Luggage for Europe

tracylynn · Apr 26, 2015

Hello -

I am needing to purchase luggage for our trip. I really like the flight 001 carry-on and spacepak cubes but every where I read, everyone advises against hard shell suitcase. The dimensions are
14in X 20in X 8.7in. We will have several flights and train rides along with our Disney cruise. I figure we could get 2 weeks worth of clothes in these cute carry-on and eliminate the large bulky suitcases. I am open for suggestions and I did read Rick Stevens suggestions and not sure I the options. But if I have to go that route I will.

http://www.flight001.com/f1-cargo-carry-on-pink.html

Cousin Orville · Apr 26, 2015

I use Travelpro carry on's. Amazon.com has good prices. I buy my packing cubes through Amazon as well.

sayhello · Apr 26, 2015

They look wonderfully organized. If they suit your packing style, and are small enough to fit in most overhead luggage bins, then I say go for it. I bought a hard-sided spinner carryon (super light) and I totally love it.

If you are flying on European airlines between European countries, be sure & get the carryon dimensions from those airlines. They tend to be more restrictive as to size & weight in Europe.

Sayhello

lost*in*cyberspace · Apr 26, 2015

The size is good for carry-on for all airlines, including foreign carriers. I agree that I prefer a soft sided bag for my main bag, rather than one with hard sides which can't expand. That pink color is going to get really dirty.

aggiedog · Apr 27, 2015

We have hard sided luggage, which I like simply for the fact it is harder to destroy. I've had plenty of suitcases snagged, cut, soaked, and otherwise put thru the ringer. The hard luggage is a pain since you can't really slide a zipper open to quick access it. It also is not easy to "live out of", since it needs to be fully open to use both sides. Because of that, I like my soft sided luggage for quick trips. I use my hard luggage for overseas and longer vacations that I can unpack into dressers and such. That said, the packing cubes would make that issue easier to deal with, since you could easily transfer the cubes, pile them up on the top of the dresser, etc.

Rapunzellover · Apr 27, 2015

I'll chime in on the love for hard sided luggage. It's much more durable. I had a suitcase lock damaged in transit when I visited England and I can only imagine what kind of damage would have occurred with a soft-sided bag.

CaliforniaGirl09 · Apr 27, 2015

tracylynn said:
Hello -

I am needing to purchase luggage for our trip. I really like the flight 001 carry-on and spacepak cubes but every where I read, everyone advises against hard shell suitcase. The dimensions are
14in X 20in X 8.7in. We will have several flights and train rides along with our Disney cruise. I figure we could get 2 weeks worth of clothes in these cute carry-on and eliminate the large bulky suitcases. I am open for suggestions and I did read Rick Stevens suggestions and not sure I the options. But if I have to go that route I will.

Wow, I'm impressed that you can fit two weeks of clothes in a carryon. I have a hard enough time with a full size suitcase *and* a carryon. You mentioned flights in between (& you'll also want to check with the carrier over there), but the european airlines tend to be very restrictive on carry-on weight, which can really vary, so just a head's up on that. I've had my bags weighed a number of times and I'm always stuffing things in my pockets

This looked pretty accurate, but you'll want to check with the specific airlines: http://www.airfarewatchdog.com/blog/10460865/airline-carry-on-bag-policies.html

emilymad · Apr 28, 2015

We have done two European trips with hard sided luggage. It has held up really well. Ours do expand. We bought them for a reasonable price at TJ Maxx. Packing cubes are a must with hard sided luggage since it is just one big shell.

The main thing is to make sure whatever you get has spinner wheels. It is so much easier in airports and train stations. Especially some of the crowded ones in Europe. I wouldn't have to have to drag my luggage behind me if at all possible.

jec6613 · Apr 28, 2015

Cousin Orville said:
I use Travelpro carry on's. Amazon.com has good prices. I buy my packing cubes through Amazon as well.

I can't speak more highly about TravelPro (both carry-on and full sized luggage). In my experience, they're more durable than hard sided, and their carry-ons carry as much as most hard sided checked luggage.

sayhello · Apr 28, 2015

jec6613 said:
I can't speak more highly about TravelPro (both carry-on and full sized luggage). In my experience, they're more durable than hard sided, and their carry-ons carry as much as most hard sided checked luggage.

