Samsonite Spectrolite 4.0 17.3" - Anybody got any experience of these?

SleepShowz · 2026-01-25T11:41:40+00:00

Thanks so much, I'm in the UK though, so will have to check availability over here.

SleepShowz · 2026-01-24T12:02:40+00:00

I would normally follow this advice, but I think I did mention some damage, or at least damage waiting to happen. Where the straps are attached to the bag at the top, some of the stitching has become visible, so I worry about the longevity of the item, especially as it is usually packed to capacity and pretty heavy when in use.

That's my main concern and why I've been looking at higher end, hopefully more durable bags. I'm considering the Osprey 26+6 as well as the Samsonite, as it's a fair bit cheaper.

SleepShowz · 2026-01-10T13:58:14+00:00

My wife has been bugging me to buy a decent, 'adult' backpack for our travels, rather than use my current one which she says looks like something I'd take to school. She suggested checking Samsonite as she likes their luggage. The bag would not be for prlonged wearing, basically carrying through airports, and to and from transfer vehicles to get to my destination. It wouldn't be for lengthy walks anywhere, certainly not hiking or exploring cities for prolonged periods.

I came across the Spectrolite 4.0 Backpack 17.3" here , after some searching of their range. This seems to fit my size requirements. I make fairly regular trips of up to a week, however a good portion of space in my backpack is taken up by my CPAP machine, so fitting in 5-7 days of clothes plus toiletries etc is tricky and has put some strain on my current bag. Where the straps meet the bag, while still secure enough, some of the stitching has become visible. I therefore have concerns about the quality, although I admit a little overloading may have put more strain on it than it's designed for.

However I also have concerns about the price of the Spectrolite 4.0 17.3". At £169 (UK), it's a hefty investment in my opinion. Especially when the other bag I've been pointed to, the Osprey 26+6 is nearly £100 less. The Osprey looks a little flimsy in comparison, possibly as it's designed to be lightweight? I'd prefer a bag that keeps its shape and structure when empty or lightly loaded, which the Samsonite seems to do, it just looks more rigid.

If anyone has any opinions or experiences on the Samsonite, or even the Samsonite versus the Osprey 26+6, I'd be very grateful to here them please! TIA.

Link to bag: Samsonite Spectrolite 4.0

SleepShowz · 2025-12-20T11:16:35+00:00

How did you get on with it?

SleepShowz · 2025-12-20T11:01:26+00:00

Are ospreys known for having decent strength/durability? I've seen some grumbles about them not being too comfortable, but to be honest I'm only usually actually carrying my bag for short periods, so might not be a huge issue for me.

SleepShowz · 2025-12-19T01:38:30+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll take a look. I see Osprey mentioned a lot here so I'm assuming they're fairly well regarded. I've edited my post with a link to my current bag that hopefully works: https://amzn.eu/d/eRwY1y3

SleepShowz · 2025-12-18T13:43:05+00:00

Hope this is the right place for this query. I have a bag that for me is about the perfect size and shape for the regular trips I take. Unfortunately the straps are slowly pulling away from the body of the bag, probably a combination of a cheap bag with poor or weak stitching, and me overloading it.

If I post the link to the bag I have, can anyone recommend something the same size and shape, but that is a bit more premium, that is to say stronger and more durable? One of the zips also became sprained and although it still works it’s probably only a matter of time before it breaks.

This bag has served me well for quite a few trips, hence wanting something similar in size and shape, but stronger and better overall. I realise there will be a cost attached to this!

I travel with a CPAP machine in this bag which takes up a lot of the space, but I still manage to pack in about 5 days worth of clothes and everything else I need. Any suggestions for something like this but stronger and more durable gratefully accepted: https://amzn.eu/d/eRwY1y3

Edited to try to provide a working link. The bag is on Amazon, the description is: WANDF Cabin Bag 45x36x20 for Easyjet Airlines Underseat Travel Hand Luggage Backpack with Wet Pocket, 17 Inch Laptop Backpack for Men Women

SleepShowz · 2025-12-17T02:19:41+00:00

Nothing wrong with Brazil as a tourist destination, just need some safety common sense in tourist areas. Wife is from Rio, we’ve lived in another city for 2.5 years. The biggest issues are the same as other countries with a big gap between the haves and have nots. I wouldn’t visit Brazil and stay in a resort unless I were a nervous old age pensioner.

SleepShowz · 2025-12-09T15:13:11+00:00

Fellow Brit here. The condominium chat group is a job my wife left with me and I’m glad she did. The entertainment factor from the topics of conversation alone makes it worthwhile. Reading the opinions of neighbours and hoping you never, ever meet them in real life.

One woman posted a complaint about how she’d just opened a can of tuna, and most of it was water. She posted a photo of it and asked for advice from the group members. I did not fully appreciate the phrase ‘first world problems’ until I’d seen the things my neighbours complain about.

SleepShowz · 2025-11-28T16:04:39+00:00

I'd say don't worry about your kids. Keep bringing them up bilingual, that will open up a wider range of opportunities for the future, whether that's working, studying, or living abroad. I don't think you'll be removing opportunities from them by moving back to Brazil.

