Delsey Chatelet Hard Plus Review

In depth review

My Delsey Chatelet Hard Plus review was a little different experience for me. Having done hundreds of suitcase reviews over the years, they can start to look the same after a while. It is rare to be able to review a piece of luggage that is ‘different’.

The Delsey Chatelet Hard + certainly does that. I was captivated by it at first glance. It is genuinely quite stunning to look at…simply beautiful. It’s not often you say that about luggage.

It has that rare blend that is hard to achieve. You know it’s a modern suitcase with all the new advances but yet it gives to that vintage, timeless feel of a bygone era. It really is wonderful.

In this review, I will look at specific aspects of the Delsey Chatelet Hard Plus range, the good, the bad and ultimately, whether you should buy it.

A little background on Delsey

If you haven’t heard of Delsey, it is important that we recognize their place in the luggage market and their heritage. Delsey have been making luggage since the 1940’s…which is plenty of know how in this market.

Their success has always been based on quality and style. As a French brand, they certainly deliver on style and elegance.

Specifications

Material: 100% Makrolon Polycarbonate

Pull Handle: Aluminum

Handles: Leather

Wheels: Hinomoto double spinner wheels

Warranty: 10 year limited global warranty

Build

• Materials
• Durability

The build quality on luggage in my view is the most important aspect when looking at a suitcase. Often, little regard is paid to it and people tend to choose based on looks alone. This is a mistake in my view…build quality should be at the top as without it, it wont last for many trips.

When all said and done, the job of your suitcase is to protect the contents. Everything else is secondary.

Materials

There are a number of materials successfully used together to make this Delsey Chatelet Hard Plus.

The exterior material is 100% Makrolon Polycarbonate. This will literally mean nothing to most people but stay with me here…it is a great material.

Polycarbonate is great because of the qualities it offers. It is very robust and durable. It also keeps its shape which means it won’t get dented. If it does, you can simply push out the dent…which is fantastic.

It is also incredibly lightweight when compared to other materials and it is resistant to temperature changes better than other plastics. Importantly, it is virtually impossible to crack because of its flexible structure…just to reiterate, this is a hardside suitcase.

In terms of accents, they are a faux leather material. Although it very much replicates leather, this is probably a better choice than actual leather given its added toughness. No skimping on the handles though, fully leather all the way and a very comfortable one at that.

The pull up handles are constructed of aluminum as you would expect and they have a feel of solidity about them.

Durability

The durability of a suitcase is a result of the materials used and the construction. Already, we can tell that the materials used suggest great durability. They are strong and robust, so we can assume that this area is covered.

User feedback is very good too. Although generally you have to take online feedback with a pinch of salt…people are quick to offer criticism but slow to give good feedback. The feedback around robustness and durability is good which is a very positive sign.

Add in the fact that Delsey offer a 10 year warranty, you can be sure that they think it will last as long.

Design

• Exterior
• Interior
• Size
• Handle
• Locks
• Wheels
• Braking system

Here I consider various aspects of the design of the Delsey Chatelet Hard Plus. The design of the suitcase is based on the design of individual aspects that then form the final product design.

Let’s briefly consider each of the aspects;

Exterior

As I mentioned earlier, the design is pretty unique in a market full of similar designs. It is almost the prefect blend of vintage meeting modernism. It really is striking and if you are in the market for something that delivers a ‘wow’ factor, the Delsey Chatelet Hard Plus will not disappoint.

If you were imagining who would have a suitcase like this…think Carrie from Sex in the city…you can easily imagine her with this suitcase by her side.

In terms of the actual exterior design, it is a textured finish that from a close distance looks very special. The design not only looks great on the polycarbonate but it also helps with grip.

The color scheme is two tone which actually gives it plenty of character on the angora (off white) and tan version. The other available color is a darker brown (mocha) finish with tan accents…which although does not necessarily offer the wow factor, it still impresses.

Interior

Bold is the word to describe the interior color. It is red….and it is wonderful. Really wonderful.

It’s bold, it’s classy and very stylish. It contrasts wonderfully against the angora exterior and you can tell a lot of thought has gone into this design element. As you can tell, I really like the color.

The Delsey Chatelet Hard Plus is a clam shell 50/50 design, which Is pretty much most suitcases these days.

It has two compartments, both fully lined and zipped. Both sides have tie down cinch straps which again is welcome but not normally the case. In addition, there are also some convenient pockets that are stitched into the cloth lid.

What is interesting is the accessories that it comes with. You get two bags that match the material and a folding hanger that also matches. This is a nice touch and unusual to see.

Overall, the interior has a real elegance to it and the designers have obviously spent time considering how to deliver a premium interior. They have succeeded in any case, the interior is wonderful and complements the exterior perfectly.

