Tripp suitcases are one of those brands that’s been quietly dominating the UK luggage market for years. You see their suitcases at airports constantly – the colourful hard shells rolling through Gatwick and Heathrow. They’re not flashy or aspirational, but they do the job at a price point that makes sense.
I’ve used Tripp suitcases for several trips now, and they’ve held up well. Here’s what you need to know before buying.
The Brand
Tripp has been making luggage in the UK for over 20 years. They focus on the mid-budget market – better quality than the cheapest Amazon options, but nowhere near premium brands like Samsonite or Rimowa. Their main selling points are durability, colour variety, and value.
You’ll find Tripp suitcases at Debenhams (online), Amazon, Argos, and their own website. Prices are competitive, especially during frequent sales.
Popular Ranges
Holiday 8
Tripp’s most popular line. Lightweight hard shell cases in various colours, with four spinner wheels and a telescopic handle. The shell is polypropylene – tough, lightweight, and more durable than ABS. The medium size is expandable for extra packing space.
Sizes available: Cabin, medium, large
Price range: £35-80 depending on size and sales
Best for: Casual holiday travel, budget-conscious buyers
Escape
Expandable suitcases with extra packing space when you need it. The expansion adds about 15% more volume, useful for bringing back souvenirs or just having flexibility.
Sizes available: Cabin, medium, large
Price range: £40-90
Best for: Shoppers, those who overpack, longer trips
World/Horizon
More premium options with polycarbonate shells (stronger than ABS), TSA-approved combination locks, and slightly better finishes. Still affordable compared to major brands.
Price range: £50-120
Best for: Frequent travellers wanting something more durable
Retro II
Colourful cases with a vintage-inspired design. Same quality as other ranges but with distinctive styling that makes your bag easier to spot on the carousel.
Price range: £45-100
Best for: Anyone tired of black suitcases
Tripp Suitcase Sizes
Holiday 8 Dimensions
Source: Tripp Holiday 8 Collection
| Size | Dimensions (H x W x D) | Weight | Capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabin | 55 x 40 x 21 cm | 2.9kg | 37L | £35-50 |
| Medium | 65 x 45 x 28 cm (expandable to 32 cm) | 3.6kg | 66L (75L expanded) | £50-65 |
| Large | 76 x 50 x 32 cm | 4.2kg | 102L | £60-80 |
Escape Dimensions
Source: Tripp Escape Collection
| Size | Dimensions (H x W x D) | Weight | Capacity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Underseat | 45 x 36 x 20 cm | 2.2kg | 25L | Fits easyJet free allowance |
| Cabin | 56 x 39 x 22 cm | 2.4kg | 37L | Too large for Ryanair/Wizz basic |
| Medium | 67 x 45 x 28 cm | 3.3kg | 66L | Expandable |
| Large | 77 x 51 x 32 cm | 3.6kg | 102L | — |
World Dimensions
Source: Tripp World Collection
| Size | Dimensions (H x W x D) | Weight | Capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabin | 55 x 37 x 21 cm | 2.5kg | 35L | £50-70 |
| Medium | 65 x 45 x 28 cm | 3.4kg | 66L | £70-90 |
| Large | 76 x 50 x 32 cm | 4.0kg | 102L | £90-120 |
Note: World cabin bags (37 cm width) are narrower than Holiday 8 (40 cm) but still fit most airline overhead requirements.
Airline Compatibility
Tripp Cabin Suitcases
Tripp cabin bags vary in size by range. Here’s how each fits airline requirements:
| Airline | Max Cabin Size | Holiday 8 (55x40x21) | Escape (56x39x22) | World (55x37x21) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Airways | 56 x 45 x 25 cm | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| easyJet (overhead) | 56 x 45 x 25 cm | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ryanair (Priority) | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | 1cm over depth | No (56cm) | 1cm over depth |
| Jet2 | 56 x 45 x 25 cm | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| TUI | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | 1cm over depth | No (56cm) | 1cm over depth |
| Wizz Air (Priority) | 55 x 40 x 23 cm | Yes | No (56cm) | Yes |
| Vueling (Optima) | 55 x 40 x 20 cm | 1cm over depth | No (56cm) | 1cm over depth |
| Emirates | 55 x 38 x 20 cm | 2cm over width | No | Yes |
Important notes:
- The Holiday 8 and World cabin bags are 21cm deep (1cm over some airline limits). In practice, this is rarely enforced unless the bag is obviously oversized.
