Samsonite began in 1910 in Denver, Colorado, when Jesse Shwayder started a trunk-making company. The brand's own history says he redesigned the basic wooden trunk with metal studs and corner pieces until it was strong enough to stand on. One of the early campaigns showed him, his father and his brothers standing on a plank held up by a single trunk. I love that. The pitch was a family balancing on the luggage.

The name follows the same logic. The company says it took it from the Biblical Samson, renowned for his strength. That is the thread I see running through Samsonite luggage today: the brand started with a trunk you could stand on, and the question has always been how much strength you can fit into something you lift into an overhead bin.

For carry-ons, I would begin with the hardsides. The Voltage DLX in lilac and the Freeform in pink blush are the cheerful ones, and I would pick either if my bag always gets lost on a baggage belt in a sea of black. The Outline Pro in midnight blue is the quiet one, and the UpLIFT in silver shimmer is the one I would choose for weekend trips because the whole idea is that it is easy to lift. The Spin Tech 7 in pink blush has hubcapped wheels and a ridged shell, and the Opto 4 in plum is expandable, which matters on the return leg. The Carbon X in carbon black is the sleek one. The Theorym softside is the odd one out here, with a front pocket and a USB pouch for the plane. Before you decide, lift it fully packed and roll it down the hallway.

Look at the wheels and the handle before you look at the color. A large bag is a heavy object, and a spinner that rolls badly will annoy you in every terminal. Samsonite introduced the four-wheel Spinner that could be steered in any direction, and these large bags all lean on that idea.

The Voltage DLX Large in blue has a textured shell that hides scuffs well, and the Freeform Large in sage is the soft, easy-to-spot green I would take on a long trip. The Outline Pro Large in chocolate mauve is the one for people who dislike the usual black or navy but still want something quiet. The UpLIFT Large in silver shimmer has a ridged shell and shows fewer marks on the way. The Spin Tech 7 Large in pink blush comes with hubcapped wheels, the RightHeight handle and TSA-approved locks, so it covers the practical checklist.

The Framelock Max Large in emerald teal is zipperless, which is a real talking point if you have ever fought a zipper over a bulging bag. The Venue X Large in frozen matcha is expandable, so it takes the extra layer of souvenirs. The Opto 4 Large in plum has a side handle and an expandable shell.

What I would skip: a pale shell if you are the sort to drag a bag across wet pavement without a thought. At the store, extend the handle, tilt the bag and push it with one finger. It should glide without wobbling.

Sets are for people who travel in different formats. Two pieces suit a couple of trips a year, three suit a family or a long itinerary, and a duffel or underseater suits everything in between. I would decide how many bags I would actually carry before I fall for a color.

The Pivot 3 three-piece set in plum nests in graduated sizes, with expandable bags, TSA locks and smooth spinner wheels. The Carbon X three-piece set in carbon black is the cool, dark one that looks smart on a conveyor belt. The Freeform two-piece in navy pairs a carry-on and a large spinner, and the Spin Tech 6 two-piece in arctic pink is a carry-on plus a medium. The Uptempo Lux two-piece in black has a scratch-resistant brushed texture, which I would choose for rough handling.

Then the smaller bags. The Spinner Underseater in purple has a built-in USB port and sits under the seat in front of you, so everything you need stays within reach. The Mother Lode wheeled duffel in brushed indigo has a canvas look and quick-access pockets, and the Virtuosa wheeled duffel in navy combines a duffel bag with wheels for gym kits and soft loads. Check how the sets stack, and open each one on the floor to see how much of it really is usable space.

Here is what I would actually do. I would pick the size first, since it decides the trip. Then I would pick the shell: hardside for protection, softside if I like pockets and a little give.

After that, I would handle the bags in person. Pull the handle, spin the bag, lift it off the floor. Check the zipper or the frame, and look at the wheels.

Jesse Shwayder wanted a case you could stand on. I do not plan to stand on mine, but I like a bag that makes me feel that sort of confidence. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together Brandon Blackwood Built A Bag Brand On Pure Conviction and Goyard Wallet.

For a trip that calls for a carry-on, I sorted Béis luggage by trip, starting with the roller Shay Mitchell sketched on a napkin.

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