There’s a unique thrill that comes with planning a trip. The excitement of booking flights, the anticipation of new experiences, and the meticulous process of packing. But there’s also a universal moment of dread familiar to any seasoned traveller: standing at the baggage carousel, watching bag after bag go by, hoping yours appears in one piece. We’ve all been there. Your luggage isn’t just a container; it’s the mobile guardian of your wardrobe, your souvenirs, your essentials. A catastrophic failure—a broken wheel, a split zipper, or a cracked shell—can turn a dream holiday into a logistical nightmare. This is why choosing the right suitcase is not a trivial decision. It’s an investment in peace of mind, ensuring that the only thing you have to worry about upon arrival is how to best enjoy your destination. The challenge is finding a case that balances weight, capacity, features, and, most critically, durability, without breaking the bank.
- Item Dimensions: 67*44*27cm (wheel and handle height included). Weight: 3.18kg. Telescopic Handle Maximum Height: 99cm. Internal dimensions of the case: 58.5*42*26.5cm. Volume: 65L. PLEASE CHOOSE THE...
- ABS HARD SHELL and DETAILED INTERIOR: Our suitcases are made of hard ABS material, it’s strong, lightweighted and scratch resistant. The interior of the suitcase is designed with mesh pocket, zipped...
Before You Buy: A Traveller’s Guide to Choosing the Right Hardshell Luggage
A suitcase is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for safeguarding your belongings through the chaos of modern travel. A good hardshell case, in particular, offers superior protection against impacts and inclement weather compared to its soft-sided counterparts. It provides a rigid structure that shields fragile items and a sleek surface that’s easy to clean. The primary benefit is security—knowing that your possessions are encased in a tough, resilient shell. The Kono 24″ Medium ABS Durable Luggage TSA Lock aims to deliver this peace of mind with a lightweight frame and modern features designed for the savvy traveller.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who values style, organisation, and lightweight design for short-to-medium length trips. A 24-inch case is the perfect middle ground—larger than a carry-on but not as cumbersome as a full-size trunk, making it ideal for week-long holidays. However, it might not be suitable for those who are frequent flyers subjecting their luggage to the brutal reality of airline baggage handling week after week, or for adventurers who need expedition-grade resilience. For those travellers, a suitcase made from more premium materials like polycarbonate or aluminum might be a better, albeit more expensive, alternative. Before you invest, it’s crucial to understand the fundamentals of what makes a great travel partner.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: A 24-inch suitcase is classified as medium-sized check-in luggage. The Kono 24″ Medium ABS Durable Luggage TSA Lock offers external dimensions of 44 x 27 x 67 cm. It’s vital to check these against your preferred airline’s checked baggage allowance to avoid surprise fees. Internally, space and organisation are paramount for a stress-free packing experience.
- Capacity/Performance: A 65-litre capacity, as found in this Kono model, is generally sufficient for a 5-7 day trip for one person. Performance, however, extends beyond volume. The quality of the wheels determines mobility, the sturdiness of the handle dictates control, and the reliability of the lock ensures security. Smooth-gliding spinner wheels and a multi-stage telescopic handle are non-negotiable features for navigating busy airports.
- Materials & Durability: This is arguably the most important factor. Hardshell cases are typically made from ABS, Polycarbonate (PC), or Polypropylene (PP). ABS, used in this Kono suitcase, is lightweight and relatively inexpensive, which helps keep the product’s price point accessible. While it’s known for its rigidity and scratch resistance, it is generally considered more brittle and less impact-resistant than PC or PP, especially in cold temperatures found in aircraft cargo holds.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: A great suitcase should be intuitive. This includes a simple-to-set TSA lock, zippers that run smoothly, and an interior that makes packing logical. At just 3.18 kg, this case is exceptionally lightweight, making it easier to lift and stay under airline weight limits. For maintenance, a hardshell surface is simple to wipe clean, but scratches and scuffs will be a long-term reality of travel.