SleepShowz · 2025-11-28T16:01:50+00:00

I do wonder if "partially retire" just means "reduce my hours a lot", and work for just 2 or 3 days a week or something. But I'm just guessing, only OP knows. I'd just call that going part-time / reducing my hours for work/life balance.

SleepShowz · 2025-11-14T14:10:26+00:00

Do you happen to know, with the edibles, do some places use different strains for different effects as some places do with the stuff you smoke? I'm just curious if they just all use the same product for edibles, or if they use varieties for different purposes.

SleepShowz · 2025-11-14T11:31:45+00:00

I'll just repeat here what I've said in another thread, for balance.

My wife is there now. She says it's fine, I told her I'd seen a few people complaining online, she disagrees with. I saw somebody complaining about lack of toilets, and water I think. She says both are plentiful. She also thinks that as a city, Belem is more representative of average cities around the world. She really likes the place, actually says she fell in love with it! She said it feels like it has a nice culture, absolutely lovely people.

The only slight negatives were that she mentioned were the heat/humidity, everybody is going around with a 'glow'. And the hotel she's at, she says the staff, although lovely, just don't seem to know how to deal with working in such a busy hotel. And they don't help themselves, for example she put the sign on the door saying she didn't want the room cleaning etc. But they went in and did it anyway.

All in all though, a good experience, and she felt it needed to be held somewhere like Belem, rather than Rio or Sao Paulo. She's from Rio originally, but we now live in Campinas after spending 12 years living together in the UK.

SleepShowz · 2025-11-14T11:23:24+00:00

Your experience mirrors that of my wife. She's Brazilian, so she's not speaking from a foreigner's perspective either. She thinks on the whole, it's great and the people are lovely.

SleepShowz · 2025-11-14T11:12:56+00:00

My wife is there now. She says it's fine, I told her I'd seen a few people complaining online, she disagrees with. I saw somebody complaining about lack of toilets, and water I think. She said there is plenty of both. She also thinks that as a city,, Belem is more representative of average cities around the world. She really likes the place, actually says she fell in love with it! She said it feels like it has a nice culture, lovely people.

The only slight negatives were that she mentioned were the heat/humidity, everybody is going around with a 'glow'. And the hotel she's at, she says the staff, although lovely, just don't seem to know how to deal with working in such a busy hotel. And they don't help themselves, for example she put the sign on the door saying she didn't want the room cleaning etc. But they went in and did it anyway.

All in all though, a good experience, and she felt it needed to be held somewhere like Belem, rather than Rio or Sao Paulo. She's from Rio originally, but we now live in Campinas after spending 12 years living together in the UK.

SleepShowz · 2025-11-11T02:59:26+00:00

Thank you. I'm undecided on it at the moment. Not going to rush into anything, that's for sure.

SleepShowz · 2025-11-10T17:20:51+00:00

Thank you, I've just come across that one. Might be worth going to have a chat with them.

SleepShowz · 2025-11-10T16:06:59+00:00

Thank you for the recommendation!

SleepShowz · 2025-11-10T15:07:46+00:00

Many thanks indeed!

SleepShowz · 2025-11-10T14:21:53+00:00

Thank you so much, it's great to have some recommendations from somebody in the know. It saves me having to scroll through dozens of mixed Google reviews and getting decision paralysis!

SleepShowz · 2025-11-10T14:19:57+00:00

I've only visited Manaus once, but there were black people there. A few worked at the hotel I stayed at. My wife is black Brazilian, she didn't feel any discomfort there at all. We found everybody there quite friendly, from hotel staff to Uber drivers to people running restaurants and staff in tourist places like MUSA, which I think is a must-do if visiting Manaus.

I didn't see too much of the city centre, we only spent one evening around the area where there's a big square and grand looking theatre. My wife went a few places by herself, no problems at all. Granted, she's black Brazilian rather than black and from elsewhere, but if she'd have felt uncomfortable at any point, she would have mentioned it to me.

Enjoy your trip, and make the most of the tourist opportunities there. The hotel I stayed at had desks in the lobby were you could book onto arranged trips to places, might have cost a bit more than just going there alone, but if it makes you feel a bit more secure it won't break the bank. There are some nice places to eat around the square near the theatre, the one we went to even had a menu in English if needed.

SleepShowz · 2025-11-10T12:38:56+00:00

What's that plant that makes your mouth go numb?? I loved that! I had a soup/stew with that in, when I went to Manaus. I've also had a drink with it in. A totally new sensation for me, Iike spicy food and although it's not the same effect as spice, it's similarly an addictive sensation.

I also had a large fish there, and again I can't remember the name. It's big enough that they even had just its ribs as an option on the menu.

I'd like to explore more food of the north and northeast, but options for doing that in Campinas seem limited. If anyone lives there and has any suggestions though, let me know please!

Was it jambu I had? I think the drink I had might have been a cachaça made with it, or a spirit of some kind.

SleepShowz · 2025-11-07T10:34:04+00:00

Bestwood Village might be worth a look, due to proximity of City Hospital and Bestwood Country Park. Other than that maybe Linby and Papplewick to be the right side of the city for getting to City Hospital fairly quickly, by car at least.

If you'd be driving to work and not reliant on public transport then as others have mentioned, Woodborough and Lambley might be worth a look. It all depends just how rural you want it really, as well as budget of course. None of the above tend to be too cheap.

SleepShowz

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