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SwissGear Sion Softside Expandable Roller 29" Review

A softshell that is also soft on the pocketbook, but durable enough to handle basic air travel with moderate frequency
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SwissGear Sion Softside Expandable Roller 29" Review
Credit: Jason Wanlass
Price:  $140 List
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Manufacturer:   SwissGear
By Jason Wanlass ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Nov 21, 2024
66
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#20 of 24
  • Capacity - 35% 7.0
  • Ease of Transport - 25% 6.0
  • Construction Quality - 20% 6.5
  • Design and Functionality - 20% 6.8

Our Verdict

The SwissGear Sion Softside Expandable Roller 29" is a budget-friendly suitcase that performs exactly the way a no-frills spinner should — adequately. In fact, it garnered slightly above-average scores across all of our metrics. It may not be the most impressive suitcase out there, but its price-to-performance value is high. Its 87-liter main storage bay is expandable and offers plenty of space for multi-day travel. It also offers two nicely located exterior pockets and a detachable toiletry pouch. It has sensible style, comfortable handles, a sturdy trolley pull, and small, simple wheels that — like with most budget bags — tend to rattle at higher speeds. No surprises here; you get what you pay for with this bag — a good deal that does everything well enough. See how it compares to the competition in our review of the top-rated checked luggage.
REASONS TO BUY
Appealing price
Reasonably sturdy
Convenient storage extras
Strong wheels and trolley handle
REASONS TO AVOID
Wheels rattle
Thinner polyester shell
Does not repel water

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Best Buy Award
Best Value for a Softshell Suitcase
Best Buy Award
Great Value for a Hardshell Luggage
  Best Buy Award
Best Checked Bag on a Tight Budget
Price $140 List
$89.99 at Amazon
$280 List
$195.99 at Amazon
$190 List
$189.00 at Amazon
$180 List
$179.99 at Amazon
$116 List
$104.99 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
66
74
70
67
59
Star Rating
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Bottom Line A solid enough bag with a reputable namesake, ample space, a few convenient accessories, and an appealing price tagA basic model that looks more expensive than it is and performs above expectationsOne big bag (probably too big for most) of quality build, limited organizational features, and high transport performance over smooth urban terrainAn attractive bag that is reasonably sturdy and ships as part of three-piece setLarge in size and great in value for short-term needs
Rating Categories SwissGear Sion Soft... Samsonite Freeform... Samsonite Omni PC H... Showkoo Expandable... Amazon Basics 30" H...
Capacity (35%)
7.0
9.2
9.0
8.1
6.7
Ease of Transport (25%)
6.0
7.0
5.9
7.0
6.2
Construction Quality (20%)
6.5
6.0
6.0
5.5
5.0
Design and Functionality (20%)
6.8
6.0
6.0
5.0
5.0
Specs SwissGear Sion Soft... Samsonite Freeform... Samsonite Omni PC H... Showkoo Expandable... Amazon Basics 30" H...
Weight (Measured) 11.1 lb 9.4 lb 10.3 lb 10.4 lb 11.6 lb
Exterior Dimensions 28.5" x 17.25" x 12.5" 31.1" x 20.9" x 13.8" 30.5" x 20.5" x 13.0" 26.75" x 18.5" x 12.5" 30.75" x 21.0" x 12.0
Main Compartment Volume (Measured) 87 L 112.5 L 108 L 99.5 L 84 L
Exterior Material Polyester Polypropylene Polycarbonate Polycarbonate and ABS Extra-thick ABS, hard shell
Number of Wheels 4 4 4 4 4
Pull Handle Heights 2 (37", 41") 2 (36", 40.5") 2 36", 41") 2 (35", 39") 3 (32", 36", 40")
Opening Style Top lid Half shell Half shell Half shell Half shell
Locking System Zipper loop Combination/TSA lock Combination/TSA lock Combination/TSA lock None
Number of Exterior Pockets 2 None None None None

Our Analysis and Test Results

A thick polyester shell that is both lightweight and strong is the SwissGear Sion Softside Expandable Roller's most unique feature. This bag is spacious and offers a few features that make packing simple. Its price point directly affects its overall construction quality, but moderate travel is certainly in its wheelhouse.

