Need new luggage - any suggestions?

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

Hi all. Well, the day has come for us to venture out and buy our own set of luggage (we've been borrowing my parents). Can anyone suggest where I may go to get a good set at a decent price??

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

We purchased all of our luggage from TJ Maxx and Marshalls. I think we got it on clearance - bonus! Sometimes, they have complete sets, other times not. I've seen some sets in pretty hideous colors there for cheap ... but that might be a bonus since you would always recognize your suticase!

 

[all4fun]

sorry, duplicate post. see below.

 

[tina_la]

Disney store online has some sets (3 piece) at 40% off but I don't know how well they will hold up since I have never bougt any luggage from them.

 

[all4fun]

We bought some Skyway brand luggage a few years ago at Costco. It has held up very well over several trips. It is very sturdy but my only complaint is that it is on the heavy side so we can't even fill up the large bag (which is also expandable) because if we do we go over the 50lb limit that the airlines impose.

My suggestion is whatever you buy to get lightweight luggage. I saw a 3pc set of luggage at Costco for a really decent price the other day. I noticed it was built of lighter weight material and if I recall correctly, it was also Skyway. I only stopped to look at it briefly but since our luggage is still going strong, there's really no good reason to replace it right now. I would have no problems buying the Skyway brand again.

If you don't have a Costco membership, I recommend using www.ebags.com. I have ordered several bags from them and always had great service. You can also go thru www.ebates.com to get a small % back too.

hth!

 

[northriver]

Totally want to second what another poster said about going overweight. I sold about 10 large suitcases at my garage sale this summer. You have to take a small one, or two small ones, to keep under the 50# limit.

Everyone buys black. Anything other than black is easier to ID on the conveyor belt!

I have a Samsonite now and really, I don't know if it is better than a cheaper brand. Luggage is expensive and so likely to be destroyed by baggage handling equipment, I will definately look for deep discounts on any future luggage I buy. Marshalls/TJ Maxx, or deep sales at any Dept store would be a good place to look. We have an overpriced luggage store in our mall and I might *look* there but I don't actually buy there - I can always find a better deal with very little effort!

 

[PlutoPony]

Luggage from Costco is well thought of by some frequent travelers, seems to hold up well for the price. Also check sales at Kohl's as well as TJ Maxx. Not sure a set is really the way to go, they often include pieces that you really don't need. Rarely do I see people at the airports with perfectly matching sets of luggage so consider mix and match to get what you want at the price you're willing to pay. As others have mentioned, make sure you don't get anything too large-IMO 24" is max I'd go. Over that and it can either be too large to fit easily in a car or prone to going over the 50 lb weight limit if flying (not to mention challenging to maneuver while keeping track of kids, carry ons, etc.) The most durable material is probably ballistic, but other nylons will also hold up (higher denier count is better than lower in general). For me finding the perfect carry on bag is more difficult than deciding on luggage..... Good luck!

 

[stepnut]

A long long time ago, I read that it's wise to not spend a fortune on expensive luggage, because that's the luggage that is mostly at risk for bag handlers to open and steal your stuff. They think that if the luggage is expensive, there's going to be expensive stuff in it.

 

[MamaCoog]

We got a set for Christmas that came from Macys. Im pretty sure it was around $100 for the complete set. It has 29" expandable upright, 25" upright, 21" upright, travel tote and utility kit (all of the uprights have 4 wheels). It is a light grey color and seems to be pretty good quality. I know I have seen some pretty decent deals at Macys on luggage sets.

 

[TheDizMom]

I have bought several of the sets made by Embark at Target and they have held up well and were very reasonable. I got 1 set that had a large and small roller suitcase and a small carry-on bag and a toiletry case, and a different set that is a the same minus the large roller. They were both under $75 a set, and I have them in red (somewhat less common) and hot pink (it's hard to miss that one ). I got them in 2005 and the bigger set was on clearance and a great deal. I have taken the large one several times loaded to the gills and never had a charge for being overweight . I also bought one made by Flite Lite at my local Cub Foods a few years ago for $25. It is large and expandable (great for those added souveniers ), and very light weight. Again totally packed to the gills and no extra charges . I have been able to pack each of us in a suitcase with my DH and I each having a large one and the kids each with a small and had plenty of room. Last time I even had room for all the things I bought to put in the kids Easter baskets when we got back .

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

I'm the OP of this thread and am happy to report that I did buy a couple pieces of luggage today. I got a red Kenneth Cole (29") and a Skyway to carry on. I got them both at Marshalls and only paid $110 altogether.