- The Escape cabin (56x39x22cm) exceeds Ryanair Priority limits. Choose Holiday 8 or World for Ryanair.
- For Ryanair and Wizz Air basic fares (underseat only at 40x20x25cm), use the Tripp Escape Underseat (45x36x20cm) which fits easyJet’s free allowance but is too large for Ryanair/Wizz underseat.
Checked Bag Weight Limits
When choosing a Tripp suitcase for checked luggage, consider the weight limit:
| Airline | Typical Checked Allowance | Recommended Tripp Size |
|---|---|---|
| Budget airlines | 15-20kg | Medium (3.2-3.6kg case) |
| Full-service short-haul | 23kg | Medium or Large |
| Long-haul | 23-32kg | Large (4.0-4.3kg case) |
A lighter case means more weight for your belongings. The Holiday 8 range is the lightest option.
Build Quality
Tripp cases are functional rather than exceptional. The hard shells withstand typical airport handling, but don’t expect them to survive being thrown off a luggage truck. The wheels are decent – smooth and manoeuvrable – though some users report issues after heavy use.
What works:
- Lightweight construction – you’re not wasting your weight allowance on the case itself
- Colour variety – genuinely useful for identification
- Spinner wheels – move well in all directions
- Nested storage – cases fit inside each other for home storage
What doesn’t:
- Zippers can be a weak point over time
- Polypropylene is tough but can crack under extreme impact
- Limited interior organisation (basic straps and mesh divider)
- Some colour finishes show scratches easily
Warranty
Tripp offers a 5-year manufacturer’s guarantee covering defects in materials and workmanship. This doesn’t cover airline damage or general wear and tear – for that, you’d need to claim against the airline directly.
The warranty is reasonable for this price range, though actually claiming can be slow according to some customer reports.
Compared to Alternatives
| Brand | Price Range | Quality | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tripp | £30-120 | Good | Budget-conscious UK buyers |
| Samsonite | £100-400+ | Excellent | Frequent travellers, durability |
| IT Luggage | £40-150 | Good | Similar budget market |
| American Tourister | £50-200 | Good | Mid-range, reliable |
| Away | £200-500 | Very Good | Style-conscious, premium features |
Tripp competes directly with IT Luggage and the lower end of Samsonite. For occasional holiday travel, they’re perfectly adequate. For weekly business travel or rough handling, consider spending more.
Who Should Buy Tripp
Good choice for:
- Annual holiday travellers who need something reliable but not fancy
- Budget-conscious buyers who want better quality than supermarket suitcases
- Anyone who values colour variety and easy identification
- Families needing multiple cases without spending hundreds
Look elsewhere if:
- You travel very frequently (invest in something more durable)
- You’re checking bags on multiple flights (premium cases handle abuse better)
- You want lifetime warranties and premium customer service
- You need specific features like USB charging or advanced organisation
Verdict
Tripp suitcases are solid middle-ground luggage. They’re not the cheapest option, but the step up in quality is noticeable. They’re not premium, but most travellers don’t need premium. If you’re taking a couple of holidays a year and want something that rolls smoothly, looks decent, and costs under £100, Tripp is a sensible choice.
The Holiday 8 range offers the best value for occasional travellers. If you fly more frequently, consider the World or Horizon ranges for the stronger polycarbonate construction.
Where to Buy Tripp Suitcases
UK Retailers
| Retailer | Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Debenhams | £35-120 | Wide selection, frequent sales |
| Amazon UK | £30-110 | Fast delivery, easy returns |
| Argos | £35-100 | Click and collect available |
| Tripp.co.uk | £35-120 | Full range, exclusive colours |
| John Lewis | £40-120 | Good customer service |
| Very | £35-110 | Interest-free credit available |
Best time to buy: Black Friday, January sales, and end of summer (August-September) typically offer the best discounts. Prices can drop 30-50% during major sales.
