How Do You Pick The Right Luggage?

[greggypetty]

It seems that people have a lot of trouble picking the right luggage, not necessarily just on this forum, but everywhere. So I figured I would start a thread where we could just post how to get luggage, what brands we preferred, etc.

I have actually found that one of the best ways to find a place to purchase it is by going online and searching on Google. Search something like "Samsonite Luggage" and look through some of the results, or just hit the shopping results. Just be careful with those. I have found the best results are just the normal Google ones with many of my purchases.

So, once you have found the best place for what you want, just purchase it. Kind of obvious, but important.

Be careful which sites you purchase from though.

I have a few resources for places you can get good luggage.

I have gotten some good ones from Sears, and I got some really good Samsonite Luggage here.

Does anyone have any other tips for purchasing luggage?

PS: Here are some vids about Samsonite Luggage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AA0nBqTnuwA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpzMd_V2UJU&feature=related

 

[Lewisc]

You want luggage that isn't going to oversized and luggage that is less likely to be overweight.

A 26" or 27" rolling bag should be OK size wise. Anything bigger is likely to be overweight when packed. Some of the newer luggage tends to be lighter when empty then older bags.

Delesy Breeze and Helium tend to be reasonable price wise and lighter then other bags.

Samsonite has some bags that meet those standards and some that don't. The older, hard shell, Samsonite bags weigh 15-20 lbs when empty.

Be careful with bags you find in places like Marshalls. Some of them are in closeout stores because they are too large and too heavy for airline use.

I don't want to sound rude but your post sounds like an ad for Samsonite. Weight and size of the bag is more important then the brand.

$150 is a typical charge for a bag that weights 51-70 lbs. Your bag exceeds the airline size requirements (including wheels, handles...) and you're looking at another $100-$150.

 

[uva185]

I don't want to sound rude but your post sounds like an ad for Samsonite. Weight and size of the bag is more important then the brand.

Yeah, that's kind of a random brand to recommend so strongly.

Weight and size are definitely the most important factors.

I like Briggs & Riley luggage due to their warranty. Whatever happens to the bag, they will fix it. http://www.briggs-riley.com/careRepair/warranty.aspx

 

[greggypetty]

Sorry, I was mostly just giving an example brand. I have used Samsonite, so I figured I would just talk about it, since it has worked for me.

And you are right, I should have mentioned size and weight. Thanks for your input!

 

[Tara]

Some things that are often overlooked:

1. Some cheaper upright rolling suitcases don't have a handle on the side to be carried - this comes in handy.

2. A lot of cheaper suitcases don't have a handle or grip on the bottom. When hoisting a bag into a car or onto the xray belt, something to grab a hold of on the bottom end is very helpful.

3. If it's an upright with a telescoping handle, does the handle take up an excessive amount of room in the bag?

I highly recommend that people go to a luggage shop or a department store that sells many brands - try out things, see how solid the zippers feel, see how smoothly the wheels roll, test out the handle to see how easy or difficult it is to collapse and expand.

Unless your luggage is going to be VERY rarely used, I would rate quality over weight and size - it doesn't matter how small or light a bag is if it falls apart when you need it.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

For me, one of the biggest factors in buying luggage is that its utility may be is personal to each potential user and changes over time depnding on facts out of your control,s uch as TSA and your airline.

For example, the rolling carry-on that my DH and I had previsouly shared didn't accomodate 2 TSA baggies in an outside pocket and this was even worse when we placed out laptop in another outside pocket. So, we ended up carrying our laptop in a separate briefcase and keeping our 2 baggies in 2 separate pockets.

So last year, I decided to get a rolling breifcase that had room for our laptop, 2 TSA baggies and a change of clothes. Then, the TSA approves checkpoint friendly briefacase, so I got an additional sleeve for the laptop to go in the rolling bag.

This combo works great, but then my airline, AA, starts a program of sizing rollers at our airport and our bag (which fits in the overhead fine and is within the total size limitations) is half an inch too wide! So, now we bring along another collapsible bag (without wheels) in case out wheeled bag needs to be checked!

Now it looks like we may be getting a new, slightly larger laptop, and so the search for the perfect bag continues! -- Suzanne

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

I need two sizes....carry on and about a 24"....what I look for.....


1.) Lightweight - newer luggage is far lighter
2.) Good construction - lighter can sometimes mean it's not built well....I want to use it more than 3 or 4 times
3.) Darker fabric with a print. I am not a fan of black at all. I have gone the precious pink route and it just get's dirty too fast. I got tired of washing my luggage between trips!

A print hides the scuffs and dirt.

