and graphite option has matte for the grey, and gloss for the black. For anyone that prefers a bolder option – the light blue has some ‘zing’ to it.
World 4 cases are made from tough polypropylene, which is commonly used for car bumpers. They have four wheels and a telescoping handle. Inside you get the usual one open (with elasticated straps) and one zipped compartment with a meshed handle.
Tripp add a combination lock with TSA override.
There are three sizes, with the cabin version compatible with a list of lower-cost airlines.
Check out this dedicated page at the Tripp amazon.co.uk store for the zoomable pictures and latest pricing now!
#2 – Are the Style Lite Hard-Shell Cases from Tripp Any Good?
The sheer sides of the Style Lite range are beautifully designed. It is only when you see the hard-shell of these cases up close that the texture becomes apparent. Graphite works perfectly, setting off the black trim and curved spinner wheels perfectly.
At only 3.6kgs (based on the medium), Style Lite cases are light compared to the other hard-shell options from Tripp. They are made from ABS, which is tough enough to be used for crash helmets.
Contrasting straps give the inside a distinctive look, while the lock has a TSA override which covers you for trips to the USA.
It would be great to see Tripp offer their Style Lite cases in more colours.
See the close-ups and get the latest pricing now – over on this page at the dedicated Tripp store at amazon.co.uk.
#3 – Holiday 7 Cases from Tripp – Are They Any Good?
For anyone that thinks black and grey suitcases are boring – the Holiday 7 range puts a little colour back into the Tripp luggage range.
They are not just varied in colour, Holiday 7 cases are bright, bold, and brash. You can choose from banana yellow, flamingo pink, watermelon, or mint. For the traditionalists out there, a black version is offered.
Designs show a 6×4 grid of squares, with small but tough spinner wheels. There are cabin versions, along with the usual medium and large check-in cases. They are a little heavier than the other Tripp hard-shell options, with a 100% polypropylene build. They are plenty tough enough to stand repeated trips and come with the standard 5-year guarantee.
One thing is for sure, you’ll spot them easily on the airport carousel.
Check out the vibrant colours now – over on this dedicated page for Holiday 7 cases at the official Tripp amazon.co.uk store.
#4 – Absolute Lite Suitcases: Hard Shell with Shine
Gloss finishes make the Absolute Lite cases from Tripp shine.
Pewter (shiny grey) stands out for me. There is an ‘ice blue’ version, though I’m undecided as to whether it is more baby-blue than a sharp ice colour. I love the ‘grape,’ though this one won’t appeal to everyone.
Vertical ridges make the design different from the lite-shock cases from Samsonite. They are made of ABS, with a reasonable 3.9kg weight, based on the medium version.
Absolute Lite cases are expandible, have small spinner wheels and the usual combination lock with TSA override. Inside you get a mesh compartment and an open one with elasticated straps.
High-gloss cases are more prone to scratches and scrapes than matte ones. That said, they do look stunning at a super-reasonable price point.
Check out the size and colour options and see the full gallery for yourself now – over on the dedicated Absolute Lite page at the Tripp UK amazon store.
#1 – Soft Shell Options from Tripp Luggage: Are the Ultra Lite 4 Cases Any Good?
At just 2.8kgs (based on the medium), you get more weight for packing than with any of the hard-shell Tripp options.
I’m a fan of the classic design of the Ultra Lite range. Two panels on the front are separated with a zipped pocket. A big difference is that you get one deep compartment, rather than two halves. Add packing cubes, and these cases are both easy to access and easy to use.
The cover is polyester. They are wipe-clean and scratch resistant. These Tripp cases look great in black, though you will find a bolder Ocean Blue version for the more adventurous out there.
You get a 5-year guarantee – which at this price point is excellent.
Check out the size and colour combinations and impressive picture gallery for yourself now, on this dedicated product page at the Tripp amazon store.
#2 – Style Lite Soft-Shell Cases from Tripp
Style Lite take away my only real gripe with soft-shell cases from Tripp – that some of the designs are on the plain side (at least compared to the more varied hard-shell options).
