Suitcase, which ones are good?

[Geronimo '74]

All you guys that travel frequently,

Since I'm coming to the US in September, I thought I'd better buy a brand new suitcase. I've been looking at Samsonite (proven value, no?) and Titan.

It needs to hold three weeks of luggage, so preferably a full size one.
Needs to be a trolley (four wheels), because I'm lazy....

any pro's and cons, tips, other brands?


Titan, looks cool (but for how long...), it closes with a zipper (is that strong, secure enough?) lifetime warranty no matter what. (so it must be good, right?)

Luggagefactory.com - Luggage

Titan X2 360four Flash Spinner Trolley mit 4 Rollen Polycarbonat 75 cm - 80140101 - Designer Marken - WARDOW.com



Samsonite, proven reliability, good reputation.

Velocita Spinner 75cm - Levering in Belgie

(kinda like this one)
Bright Lite Spinner 82cm/31inch Diamond Black - Levering in Belgie

Any tips and info will be much appreciated

[Paul T]

I have TravelPro - very happy with them.

[sc_rufctr]

Samsonite for me...

[Geronimo '74]

Originally Posted by Paul T

I have TravelPro - very happy with them.

They seem to have only softshell...

[Seahawk]

Travel Bags by ClubGlove

No hard shell stuff, but the best travel gear I've ever bought. Scroll through the sections on the left, Flight Crew, etc.

[matthew-s]

I have a Lands End rolling bag that I've used reasonably heavily for >10 years now. It's been good.

[flatbutt]

Samsonite for me, soft shell , trolley, farkin' huge and on sale. I've found that, over the years the soft shells have proven better than the hard shells. They're lighter for one, and oddly enough equally durable.

[Halm]

Originally Posted by Paul T

I have TravelPro - very happy with them.

+1 I have traveled internationally and domestically with a set. Can't imagine going back to traditional, hard shelled style.

[Geronimo '74]

Originally Posted by matthew-s

I have a Lands End rolling bag that I've used reasonably heavily for >10 years now. It's been good.

hardshell ain't cheap....



Maybe I should start to look softshelled luggage as well...
They are lighter, so that's a good argument. But when not packed completely full they deform easily, as does the stuff inside.

[byfdinky]

I second Travelpro. That's what all the Airline Pilots and stewardes use.
go to eBags - Largest Selection Of Handbags, Backpacks, Luggage & More - eBags for great prices. (travelpro crew 22" epan. $156.39.)
Great warranties and they last forever!

[5String43]

We had the Samsonite spinners. Hated the damned things. Found them difficult to manage. Bad enough in the airport, far worse dragging them through the streets of Athens from the underground to the hotel. Have tried others, including Tumi. Best ones we've found are Victorinox.

[kaisen]

We like our Victorinox as well. But we've never had bad luck with any piece of luggage in any brand. I used to fly once a week, and my Victorinox held up to the abuse just fine. And they're not very expensive.

[Rick Lee]

I can't remember the brand, but it was the "Eddie Bauer" model. A friend gave it to me well used and I took it on probably 10 overseas trips and countless domestic ones before the frame finally bent. Wish I could find that again. Geronimo, if you make it to Phoenix, you can do laundry at my house.

[scottmandue]

I hate the "spinners" (luggage that is) have a Samsonite two wheeler that works for me.

And an American touristor that also works well.

YMMV

[jyl]

Don't forget that most domestic US airlines now $20-25 fees for the first piece of checked luggage, $25-35 for the second, and whopping fees for overweight bags. Southwest is the best in this regard, no fee unless overweight.

If you are going to be flying around in the US, you might prefer to travel lighter and do laundry/dry-cleaning instead.

Airline baggage fees chart, updated - Airfarewatchdog

If you go the carry-on route, check the sizes for carry-on on domestic US airlines. Also, when the overhead bins are full, the airlines will often gate-check your carry-on with no fee.

[red-beard]

Pelican?

Welcome to www.pelican.com - Pelican Products is a global leader in the design and manufacture of advanced lighting systems and virtually indestructible cases.

[red-beard]

This should work...

Pelican-Hardigg*472-M4-M16-12*Rifle Case

[Geronimo '74]

Thanks for the tips guys, you now have me doubting between spinners or two wheelers and soft or hardshell....

The Victorinox trolleys look good too!

[scottmandue]

I was going to comment that Jet Blue allows one free checked bag...

However I see you are in Belgium and I don't think Southwest or Jet Blue fly there.

On my domestic flights I only do carry-on and fly Alaska or Jet Blue so I can print my boarding pass on-line or at the kiosk in the airport and skip the check in lines.

Problem I have with the four wheel spiners is if you stop to do something they will roll away if left unattended on any kind of incline.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

On my domestic flights I only do carry-on and fly Alaska or Jet Blue so I can print my boarding pass on-line or at the kiosk in the airport and skip the check in lines.

Problem I have with the four wheel spiners is if you stop to do something they will roll away if left unattended on any kind of incline.

I have not checked a bag in 10 years. 2 week trip to Korea out of a single wheeled carry on and personal backpack (laptop) - no problem...they have laundry service just about everywhere.

I agree the 4 wheel bags require more attention on non-level surfaces but they are also very good at navigating the aisle of a plane when you're not high enough in flight miles to score a first/bus seat upgrade.

I am cheap though. My Costco wheeled bag went many years. Now using a 4 wheel 21" bag from Kohls that I bought for under $100. 3 years and ~ 25 business trips no problems other than the wheels started to squeak. Fixed with some spray lubricant.