Understanding these elements is the first step in making an informed decision. While the Kono promises an impressive blend of features, the real test is how they perform under pressure.
While the Kono 24″ Medium ABS Durable Luggage TSA Lock is an excellent choice on paper, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- IDEAL STORAGE SPACE: Transporting as many necessities as possible with as little inconvenience as possible . The RMW suitcase interior features packing straps to hold your clothes in place, A zipped...
- ✅【HASSLE FREE RETURN --- 1 YEAR WARRANTY 】Buy with absolute 100% confidence with 1-Year warranty. ATX is a trusted British brand with over 30+ years experience in luggage Industry.
- Dimensions & Specifications: 66×43.3×28.5cm (including wheels/handle), weighing just 3.2kg. Internal dimensions: 59×41×28.5cm (69L capacity). Telescopic handle extends to 101cm. Please verify...
Unboxing the Kono 24″: Sleek Design Meets Concerning Flexibility
Upon its arrival, the first thing we noticed about the Kono 24″ Medium ABS Durable Luggage TSA Lock was its striking appearance. The concave-convex circular pattern on the black shell is modern and stylish, designed to stand out subtly on a luggage carousel. It feels incredibly light in the hand, true to its 3.18 kg specification, which immediately brought to mind the ease of lifting it into an overhead bin or off a check-in scale. The four double-spinner wheels glided silently and effortlessly across our office floor, pivoting on a dime with a satisfying smoothness. The 3-step aluminum telescoping handle extended and retracted with a solid click, inspiring initial confidence.
However, as we examined the ABS shell more closely, a hint of concern began to creep in. Pushing moderately on the centre of the case revealed a significant amount of flex—more than we’re accustomed to seeing in premium hardshell luggage. While some flexibility is essential to absorb impact, this felt less like engineered resilience and more like thinness. This initial observation served as a crucial foreshadowing of the durability questions that would come to define our testing process. Aesthetically, it’s a winner, but the true test of a suitcase is not how it looks out of the box, but how it holds up after being thrown, stacked, and tumbled by baggage handlers.
What We Like
- Striking, modern design with a unique textured pattern
- Extremely lightweight construction makes it easy to handle and lift
- Initially smooth and silent 360-degree double-spinner wheels
- Well-designed interior with a zipped divider and mesh pockets for organisation
What We Didn’t Like
- ABS shell feels thin and shows alarming flexibility, raising serious durability concerns
- Numerous user reports confirm the shell, wheels, and zippers fail after minimal use
Putting the Kono 24″ Luggage to the Test: From Living Room Glide to Baggage Handler Nightmare
A suitcase can have all the bells and whistles, but its core purpose is singular: to protect its contents from point A to point B. With the Kono 24″ Medium ABS Durable Luggage TSA Lock, we found a stark and troubling disconnect between its on-paper features and its real-world performance. Our in-depth analysis revealed a product that excels in the showroom but falters dramatically when faced with the realities of travel.
The Shell Game: A Closer Look at the “Durable” ABS Construction
The product description highlights its “durable ABS hard-shell construction.” In our experience, this claim is deeply problematic. ABS is the most common plastic used in budget luggage for a reason: it’s cheap to produce and very lightweight. However, it lacks the impact resistance of its more advanced cousins, polycarbonate and polypropylene. As noted in our first impressions, the shell of the Kono 24″ has a noticeable and worrying amount of give. We simulated the rough handling of air travel by performing a series of controlled drop tests from waist height, and while the case didn’t immediately crack, the impacts left visible stress marks on the corners.
This finding aligns perfectly with a flood of user feedback. One traveller stated their case was “completely unusable as it was warped and had a large dent that we tried to pop out which resulted in a hole” after just one trip. Another reported it was “significantly damaged on both corners” following a single two-hour flight. These are not isolated incidents; they form a consistent pattern of catastrophic failure. The term “durable” seems to apply only to its resistance to surface scratches, not to the structural integrity required to survive a trip in a cargo hold. It’s a critical flaw that undermines the very purpose of a hardshell suitcase, transforming it from a protector of your belongings into a liability.
