American Tourister Sunside Hardside Luggage Review — Is It Worth It? [Video]

In the decades since American Tourister first launched on the luggage market, the company has made a name for itself as a reliable option for new and seasoned travelers.

The brand holds its own against other dominant names in its sector by producing fashionable and functional hard-side and soft-side luggage lines that don’t break the bank.

Though American Tourister has started to expand its horizons to include other bags, like backpacks and tech cases, the value of its luggage still continues to rise. This reputation for good-quality, midrange suitcases is showcased in the Sunside Hardside line we’re reviewing today.

American Tourister Sunside Hardside Luggage

American Tourister’s range of Sunside Hardside luggage consists of functional and versatile pieces meant to suit virtually any traveler’s needs. Though lacking many trendy touches, the suitcases in this line are timeless and fashionable, offering plenty of space and organization to make packing a breeze.

Whether you’re looking for a suitcase for your annual vacation or something roomy and secure to keep your personal items safe, the Sunside Hardside set has you covered.

American Tourister Sunside Hardside Review

In this review, we’re looking at the medium-size checked bag in the American Tourister Sunside Hardside collection. It’s a spacious and functional bag that offers plenty of space and organization to keep all your travel necessities packed where they belong, no matter how long your trip is.

American Tourister Sunside Hardside Overall Rating

American Tourister Sunside Hardside Style and Look

If you’re looking for a particularly trendy suitcase, the Sunside Hardside might not be for you. Timelessness was the central focus of the bag’s aesthetic design, so it has an understated but classy appearance.

What the bag has going for it is its color range. While not exhaustive, there are enough options that it shouldn’t be hard to find one that fits your style. In the end, while this bag might not be winning any fashion awards, it won’t look outdated or obsolete in a few years, and it won’t look out of place at a business conference or on a family trip.

Unless you grab one of the line’s more unique colors, we recommend adding some distinguishing touch to the suitcase before checking it. Otherwise, it might blend in with the other items on the luggage carousel after your flight.

American Tourister Sunside Hardside Size and Compartments

The medium case in the Sunside line measures 26.6 x 18.1 x 11.2 inches and is well within the limits for checked bags. It’s also a reasonable size for other types of travel since it’s not too oversized to load into a car or take on a train.

Hot Tip:

Are you unsure how big of a bag your airline will let you check? Our guide to checked luggage sizes and allowances will help.

Weighing just 7.9 pounds, it’s incredibly lightweight, dedicating the rest of your weight allowance to your belongings.

This suitcase has plenty of room for packing, even if you’re getting ready for a long trip. The expansion zipper allows you to expand the suitcase an extra inch if necessary.

The bag features 2 storage compartments that open in a clamshell style. One compartment is specifically designed for clothing, equipped with a compression strap to minimize wrinkles. However, for items prone to creasing, we recommend packing them only if you have access to an iron or steamer.

American Tourister Sunside Hardside Durability and Materials

Overall, we were impressed with the durability of the Sunside Hardside. Its shell is made out of polypropylene, which is both durable and lightweight. While it probably wouldn’t hold up to weekly use, we’re confident it could stand up to the standard wear and tear that comes with occasional travel.

The suitcase’s textured finish not only gives it a matte look but also helps resist scuffs and scratches, enhancing its overall durability. Even the horizontal grooves in the Sunside’s design serve more than just an aesthetic purpose: They improve traction when handling the case.

American Tourister Sunside Hardside Wheels

Since the medium Sunside has 4 double spinner wheels, it’s incredibly easy to glide, even if it’s packed full. The wheel attachments are slightly recessed into the case’s frame, protecting them from knocks and catching on things.

We tested the bag on a few different interior and exterior surfaces, and it rolled smoothly and quietly throughout. They were also quick to respond when maneuvering around obstacles.

American Tourister Sunside Hardside Handles

When it comes to transporting the case, there are 3 handles to choose from.

The telescopic handle can be used to push, pull, and direct the case when rolling. It has 2 height settings that we found adjusted smoothly. The handle itself felt sturdy and secure, even at its highest setting, so we weren’t worried about it snapping or rattling, and it didn’t stick when we retracted it again.

The case features 2 carry handles — one on the top and another on the side — for easy lifting up staircases or off the luggage carousel. The handles felt securely attached and durable enough to handle heavy packing, though they lacked cushioning for a more comfortable grip.

There is no bottom handle, but the case’s shell has a grip indentation to assist with lifting it.

American Tourister Sunside Hardside Locks and Zips

The case includes an integrated TSA luggage lock on the side, securing the main compartment with a 3-digit code. The zipper pulls dock smoothly into the lock, making it quick and easy to use and providing peace of mind when your bag is out of sight.

The zippers on the Sunside bags were of a pretty good standard. We didn’t notice any issues with unaligned teeth or snagging, and they operated smoothly when opening and closing the case.

Since the zipper pulls are part of the integrated lock system, they are noticeably large and easy to grip.

American Tourister Brand Warranty and Customer Service

American Tourister offers a limited global warranty of 3 or 10 years on all of its bags. This warranty typically begins with the date of purchase, but in some cases, it begins from the date of delivery if it is ordered online.

This guarantee covers damage caused by manufacturing defects. Be prepared to provide proof that the damage wasn’t caused by mishandling your bags. In this situation, you can attempt to raise a claim with your airline.

While this is a pretty standard warranty, we’re a little worried that it could be hard to prove manufacturing defects. That’s especially true if the damage occurs months or years after getting the suitcase.

Other American Tourister Sunside Hardside Luggage

In addition to this medium-size option, the line includes a carry-on and large checked bag. While it’s not the biggest luggage range we’ve encountered, it covers most of the bases travelers need.

Final Thoughts

American Tourister has made a name for itself as a reliable brand in the luggage industry. This status as a trusty company travelers can rely on is evident in its Sunside Hardside line.

While not without its flaws, this suitcase stands out as a well-rounded choice thanks to its smooth-rolling wheels, durability, and thoughtful internal organization.