DELSEY PARISHelium Aero Hardside Expandable Luggage with Spinner Wheels, Brick Red, Checked-Medium 24 Inch

I purchased the Delsey Helium Aero carry on, the version with the front pocket. Color is Cobalt Blue. I paid $85 (Used - Like New item from Amazon). In addition to the compact size, the other deciding factor for me to purchase this specific case was that it has an exterior handle on both the top and side. I am very happy with the purchase!I wanted to downsize from my older "full size" soft sided carry-on, and this worked perfect for me. I recently used this newly purchased Delsey for a 3 week trip to 3 countries. 7 different airports. 8 different flights. Carried-on for every flight, never checked it. It worked perfect, held up great, no issues at all. Here is my feedback:SIZE: I rate the size as PERFECT!Right off the bat when the case arrived from Amazon, I could visually see that it was smaller than my old Atlantic soft side carry-on. There are no extra pouches or fabric protruding out from the sides of the Delsey. The 2 handles for loading slide back tight against the case, and the main handle fully retracts. The wheels are not recessed. The hard cover on the Delsey makes it more sleek, clean and compact than my old Atlantic soft side carry on.After I laid out my clothes and started packing, I quickly realized that I could fit everything I actually needed without having to open the expanding zipper. (I also realized how much "extra" stuff I used to pack.) For this trip I packed: 1 pair shoes, 3 pants, 2 shorts, 12 t-shirt/long sleeve/hoodie, 1 button down shirt, 2 ties, 1 lightweight dinner jacket, 1 rain jacket, 1 belt, underwear & a few pair of socks. It all fit without having to cram the case shut to close the zipper. I was going to 3 warm weather countries, so clothing choices weren't too bulky. I also knew I could have my clothes laundered at some point during this trip, which always helps. I was able to fully pack both sides of the case because I did not bring a laptop. I accumulated a few pieces of art and some books on this trip, and these all fit in for the flight home. I never had to use the expandable zipper feature. Overall, this holds way more than I initially thought it would. Very impressed!Walking through the airports, getting in/out of cabs, arriving at hotels, going up/down stairs.... it just feels like the perfect size. Not bulky at all, and lightweight because I didn't pack a bunch of extra clothes like I typically would. The reduced weight due to packing less is very noticeable when travelling to multiple places on the same trip. This weight benefit was not something I hadn't specifically thought about prior to downsizing, but it makes a world of difference.8 different flights. The Delsey fit in the overhead bin on every plane. All my flights were on smaller jets, the CRJ, 737, ERJ are the ones I can recall. Simply amazed that it fit in the overhead bin on those regional jets. (In the past, I'd always have to gate-check my old soft side carry on) While waiting in 1 of the airports, I put the Delsey in United's "Does it Fit" carry on sizer display near the gate. It fit in United's (9"x14"x22") without any problems.INTERIOR: I feel it is High Quality.The interior compartments are completely lined with a gray fabric with logo/design printed on the fabric. The design on the interior fabric gives the appearance of high quality (instead of just plain gray lining which is a typical signal of "the cheapest"). The interior clasps are durable/high quality, and the interior zippers are average quality, I did not had any issues with them. There are not 100 different pockets which is nice. (My Atlantic carry on had 8 different storage pockets! ....too many pockets means too many places I have to dig through when looking for something small that I tucked away)The 1/2 with the laptop pocket: has an adjustable clasp to pull everything together after placing clothing items in. I didn't need/use the exterior laptop pocket, so I was able to fully pack this 1/2. (wait... I did put my 2 