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As a travel writer, I’m constantly on planes, and I’ve learned the hard way to never trust airlines with my luggage. This means I fly carry-on only, and I’m extremely picky about which carry-on suitcases I’ll use. The latest addition to my luggage arsenal is the Samsonite Freeform Carry-On. This hard-sided spinner suitcase has traveled with me in the overhead bin for hundreds of flights, and this is my honest review.
What I appreciate most about the Freeform is its exceptional balance of strength and maneuverability. Samsonite has clearly put a lot of thought and care into the design of this suitcase. Despite its lightweight construction, it feels incredibly durable, blending the sturdy quality I expect from the brand with a sleek, streamlined aesthetic. The more efficient panel layout and increased packing capacity make the Freeform a perfect choice for overpackers like myself who still want to travel carry-on only.
I picked the Freeform for its larger size—with the wheels and handles, the total dimensions are 23 in. x 15 in. x 10 in. Before buying, you should be aware that this exceeds the carry-on requirement for many major airlines. For example, American Airlines’ carry-on size limit is 22 in. x 14 in. x 9 in. However, in all my flights, I haven’t had to gate-check the Freeform—it looks like a carry-on. If you get asked to put it in a baggage sizer though, it’s probably not going to fit.
I also have not brought this bag on short commuter flights where the plane is set up with a 2 x 2 arrangement, as those have smaller overhead bins and I don’t think the Freeform would fit. I haven’t had any issues fitting it in the overhead on larger flights, fortunately.
Samsonite Freeform Carry-On Spinner Suitcase Specs
For a lighter-weight carry-on, I recommend the Samsonite C-Lite Carry-On suitcase. Read my full review here.
Here are the full specs for the Samsonite Freeform Carry-On Spinner, along with the Samsonite Freeform 24” and Samsonite Freeform 28”.
| Suitcase | Internal Dimensions | External Dimensions | Weight | Price |
| Samsonite Freeform Carry-On | 20.5”H x 14.5”L x 10”W | 23”H x 15”L x 10”W | 6.5 lbs | $199 |
| Samsonite Freeform 24”Medium Spinner | 24”H x 18”L x 11.5”W | 27.9”H x 19.6”L x 13.4”W | 8.5 lbs. | $239 |
| Samsonite Freeform 28” Large Spinner | 27.6”H x 20”L x 13”W | 31.1 in. x 20.9 in. x 13.8 in | 9.6 lbs. | $279 |
Samsonite Freeform vs Outline Pro
Deciding between the Samsonite Freeform and Outline Pro? Here’s how they measure up. As you can see, they are nearly identical in dimensions and price, except the Outline Pro is a tiny bit lighter. Read my full review of the Samsonite Outline Pro Carry-On here.
| Suitcase | Internal Dimensions | External Dimensions | Weight | Price |
| Samsonite Freeform Carry-On | 20.5”H x 14.5”L x 10”W | 23”H x 15”L x 10”W | 6.5 lbs | $199 |
| Outline Pro Carry-On Spinner | 20.5”H x 14.5”L x 10”W | 23”H x 15”L x 10”W | 6.4 lbs | $199 |
Samsonite Freeform vs Omni
Torn between the Samsonite Freeform and Omni Carry-on? The Samsonite Omni is much smaller, yet is also heavier. However, the Omni is cheaper. Here are the specs for both.
| Suitcase | Internal Dimensions | External Dimensions | Weight | Price |
| Samsonite Freeform Carry-On | 20.5”H x 14.5”L x 10”W | 23”H x 15”L x 10”W | 6.5 lbs | $199 |
| Samsonite Omni Carry-On Spinner | 19″ x 14.5″ x 9.5 | 22″ x 15″ x 9.5″ | 6.81 lbs | $119 |
Samsonite Freeform Luggage Features
The Freeform has a lot of great features, but my favorite is the middle zipper which allows you to expand the suitcase up to one inch as needed.
Other features include:
- TSA lock
- Built-in ID tag
- Smooth spinning double wheels
- Lightweight
- Divider with zippered pockets
- Telescoping handle
Pros
For me, the biggest pros of the Freeform are the larger size and light weight. It also earns high marks for:
- Available in lots of colors
- Lots of pockets for organization
- Built-in lock
- Built-in ID tag
- Wheels that spin smoothly and don’t let the bag tip over
- Telescoping handle and grab handles on sides of bag
- Large size
- Light weight
Cons
I really dislike that this bag has cross ribbons on one side of the shell to keep belongings separate. I much prefer the compression board divider found in Samsonite’s Outline Pro.
- No compression board dividers
- One of Samsonite’s more expensive carry-on suitcases
- May be too big to meet many the carry-on requirements of many airlines
How to Unlock Samsonite Freeform Luggage
Your Freeform will come with instructions inside on how to set and unlock the suitcase. The suitcase is set to a combination of 0-0-0 when it arrives. To unlock the Samsonite Freeform, turn all the dials to 0 and then push the button on the side to the left.
To reset your combination, follow these steps:
- Locate the pin hole next to the dial. Push the pin hole with a pen, bobby pin, or paper clip.
- Set the dial to any combination you like.
- Slide the TSA lock to set.
- Snap the zippers back into the lock.
Samsonite Freeform Set
If you need a carry-on and a checked bag, you can save money by buying the Samsonite Freeform Set, which includes the carry-on and 28” checked bag.
Where to Buy
I’ve found the best deals for the Samsonite Freeform on Amazon.
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