Please help me find/buy new luggage!!

[mommy*RN]

Okay -- I've NEVER bought luggage for myself. The pieces we've used in the past were bridal shower gifts. LOL. Of course, they are WAY too oversized (and would definintely be overweight). So now I'm searching online for luggage as there are some great prices out there. I have a few questions though...

1. What is a good weight for a lightweight suitcase. Of the two I like there is a 11.5 lb and a 9lb. Of course the 9 lb'er is winning...but are there even lighter but still sturdy suitcases out there?

2. Is Delsey a quality suitcase? It seems to be mid-priced so I'm hoping that it is good.

3. What is the difference between a trolley and a suiter trolley?

I'm really a novice so any help, suggestions, etc is helpful! Thanks

 

[Moomduck1]

My mom just bought new carry on luggage for her and my dad at Kohls. Very good price and nice colors. Lightweight. I'm not sure that I would buy online as it is really difficult to judge what the material feels like or how it feels when you lift it up. I'd go into some stores to get an idea of what you'd like. Then go home and maybe you can find a better deal online.

 

[Brian Noble]

I bought a couple of Delsey 26" helium bags for the holidays last year. We've only used them a couple times, but I like them so far. I used to be a big TravelPro guy, but to date I think these Delsey bags are probably a better value---well constructed, very functional, at a good price. I bought them for the kids, but they turned out to be nicer than I was expecting for the price.

Again, I have no idea how well they'll hold up.

 

[Tara]

I have a Delsey Hyperlite 26" Pullman, but on the first trip I used it, one if the protective bumpers on the corner ripped loose. I took it back to the luggage shop and it took over two months for Delsey to repair it and send it back! Oh, and one of the zipper pulls broke off on that trip, too. I really like the weight and size of the bag and how it's made, but I am not pleased at all with the quality!

Meanwhile I have a 20" Pathfinder I bought when I was pregnant with my son (he will be 8 in October) and it has held up beautifully. It gets used all the time and checked often and it hardly shows and wear other than scuffs in the wheels and bumpers. That said, when I was shopping and bought the Delsey, I didn't find a Pathfinder made as well as mine.

 

[bumbershoot]

If you want soft-sided luggage that isn't enormous, we love the ricksteves.com travel store luggage. Even the big suitcase can be used as a carryon if you want to do that.

Of course, if you carry home breakable souvenirs in your checked luggage (like snow globes or huge plastic swords, LOL), that won't do at all.

I do love their smaller stuff as well, like the Avanti bag!

 

[mommy*RN]

Thank you all for your advice and suggestions! I really appreciate the help.

 

[kstategrad]

You can also find name-brand, nice luggage for a great price at Gordman's and Tuesday Morning, if you have either of those stores close to where you are.

 

[CarolA]

I have not used it, but LOTS of Frequent Flyers swear by the Kirkman brand at Costco. It gets rave reviews!

 

[Tara]

If you can find Pathfinder Avenger XLite pieces, I'd recommend those. Many sites have them on closeout (I recall now that eBags closed them out this spring and didn't have the size I wanted when I ended up getting the Delsey). Suitcase.com has a 22" bag that would work for carry-on. It's only available in "forest" but they also have 10% off purchases using code "summer09" right now.

http://www.suitcase.com/suitcases/b...aragon+Pathfinder+Avenger+Luggage+Collection/

This looks very much like the Pathfinder bag I own, which I swear by.

BTW, this is the Delsey bag I have: http://www.ebags.com/delsey/helium_...olley/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=128646

Like I said, it's an okay bag and I like the way the lid is actually a compartment that holds about 3"-4" worth of stuff - makes it easier to keep things neat. But I'm a bit leery of using it again!

 

[gk90]

I want to put in a plug for wheeled duffels--as someone who's struggled with wheeling suitcases through airports I've been very pleased with the way that they handle. There's something about their shape that makes them easier for me to pack and wheel around.

Some people don't like them because they think they don't look as classy but after using them for years I'm not going back to the traditional rectangular shape if I can avoid it. Costco has one for a great price: http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...3&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1#

 

[Anal Annie]

I am a HUGE duffle bag convert!! They pack differently than a traditional suitcase and are lighter weight. With the weight restrictions being enforced by the airlines you really need to go as light as possible on the bag itself. Warning tho - if you go over say 30" on a duffle they hold SO-O much it's easy to go over on the weight simply 'cuz you keep stuffing them full. My biggest complaint with a traditional duffle is that for the most part they do not have the tie down straps in them so if you DON'T pack them pretty full everything will just shift all over. My latest packing find that I LOVE are the packing cubes!! AWESOME invention to keep organized and to keep from over-packing!!! I just bought the eBags.com brand. They really help you pack wisely and can just be lifted right out of the bag and put into the drawers. Very convenient.

I will also recommend shopping on eBags.com. I have purchased Ricardo, Skyway and Travel Pro products in the past and have been happy with all of them....

 

[mommy*RN]

Thanks everyone! I'm going to check into the duffles...they sound perfect for our family!

 

[Tara]

Thanks everyone! I'm going to check into the duffles...they sound perfect for our family!

I *strongly* encourage you to look into duffels that have bumpers or stops on the wheel end so that they stand up on the wheel end on their own. Most don't have this and therefore if you are pulling it by the handle and need to stop and let go (like to show your ID, go through security, pay for something at an airport shop, and a million other little things), most duffel bags will fall over. And believe me, I never realized just how often I needed my bag to stand up on its own until I used a rolling duffel!

Eddie Bauer makes a nice rolling duffel with more squared ends and stops.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

We love the Eddie Bauer rolling duffles. Just bought some on sale this week for our upcoming trip. It is so much easier to pack these in the trunk of the rental car than the traditional uprights.

 

[mommy*RN]

I like the Eddie Bauer duffels -- but which is the correct size for checked baggage? We are flying Airtran and I've heard they are pretty strict...would I do the large or extra large duffel?

Same question for suitcases in case DH wants a suitcase instead of the duffel. So many great recommendations, I'm more confused now than ever!

Thanks!

 

[pepe of ohio]

We've had many different styles over the years, back in the late 70's, hard sided Samsonite that a monkey could jump on to our present day, rolling duffles. The rolling duffle has been the ticket for us and will be replaced with the same if it ever wears out. We stick with the 50" or less length, works for Amtrak. As others have posted, you can get alot of stuff in one to the point of being over weight. We are Amtrak users and where we get on board, no baggage check so we have to tote and haul on our own and my wife has one and same for me and we each have a small carry on, very easy to pull and holds everything we need for a stay of 9-12 nights without doing laundry. The heavy canvas does take a beating but is strong. I highly recommend rolling duffles to anyone who travels alot.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I like the Eddie Bauer duffels -- but which is the correct size for checked baggage? We are flying Airtran and I've heard they are pretty strict...would I do the large or extra large duffel?

Same question for suitcases in case DH wants a suitcase instead of the duffel. So many great recommendations, I'm more confused now than ever!

Thanks!

We use the Large duffles. The Extra Large just seemed too big and weight could become an issue as checked baggage.

 

[mommy*RN]

Thanks for the replies!

Another dumb question...family of 5 going to WDW for 10 days. I'm thinking about checking two of the duffels and then carrying on 2-3 obviously smaller "carry-on" bags. Will I be able to fit all our needs in there? The 3 kids are 7, 4 and 20 months. I just don't want to have to check 4 bags at $15 a pop.

Thanks -- probably not my last question though. I really appreciate all the advice and help.