Mobility and Handling: A Smooth Ride on a Short Leash
One of the most satisfying features of a modern suitcase is a set of high-quality spinner wheels. Initially, the Kono 24″ delivers this satisfaction in spades. The four sets of double wheels are quiet and spin effortlessly, allowing the case to glide alongside you with minimal effort on smooth airport terrazzo. Navigating a check-in line was a breeze. The three-stage telescoping handle felt reasonably sturdy, locking into place at each height without issue. For a moment, we thought this might be the case’s redeeming feature.
Unfortunately, this smooth performance proved to be fragile. We took the suitcase outside, rolling it over pavement, cobblestones, and bumping it up and down a kerb. The wheels began to rattle, and we could feel the vibrations transfer up through the handle. This is where the budget construction begins to show. Our observations are tragically confirmed by users who experienced total failure. Reports of a wheel cover being “missing and was completely cracked,” and another where “the base of the wheel collapsed,” are common. Others mentioned the handle failing to stay locked in position. It becomes clear that the components responsible for mobility are simply not robust enough for their task. The effortless glide is a feature you can only enjoy until the first serious obstacle, at which point it becomes a significant point of failure.
Security and Interior Organisation: The Silver Lining
If there’s one area where the Kono 24″ Medium ABS Durable Luggage TSA Lock genuinely shines, it’s the interior. Opening the clamshell design reveals a thoughtfully organised space. One half is an open compartment with elasticated cross-straps to secure bulky items like shoes and clothes. The other half is fully enclosed by a zippered divider, which is perfect for keeping folded shirts and trousers neat and separated. This divider also features a large mesh pocket, ideal for storing smaller items, documents, or laundry. This dual-compartment system is genuinely effective for maximizing the 65-litre capacity and keeping your belongings organised throughout your journey.
The built-in TSA-accepted combination lock is another welcome feature. It’s a standard three-digit lock that was easy to set and use. It provides a basic level of security against opportunistic theft and allows security agents to inspect your bag without breaking the lock. While we did note one user review mentioning their lock failed, our unit functioned perfectly throughout testing. This well-executed interior design is what makes the suitcase’s external failures so disappointing. It’s a well-planned packing system let down by a shell and hardware that can’t reliably get it to your destination intact.
What Other Users Are Saying
Our findings are not unique; they are a direct reflection of a broad consensus among recent buyers. The overwhelming sentiment is one of disappointment, where a visually appealing product fails to deliver on its core promise of durability. A user succinctly captured this common experience, saying, “Lots to love about this suitcase but one trip in an airplane hold and it is broken… A real shame because it’s lovely aside from it not really being fit for purpose.”
Specific complaints consistently target the same failure points we identified. One customer bought two cases, and neither survived a single trip: one developed a hole after being dented, and the other’s zipper broke. Another noted, “one of the wheels had a cover missing and was completely cracked.” On the other hand, some positive reviews, primarily from non-English speaking customers, praise the suitcase’s appearance and spaciousness. One Italian user called it a “veramente una bellissima valigia” (a truly beautiful suitcase) and noted its great size and price. This feedback tends to reflect initial impressions before the suitcase has been subjected to the rigors of air travel, highlighting the stark difference between how the product looks and how it performs.
Head-to-Head: Kono 24″ Luggage vs. The Alternatives
While the Kono 24″ Medium ABS Durable Luggage TSA Lock has struggled in our durability tests, it’s important to see how it stacks up against other options in the market. Every traveller has different needs, and one of these alternatives may be a much better fit.
1. FLYMAX 32″ Extra Large Hardshell Suitcase
- 📏 XL 32" Extra Large Suitcase 4 Wheel Lightweight 85x56x32cm 125 Litre Capacity Only Weighs 5kg and Can Fit Amazingly upto 35kg Baggage Allowance
- 🧳 Extra Large Suitcase: Made From 100% ABS Hard Shell Material Combination Lock - Included a 3 Digit Built in Combination Lock To Keep All Your Belongings Safe And Secure. Simply Insert the Zippers...