Comparative Details Across Checked Luggage
 Measured VolumeNumber of WheelsLocking MechanismExterior Pockets
SwissGear Sion Softside Expandable Roller 29"87 L4Zipper loop2
Showkoo Expandable Hardside Set 28"99.5 L4Combination/TSA lockNone
Amazon Basics 30" Hardside Spinner84 L4NoneNone
Coolife Hardside Expandable 28"101 L4Combination/TSA lockNone
Kenneth Cole Reaction Out Of Bounds 28"82.5 L4Zipper loopNone

Performance Comparison


swissgear sion softside expandable roller 29" - heading for a week-long trip. while not the biggest on the block...
Heading for a week-long trip. While not the biggest on the block, the Sion Softside, has plenty of space for seven days.
Credit: Jason Wanlass


Capacity


Although not the most spacious bag on our list, the Sion Softside can certainly hold its own when it comes to zipping up a boatload of clothing and accessories. Even at its price point, this bag impressed us with its small extras that made packing easier and faster.


In calculating the Sion Softside's main compartment dimensions, we found 87 liters of volume.


This is a smaller packing area when compared to many other bags on our list, but the Sion Softside makes up for it with two large exterior pockets and the ability to expand. All said, if you pack consciously, you'll find plenty of room for your necessities, even if you're planning a week-long trip.

swissgear sion softside expandable roller 29" - using our trusty pink sewing tape to get the interior measurements.
Using our trusty pink sewing tape to get the interior measurements.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Weighing in at 11.1 pounds, the Sion Softside lands in the middle of our lineup for weight, which means it can accept nearly 39 pounds of additional weight before it exceeds the standard checked-back weight limit of 50 pounds. In comparison, our weight testing placed the Osprey Daylite Wheeled Duffel 85 at 6.8 pounds and the Patagonia Black Hole Wheeled at an even 8 pounds.


This is one of the better ratios of all the bags we tested. However, we do worry about the longevity of its zippers and shell if it were packed to the gills and subjected to a frequent, extensive travel agenda.

swissgear sion softside expandable roller 29" - dead on the money. we personally weighed each bag and then compared...
Dead on the money. We personally weighed each bag and then compared our findings to the manufacturer's site. The Sion Softside matched exactly.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Ease of Transport


It will get you from point A to point B, but smooth, effortless movement, in all of its forms, is not the Sion Softside's forté. That said, it performs well enough to get the job done.


The single-wheel spinner wheels on the Sion Softside are small and are made from average, hard plastic. They are noisy when they roll and tend to vibrate and rattle at higher speeds. They also don't track perfectly, so the bag tends to veer slightly away from you while you're walking.

Testing our SwissGear's ability to stay focused. During our rolling tests, it tracked well, but always ended the test with a twirl.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

We often felt this slight pull while walking and were able to document and record it during our rolling tests. The Coolife Hardside Expandable 28" is a budget-friendly hardshell on our list and is equipped with the same basic wheels as the Sion Softside, but it held the line better in our tracking tests.

Ease of Use of Specific Luggage Features
ProductTracking AbilityWheel SmoothnessTelescopic Handle SmoothnessBalance
Best5555
Average3.33.43.53.5
SwissGear Sion Softside Expandable Roller 29\"2.52.533.5
Worst222.53

Most of the Sion Softside's cruising should be on flat surfaces like concrete and other commercial flooring found in airports and hotels. We tested our bag's ability to handle plowing through dirt, grass, and other terrains but had minor success. The wheels are simply too small and tend to bog down in thicker, softer, bumpier surfaces. Although we don't anticipate the Sion Softside being used for off-road adventures, it is less than adequate on more unique pathways, like cobblestone or gravel walkways.

The Sion's small wheels don't transfer to tougher terrains very well. They're simply too small to respond to varying surfaces.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

We loved our Sion Softside's top and side grab handles. They are large, soft, and comfortable to grip, which makes lugging this bag up a flight of stairs more tolerable. We also feel the trolley handle is fairly sturdy and strong enough to lug this bag over curbs and up staircases.

