Delsey Helium Titanium Review – Worth the Upgrade?

Delsey Helium Titanium Carry On 

In-depth – Delsey Helium Titanium review

Introduced by Delsey, The Titanium range was a follow up to the hugely successful Delsey Helium Aero range. Essentially the same DNA as the Aero range, the Titanium upgrades a few aspects here to deliver you a better product and experience…well that is what Delsey will have you believe!

In this Delsey Helium Titanium review, I take a look at the Delsey Helium Titanium 21” spinner to find out whether you should consider this range or pay a lower stock clearance price for the Aero range.

Currently, the Aero range is being discounted so if value is important to you then read on. Regardless, I have conducted a full review so if you are looking at the Titanium range, this content should help you make a firm decision.

Specification – Delsey Helium Aero 21” Carry On

Material: Polycarbonate

Overall dimensions: 24.7 x 10.25 x 15.25 inches

Body dimensions: 20.5 x 14.5 x 10 inches

Weight: 7.7 lbs

Warranty: Worldwide Limited 10 Year Warranty

Build

This aspect of the review looked at the build of the suitcase from a range of factors. I initially considered the build, looking specifically at the materials used, the likely durability of them. I complete this section considering the actual finish of the Delsey Titanium range.

• Materials
• Durability
• Finish

Materials

As with its predecessor, the Titanium range is made from Polycarbonate. In my view, this is the best material to construct a quality suitcase from. It has the right balance between super strength and weight…this 21” version is incredibly lightweight at only 7.7 lbs.

This version has a polycarbonate textured matte finish. It looks great and is a contrast to the older versions glossy finish. Personally, I prefer the matte look as it is more understated but it always comes down to personal preference.

The internal materials of the vase are also good, albeit a little different to the Aero. Whereas the interior of the Aero contained a cloth like material, the interior of the Titanium is more of a thinner nylon. You can argue that the Aero’s material is more premium but the benefit of the Titanium is the weight saving using a lighter material. Personally, the lighter material makes more sense. Both materials protect your contents but there is no real advantage of having thicker interior lining.

Durability

Based on the performance of the Aero range, I don’t anticipate any issues over the durability of the Delsey Helium Titanium. The Polycarbonate construction is the same which is a real positive.

This Titanium version has a matte finish which you may or may not prefer over the glossy Aero. However, this matte version does a much better job of not showing up the inevitable scratches it will accumulate over time.

The zips are metal and ‘meaty’ which means they should stand the test of time.

The hinge on this version provoked some thought. It is material based and although it is a weight saver, there would be a question mark over the long-term durability. I fully expect Delsey to have considered this so I am inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Everything on this suitcase suggests that durability has been a key part of the design process. I fully expect this range to perform well over time.

Finish

The finish as you would expect from Delsey is nice…it most cases, that is a given from Delsey. They have forged their reputation on this.

The suitcase has been put together well and everything fits as it should. There is nothing on this suitcase that should raise any eyebrows.

Design

Main compartments

The suitcase supports a clam shell design weighted evenly. One of the compartments comes with a fill sized zipper that protects your packing within it. The other side has some luggage cinch straps.

This is more convenient as it is all round quicker to access things and better for making a mental note where things are kept.

However, one thing to note is the cinch straps are not adjustable…strangely. If you don’t have enough packing in there, you have to be careful opening it to make sure things don’t fall out.

Front Compartment

The front compartment is only available on the Delsey Helium Titanium 19” international version. This was a criticism of mine on the Aero range…Why? Both carry on suitcases should have this option and it’s a little bizarre why they cannot.

If you do opt for the international version, it has a lovely padded compartment for a 15.6” laptop and room for a tablet. It is very handy for accessing documents and passports etc. Have I mentioned this feature should be on the 21” carry on? …since it is a carry on!

Capacity

The 21” version does not have a massive capacity compared to some equivalent cases like the TravelPro Platinum Magna 2. However, it is more than adequate and with the expandable space, it should meet most peoples needs.