ties in the laptop pocket to keep them flat) The extra internal material required for the laptop pocket on this 1/2 doesn't seem to take up too much space. I also use packing cubes, to keep everything tidy.The 1/2 with the handle: also has an adjustable clasp, and then a zippered cover for this 1/2 of the case. So you need to keep everything tight on this side if you want to zipper this cover shut. The zippered cover also has a zippered pocket that is convenient for small items (coins, receipts, etc). The handle for the Delsey is recessed into this 1/2 of the case, however I don't feel that it takes up too much space at all.There is also a zippered pouch that runs along the center spine. Good place to stash any small personal items that you need access to without digging through everything.EXTERIOR: Clean and Sleek. maybe too many zippers.Color: Exterior color I purchased is Cobalt Blue. Looks great, didn't scuff up on this trip but I'm sure it will eventually after seeing a few years of action.Handles: The main retractable handle is sturdy, slides up and down without any issues. The locking mechanism on the handle never gave me any issues on this trip. The Delsey retractable handle has 2 arms (vs the single arm T-handle type) and I feel this 2 arm handle makes it easier to maneuver when walking through an airport, and is well worth the minute amount of extra space it occupies.This case also has 2 exterior handles for loading, 1 on top and 1 on the side. These 2 handles are sturdy, and they slide back tight against the case (they aren't flapping around getting caught on anything). The side handle is a great feature, and my travelling companions all commented that their carry on was lacking a side handle. The side handle just makes life a bit easier... when you need to quickly grab the case to walk up a few stairs without retracting the handle, or when loading/unloading into a cab, or when hoisting the case up into the overhead bin.Wheels: This Delsey rolls smoothly. The double wheels do make a difference. It actually rolls too good, so keep your hand on it when the sidewalk isn't level. I didn't have any issues at all with the case being unbalanced or tipping over.Zippers: It feels like there are alot of zippers on the exterior of this case. But, they are necessary for the laptop pocket and the expansion feature. I don't really ever envision using the laptop pocket, so I guess I'd love to eventually see this exact case without the laptop pocket and the extra zippers required for it. I didn't use the built in lock feature. The exterior zippers all worked fine on this trip, no issues at all. They feel medium to high quality.Expansion Feature: The zipper and material for the expansion feature doesn't add too much thickness to the case. I never actually opened it, so I can't report on how much extra thickness / packing space it provides. Photos of the dimensions have already been posted by other reviewers.Somehow I kept reaching for and/or unzipping the wrong zipper when I needed to open the case (a good idea is to pull the zippers for the laptop pocket all the way to the bottom of the right side so that they aren't in your line of sight). Additionally, the Delsey case opens opposite of my previous Atlantic carry on (when you lay the Delsey case on the floor, unzip the case and the top 1/2 needs to flip over to your right-hand side). I had the Atlantic for over 10 years, so my brain just needs to deprogram and I'll quickly get acclimated.There is no card/ID slot on the exterior of the case, which would be a nice feature.OVERALL: This is a great carry on!The size is right, the side handle adds extra convenience, and the handle/wheels/zipper are all sturdy. I dragged it around 3 countries on 8 separate flights, and it never gave me a problem. I am glad I decided to downsize to a smaller carry on. I am glad I bought this specific Delsey model. I will be using it for a 3 week trip to Europe this winter which will involve more sidewalks, stairs, and trains, and I envision it holding up to those demands also.

