Need to buy luggage--Recommendations?

[Disneydiversion]

I am in the market to get some new luggage. I will like to spend about $300.00-500.00 total. I am not sure how much I need. I already have one smaller suitecase (guesstimate size 18"w X 24"L X 10"D) and two carry-on bags. Traveling will be two adults of medium build and two kids ages 11 and 5. We will be in Disney in December so Im sure we will need to pack some bulkier clothing along with some summer clothes. We will be staying 7 nights. I do plan on one day of laundry about the middle of our stay. I was also thinking of bringing a rolling duffel for the stuff we purchase. Oh, I am ordering all our necessities and food items from gardengrocer.com so I wont need to pack any of those things!

 

[Anal Annie]

I am a rolling duffle convert!! We have some really good heavy duty traditional luggage that has served us well on several trips from the east coast to Hawaii and to the Caribbean & FL multiple times and it will never wear out BUT....it's VERY heavy. Our large 29" bag weighs 16 Lbs EMPTY!!!! I was always going over the 50 Lb limit with it and in the old days it could slide but not any more!! If you go over 50 Lbs by even a few ounces you could be charged an extra $25! I found duffles weigh about 1/2 that and pack more efficiently. I started rolling our clothes when I pack and I started using packing cubes and packing folders as well to help with organization and to cut back on the over packing. Use 1 large cube for tops & 1 for bottoms for each person. Use the smalls for socks & undies and the Mediums for misc. things like bathing suits. This is all so important now that most airlines charge to check bags. We try to go in carry-ons now or at a minimum check only 1 bag for 3 of us on a week long trip. A December trip would require heavier clothing so that takes up more space but if you're planning to do laundry mid-week you should be OK. Since duffles hold soooo much more than traditional luggage you will get yourself into trouble with the weight if you go over 30"x15"x15" on a duffle though. Don't go TOO big on those either 'cause you will only load it up. 28-30" is plenty big so that you don't go over the 50 Lbs.

I would recommend shopping for luggage either at a TJ Maxx or a Burlington Coat Factory (much cheaper than say Kohls or Penneys) if you live near one of those OR shop online at eBags.com. I love eBags. Their prices are good to start with and they have a great selection of packing cubes/folders and all brands of luggage. You have plenty of time to order 1 piece now & then they will email you to complete a review of the piece that you purchased & in return they will email you a code for 20% off your next purchase. So you can wait to get the code then order the rest of whatever you want witht he 20% off.... You can even split up the expense by ordering in 2 or 3 shipments. Sometimes they also offer free shipping so you can combine it all together.

Things to look for: tie down straps inside, lots of pockets & compartments to organize, wheels that rotate 360 degrees, duffles that will stand up on their end on their own, retracting handles, lightweight.

I used to pack an empty duffle to use for the return trips but not now that most airlines charge for checked bags. NOW I try to leave a little extra space going down and we use the packing cubes & folders but then I use those air compression space bags for our dirty laundry. They free up some space in the luggage for souvies without having to bring a spare bag. Another trick I've done is to fly down with an empty carry-on to use for extra stuff on the way home.

 

[backyardponder]

As Annie said, weight is a major factor. Make sure you compare the weights of whatever you buy. Although expensive, you might want to check out REI and watch for a sale. REI does a great job of listing weight of just about everything they sell.

 

[Heidijs]

I bet Pennys has marked their luggage down now that xmas is over. They usually have huge sales this time of year!

I borrow my dad's old hard sided luggage. It's not the prettiest luggage but it's VERY light and you can fit so much stuff in there it's unreal. I think they're all Samsonite. Last time I used it I had it packed so full that I could barely shut it...still didn't weigh 50 lbs. He uses them to travel over seas a lot and I know they weren't cheap but I also don't have to worry about them crushing things in my bag or stuff breaking off it. It has two wheels and a handle and that's it. Some of that luggage they make these days looks so cheap and I bet they don't last long getting tossed around in baggage claim. I even strap mine shut. Dad warned me about all the times he saw people's luggage come down the chute wide open and their things everywhere because the zippers bust open on cheap luggage. That would suck!

 

[Disneydiversion]

Kohl's is having a great sale B1G1 on selected luggage. I found this one for 79.00. Great size! How many should I get. I could get 4 or even 6 since their B1G1. Although we only have 4 arms available to pull the luggage
http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/lug...RD~585220/Destinations+Wheeled+Duffel+Bag.jsp
Please tell me what you think.

 

[Lewisc]

Kohl's is having a great sale B1G1 on selected luggage. I found this one for 79.00. Great size! How many should I get. I could get 4 or even 6 since their B1G1. Although we only have 4 arms available to pull the luggage
http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/lug...RD~585220/Destinations+Wheeled+Duffel+Bag.jsp
Please tell me what you think.

