Good Luggage Brand?

[Lothlórien]

I am in the market for some new luggage. My parents are getting it for me, so I don't want it to cost an arm, leg & torso. I really just need the largest bag and the next largest bag for check-in bags. I have plenty of carry-on bags. So I am looking for something like a 30" and 28"....or something like that.

I purchased some on sale from Macy's and it was cheap, cheap, cheap. TAG was the brand. It went back within hours of being delivered. I know Samsonite is great luggage, but that is more than I want them to spend. I know Swiss is good as well as American Tourister, but I believe they are also very pricey. I have heard Ricardo is good, but no personal experience. I had some Rockland luggage and surprisingly it was good for about 7 years.

I would like to know what those of you who fly quite a bit suggest.

 

[keishashadow]

do you want soft or hard sided?

be careful if purchasing a 30" bag. often the stated size doesn't include the wheels and handle...you could easily be "over" on whatever airlines sizing

I had horrible luck with Heys, had a bag replaced and same issue with spinner wheels sticking.

Have used Delsey (both an expanding 'soft' one as a carryon bag and a hard size larger version - 28 " I believe) for approximately the last 10 trips over two years. They are holding up well...with the exclusion of scuff marks from rough luggage handling re the checked.

some day i'll win the lottery and buy TUMI lol

 

[Lothlórien]

do you want soft or hard sided?

be careful if purchasing a 30" bag. often the stated size doesn't include the wheels and handle...you could easily be "over" on whatever airlines sizing

I had horrible luck with Heys, had a bag replaced and same issue with spinner wheels sticking.

Have used Delsey (both an expanding 'soft' one as a carryon bag and a hard size larger version - 28 " I believe) for approximately the last 10 trips over two years. They are holding up well...with the exclusion of scuff marks from rough luggage handling re the checked.

some day i'll win the lottery and buy TUMI lol

I want soft luggage. I don't like the extra weight the hard luggage adds and I have seen too many hard bags get crushed on the corners. I have never heard of Delsey, but I will check it out now.

 

[keishashadow]

I want soft luggage. I don't like the extra weight the hard luggage adds and I have seen too many hard bags get crushed on the corners. I have never heard of Delsey, but I will check it out now.

amazon is a good place to view luggage including dimensions and weights. I was very surprised how little their hard side weighs, believe the soft side is called feather weight something or other

good luck

 

[spleuchan]

My favorite luggage I have bought is Samsonite S'Cure Spinner 28, but that was relatively expensive at $180. A better value is the SwissGear Travel Gear 28" Hardside Spinner ABS for a little over $70 last summer. It has survived a few trips. It is a little smaller than the Samsonite, but for $70 it was a good deal. I really like it being hard side, but light. I've had Samsonite that have lasted a while, but also Samsonite that have only lasted a few trips, so expensive doesn't necessarily mean it will last longer.

 

[kristenrice]

EBags brand luggage is phenomenal. It is a little pricey, but you can often get it on sale and go through a rebate portal (topcashback is currently offering 20%!) to save even more. It is well-made and has a lifetime guarantee.

I bought the TLS Motherlode Weekender junior for my DD's. After one trip, the plastic clip that converts it to a backpack snapped. There was nothing else wrong with the bag, it just couldn't be used as a backpack. It still has the shoulder strap and can be used as a "suitcase". I contacted them to see what my options were and they sent me a brand new bag! They told me to keep the other one too! They have the BEST customer service and stand behind their products 100%.

 

[minnie mum]

For years we would just periodically buy a cheap set of AT at the outlet store. They never lasted that long but didn't cost much anyway. Several years ago we bought a set of 3 London Fog soft sided bags ( half price sale at a local department store), and I've been really pleased with them. They've survived many plane and car trips with only a few smudges showing ( that's what you get for not having a black bag). They're light weight but sturdy, and I like all the separate compartments. I've got the 28" expandable bag, and have gone over the allowable weight limit when I've had to expand it, so I'm glad I didn't get an even larger bag!

 

[goofy4tink]

I've been using Delsey for a few years as well. I actually got it all at Macy's...pretty good deal between sales and coupons. My dd was traveling to the UK to study, so we got a 30". Worked very well.

 

[ibob52]

I agree Delsey is a good brand and Macy's has some in their luggage department.

I did not purchase from Macy's .. but I went there to check it out.

I ended up buying from ebags initially and later bought the spinner type from ~ Luggage Factory Dot com

The construction of the ~ luggage ~ material ~ stitching ~ handle ~ wheels ~ etc .. is very good.

IMO it is equal to SAMSONITE and for a better price.

I ended up getting the spinner type because the the two wheel type would sometimes tip-over.

Although that is probably because of my packing style and the tendency to over pack.

The luggage is three years old and still looks good. I am happy with my purchase.

 

[TaraPA]

Big Samsonite fan here - IF you can get it one sale. Kohls often has it on sale plus their % off - I just ordered an 18" spinner carry-on retailed for $319, on sale for $159 plus an extra 30% off = $111. We use our luggage hard & have only ever replaced our Samsonite pieces because they became outdated. My mom still insists on using her hard side train case from the 1970's! There are also Samsonite outlets around if you're lucky enough to live near one.

 

[Jestocost]

Briggs & Riley. Excellent quality and comes with a lifetime guarantee.

 

[Hopefully]

Another Briggs & Riley Lover!!! I once had a handle break, sent it back - they paid shipping both ways- and they replaced it. It is the easiest luggage I have ever handled. I won't ever buy anything else again.