The last time I bought a new roll-aboard it was at least a decade ago (maybe longer); it was a CalPak, and served me extremely well (someone inherited it, some nominal wear-and-tear but was still 100% functional and looked pretty good for a 10+yr old bag). I bought this because I needed something with a compartment that was better suited for folded items that tend to wrinkle (like dress shirts and blazers). Since my last bag served me 10+yrs (during some of those years I traveled once a month, and on slower years I traveled at least 4 times a year), I wanted my next bag to serve me a decade also - so I did a ton of research. I hope this helps others save time on researching.Critical Criteria in my decision making:- (1) it had to fit practically all overhead bins (I refuse to check my bags);- (2) it had to be durable and covered by a solid manufacturer's warranty (minimum of 10yrs - from a manufacturer that's known for solid customer service) - it also needed to be extremely resistant to the elements, incase it was ever gate checked (I live in a place where it snows a ton, and travel to places where it's not unusual for it to rain a ton);- (3) there needed to be a way to divide clean items from dirty items, built in;- (4) the wheels had to be GREAT - whether it was 4 or 2, was not as important as them rolling smoothly and lasting the life (10yrs) of the bag;- (5) there needed to be a built in compartment (main or otherwise) that handles items that wrinkle easily, well (i.e., not have those two vertical ridges for the handle/wheels, protruding into the interior of the compartment - this was the only issue with my last bag, and seems to be an issue with every bag that doesn't have a clamshell design...I understand why they have to be there, so I can't really fault the manufacturer for having them...if they were to make that compartment 'flat', it'd chew up valuable space. There are relatively easy solutions to solving this issue, like filling that space as best as possible with shocks, underwear, t-shirts, etc. until you create a flat foundation for your more wrinkle-prone items...or living the packing cube life (something that I'm tempted by).- (6) aesthetics (if I'm going to own anything for 10yrs, it needs to look nice and be something that should age well);- (7) relatively spacious (I don't want to own one roll-aboard bag for 2 day biz-trips, and one for 10 day vacations);- (8) bonus, something with additional compartments/pockets to separate items that need to be accessed quickly from clothes.Verdict on this bag: a solid 9/10 (this is after 1 trip mind you - if anything changes about my verdict in the future I'll update this) Grade on each criteria below:- (1) GRADE: A- this thing is COMPACT, I was surprised to see how much I could fit in it, and do imagine that it'll fit practically any overhead bin. I flew a number of different aircraft on my most recent trip, and it EASILY fit everything from a CRJ900 (G7)'s overhead bin up. This did NOT fit in a CRJ200's overhead bin, but I don't think any hard-sided roll-aboard (or any practically sized roll-aboard) will. Even though some have said a roll-aboard will fit in the overhead bins, I imagine that only duffle bags, or underseat-sized roll-aboards could fit in those bins (so I can't really ding my grade of this roll-aboard given that...I imagine the vast majority of flights I'll take in the future will allow this to fit overhead easily). In addition, there are policies that require roll-aboards to be gate checked on these CRJ200 aircraft due to weight sensitivity issues of the aircraft - below is an explanation from a pilot, pulled from a travel message board:- "As a CRJ200 pilot, I can tell you a 22” bag will fit. However, the CRJ200 is very sensitive when it comes to weight and balance. Due to the nose being heavy, all roller bags have to be gate checked and added to the cargo bin in the back to help balance the plane. So, just get the size you need and gate check your carry-on. You’ll be fine without it since CRJs are usually used for short flight, ranging from 20 minutes to 2 hours max."- (2) GRADE: A I bought a soft-sided delsey roll-aboard for a close friend 10yrs ago, who is a legit road-warrior (travels 3+ days a week, and might have actually been traveling more than that back then). He LOVED the bag, and it lasted him a long time (he may still have it). Delsey has one of the best warranties in the biz., and I know that their products have lasted others a long time in the past. From my experience thus far, the build quality seems to be top notch. Everything feels and sounds tight, the handles (which is one way I gauge the quality of a bag) all feel exceptionally well engineered - and the telescopic handle has two different settings, and feels extremely sturdy at both settings. The zippers, interior and exterior - all feel solid, and the material is the best for hard-sided luggage currently in use (Polycarbonate - I wouldn't advise any other hard-sided material...others are more likely to crack if flexed too much). Hard-sided luggage does scuff/scratch easier than soft-sided, something you kinda have to compromise on if you want the added internal protection of a hard-sided bag. This thing did have to get gate-checked twice (two CRJ200's) during my trip, and it did get a little scratched on the bottom where handlers would've have slide it in and out of carts...VERY difficult to see though. Hard-sided bags (like this one) are also easier to clean than soft-sided bags, which can be really important if you're traveling to and from places where baggage carts might get dirtier (places with snow, for example).