Not much. The maximum size for checked luggage is generally 62 linear inches (including wheels). Size for this bag is 66.5.

Quality luggage is made of ballistic nylon, this bag is made of polyester.

The cheap luggage you find in stores like Walmart sometimes fall apart after 1 trip. This bag costs $40, probably not made very well.

 

[Anal Annie]

Not much. The maximum size for checked luggage is generally 62 linear inches (including wheels). Size for this bag is 66.5.

Quality luggage is made of ballistic nylon, this bag is made of polyester.

The cheap luggage you find in stores like Walmart sometimes fall apart after 1 trip. This bag costs $40, probably not made very well.

I agree on all points. We have 1 duffle that fell apart after 2 flights (from Target). You can go too big and fall into trouble with dimensions & weight. TRUST ME on the weight. Our largest duffle is 30x15x15 and holds a TON. It will hold much more than 50 Lbs. I always have to take stuff out.

Look for something like this which is lightweight, made of the Nasa strength nylon & has a 15 yr. or lifetime warranty:

http://www.ebags.com/delsey/helium_signature_30_rolling_duffel_closeout/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=120374

http://www.ebags.com/skyway/flair_7_drop_bottom_duffel/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=133138

(Note, we have 1 Skyway duffle bag & it is well made & I have looked at the Delsey products at TJMaxx - they're quite nice...)

You can see on the eBags website the weight of the bag & the construction materials along with the dimensions (linear size is important).

Here are the packing cubes I mentioned in my earlier post. They are FABULOUS. You just take them out & put them in the drawers & then repack the same way (no cooties)!!

http://www.ebags.com/travel_accessories/packing_folders_cubes/category_search/index.cfm?N=20014520

Don't forget - you can order 1 thing, do a review & then get a code for 20% off your next order....

 

[jlovesee]

About six months ago my husband and I bought two new rolling duffels from Eddie Bauer, got them on sale for $80 a piece. greatest piece of luggage I have ever bought. Its half a duffle/half hard sided (here http://www.eddiebauer.com/EB/Bags--Gear/Luggage--Duffels/index.cat#ppl={type%3A%22hide%22})

see medium rolling duffel its $129 right now.

What makes them so great is that a) they are very light weight b) pretty durable (have had eddie bauer bags in the past too) and the best part? The roll up the airplane aisles without having to be picked up, and fit perfectly in the overhead compartments. They also fit a lot more then you would expect.

Jennifer

 

[Lewisc]

A 30x15x15 duffel bag is just under the 62" size limit. Luggage companies measure bags empty and sometimes exclude the wheels. Airlines generally include the wheels and include the protrusions that result from packing items in pockets.

A 30" bag is likely to be overweight when packed and may even be over sized.

A 28" or even a 26" bag is a better choice.

 

[Disneydiversion]

Wow! stuff I did not know. Thanks so much for the help. I'll keep looking around. I want to try and stick with Kohls if I can find a better duffle. I keep posting what I find. I will check out e-bags and see what they have and If I can afford it now.

 

[dburg30]

You've gotten some good advice, but with luggage I think the ole saying "You get what you pay for" comes into play as LewisC posted. if you are only planning on using it one or 2 times a year, 'probably' cheaper stuff will work for you for a while. But it could also wear out quickly, especially the wheels and such for rolling ones. We had some 'walmart special' and the luggage is still fine, if you want to carry it since the wheels pretty much folded under in just under 3 flights.

Sounds like you are doing good research though, and hope you take into account some folks here that basically travel for a living (I'm not one of them )

 

[Lewisc]

Department stores, including Kohls, price luggage so they can profitably sell them at more then 50% off (a list price that no customer ever pays). The bag the OP linked isn't worth the $40 (after the BOGO promotion) Kohls is charging.

Getting a bag online, from TJ Max or even COSTCO is good advice. You can get a good bag, that will work for leisure travelers for $90-$140. Anything less isn't likely to hold up. Anything more is probably overkill for most DIS.

 

[Anal Annie]

Department stores, including Kohls, price luggage so they can profitably sell them at more then 50% off (a list price that no customer ever pays). The bag the OP linked isn't worth the $40 (after the BOGO promotion) Kohls is charging.

Getting a bag online, from TJ Max or even COSTCO is good advice. You can get a good bag, that will work for leisure travelers for $90-$140. Anything less isn't likely to hold up. Anything more is probably overkill for most DIS.

I was just thinking the same thing. Regular department stores charge SOOO much more to start with...and they STILL make a profit at 50% off or buy 1 / get 1. I have found some of the same luggage for sale at eBags, TJ Maxx or Burlington at the luggage store at our local mall - for full price. If you buy at Kohls you will be over paying. It's kind of like the Disney promo where you get "free" dining with your ressie. You are paying the full rack rate price for the room. They don't discount it at all so they are still making their money on the "deal". The dining really isn't "free". You're still paying for it, it's just buried in the price of the room.