The ‘Graphite’ version tops the list, with a subtle yellow trim, different grey panels and classic square shape and design. These cases are angled, getting thinner at the top and thicker towards the bottom. As usual you get spinner wheels, a telescoping handle and inside straps to keep your things firmly in place.
A quick mention for the wheeled duffel, which has the same look and build, with carry straps that make it double as a holdall.
An excellent soft-shell case, with a low price point compared to many alternatives.
Check out the Style Lite Graphite now, over on this dedicated page at the Tripp luggage amazon UK store.
Are Tripp Suitcases Worth the Money? Feedback from Regular Users
The moment of truth for any suitcase comes when you take it on holiday.
This is why I like to look at the comments and feedback going back a year or two on all the retail platforms.
One thing stood out immediately for Tripp luggage:
Compared to other bands in the bargain basement price bracket, the overall feedback is excellent.
Sure, it is not up to the standards of Tumi, Wenger or other high-price brands. When you consider that you can pay up to ten times the price for those cases compared to Tripp, that is hardly surprising.
Without directly lifting the comments (good or bad), my main take-aways are below:
Negative Reviews of Tripp Luggage
Flimsy was used frequently for the soft-shell super-light cases. This was directed at the telescoping handles, as well as the polyester materials used.
Many of the negative reviews (they were low in proportion to the positive ones), related to damage at the airport. A small number of wheels came off, with others reporting frayed edges. Nothing gets people’s back up like telling them that airport damage is not covered by the warranty.
The feedback for the hard-shell cases had the usual rants about 3rd party delivery services (come on people, instead of ranting about someone who said you were not in, how about providing genuine feedback on the product!?!). That said, the number of genuine issues is much lower than with the soft-shell cases.
There were mentions of scratches – especially for the glossy hard-shell cases.
Overall, I’d say most of the negatives were from people that had mismatched expectations of what you get for this bargain basement price range.
Positive Feedback for Tripp Suitcases
Of the types, the hard-shell ranges from Tripp get the most positive feedback overall. These include verified purchases and are from people that understand that for this low price point, they are getting a decent deal but not perfect luggage.
Here are some of the phrases which came up repeatedly:
- Great value for money
- Decent inside space
- Lightness
- Easy to manoeuvre.
The ability to wipe these cases clean after a holiday also gets mentioned repeatedly.
When you compare the ratio of happy buyers to unhappy ones, especially in comparison to the low price of these cases, it is hard to come away thinking that the overall feedback is anything but positive.
Alternative Brands: What Other Suitcase Brands Match Tripp?
American Tourister: Of the major luggage brands, American Tourister are the lower priced option. They are in the same family as Samsonite – with a lot of the same technology and components. Designs range from classic to bold and brash, for example the SummerFunk line compared to the Holiday Heat cases.
IT Luggage: Famed for their ‘World’s Lightest’ (which really is amazing to lift), IT has a wide range of soft-shell options and have recently added some hard-shell suitcases too. These are great value and have distinctive wide handles.
Samsonite: As much as I try out other cases, my trusty Samsonite LiteShock always gets the vote when it comes to trips. This is super-light, looks great and has the quality build that you just don’t get from lower priced luggage. I cover getting the best value Samsonite luggage here.
Antler: Classic designs with an elegance that you won’t get from value brands. I’m a dedicated Antler fan and have been lucky enough to test all their recent cases. Check out the new Brixham lightweight options as a great starting point. These are not cheap, but the quality is amazing.
Wrapping Up: Is Tripp Luggage Good – and is it Worth the Price?
Tripp cases are perfect for anyone that does not want to shell out a small fortune on big brand cases and needs smart, reliable luggage.
When you read the feedback, do it with the understanding that the only cheaper cases available are horrible no-brand efforts. Those strange sounding brand names or collections of seemingly random capital letters should get you running a mile!
I’m sold on Tripp – and will be recommending them to anyone that asks me for the lowest priced luggage that will get the job done.
For the best deals, and the widest range of sizes, colours and styles – head to the official Tripp Luggage store at amazon.co.uk now!
I’ll leave you with the table from the top once again. By now you’ll understand each of the summaries much more clearly.