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Samsonite Ascella X Softside Luggage Review: Is It Worth It? [Video]

Amar Hussain's image
Amar Hussain
Edited by: Jessica Merritt
& Keri Stooksbury
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Samsonite produces thoughtfully designed, reliable, and affordable luggage. Many of its collections prioritize the practical aspects of travel over style, and that’s true for the luggage we’re reviewing today. The Samsonite Ascella X is a traditional-looking softside luggage range that maximizes every inch of internal and external space for packability and organization.

Samsonite Ascella X Softside Luggage Review

When you’re flying coach, there can often be a mad scramble to find space for your carry-on in the overhead compartment. Sometimes this space isn’t immediately above your seat, and you have the added worry of your case being left unattended. We’re reviewing an underseater case that solves all of these issues, as it fits neatly under the seat in front of you, never leaving your side.

Samsonite Ascella X Softside Luggage Overall Rating

Samsonite Ascella X Softside Luggage
The Samsonite Ascella X Softside Underseater is a great bag if you travel light and always want to have your belongings close to you on the airplane.

Samsonite Ascella X Softside Underseater Style and Look

Samsonite Ascella X Softside Style and Look
The understated exterior makes this a smart and versatile little bag. Image Credit: Amar Hussain

The Samsonite Ascella X Softside Underseater won’t be the most stylish case you’ll roll along with you. Still, you may feel pretty smug taking your time boarding the plane without the need to secure space in the overhead compartment. This nifty little bag is more spacious than it looks and is available in black, plum, or teal colorways.

Whether you’re strolling into a business meeting or are off on a bachelorette weekend, the understated exterior makes this a smart and versatile little bag.

Samsonite Ascella X Softside Underseater Size and Compartments

Measuring 17.5 x 14 x 8.25 inches, this case is perfect as your carry-on or personal item, and will fit under the seat in front of you with many airlines. It’s quite heavy for such a small bag, weighing 5.2 pounds, but it is made of the same heavy-duty materials that you would expect from a carry-on.

Despite being an underseater bag, it easily fits a weekend’s worth of clothes and, like the other sizes in the range, maximizes every inch of packing space available.

The bag’s 2 exterior pockets provide easy access to your belongings. The front pocket is perfect for your travel documents or tech, and the side pocket is tall enough to hold an umbrella or water bottle.

Samsonite Ascella X Softside Exterior Pockets
The 2 exterior pockets provide easy access to your belongings. Image Credit: Amar Hussain

Lastly, the third zipped pouch on the exterior of the bag is for storing the telescopic handle. This retracts inside the case, so it does take up a little of the packing space inside the main compartment.

There’s a U-shaped opening on the main compartment to open as much or as little as needed to access your belongings. The interior Velcro straps are handy to restrict opening the main compartment fully to avoid your belongings falling out when on the move.

Samsonite Ascella X Softside Luggage Interior Compartments
Despite being an underseater bag, it easily fits a weekend’s worth of clothes. Image Credit: Amar Hussain

The main compartment is spacious and has an elasticated pocket on the side to secure small items. The lid has a padded compartment that can accommodate a 15-inch laptop or tablet, and there’s a small mesh zippered pocket.

Sasonite Ascella X Softside Luggage Laptop Compartment
A padded compartment holds up to a 15-inch laptop. Image Credit: Amar Hussain

Samsonite Ascella X Softside Underseater Luggage Sleeve

Have you ever tried to roll 2 spinner or rollaboard cases through the airport at the same time? It’s not easy. The StackIt Strap on the back of the underseater allows you to slip the sleeve over the handle of a suitcase for easy carrying with your checked luggage.

Samsonite Ascella X Softside Luggage Sleeve
This bag can be slipped over the handle of another case. Image Credit: Amar Hussain

Samsonite Ascella X Softside Underseater Durability and Materials

Made from durable polyester, this softside collection is finished with an attractive weave that’s hardwearing to scratches and tears. The material is water-resistant, but not completely waterproof. There’s no doubt that soft side cases are easier to maneuver into smaller spaces and are usually lighter than hard side cases; however, they are usually easier to break into.

