Delsey Helium Aero Hardside Luggage Review — Is It Worth It? [Video]

As one of the top brands in the luggage industry, Delsey is a go-to option for people looking for a durable, reliable suitcase they can take on any travel occasion.

Delsey is a mainstay in the mid-range luggage market thanks to its timelessness and versatility, which is evident in the Helium Aero Hardside line we’re looking at in this review.

Delsey Helium Aero Hardside Luggage

The Helium Aero Hardside luggage collection consists of sturdy, durable bags meant to withstand the bumps and handling that come with air travel.

The bags are relatively non-descript on the outside, focusing more on quality than aesthetics, but we think this gives them a classic look that won’t seem dated in a few years.

Whether you’re packing for a vacation or a business trip, the case has plenty of space and protection to keep your belongings safe and secure all the way to your destination.

Delsey Helium Aero Hardside Luggage Review

For this review, we’re focusing on the medium-sized checked bag in the Helium Aero collection.

Though it’s a little smaller than its larger counterpart, its open interior is entirely dedicated to optimizing packing, with separate compartments to prevent your clothes from wrinkling or any liquid items from spilling everywhere.

Delsey Helium Aero Hardside Overall Rating

Delsey Helium Aero Hardside Style and Look

Delsey has a range of cases designed to stand out, such as the Chatelet or St Tropez collections. The Helium Aero range forgoes trendy designs to instead focus on clean lines and silhouettes that will look just as current in a decade as they do today.

The vertical lines on the exterior create a simple but sophisticated look, and the range of colors available is fairly muted, including blue, black, red, and teal. Most of the available colors are dark, which blend in well with the black accents, giving the bag a cohesive look.

Although we liked the metallic finish, we weren’t a fan of how reflective the exterior was, especially when lights shone on it.

Delsey Helium Aero Hardside Size and Compartments

Weighing 8.8 pounds when empty, the medium case is reasonably lightweight. Since most airlines are very strict with their weight limits, you have a little more weight to play with.

With its boxy shape, every inch of space is maximized for packing. We found more than enough room to pack for a week away without opting for the larger size, especially when we opened the expander for a little extra space.

Since it’s meant to be checked luggage, the bag has no external pockets. Instead, it has 2 main compartments separated by a zippered divider.

One side of this compartment space is equipped with an X-shaped strap designed to keep your belongings in place. While this stops items from shifting around too much in transit, it doesn’t stop your clothes from wrinkling, so you might consider using packing cubes.

The other compartment can be zipped closed, which helps keep things organized and contained when opening up the case. There’s also a zippered mesh pocket in the divider for small or flat items and a small pocket along the spine of the case.

Delsey Helium Aero Hardside Durability and Materials

The outer shell of the Helium Aero is made of polycarbonate, an extremely durable plastic that resists cracking, even when handled roughly.

We noticed that the slightly raised texture on the shell also acts as a sort of buffer when it’s bumped or tipped over, offering another layer of protection. On the other hand, the handles are made of a soft material that’s easier and more comfortable to grip.

The bag’s interior lining is pretty soft, and although it can’t be removed to be washed, it’s quite an easy material to wipe down should you have a spillage.

Delsey Helium Aero Hardside Wheels

With 4 double-spin wheels, the medium Helium Aero bag can glide easily on most surfaces. During our tests, we were impressed by how smoothly it rolled, even when completely full.

We were equally impressed by the wheels. They’re nice and sturdy, with 2 layers of rubber. In fact, their durability is one of the reasons why the case has been so popular for years.

Delsey Helium Aero Hardside Handles

Grabbing your bag off the carousel or rolling the case around is easy, thanks to its 3 different handles.

The main handle is telescopic and can be adjusted to 2 different heights with an easy-push button. The handle was smooth to operate, but it did rattle around quite a bit at the highest setting.

For lifting the bag off a luggage carousel or into the trunk of a car, we recommend using one of the other 2 handles, which can be found on the top and the side of the bag. Both of these handles were easy to grip. We especially liked the gel padding that made them more comfortable.

Delsey Helium Aero Hardside Locks and Zips

There are 2 pulls on the main compartment zipper, so you don’t have to fully open or close the bag if you want to slip something into it. These zipper pulls were easy to grip and slot into the integrated luggage lock to secure the case. With a 3-digit combination, you can lock and unlock the case quickly without worrying about attaching a separate lock.

For those trips when you’ve bought too many souvenirs, there’s a separate zipper to expand the case by 2 inches.

Brand Warranty and Customer Service

Delsey offers a limited warranty on all of its products, and the Helium Aero is no different. The case is covered by a 5-year limited warranty, which covers factory defects and problems with the case’s wheels, zippers, extensions, and handles.

While we were happy that softer points were covered, we were a little disappointed by the warranty’s wording, which limits coverage to manufacturing problems. So, for example, if a wheel breaks, you may need to talk with customer service to ensure those repairs are included.

Other Delsey Helium Aero Hardside Luggage

In addition to this medium case, the line also includes a domestic and international carry-on bag and a large suitcase for checked luggage.

Final Thoughts

Delsey has spent nearly 80 years building itself as a go-to company for luggage. Over the years, it’s perfected a balance of high-quality, durable bags that are still rather affordable.

The Helium Aero is a prime example of this reputation at work. It’s simple at its core but is a versatile little suitcase perfect for frequent travelers or occasional trips.

While we wished it had a few more built-in organization options, especially considering its weight, we ultimately think it’s a great mid-sized bag for business and leisure travel.

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