Just be careful with the expandable section though, if you do use it, it may not qualify as a carry on any longer.

If you do find yourself regularly having to use the expandable section, it is time to upgrade to a bigger size since you are probably checking in your luggage with the airline at this point.

Size

As with any carry on luggage, you should always have a look at the carry on size limits of the airlines you regularly travel with. In most cases, they are slightly different and you want to avoid any issues at the airport.

This is a scenario where you need to be prepared. Do your homework.

Overall, the dimensions stand at 24.7 x 10.25 x 15.25 inches which includes the handle and spinner wheels. The Body dimension is at 20.5 x 14.5 x 10 inches.

You may find the Delsey guide on carry on sizes useful. Generally, the 21” carry on size in the Titanium range is good for domestic USA flights. For international travel, this may not be suitable. The International range is much more suitable and acceptable to the vast majority of airlines.

Handle

The redesigned handle was good, just as we expected. The pull handle was solid and reassuring, especially if you have to pull some weight. I found it comfortable to use but it does have a sharp crease where the fingers sit. This may not be comfortable to some people and is worth mentioning.

The aluminum handles pulled up very smoothly with a reassuring click. What was evident was the lack of wobble we saw on the Aero range. This is obviously an improvement.

No change regarding the side and top handles. They sit flush with the surface and initially, it can be a bit of a pain getting your fingers in there. They should loosen up over time. The design was nice, very elegant with nice chrome accents.

Locks

The Delsey Paris Titanium range comes with an integrated TSA approved lock that sits pretty flush to the surface. The chunky zippers fit into the lock which overall has a reassuring solidity to it.

The Titanium version is an upgrade on the Aero range. The zippers lock into the placeholders easier and the numbers on the wheel are larger making them easier to read. Overall it is less fiddly than the older version.

If you are traveling within the USA, TSA locks are a necessity on check in luggage. On carry on bags they are not imperative but they do add some extra security.

Wheels

The rubberized wheels were very good on the suitcase and exceptional on smooth surfaces. Therefore, they are ideal for airports with silky smooth surfaces. The 360 degree movement wheels offered great maneuverability and went exactly where I pointed it.

The Delsey Titanium performed less well on rougher surfaces, however, having said that, it still did better than a lot of other suitcases I have tested. Some noise was introduced and it was a little uncomfortable.

Unfortunately, this seems to be the case for most suitcases. They are not designed for uneven pavements and rougher terrains. This aspect needs to be addressed by the industry.

Functionality

My overall view of this suitcase is good. It does things well and has the things you need to get on with your tasks. It does the basics well but let’s not pretend it does anything out of the ordinary.

This suitcase does exactly what it says on the tin…as some may say. Nothing more, nothing less.

In terms of functionality, the biggest plus points have to be the maneuverability and the way it sits very well, when opened. This means you need less space to open it. Quite handy really.

Value

This is a premium brand with premium design and build characteristics. This isn’t the cheapest suitcase you will find but it is comparable to it competitors in this market.

If you are looking for value, you may want to consider the Delsey Helium Aero. The Titanium range replaces that one so you may be able to get some good discounts if you look around. Essentially, they offer the same thing with some minor upgrades on the Titanium.

If you want to consider some other options, consider looking at the Travelpro Platinum Magna 2 or the Timbuk2 Copilot, which is much cheaper.  

FAQ

What is the difference between Delsey Helium Aero and this Delsey Helium Titanium?

The main difference is in the weight. The titanium range is lighter. The finish of the Titanium is in a muted matte color compared to the glossy Aero range. The internals of the Aero are cloth like whereas they are nylon in the Titanium range.

I have prepared a full list of the differences in this post here.

What are the size and weight of the Delsey Helium Titanium range?

What colors are the Delsey Helium Titanium range available in?

Silver, Black, Purple, Graphite and Hunter Green.

What warranty do they come with?

Worldwide Limited 10 Year Warranty

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Citations

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