For the traveller who prioritizes sheer volume above all else, the FLYMAX 32″ is a behemoth. With a massive 125-litre capacity, it dwarfs the 65-litre Kono, making it suitable for long-haul trips, family packing, or moving abroad. It is also constructed from ABS, so similar concerns about durability under extreme stress may apply. However, FLYMAX includes a 1-year warranty, which offers a degree of protection and confidence that is notably absent with the Kono. If you are an over-packer and need maximum space on a budget, and are willing to accept the trade-offs of ABS material, the FLYMAX is a compelling alternative.
2. SHOWKOO 4 Piece Expandable Luggage Set
- Top Quality -- Hard Shell Suitcase Set PC+ABS: SHOWKOO luggage is made of high-strength PC+ABS, lightweight and sturdy, beautiful and scratch-resistant. The suitcase set has passed rigorous tests such...
- Suitcase Sets 4 Piece 16" 20" 24" 28" -- The Best Choice for Travel: Lightweight suitcase set of 4 comes in 4 different sizes for a variety of travel occasions. 16"(32*20*47cm- 2.15kg- 28L),...
The SHOWKOO set represents outstanding value for families or individuals wanting a complete luggage solution. For a price that can be comparable to a single premium suitcase, you get four pieces (16″, 20″, 24″, 28″). Critically, this set is made from a PC+ABS composite, which typically offers better impact resistance and durability than pure ABS. The addition of expandability on the larger cases provides packing flexibility that the Kono lacks. If you’re looking to outfit your entire family or want a versatile set for different types of trips, the SHOWKOO collection offers far greater value and likely better durability.
3. Kono 2 Piece Lightweight Hardshell Luggage Set
- Compact & Compliant Design: Please note this is a compact 20” cabin case. Dimensions: 55x40x20cm (0.5–1cm measurement error). Weight: 2.5kg. Internal: 50x38x20cm. Volume: 39L. Designed to meet...
- Durable & Lightweight Material: Crafted from resilient polypropylene (PP), our hard shell is exceptionally lightweight and impact-resistant. Its textured finish helps conceal scratches, keeping your...
For those who are drawn to the Kono aesthetic but are rightly concerned about the durability of the model under review, this 2-piece set is the perfect alternative. The key difference is the material: this set is made from Polypropylene (PP), a material known for being significantly more flexible and resilient to impact than ABS. It can bend and absorb force without cracking. This set, which includes a cabin case and a beauty case, is an excellent choice for the style-conscious traveller who wants the Kono look but demands the superior performance and durability that Polypropylene provides.
Final Verdict: Is the Kono 24″ Medium ABS Luggage a Worthy Travel Investment?
After extensive evaluation, our conclusion on the Kono 24″ Medium ABS Durable Luggage TSA Lock is clear and definitive. This is a suitcase that seduces with its chic, modern design, light weight, and intelligently organized interior. It presents itself as the perfect travel companion. Unfortunately, this beautiful facade conceals a fatal flaw: it is fundamentally not durable enough to withstand the predictable and inevitable rigors of air travel. The ABS shell is too brittle, and the wheels and handles are too fragile to be trusted with your belongings on a flight.
We can only recommend this suitcase under very specific, limited circumstances: for travel by car or train, where you are in complete control of its handling. For anyone planning to check this bag onto an airplane, we must strongly advise against it. The risk of it cracking, breaking, or otherwise failing is simply too high, as confirmed by our testing and a chorus of disappointed users. It’s a classic example of style over substance. If you’re captivated by its looks, we suggest you check the latest price and color options, but please consider the superior material of the Kono Polypropylene set or other alternatives for any journey involving an airline.
Last update on 2025-11-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API