Size

When the Delsey Chatelet Hard Plus was initially launched a few years ago, there were five sizes in the range. This has been reduced to three when the design was upgraded to its current one.

Handle

I discussed the handles earlier, so to reiterate, they are great. The pull handle is solid and sturdy with no wobble. It is clearly well made and the finish is absolutely superb.

The carry handles are made from leather and stitched to perfection. This is where they have also imprinted the Delsey logo into the leather, a very nice touch. They are incredibly comfortable and they are strong so it should pose no worries.

In any case, Delsey also have a lip on the underside which is designed to help you carry your suitcase with two hands…how is that for great design.

Locks

The Delsey Chatelet Hard Plus come with integrated TSA007 locks as standard…as do most suitcases for that matter. They do their job perfectly so here is a case of not over designing a solution for a problem that does not exist.

The chunky zips fit into the virtually flush lock housing and they do a great job in preventing zipper crime. This is where a criminal can puncture the zip to open your cases and then close it without you ever knowing.

A word of warning, if you travel too or within the US, you need a suitcase with a TSA lock. Failure to have one or using a standard lock will result in damage to your padlock and potentially, your suitcase.

Wheels

Let us be realistic for a moment. The ability of suitcase wheels will always be limited to smooth surfaces. The assumption is that they will be wheeled over smooth surfaces and carried over rougher terrain. This view may not be realistic but it is the view of the industry.

The industry is also restricted in some ways by weight and cost issues. Therefore, the wheels you see on suitcases are perfectly fine on smooth surfaces…and limited to that.

Having said that, The Delsey Chatelet Hard Plus use Hinomoto spinner wheels manufactured in Japan. These are the best you can get and the technology they contain means that they will give you the best possible experience.

The wheels are great in this respect. They offer you 360-degree maneuverability and your suitcase will go where you point it.

Braking system

Let me now introduce you to Delsey’s patented braking system. This is ingenious and it does actually solve a real-world problem. It’s not going to change the world but anyway.

You know the scenario…your luggage on wheels won’t sit still…turn your back for a second and it’s rolling away. Delsey’s solution is to add a brake into the front wheels. It is operated by a tab on the back of your suitcase, simply push down and the brake is activated.

It’s this kind of attention to detail that really set the standards in the industry.

Integrated ID number

Each suitcase comes with a metal plate at the back with a number etched into it. This is a unique identifier for that suitcase. Upon purchase, you simply register that number with Delsey. Should the item get lost, Delsey can be contacted who can in turn provide your details.

Again, this is a nice touch from Delsey in the service aspect and it helps them stand out in a crowded market.

As an aside, this suitcase is highly desirable and well known. Should you ever lose it, it will be easy for airport staff to identify. They know their suitcases, they will certainly know the Delsey Chatelet Hard +.

Value

When you are buying a suitcase, the value aspect is very subjective and personal to you. Is this suitcase expensive? Yes, it is compared to some others.

However, you need to prioritize what is important to you.

If you want high designer style and a level of exclusivity, then this is absolutely the suitcase for you.

If owning a desired product that others admire is your thing…this is the suitcase for you.

If you want the best technology and materials backed by a market leading warranty, this is the suitcase for you.

If you are basing your whole decision on price alone, this Delsey Chatelet Hard Plus range is probably not for you.

You pay your money, you make your choice.

Verdict

My verdict is simple. Buy it if you can afford it. This range really sets the standard in terms of style and luxury. It takes a real focus to deliver a product to market that ticks so may boxes.

A question I always ask myself is how does that product make you feel? In this case, I would describe my feeling as special. It arouses a certain feeling of exclusivity where other people are looking on in envy at your suitcase and your style choices.

It is the feeling that it arouses that differentiates some products, specially if they are very closely matched in specification and price. That ‘feeling’ is worth a premium on its own.

Having reviewed the product, I really am struggling to find something wrong with it. Even if I do, its almost as if it is immaterial anyway.

My biggest criticism is the lack of color range and the mocha option. It just doesn’t have the pizzazz of the angora option.

I feel they could have also introduced a ‘manlier’ option too but maybe that may have detracted from their vision? I don’t know but like I said, this criticism is almost irrelevant.

So, this concludes my Delsey Chatelet Hard Plus review. If you are considering buying it, it is worth looking around as prices can vary, significantly in some cases.

I would recommend checking on Amazon as my experience tells me this is where they are more heavily discounted. You may well pick up a bargain at a fraction of the cost.

If you already own the Delsey Chatelet Hard Plus, leave a comment below and let us know what you think of it…the good, the bad and the ugly….and please share this article on your social media 😊

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