Samsonite Ascella X Softside Material
This soft side range is made from durable polyester. Image Credit: Amar Hussain

Samsonite Ascella X Softside Underseater Wheels

The rollaboard wheels are recessed for protection and to maintain the bag’s streamlined size, allowing it to fit in small spaces. Testing this case on a variety of surfaces, we found the wheels to be reasonably smooth rolling.

Samsonite Ascella X Softside Wheels
The rollaboard wheels are recessed for protection. Image Credit: Amar Hussain

A multi-functional bottom handle doubles up as a kickstand to keep the bag upright.

Samsonite Ascella X Softside Underseater Handles

The 2 handles on this bag make for easy carrying and handling. There’s a strap on the top and another on the bottom (that is also the kickstand). These straps join together to form the strong top carry handle, which then detach to open the case. I found the straps to be quite rigid, and it wasn’t particularly easy to fit these inside the Velcro clasp.

Samsonite Ascella X Softside Handles
The 2 straps join together to form the top carry handle. Image Credit: Amar Hussain

The bottom handle is particularly useful when lifting the case in and out of the overhead compartment if you want a bit more leg room on your flight.

The telescoping handle is adjustable to 3 heights using the button on the handle. It’s not the smoothest to pull up and retract, and the height adjustments sometimes get stuck.

Samsonite Ascella X Softside Telescopic Handle
The telescopic handle is adjustable to 3 heights. Image Credit: Amar Hussain

Samsonite Ascella X Softside Underseater Lock and Zippers

Unfortunately, there’s no in-built TSA lock on any of the cases within the Samsonite Ascella X range. However, you can attach your own luggage lock through the interlacing zipper pulls. Despite the lack of an integrated TSA lock, we’re still rating this bag highly for security because it can be stored under the seat in front of you.

The double zippers are smooth-running and have easy-grip zipper pulls.

Samsonite Ascella X Softside Zips
There’s no built-in TSA lock. Image Credit: Amar Hussain

Warranty and Customer Service

The Samsonite Ascella X Softside collection includes a limited 10-year warranty, which specifically protects against defects in materials and manufacturing. However, it’s important to note that, like most luggage warranties, this coverage does not extend to any damage incurred during air travel.

Other Samsonite Ascella X Softside Luggage

With the Samsonite Ascella X Softside range, you can purchase the full matching set, including a selection of personal items, carry-ons, and checked luggage.

SCROLL FOR MORE

 

Size

Weight

Expands

Underseater

17.5 x 14 x 8.25 inches

5.2 pounds

N/A

Carry-On

23.0 x 14.2 x 11 inches

7.1 pounds

1-inch

Medium Checked

27.5 x 17.5 x 12.4 inches

7.9 pounds

1-inch

Large Checked

31.5 x 19.5 x 13.2 inches

9.5 pounds

1-inch

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Final Thoughts

If it’s speed and convenience you’re after when flying, then the Samsonite Ascella X Underseater will be right up your street. With this nifty little case, there’s no waiting at the carousel required or rushing onto the plane to secure overhead compartment space. There’s also the comfort in knowing that your valuables are stored safely at your feet.

This case is a bit of a Tardis when it comes to packing space, with enough room to hold a weekend’s worth of clothes. The padded laptop compartment is perfect for a business trip or any time you want to travel with your tech close by. We’re definitely a fan of the Samsonite Ascella X Underseater.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Samsonite Ascella X Softside made of?

This soft side luggage range is made from durable polyester, finished with an attractive weave and available in several stylish colors.

Does the Samsonite Ascella X Underseater fit under an airplane seat?

Measuring 17.5 x 14 x 8.25 inches, this case easily meets the carry-on size requirements for U.S domestic and international airlines, and in most cases, will fit underneath the seat in front of you as a personal item.

What sizes are available within the Samsonite Ascella X softside range?

With the Samsonite Ascella X Softside range, you can purchase the full matching set, including a tote, underseater, garment bag, carry-on, and medium and large checked bags.

Can you attach the Samsonite Ascella X softside underseater to a suitcase?

The StackIt Strap on the back of the Samsonite Ascella X Underseater allows you to slip the sleeve over the handle of a suitcase for easy carrying.

Amar Hussain's image

About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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