I don't have TravelPro luggage, but my rolling computer bag that I use 5 days a week is TravelPro, and I can concur that it is the most durable bag I've had. The wheels work really well, and the handle is very sturdy, and it does hold a lot.

Sayhello

lost*in*cyberspace · Apr 28, 2015

CaliforniaGirl09 said:
....... You mentioned flights in between (& you'll also want to check with the carrier over there), but the european airlines tend to be very restrictive on carry-on weight, which can really vary, so just a head's up on that. I've had my bags weighed a number of times and I'm always stuffing things in my pockets This looked pretty accurate, but you'll want to check with the specific airlines: http://www.airfarewatchdog.com/blog/10460865/airline-carry-on-bag-policies.html

Good point. I had my carry-on bag taken away once on a Lufthansa flight (I think this was at MUC). The counter agent made me weight it and it was too heavy, so I had to check it. Lufthansa is well known for being strict about carry-on weight. You shouldn't have an issue if you are flying US carriers.

That link didn't work for me.

sayhello · Apr 28, 2015

lost*in*cyberspace said:
Good point. I had my carry-on bag taken away once on a Lufthansa flight (I think this was at MUC). The counter agent made me weight it and it was too heavy, so I had to check it. Lufthansa is well known for being strict about carry-on weight. You shouldn't have an issue if you are flying US carriers.

The flight to Santorini, on my Greece ABD, the agent wanted to take away my carry-on & check it. Our Guide Elena got into a "heated discussion" with her in Greek, and well, I was allowed to carry on the bag.

Another ABD advantage!

Sayhello

kristilew · Apr 29, 2015

I have to disagree about the spinner bags, at least for full size luggage. I hate trying to make them go across the carpet that is always in some part of airports. And my forearms always get so tired trying to keep the bag from "straying." I'm going back to regular skate wheels. I can see for lighter carry on bags how it might be a plus to have spinners, and of course, it's such a matter of personal preference.

We used TravelPro for years and year, but find lately that the telescoping handles are not as durable as they used to be. DH, who travels all the time, has switched to Eagle Creek bags, and has been much more pleased. I'm trying to decide if I will go that route when I replace my spinner wheel bags, or if I will pony up for the Briggs and Riley bags. So expensive, but lifetime guarantee and I practically drool every time I check them out.

sayhello · Apr 29, 2015

kristilew said:
I have to disagree about the spinner bags, at least for full size luggage. I hate trying to make them go across the carpet that is always in some part of airports. And my forearms always get so tired trying to keep the bag from "straying." I'm going back to regular skate wheels. I can see for lighter carry on bags how it might be a plus to have spinners, and of course, it's such a matter of personal preference.

We used TravelPro for years and year, but find lately that the telescoping handles are not as durable as they used to be. DH, who travels all the time, has switched to Eagle Creek bags, and has been much more pleased. I'm trying to decide if I will go that route when I replace my spinner wheel bags, or if I will pony up for the Briggs and Riley bags. So expensive, but lifetime guarantee and I practically drool every time I check them out.

I agree. My carry-on is a spinner (I had SUCH spinner envy dragging my old carry-on behind me in the airport) but my checked bag is a 2-wheeler. I can't push both of them. One needs to be dragged.

And I admit it. My carry-on is a Briggs & Riley hard-sided spinner. I love, love, LOVE it!! It holds just as much if not more than my soft-sided carry-on did (which really surprised me!) and fits so much more easily into the overhead bins. I really did drool, and broke down & bought it. Ridiculously expensive, but oh, SO worth it!

You might want to check out ww.ebags.com 's in-house Mother Lode line of suitcases. I have one that I use for my checked luggage, and I really love it!

Sayhello

Luggage for Europe

tracylynn

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Cousin Orville

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sayhello

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lostincyberspace

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aggiedog

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Rapunzellover

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CaliforniaGirl09

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emilymad

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jec6613

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sayhello

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lostincyberspace

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