Hard suitcases or duffel bags??

[islandmum]

we are experienced travellers, we have dragged our trusty Samsonite hard (and very expensive) suitcases all over the world with us and they have never let us down.

However as our luggage grows (this years trip was ridiculous including the kids car seats) the samsonites seem to take up just a huge amount of space. We have no choice to carry less luggage so a solution has to be found.

They are much more practical than the large duffel bags in that everything inside stays in place and doesnt get bashed, but size wise they're a nightmare on luggage trolleys and in cars etc.

How many of you who travel with alot of luggage use samsonites (or similar) or have changed over to using the duffels? and which is better?

 

[Claire L]

DH and I use one of each and put the more breakable/valuable items in the hard sided.

Claire

 

[CustardTart]

I usually use soft Kipling wheeled trolley cases and rolling duffles which fit inside one another for the outward trip, don't weigh too much before they're packed and are convenient sizes. I find that careful packing ensures nothing moves around and have never had a breakage yet...

 

[ford family]

Our trusty Samsonites didn't wear out, they just became too heavy and cumbersome.
We researched several ideas and looked at all sorts of cases here, in France and in Florida. We ended up buying Revelation rollable hard cases that are very light yet strong and much cheaper than Samsonite.
We looked at them in a department store to check weight, size, colour and so on but bought them from the Antler (parent company) website.

ford family

 

[T16GEM]

I usually use soft Kipling wheeled trolley cases and rolling duffles which fit inside one another for the outward trip, don't weigh too much before they're packed and are convenient sizes. I find that careful packing ensures nothing moves around and have never had a breakage yet...

I've been thinking about getting something like that for a while now, what brands / sizes etc would you recommend?

 

[wicket2005]

We bought Revelation by Antler this last year, like this http://www.antler-luggage.com/luggage-description-revelation.php?id_ref=44 and also bought a cheaper version from Argos both double deckers, don't know if they are still stocking them. They have a zipped bottom bit that is hard framed, then has another compartment on the top, like a holdall, plus zipped pockets either end. For us the hard bodied cases were taking up too much of our weight allowance and were harder to get into boots. These are a lot lighter and can be squashed if need be.

I pack everything rolled up in plastic bags so movement was very minimal. We even managed to bring back about a foot and half glass Budweisser savings bottle without breaking it.

With having the hard frame at the bottom of the case and sections to the case clothes were held in place. It was also very easy to pull along.

 

[Neoshoegal]

so far we're sticking with the Samsonite. We always pack a duffel bag in the hard case for when we can't manage to everything again on the way home. The duffel bags need replacing every few trips, the Samsonite seems indestructable.

 

[PudseyChancer]

we have dragged our trusty Samsonite hard (and very expensive) suitcases all over the world with us and they have never let us down

Same here! The issue I have with the Samsonite case is the weight, even with hardly anything in it, it still takes up too much of my allowance for the States. I'm loath to change it, but I think next time round I'm going to want to bring back even more than normal, so I may have to change to a much lighter suitcase.

It was my suitcase this year that was over the limit, yet it was only filled to 75% capacity and my GF had almost double in her normal, material suitcase!

 

[islandmum]

looking at all the info I've read today on the duffle bag debate from various peoples reviews online they like them for their lightness as the airlines are getting so stingy on weight allowances BUT they big downside is their durability.

My samsonites are over 10 years old and I guestimate have done at least 100 return flights in their time. They still look good and are in perfect condition.

I am so not looking forward to travelling next Sept to the US and from LGW to here wihout dh and having to deal with samsonites, car seats, kids, dropping off hire car, checking in etc etc, I can only push 1 luggage trolley! the duffles one I can put on the trolley and one I can pull behind me. Much better than 2 solid cases!

I've made my decision - dh can keep using the samsonites for all his business trips, as he doesnt travel with all the other famly crap, but for family trips these are what I'm getting, 2 of it in 36" and 2 in 30" ...

http://www.amazon.com/High-Sierra-36-Inch-Drop-Bottom-Wheeled/dp/B000OZG3V6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=A3GKAMOBN1TFQ4&s=apparel&qid=1228771187&sr=1-1

 

[wicket2005]

I am glad you are all sorted.

The bags I bought have a 5 year guarantee which I hope means they will last. We did buy cheap ones from Tesco last year but they got holes in when the case touched the floor because they didn't have the rigid base structure like in the new cases we bought.

Samsonite are smashing cases and totally unbreakable I think. We have had one for years but had to switch because of the weight of them before you even get your clothes in.

 

[jockey]

We have samsonite hard cases but as you say they take up too much room. My DH recently bought an Antler duffle bag it's fab. We have decide tht we will use a few of the Samsonites next trip and buy a few more soft bags

 

[#1MMFan]

DH and I use one of each and put the more breakable/valuable items in the hard sided.

Claire

We do the exact same thing. Have very good samsonite hard cases each and 3 duffel bags also (between 3 of us). (Two of us take a cab home from the airport, and the other rides with my father!).

 

[Pegasus928]

We have both cases and duffels.
The duffels we bought in Florida this year from Walmart when we went on a bit of a spending spree
We will take them with us next year as they are light enough to fit in the case and use them just for clothes on the way back - leaving the suitcases for more valuable or delicate items.