OP - you said in your orig. post that you were willing to spend up to $500 on a new set of luggage... You can definitely do that online or at say TJ Maxx and you will get reliable products for a fraction of their retail prices. Good luck.

 

[Lewisc]

Luggage sets are rarely a good buy. You'll wind up with bags you'll never use.

Think of buying one (or more) bags to check. 26-28" will get you a bag under the size limit and one that isn't likely to be overweight when packed.

Buy one (or more) carryon sized bags. 21" Some of the 22" bags are too big.


December COSTCO had a Samsonite promotion, a 27" and a 21" bag. Some stores may still have some in stock.

 

[Disneydiversion]

Ok, I found two bags, same company, both slightly different. They sell them at e-Bags as well at the same price but I can get them at JCPenney and use my credit card. I can't use a credit card at ebags unless they have the bill me later option. I'll have to check that. Anyway, this is the link to the duffle. The first link has a choice of 22,25, or 29". the second link has a choice of 21" and 29".

http://www5.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.asp...IND=2&cmVirtualCat=&CmCatId=70024|57843|58166

http://www5.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.asp...IND=6&cmVirtualCat=&CmCatId=70024|57843|58166

If you don't care for these I will look into the bill-me-later website and see what luggage companies they promote.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[Lewisc]

Of course ebags accepts credit cards.
http://www.ebags.com/help/index.cfm?fuseaction=payment

The website doesn't list the dimensions of the bags. I suspect the 29" bag will wind up either being oversized or overweight when packed. Given those choices I'd consider the 25" bag as a checked bag or the 21" bag for carryon.

I don't know anything about the brand. What's the warranty?

Ok, I found two bags, same company, both slightly different. They sell them at e-Bags as well at the same price but I can get them at JCPenney and use my credit card. I can't use a credit card at ebags unless they have the bill me later option. I'll have to check that. Anyway, this is the link to the duffle. The first link has a choice of 22,25, or 29". the second link has a choice of 21" and 29".

http://www5.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.asp...IND=2&cmVirtualCat=&CmCatId=70024|57843|58166

http://www5.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.asp...IND=6&cmVirtualCat=&CmCatId=70024|57843|58166

If you don't care for these I will look into the bill-me-later website and see what luggage companies they promote.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[malibuconlee]

I had a friend recommend the Ricardo Beverly Hills brand at Kohls. The stuff online was ugly, but I found some I like in the store. I had a 30% coupon that week too.

We used them at Christmas and were happy with them. DH really liked them, he said the tethers on them were the best he's used. (WE tether one suitcase to another to get to/from the car or rental shuttle.)

 

[Anal Annie]

Ok, I found two bags, same company, both slightly different. They sell them at e-Bags as well at the same price but I can get them at JCPenney and use my credit card. I can't use a credit card at ebags unless they have the bill me later option. I'll have to check that. Anyway, this is the link to the duffle. The first link has a choice of 22,25, or 29". the second link has a choice of 21" and 29".

http://www5.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.asp...IND=2&cmVirtualCat=&CmCatId=70024|57843|58166

http://www5.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.asp...IND=6&cmVirtualCat=&CmCatId=70024|57843|58166

If you don't care for these I will look into the bill-me-later website and see what luggage companies they promote.

Thanks for all your help!

I think you're moving in the right direction... There is more info. provided about them on the eBags website. According to them, they have a 5 yr. warranty so their construction may not hold up with repeated use as long as some of the others...just so you know that going in. The JCP photo of the inside of that one shows you how handy the packing cubes are all stacked up inside. Our Skyway duffle opens down one side like that one - it is handy if you leave the bag sitting on one of those luggage stands for example. I have not purchased a drop bottom duffle yet but probably will for the next one that I buy. I can see the benefits of it.


malibuconlee - Ricardo is the brand we have on our traditional luggage - can sometimes be found cheaper at Burlington Coat Factory than at Kohls. It IS very well made, heavy duty stuff - but that's why I am now only using the carry-on bag - it is TOO HEAVY and eats up all of my weight!! I no longer use our 29" traditional suitcase 'cuz it weighs too much & eats up 16 Lbs of my 50 Lb limit!! I have even flown airlines that have like a 26 Lb weight limit for carry-on bags and these suckers can get heavy fast.

 

[Disneydiversion]

We may consider Amtrak if it's not too expensive. We will see. Does anyone know if Amtrak has similar weigh restrictions? I will continue to look around and see what else is out there. Thank you all so much for your help.

 

[Lewisc]

Unlike airlines Amrak doesn't charge extra for bags that weigh over 50 lbs. Amtrak won't accept the bag.

Check Amtrak's website for baggage allowances. Remember big bags might not fit in the trunk of your car. Several of us have observed families trying to fit their stuff in the trunk of a compact car.