Get a grip. Large, thick, comfortable handles make this bag easy to snatch and hold on to. This comes in handy at the baggage claim carousel.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

When it came to jumping curbs, hopping into buses or trains, or hiking old-school up a flight of stairs when the escalator is broken, we often just lassoed our Sion Softside by the trolley handle and gave it a yank. This extendable handle was surprisingly sturdy and can “handle” the full weight of the bag when you don't have time to stop and properly lift it into position. Likewise, we also liked the Sion Softside's robust wheel housings. They are made of hard plastic and extend up the back side of the bag to double as effective bumpers.

Flared wheel housings take the brunt end of the contact when climbing stairs or curbs. This protects the bag and gives it greater longevity.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Construction Quality


Average sums up the Sion Softside's overall quality. At its price point, we didn't expect much more, and in fact, we were somewhat pleased with its overall construction quality. However, we still see potential longevity concerns if used extensively, so we reiterate our stance on using the Sion Softside for moderate travel if you want it to last.


Our drop tests and stairwell tests pushed the Sion Softside to its physical limits, but we were pleased with its performance. This bag lacks extensive added protection in terms of reinforcements or bumper rails. In fact, its thinner polyester shell doesn't compare at all with the 1000-denier polyester shell that shrouds the The North Face Base Camp Rolling Thunder 28. However, during our tests, the Sion Softside still handled impact like a pro. It does have some small reinforced piping around each of its top corners, and its bottom wheel housings double as protective caps. Despite this relative lack of armor, it suffered only minor scuffs. However, we do feel that repeated mishandling could lead to a popped seam or split zipper.

Playing stair tag with our Sion Softside. Although its polyester softshell case is somewhat thin, it's still relatively durable, and can handle an occasional tumble.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

We were less impressed with our Sion Softside's ability to repel water. Although polyester is known for being more water-resistant than nylon, we saw slightly weatherproofing properties during our water tests. After being soaked with hose water for several minutes, we opened our Sion Softside and found its main compartment quite damp. Our best performers were the Tumi 19 Degree Extended Trip Expandable, Travelpro Platinum Elite 29", and the Patagonia Black Hole Wheeled.

Rain, rain, go away. We tested this bag's water-resistance abilities alongside the other bags on our list, and its scores are near the bottom of the list.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Design and Functionality


The Sion Softside has a basic softshell design which is familiar in the suitcase marketplace. However, aside from looks, it doesn't quite live up to the high quality or comprehensive packing systems found in some of our favorite models. Yet, considering the Sion Softside's price tag, we know that it was never meant to compete head-to-head with our higher-end bags.


Smooth zippers, stout interior compression straps, and a built-in toiletry bag are a few of the added features that allowed this bag to compete with many others on our list for design and functionality points. Its layout is simple, effective, and easy to understand and will appeal to travelers who don't like dedicated compartments or segmented packing systems.

Rounding the corners as we finish our 10th zipper run on this bag. The main zipper was smooth every time we used this bag, but we still worry a little about how it will hold up after years of use.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Should You Buy the SwissGear Sion Softside Expandable Roller 29"?


If you're watching your budget and need a bag with just a little bit more than the basics, this bag is an excellent choice for cross-country jaunts or even an occasional flight overseas. It isn't made for extensive, routine travel on any level, but it will certainly provide the essentials for one or two annual trips.

Shifting to two wheels as we cruise our SwissGear toward the airport entrance.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

What Other Suitcase Should You Consider?


The Amazon Basics 30" Hardside Spinner deserves consideration for sheer affordability with an acceptable performance for infrequent travel. However, if you travel extensively, you'll want a quality bag that can keep up with your demanding flight schedule. In that case, you may want to consider the high-performing Travelpro Platinum Elite 29", which costs more but is well worth the investment for the impressive organizational system and long-lasting quality that the frequent traveler requires.

swissgear sion softside expandable roller 29" - looking good while patiently waiting for my owner to find their...
Looking good while patiently waiting for my owner to find their second bag at baggage claim.
Credit: Jason Wanlass

Jason Wanlass