INDESTRUCTABLE luggage?

[Papa Deuce]

We need luggage that takes a beating and survives... any ideas? Soft sides preferred.

Thanks.

 

[Chuck S]

I've had expensive luggage, and cheap luggage. The airlines destroy it no matter what it costs, go with the cheap stuff and replace it often.

 

[EthansMom]

My soft side luggage has never done well... it always comes out with rips and tears.

We finally went for some inexpensive hard-side luggage (see here: http://www.samsonitecompanystores.c...ductId=228163&storeId=10151&langId=-1&pc=C05). One of the pieces lost a wheel, but was repaired by Samsonite free of charge. We got the bright blue, which is very easy to spot on a luggage carousel. We bought ours about 6 years ago and it has a few scratches and rub marks, but is still going strong.

 

[Papa Deuce]

I've had expensive luggage, and cheap luggage. The airlines destroy it no matter what it costs, go with the cheap stuff and replace it often.

Exactly what just happened.....

 

[dreamcometrue]

well, I don't think any luggage is "indestructable" We have always had really good luck with luggage from Costco, and it's very reasonably priced for a set there!

 

[LadyyRedd]

Ricardo, Atlantic, American Tourister and Samsonite are all pretty good brands.

Samsonite is going to be a bit more expensive than the others, but it's not really a higher quality than the rest. American Tourister and Samsonite are made by the same manufacturer/company. AM is just their "lower" line, I guess.

I worked for a few years as a supervisor over the luggage department at a nationwide retailer, so I learned quite a few things in that time period. Like someone else said, unless you travel ALL the time, you're fine going with one of the less expensive brands and replacing it when you need to. All luggage tends to have wheels and handles broken off just as easily by the airlines. However, I wouldn't go with a supercheap brand, like those 5 piece sets for $40. While there is an exception to every rule, I wish I had a quarter for every customer I'd had come in saying they'd bought one of those sets and it was destroyed on their first trip.

Kimya

 

[GeorgeG]

Quality luggage just invites the handlers to see what quality stuff might be inside for them to steal. Look for luggage at a yard sale, drag it home behind the car and never put anything in it you're not willing to lose. The airlines are so busy worrying about you they can't keep their own employees under control. Okay, I'm venting, but that's exactly how I feel.

 

[DisneyNutMary]

I've had expensive luggage, and cheap luggage. The airlines destroy it no matter what it costs, go with the cheap stuff and replace it often.

That's what I've taken to doing.
It's less heartache if I buy cheap luggage, knowing I will buy new cheap luggage next year. Then I don't get upset when I see my bags thrown about from the terminal window.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've had expensive luggage, and cheap luggage. The airlines destroy it no matter what it costs, go with the cheap stuff and replace it often.

Exactly what DH has learned, and he's a very frequent flier, with his Kmart luggage!

 

[ducklite]

We have some TUMI pieces--my roll on, DH's golf club bag cover thing, our briefcases. The stuff is relatively indestructable and lasts forever. But for everything else, we have a combination of JC Penney stuff and Disney bags (which I think might be made my American Tourister.

Basically the stuff we check (other than the clubs because they are handled a little differently) we don't want to spend a ton of money on. I cringe when I see Louis Vittan bags on the carousel screaming STEAL ME!

Anne

 

[hercamore]

Lands End has some study stuff.

I bought a set of luggage 7 years ago at Sam's that is still ging strong (maybe 25 flights with it since we always have 1 or 2connecting flights).

herc.

 

[hercamore]

Forgot to mention I read a Consumers Reports article that gave JC Penney brand luggage high marks.

herc.

 

[crazyme5kids]

I use Samsonite for myself and my kids. My husband goes with Tumi and Briggs and Riley.

 

[ducklite]

My husband goes with Tumi

Doesn't surprise me. Any Haliburton in there? (Although I think that's fallen out of favor--too many bent piano hinges.)

Anne

 

[crazyme5kids]

Doesn't surprise me. Any Haliburton in there? (Although I think that's fallen out of favor--too many bent piano hinges.)

Anne

Ages ago, complete with handcuffs (airport security confiscated many pairs) lol. He also got sick and tired of having to send it out to be repaired.

 

[texasthree]

I have tried several brands and none seem to fair well. I will say that luggage from target is by far the worst. I bought 2 pieces at target that were around $100 each and they tore the very first trip. I try and buy at kohls with a coupon. I have considered samsonite but am scared to spend so much and get it damaged.

 

[Papa Deuce]

I have tried several brands and none seem to fair well. I will say that luggage from target is by far the worst. I bought 2 pieces at target that were around $100 each and they tore the very first trip. I try and buy at kohls with a coupon. I have considered samsonite but am scared to spend so much and get it damaged.

That is what we are replacing. It is TERRIBLE.

 

[Nicolepa]

The softsided never lasts, and it's heavy. I think our large one is 20 pounds before I put anything in it. If it's more than 1/2 full I'm over the 50 pound limit.

Anyway about 5 years ago we bought a lightweight hard piece. I don't know the name offhand (it's packed right now waiting to leave for DW in the morning), anyway this piece has literally been all over the world (Korea, Japan, Germany, Amsterdam) and the US and it is still in great shape. We bought it at a luggage store and it was a middle of the line one, I'm thinking $100-150. In the 5 years before we had replaced our luggage 2-3 times.

 

[Imzadi]

Isn't INDESTRUCTABLE luggage an oxymoron?

I guess I've been lucky. I've always bought decent soft-sided, no name luggage here in NYC, at local vendors. And i used to travel cross-country a lot. I've always made sure the sides are of that superthick canvas-like material & I try out the zippers & wheels MANY times before they even leave the store. You can tell by the stitching if something is going to hold up.

Stay away from plastic zippers & SMALL rolling wheels. They never roll straight, and sometimes leave black skid marks all over your floor.

Also, it's better to have many lightweight bags as opposed to one larger heavier bag. (Yes, I know the airlines charge more if you have too many bags.) But in my obsevation, the larger heavier bags get put on the bottom of the luggage trucks & carts. Then the lighter stuff is heaped up on top of them. So you may have 400+ lbs. on top of your bag. They are not designed for that! No wonder why they are busting at the seams.

 

[shortbun]

I used to fly a lot, twice a month. I bought cheaper, replaceable luggage because the airline kills it no matter what you've got. I always made sure the wheels were good ones as blowouts on heavy pull behinds is a drag.(pun intended) I used to buy it at Marshalls. They have great deals on luggage from time to time.