HELP I Need New Luggage

[agavegirl1]

My DH has a couple of discount store suitcases he's used while working on the road for years (including flights) and I have these ridiculously expensive Brand Name bags that got stained and the zipper pulls fell off after trip number one. On our honeymoon road trip in September, his 13 year old Walmart large suitcase finally failed so we bought a replacement at a Shopko in Billings MT. I'm done with pricey luggage.

DH is a millwright. He has installed luggage conveyor systems in airports. He told me "you do not want to know how your luggage is handled by these machines". He also told me not to buy expensive luggage with "fancy" wheels. It will get wrecked.

I still have my pricey luggage. I replaced the zipper pulls (3 of them of two bags) myself using stuff from a craft supply store. I will say, that the fact the wheels are recessed into the bag and very sturdy, they have not been damaged despite 7 years of air travel 3-4 times a year.

When my bags "die", I will go the TJ Maxx route suggested above.

 

[pullen]

We bought 2 Traveler's Choice Tasmania hard side sets for our last trip. We had cheap luggage that was falling apart and I researched for what I thought had the best reviews. If you have a Kohl's store near you, they nearly always have a sale going on. Between sale price and rebates, I think we bought both sets for around $300.
http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-10...ia-3-pc-expandable-luggage-set.jsp?color=Navy

We haven't flown with them yet but the got drug around Philadelphia, a block and a half of 46th Street at Times Square New York, Cape Cod, Boston, and Niagara Falls. The only issue we had was that the TSA lock on one of the large bags got jammed and we had to pry it open. Once we returned, we contacted Traveler's Choice. We had to jump through a few hoops of filling out online forms and attaching photos but they sent us a new replacement bag free of charge and we didn't have to send in the old one.

The small bag is 7.7 pounds. The medium bag is 9.2 pounds. The large bag is 11.4 pounds. The large bag is effectively 20% of our allowed check in weight for this flight but I don't know that you could make this bag much lighter and still have any durability.

 

[mum of two pirates]

Does anyone use luggage covers. Or brand new set of sit cases got holes in them there first trip. We now have hard sided ones from costco but was wondering about covers as my son is going on a trip this month.

 

[E-P-C-O-T]

I was an airline mishandling (lost,broken,stolen) analyst for 6 years and I saw many ripped, damage and torned bags. I believe in buying moderate quality luggage. We bought our soft sided Samsonite bags in 2007 and have traveled with them for 40 plus trips, including 4 Europe trips, 8 cruises, Russia trip and multiple Disney trips. They are still in great shape, except for 1 broken zipper handle and a couple of scratches and will use them for our trip in a couple of days. We are not light travelers (hello overpackers anonymous) our bags usually weight at least 42 pounds and are usually extended, these bags have taken a good beating and will last us at least a few more years. When the time comes to replace them, we will definitely buy Samsonite again.

 

[AngiTN]

I can understand the reluctance to buy at the prices they charge today! But I've had a 2-suit Samsonite hardside with rigid metal frame (not zippered) since 2008. It's been to Abu Dhabi, Germany, and Taiwan,as well as several domestic trips. Not a dent in it. I think it has held up well considering.

And I'm sure that is a great piece of luggage. I'm actually talking about the Samsonite of 2015. At one point it was very good, quality luggage. I do not find the pieces I see on the shelves today to be remotely similar to the pieces they once made.

 

[Lynne M]

I buy based on features, weight and build quality, not on brand. I like spinner bags because I think they're easier to maneuver in airports. I like internal organizing features that keep my clothes from getting too wrinkled. I want a bag that will take a real beating, for years, because I'm not gentle with luggage even when I'm carrying it on. And I want a bag that's as lightweight as possible. Then when I'm shopping, I buy the cheapest bag that has a good combination of all of the above. Couldn't care less what the brand is.

My carry-on suitcase is a soft-sided Samsonite spinner that I've had forever. It came with a sort of cloth garment bag, that folds up in its own section of the suitcase. I put blouses and tops in there on hangers, and when I get to my destination I just take out the garment bag, unzip it, and hang the tops up in the closet. It saves space and keeps things from getting wrinkly. There's also a padded pocket in front that I put my laptop in. I hope it never breaks, it's the best bag I've ever had.

For my second carry-on, I use the Kalya Town Square from eBags. It's super lightweight and has plenty of pockets to keep stuff organized, and I can tuck a small purse in there. It fits easily under the seat.

 

[Hopefully]

I am a confirmed Brigg's & Riley owner. I now have 3 -1 carry on and 2 check ins. I have travelled extensively both domestically & internationally. I have had the oldest more than 10 years. The handle broke coming home from the UK one trip. I shipped it back -free-and it was repaired no questions asked. It is the easiest luggage to pull through an airport I have ever had. I will never buy anything else

 

[AngiTN]

I am a confirmed Brigg's & Riley owner. I now have 3 -1 carry on and 2 check ins. I have travelled extensively both domestically & internationally. I have had the oldest more than 10 years. The handle broke coming home from the UK one trip. I shipped it back -free-and it was repaired no questions asked. It is the easiest luggage to pull through an airport I have ever had. I will never buy anything else

So jealous. I have wanted one for so long. Maybe when I make my next purchase I can jump to them. It was a big jump to their price point from the cheap bags but not so big from Eagle Creek and Travel Pro

 

[knkmom]

We bought several pieces of Heys hard sided luggage a couple of years ago and so far we love it! We took it to WDW this year, no issues with airlines damaging it.