4.) I want minimal pouches inside. Just give me open space to pack appropriately

5.) If it does not expand - it does not come home with me. I am the PRINCESS of PACKING. When I leave everything is ironed and folded...but it never goes BACK that way. What about gifts? I need the extra space going home. Also, check to see how balanced it will be when expanded. It's annoying to stand up your luggage....give your attention to something else....only to have your luggage slowly fall over.

6.) Regular rolling luggage with a handle that locks in the up positon. If the handle doesn't lock, you can push your luggage backward and all that will happen is the handle slides back into the back of the bag.

I also like a handle that comes up in a double-bar vs a single. I put my tote bag on the top of my luggage and carry it that way. It balances far better with two bars vs a siingle bar.

No rolling duffel for me (although my DH loves both of his---big blue and bumba!). Rolling duffels do not stand on end well enough - don't like luggage that falls over when you don't pay attention.


Can you tell I travel a great deal?


Ok, had to edit to add ......

Handle on the side of the luggage as well as the top - big convenience.

I will no longer buy luggage that does not have an efficient built-in handle on the bottom of the bag by the rollers. When you pickup your bag to put it into your trunk --- luggage carrier, etc. if it does not have an efficient way to grab the bottom....you are struggling by grabbing a wheel on the corner - or picking up the bag by the sides. It's so much easier to use the handle on the top of the bag and some sort of handle/bar on the bottom. Check it out....most bags have these.

I bought a set of Mickey luggage with 360 degree wheels....besides not liking the 360 wheels on carpet, I didn't notice there was no way to pickup the bag on the bottom. I had to grab one of these wheels for my .....schlepping. I gave away the luggage.

Ok, I think I"m done now!!!

 

[Lewisc]

I would rate quality over weight and size - it doesn't matter how small or light a bag is if it falls apart when you need it.

I wouldn't buy a bag that exceeds airline size limits. JMO but a "good deal" on a quality bag at a store like Marshalls doesn't make sense if it's going to cost $175 extra each direction to check. Likewise I wouldn't buy a well made, older, Samsonite hard shell bag at such a store if the suitcase weighs almost 20 lbs empty. The charge for an overweight bag generally starts at $90.

Passengers have to weigh quality against cost. Reviews suggest the really cheap bags at places like WalMart aren't good for much more then one or two flights. Brands like Delesy and COSTCO (Kirland) give reasonable quality for a reasonable cost. People who fly a lot can justify premium brands like Briggs & Reilly and Tumi.

I'd skip any luggage set that has pieces you'll never use.

Given the way airlines are charging for luggage one bag to check, 26", maybe 27" makes sense. A 21" carryon roller bag also makes sense. The frame necessary to support wheels and a handle adds weight and reduces available space. You can fit more in a duffel bag that meets carryon standards then with a similar sized carryon roller bag.

I think the Delesy Helium line meets most of the previous posters requirements. The more expensive models have more "pockets". I'd stay clear of the 29" and 30" bags.

 

[Tara]

I wouldn't buy a bag that exceeds airline size limits.

I didn't say I'd buy a high quality bag that was too big. I prioritize quality first, so that means I start with bags that I think will hold up, THEN consider the other priorities. So if I were choosing between a high quality bag that weighed 9 pounds and a low-quality bag that weighed 7 pounds, I'd choose the 9 pound bag. I'd sacrifice 2 pounds of the limit to get a bag that holds up longer.

I think the Delesy Helium line meets most of the previous posters requirements. The more expensive models have more "pockets". I'd stay clear of the 29" and 30" bags.

I have a Delsey Helium Hyperlite bag that couldn't even weather a single trip without a zipper pull breaking off and a side bumper coming almost completely unstitched. I haven't had to use it since (I used it once and then Delsey took over 2 months to repair it and send it back to me) - I hope it was a one-off occurrence, but I'm wary of the bag quality and even more wary of their slow customer service.

 

[Lewisc]

I'd also buy a 9 lb quality bag over a 7 lb bag that's not well made.

My comment was with respect to the kind of quality bags that show up in stores like Marshalls. I wouldn't buy an older style quality bag that weights almost 20 lbs empty. I don't think I'd buy a new bag that weighs much over 12 lbs or is bigger then 26" or 27". Quality bags that wind up in discount stores are frequently too big or too heavy. The maximum weight without an additional charge has been reduced (most airlines) from 70lbs to 50lbs. Luggage that was designed for the 70lb limit don't work well with a 50lb limit.

The Helium Breeze and fusion line generally get good reviews. Sounds like going the "extra mile" and getting the Hyperlite line sacrifices quality for weight.

I didn't say I'd buy a high quality bag that was too big. I prioritize quality first, so that means I start with bags that I think will hold up, THEN consider the other priorities. So if I were choosing between a high quality bag that weighed 9 pounds and a low-quality bag that weighed 7 pounds, I'd choose the 9 pound bag. I'd sacrifice 2 pounds of the limit to get a bag that holds up longer.