What to Look For
- Sets vs individual: Buying a 2-piece or 3-piece set is often cheaper than individual cases – see our luggage sets buying guide for what to look for
- Colour availability: Popular colours sell out during sales
- Warranty registration: Register your purchase for the 5-year guarantee
Tripp vs Samsonite
Many buyers compare Tripp to Samsonite. Here’s how they stack up:
| Feature | Tripp | Samsonite |
|---|---|---|
| Price (cabin) | £35-70 | £100-250 |
| Price (medium) | £50-90 | £150-350 |
| Shell material | Polypropylene | Polycarbonate/Curv |
| Warranty | 5 years | 2-10 years |
| Weight | 2.4-4.2kg | 2.5-5.0kg |
| Durability | Good | Excellent |
| Best for | Occasional travel | Frequent travel |
Bottom line: Tripp offers 70% of Samsonite’s quality at 40% of the price. For 2-3 trips a year, Tripp is the smarter buy. For weekly business travel, invest in Samsonite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Tripp suitcases any good?
Yes, Tripp suitcases offer good value for occasional travellers. The Holiday 8 and Escape ranges provide solid build quality, smooth spinner wheels, and lightweight construction at budget-friendly prices. They’re not premium luggage, but for 2-3 holidays a year, they perform well and typically last several years with normal use.
What size Tripp suitcase do I need?
For cabin baggage, the Tripp Holiday 8 cabin (55 x 40 x 21 cm) or World cabin (55 x 37 x 21 cm) fits most airlines including British Airways, easyJet, and Jet2. For Ryanair Priority, the 21cm depth is 1cm over but rarely enforced. For checked luggage on budget airlines (15-20kg allowance), choose the medium (66L, weighs 3.3-3.6kg). For long-haul flights with 23kg+ allowance, the large (102L) gives maximum packing space.
Do Tripp cabin bags fit Ryanair?
The Tripp Holiday 8 cabin (55 x 40 x 21 cm) is 1cm deeper than Ryanair’s Priority limit (55 x 40 x 20 cm), but this is rarely enforced. The Escape cabin (56 x 39 x 22 cm) is too large for Ryanair Priority. For Ryanair’s free underseat bag (40 x 20 x 25 cm), no Tripp cabin suitcase fits – you’ll need a small backpack or the Escape Underseat (45 x 36 x 20 cm) which fits easyJet but not Ryanair.
How long do Tripp suitcases last?
With normal use (2-4 trips per year), a Tripp suitcase typically lasts 3-5 years. The wheels and zippers are the most common failure points. All current Tripp ranges use polypropylene shells, which are tough and lightweight but can crack under severe impact. Tripp offers a 5-year warranty covering manufacturing defects.
Is Tripp a good brand?
Tripp is a reputable UK luggage brand with over 20 years in the market. They focus on the mid-budget segment, offering better quality than supermarket suitcases at competitive prices. Customer reviews on Amazon and Trustpilot are generally positive (4+ stars), with most complaints relating to long-term durability rather than immediate quality issues.
Where is Tripp luggage made?
Tripp designs luggage in the UK but manufactures in China, like most luggage brands at this price point. The company maintains quality control standards and backs products with a 5-year warranty. Premium brands like Rimowa manufacture in Europe, which contributes to their higher prices.
Can I buy Tripp replacement wheels?
Tripp doesn’t sell individual replacement wheels directly, but compatible spinner wheels are available on Amazon and eBay. If your case is under warranty and the wheels fail due to a defect (not wear and tear), contact Tripp customer service for a replacement or repair.
What’s the best Tripp suitcase range?
For most travellers, the Holiday 8 offers the best value – lightweight, affordable, and available in many colours. If you travel frequently or want extra durability, the World or Horizon ranges with polycarbonate shells are worth the upgrade. The Escape range is best if you need expandable space for shopping trips.
Related
- Best Luggage for Travel
- Suitcase Buying Guide
- Luggage Sets
- Luggage Sets Buying Guide
- Cabin Bag Backpacks
- Luggage Scales
- Ryanair Baggage Allowance
- easyJet Baggage Allowance
- UK Airline Baggage Comparison