- (3) GRADE: A+ The clamshell design of this bag, along with it's tie-downs and zippered internal dividers does a great job of allowing me to separate items that are clean from those that aren't. This means I don't need an extra bag(s) for doing so.- (4) GRADE: A The wheels are excellent, only complaint I have (which is really a result of the 'type' of bag, and not this specific bag) is that when rolling onto and off of moving walkways, the bag tips if it is being pushed on all 4 wheels at high-speed...I imagine any 4 wheeled bag would experience the same issue, so I can't really take points off for that. Also like the dual wheels (so 8 technically), should help limit their wear, and ensure that as they wear they do so 'evenly'.- (5) GRADE: A The side of the clamshell that the telescopic handle isn't attached to, did a great job of keeping dress-shirts as wrinkle free as possible - the hard-sided luggage also does a better job of ensuring this result. The tie downs in this bag are also great at keeping items from moving during transport (durable and thoughtfully designed).- (6) GRADE: A+ This thing looks sharp. I also feel that the relatively simplistic and muted design will remain attractive for the life of the bag. The things that make this 'look' better than the competition - IMO - are: (a) it has a sheen without being shiney, so it doesn't have the muted appearance of a cheap plastic beach cooler, or the obnoxious shininess of a hefty garbage bag; (b) the accents on the handles, zippers, wheels, and logo are classy without being gaudy; (c) the color I went with was the 'brick', which ranges in appearance from brick to copper depending on lighting...I like this better than the more traditional colors most manufacturers offer AND, it's colorful without being 'loud'; and (d) the surface is smooth, which I personally like the look of versus a more 'textured' surface.- (7) Grade: A The capacity of this thing is darn impressive for a bag this size. Hard-sided luggage will always have slightly less capacity than similar sized soft-sided luggage (again, sacrifice for the protection), even with that factored in, this thing holds a ton. I almost never overpack, and when I do it's by a very narrow margin. For this trip, I wanted to put the bag through its paces and see what all could fit in it 'comfortably'. Below is what was packed, without the bag feeling like any of its zippers were being stressed (for reference as far as the size of the clothing items: I'm a 6'1" 175lb male, that wears a medium in all clothing items/38R in suits/jackets, and size 10 shoes):- 5 pairs of briefs- 2 pairs of ankle socks- 3 pairs of dress socks- 1 pair of size 10 tennis shoes (relatively pliable)- 1 pair of size 10 dress shoes (not that pliable)- Toiletries (I pack relatively light in this area)- Beard trimmer with charger (average sized)- 2 pairs of exercise shorts (I always pack board-shorts/swim trunks, because they can be cleaned and dry overnight if needed)- 2 t-shirts- 2 long sleeve henley's- 1 pair of jeans- 2 dress shirts- 1 13" macbook pro w/charger (2015, newer model would fit easier) - IN THE FRONT POCKET (a nice added feature)- 1 lightweight jacket with hood (think windbreaker thickness)- 1 small tech-accessory case (holds two small battery packs and two usb chords)- 1 small notebook (size of a shortish paperback)- 1 kindle in its caseThis was all WITHOUT expanding this bag, which is one of the nice features it has. As someone who is a very light packer, I am confident that I could do 2 weeks anywhere with this bag alone. I moved my tech items and light jacket to my 'personal item' (messenger bag) for this particular trip, but could've definitely fit everything outlined above in the roll-aboard alone. The only thing that would be a problem for a longer trip (and this is the case with any roll-aboard bag) is fitting my water bottle (don't know if many/any roll-aboards have sleeves/carabener hoops for water bottles...that aren't hideous).(8) GRADE: A+ the additional front compartment is a nice touch...it DOES get tighter as the interior is filled because it's technically the same compartment, separated via a heavy duty divider (I like this though, because it allows you to choose if you want to put more in the main compartment, or split it between the two). The included TSA approved lock is another nice 'extra' incase gate-checking happens.