I have a Delsey Helium Hyperlite bag that couldn't even weather a single trip without a zipper pull breaking off and a side bumper coming almost completely unstitched. I haven't had to use it since (I used it once and then Delsey took over 2 months to repair it and send it back to me) - I hope it was a one-off occurrence, but I'm wary of the bag quality and even more wary of their slow customer service.

 

[Tara]

I'd also buy a 9 lb quality bag over a 7 lb bag that's not well made.

My comment was with respect to the kind of quality bags that show up in stores like Marshalls. I wouldn't buy an older style quality bag that weights almost 20 lbs empty. I don't think I'd buy a new bag that weighs much over 12 lbs or is bigger then 26" or 27". Quality bags that wind up in discount stores are frequently too big or too heavy. The maximum weight without an additional charge has been reduced (most airlines) from 70lbs to 50lbs. Luggage that was designed for the 70lb limit don't work well with a 50lb limit.

The Helium Breeze and fusion line generally get good reviews. Sounds like going the "extra mile" and getting the Hyperlite line sacrifices quality for weight.

Yeah, IMO the bags at Marshalls are no great shakes. At least at my Marshalls, anyway. And when I inspected the Helium Hyperlite versus the Breeze and Fusion lines, the Hyperlite had much better (seeming) features - handles seemed better constructed, nicer touches, overall better quality. And I do believe it's intended to be a higher tier product than the Breeze and Fusion lines, with the Pilot tier being the next highest. That's what was so disappointing about my Delsey experience...I chose the "better" bag and it still wasn't great.

I still have to give props to my Pathfinder bag. It's 8 years old and still looks virtually brand new and I use the heck out of it. It's closest to the Avenger XLite line, but not quite the same. I sure wish they still made the line I have because I'd buy more in a heartbeat.

 

[NotUrsula]

Passengers have to weigh quality against cost. Reviews suggest the really cheap bags at places like WalMart aren't good for much more then one or two flights. Brands like Delsey and COSTCO (Kirland) give reasonable quality for a reasonable cost. People who fly a lot can justify premium brands like Briggs & Reilly and Tumi.

And just to show you that shouldn't slam too hard on the folks at TJX stores (Marshall's, TJMaxx), I have to tell you that when I went shopping for a rollaboard at TJ last week, they had a 20" Tumi. It had a carbon frame and would work anywhere -- if you were inclined to spend that much. Even at TJ it was still $400. (From a discontinued line that apparently didn't sell well -- a bit too futuristic-looking for the avg. Tumi buyer, I think, though personally I thought that the swoopy silver-on-black lines looked very sharp.)

Often things show up at TJ or Marshall's just because the color was not a big seller; sometimes there is nothing structurally problematic with the bag at all. Colors are a funny issue; black sells best everywhere, and some business travelers will claim that only amateurs will use bright colors. I'm an exception. My clients don't see my luggage, and I find that having some color (but not red, which is the other black) makes the bag stand out on the carousel.

The two bags I just bought are Ricardos, they are rust/dark grey w/ black trim. Decent warranty, medium-light, and an interesting hybrid between a rectangle case and a duffel (they are designed as a clamshell, with the "bottom" half hardside, and the top collapsible soft. They also expand.) One of the things I really like about the 27" is that because of the shape it presents a narrower-than-normal profile when upright, more of a square than a rectangle. It ROLLS through subway turnstiles! Since I'm very big on using trains to get around when I can, this is a huge plus for me.

Here's my universal tip: when shopping, bring a soft measuring tape. NEVER trust the dimensions given on the label; they are almost always smaller than reality, no matter what the brand.

 

[MartDM]

Often things show up at TJ or Marshall's just because the color was not a big seller; sometimes there is nothing structurally problematic with the bag at all. Colors are a funny issue; black sells best everywhere, and some business travelers will claim that only amateurs will use bright colors. I'm an exception. My clients don't see my luggage, and I find that having some color (but not red, which is the other black) makes the bag stand out on the carousel.

I agree completely. I recently got a terrific set of two Samsonite bags at Marshall's that are light, well appointed for anal-retentive packing freaks like me, have 360 wheels, plenty of handles, expandable, etc. and were half the price of the same one's elsewhere. The catch? They were rust colored (which I think is terrific after spending the last 10 years with navy blue/grey luggage that was "invisible" on the luggage carousel).

 

[pickles]

we got 2 spalding backpack on wheels about 7 years ago. they have gone all over including international travel. they are surving even now..when we have gone thru several other suitcaes and backpacks..

now my only problem is how to find some new ones to buy.

these we got at walmart..quick surf online and I didnt find them. anyone see them let me know. would like to get more for other family members and I would buy their luggage if they made any!!