Delsey Helium DLX Softside Luggage Review – Is It Worth It? [Video]

Delsey is one of the most reliable and popular luggage brands on the market, especially among frequent travelers. Its combination of high-quality pieces and relative affordability means it’s one of the top companies in the mid-level price range. 

With both hard-side and soft-side bags, Delsey has versatile luggage fit for any type of trip. The Helium DLX Softside line we’re looking at today exemplifies that versatility. 

Delsey Helium DLX Softside Luggage

The Helium DLX Softside collection includes a series of durable, understated, and functional bags. While they might not seem like much on the outside, these bags really shine once it’s time to start packing. 

Whether you need enough room for your whole family’s travel belongings or you’re looking for something you can use for frequent business trips, the Helium DLX Softside has a range of products to ensure you’re covered. 

Delsey Helium DLX Softside Luggage Review

In this review, we’re examining the Helium DLX collection’s medium bag that optimizes its exterior and interior space. With numerous pockets and light material, it’s a great option for travelers who want to maximize packing space and weight.

Whether you’re looking for a way to keep clothing separate for different occasions or you need to keep your work in order while you travel, the bag offers plenty of space to do so. 

Delsey Helium DLX Softside Overall Rating

Delsey Helium DLX Softside Style and Look

Delsey’s medium Helium DLX bag isn’t flashy. It’s a relatively run-of-the-mill suitcase without any trendy frills. 

This classic and timeless look is appealing to many travelers. We’re perfectly fine with giving up a more fashionable look to have a bag that won’t seem out of place in a few years. 

The bag is available in 3 neutral colors: navy blue, black, and mocha brown. It’s classy and surprisingly sleek for a soft-side bag. The bag’s accents, such as its zippers and plastic pieces, also match. 

Though the bag can get dirty, we thought the DuraTec fabric exterior seemed pretty strong and resistant to scratches, scuffs, or distressing. 

Delsey Helium DLX Softside Size and Compartments

Weighing just over 9 pounds, we were surprised by how lightweight the bag was. It’s one of the lighter soft-side checked bags we’ve used. Since the bag isn’t very heavy, it’s a great choice for travelers who worry about staying within airline weight limits. 

The medium suitcase measures 28 x 17.7 x 11.8 inches, offering plenty of space to pack. The suitcase even has an expanding zipper that offers up to 2 inches of extra space if needed. 

However, we found the suitcase could tip over if fully packed since most of the weight shifts toward the front of the bag. 

This case has a top-opening lid, so it’s easy to open it up even in the smallest spaces.

We really liked how easy it was to stay organized while packing when we tried out the bag. It has a main pocket, complete with compression straps, to keep items from shifting around in transit. However, we wouldn’t recommend relying on it to keep your clothes wrinkle-free. 

This main compartment is further divided into convenient pockets to stay organized. There’s a large zippered pouch along the case’s spine and a built-in, removable bifold case, so you don’t have to worry about spills or finding room for a toiletry bag.

There’s even more storage in the lid of the case, with a mesh pocket and 2 elastic pockets that were designed for shoes but can be used for any small items. 

We liked that the bag had 2 outer pockets, which were also surprisingly spacious. We could see them coming in handy for storing documents or paperwork on business trips or to separate dirty clothing.

Delsey Helium DLX Softside Durability and Materials

As a soft-side bag, the suitcase is mostly made of fabric, aside from the accents where the wheels and handles attach, which are plastic. The exterior is covered in DuraTec polyester material that’s both lightweight and durable. 

The fabric feels nice and strong to the touch, and we didn’t notice it snag on anything during our tests. We think it’s safe to assume it’s pretty rip-resistant. 

However, being a fabric case, it’s not as easy to clean as hard-side luggage. It could stain if you’re not careful. The darker versions of the bag can hide any stains a bit better, so keep that in mind. 

The interior is made of a removable lining that can be washed easily. Like the outside fabric, the inside felt pretty durable and didn’t seem like it would rip easily. We were a little concerned with the mesh pocket, though, which felt like it could tear without much trouble. 

Delsey Helium DLX Softside Wheels

The dual-density spinner wheels rolled smoothly but didn’t maneuver particularly well in our testing. This could be due to their small size or because the case can be front-heavy, throwing the balance off.

On the bright side, the wheels were sturdy, quiet, and didn’t wobble much. They’re also made of thick rubber that we think will hold up over time. 

Delsey Helium DLX Softside Handles

In total, the medium Helium DLX has 4 different handles. The main one we used was a telescopic handle made to roll and maneuver the bag on the ground. Like many checked suitcase handles, there are 2 different height settings, which we found to be comfortable for most heights. 

We wish the button to change the height were a little more reactive. It seemed like the handle sometimes got stuck, so we had to fiddle around with it a bit when we wanted to raise or lower it. 

There are 3 more handles on the top, side, and bottom to lift or carry the bag. We liked all the options since it made it easy to grab the case off a luggage carousel or put it in a car trunk. 

We liked that the handles had a cushioned grip, making them much more comfortable. However, it seemed like the bottom handle was an afterthought. It didn’t seem as strong or secure as the other 2, likely because it’s less used. We avoided reaching for it when the bag was full. 

Delsey Helium DLX Softside Locks and Zips

The patented SECURITECH zips are strong and secure, but they were a bit stiff to open and close. The zipper pulls were easy to grip, and slot in easily to the lock for security.

We also liked that the bag has a built-in TSA-approved luggage lock. We had no trouble activating or opening the mechanism, and it felt strong enough to keep our belongings safe and secure. 

Delsey Warranty and Customer Service

The Helium DLX Softside is covered by Delsey’s 10-year limited warranty. While we like the warranty length, we were a little disappointed by its coverage. It only protects against defects and issues with the bag’s wheels, zippers, and handles.

Since the bag is made of soft material, we’d prefer coverage for tears or rips in the suitcase. 

However, we were pleased to find out we didn’t have to register the bag to activate the warranty. Just keep all your purchase information, and you’ll be able to use it if necessary. 

Other Delsey Helium DLX Softside Luggage

The Helium DLX Softside line is comprehensive. In total, 5 pieces make up the collection. 

In addition to this medium size, there’s also a large checked bag option and a carry-on, underseater, and garment bag. 

Final Thoughts

With decades of experience, Delsey has become a master of making strong, reliable luggage that can stand up to the bumps that come with travel. 

The medium bag in the Helium DLX Softside collection is a perfect example of that. It’s a useful and trusty suitcase you can count on to keep your belongings safe and organized, no matter what sort of trip you’re going on. 

While we were a little disappointed by some of the bag’s clunkiness, it’s overall a sturdy option we think virtually anyone could get use out of.