Need a new suitcase - any recommendations?

[PudseyChancer]

I've finally woken up to the fact that my Samsonite suitcase is perhaps a false economy, it weighs a ton and limits the amount of nonsense that I can bring back from Orlando!

I've had a look around but nothing seems to stand out, so any recommendations as to what I should go for? What do you guys use?

 

[brer rabbit 28]

TK Maxx have loads of great lightweight cases in at the mo. Can't name a brand I'm afraid but worth a look.

 

[2Tiggies]

I don't really care what my suitcase looks like - as long as it is within the dimensions (ideally not on the extreme maximum size) and most importantly: LIGHTWEIGHT!!!

I have had so many good ones damaged in transit over the years that I now go with something really basic. Strangely, none of my "cheap" luggage has ever come to any harm. The most problems I have had has been with the hardshell cases where they seem to crack somewhere between checkin and collection.

 

[strawberry blonde]

We usually take a lightweight case ( not expensive) and a couple of big holdalls on wheels. They seem to fit in the car better than a hard case.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

We have 3 large Delsey 'volume' hard cases and have been using them for years, still in great condition.
One is Red, one Lilac and one Yellow. Makes them stand out.

 

[jillianml]

We have soft suitcases.I am not sure of the material but they are very slick looking and wick water great quality to have in a suitcase.

 

[2Tiggies]

We have 3 large Delsey 'volume' hard cases and have been using them for years, still in great condition.
One is Red, one Lilac and one Yellow. Makes them stand out.

That's a really good point - nothing worse than standing exhausted at the carousel and staring at the endless line of similar looking bags ....! Another thing to do is to buy a REALLY UGLY colour - so that nobody would take it by accident and nobody would want to take it on purpose

 

[Natasha&Matt]

We use those great big holdalls they are lightweight and can fit loads in

 

[JohnnySharp2]

That's a really good point - nothing worse than standing exhausted at the carousel and staring at the endless line of similar looking bags ....! Another thing to do is to buy a REALLY UGLY colour - so that nobody would take it by accident and nobody would want to take it on purpose

Defintely, I would say the majority of cases are black, ours stand out a bit!

 

[2Tiggies]

Defintely, I would say the majority of cases are black, ours stand out a bit!

Agreed. Just to clarify, I was not referring to your colours as ugly. ... by any means!

 

[Neoshoegal]

I'd like to recommend going for the ones with 4 wheels. We bought some like that last year and they are so much easier to walk with. Wouldn't go back to 2 wheels.

Also, as been said, go for a bright colour or different design. So much easier at the airport and also less likely that someone else will accidentally take your suitcase.

 

[scojos]

we have black fabric ones, which i have painted gold mickey heads on with gold fabric paint, they are v easy to recognise, lol
tracy

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Agreed. Just to clarify, I was not referring to your colours as ugly. ... by any means!

That's okay I knew what you meant.

 

[pixiepower04]

We took our slightly old suitcases out and bought new ones in Walmart, they were $40 dollars ish each and were the full size of case, with wheels, lots of pockets and are pretty decent.

We'll be doing the same again this year with some other old ones and binning them out there and bringing new ones back.

 

[jtlover]

We have 3 large Delsey 'volume' hard cases and have been using them for years, still in great condition.
One is Red, one Lilac and one Yellow. Makes them stand out.

Snap, apart from the yellow, we have pink instead. We always know when our cases are coming off the belt I am buying a lime one this year as well.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Snap, apart from the yellow, we have pink instead. We always know when our cases are coming off the belt I am buying a lime one this year as well.

We thought briefly about the Lime one, but as our colours were already a bit bright we went for a more sedate bright Lilac one.

 

[tttessa]

We have really ugly old flowery ones - could be M&S ones I think (buy one get one free type prices..) - no problems seeing them on the carousel, but I would always go for cheap and colourful ones. DH is an "oak kitchen, plates that match the bowls" type bloke who cringes when he picks our cases up off the carousel, but he does see the value in visible luggage. Though he did make me get rid of our black case which I wrapped reflective duct tape round - you could see it a mile off, but even I have to admit it was starting to look a bit shabby....

Always amazes me, the people with the black/navy/racing green/maroon /( dh adds - TASTEFUL!!) bags are the ones who have to pick up loads to see if they belong to them - way I see it, is it's a box to keep your stuff together....

 

[2Tiggies]

DH is an "oak kitchen, plates that match the bowls" type bloke who cringes when he picks our cases up off the carousel, but he does see the value in visible luggage.

Tell him next time while you are waiting to board, when he sees the luggage going out to the plane if it makes him feel better he can comment in a busy area "OMG! Look at those hideous suitcases" (pointing at your own). Just remember to leg it once you pick them up from the carousel on the other side in case any passengers recognise you.

Though he did make me get rid of our black case which I wrapped reflective duct tape round - you could see it a mile off, but even I have to admit it was starting to look a bit shabby....

 

[tttessa]

Tell him next time while you are waiting to board, when he sees the luggage going out to the plane if it makes him feel better he can comment in a busy area "OMG! Look at those hideous suitcases" (pointing at your own). Just remember to leg it once you pick them up from the carousel on the other side in case any passengers recognise you.

I would be the one who would do that.... he would be TOTALLY mortified!!