sharlag
Drama Llama
I like my artsy with a little bit of fartsy.
Posts: 6,580
Location: Kansas
Jun 26, 2014 12:57:48 GMT
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Post by sharlag on Oct 24, 2018 21:53:25 GMT
Especially when you fly, vs driving vacations.
Or higher quality/expensive (maybe that's not always the same...)?
Are higher priced/more expensive pieces more likely to hold up, even under airline luggage handler abuse?
Or do you go for features, like 4 spinning wheels, or a certain size?
Do you prefer soft or hard case, and why?
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Post by KikiPea on Oct 24, 2018 21:57:47 GMT
Hard side with 360 degree wheels purchased at a discount store like TJ Maxx, Tuesday Morning, Marshal's... ETA: Fixed my typo! There is no such thing as TJ Mazz! LOL I shouldn't be typing in the dark.  |
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Post by belgravia on Oct 24, 2018 22:00:27 GMT
Luggage is so poorly made and gets so abused by baggage handlers that it’s practically disposable! My husband travels a ton for work, and I feel like a suitcase may only last him a few months. I think I’m going to start buying it at Costco so when it inevitably gets wrecked I can return it.
ETA I prefer hard sided, with spinner wheels and compartments inside. Although hard sided doesn’t seem any more durable than soft.
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anaterra
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,112
Location: Texas
Jun 29, 2014 3:04:02 GMT
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Post by anaterra on Oct 24, 2018 22:03:33 GMT
I like soft side cheap usually from Walmart or ross... we fly or cruise every year... so replace it about every 7 or 8 trips... I dont buy a set just a big suitcase.... I have a small carry on for weekend type trips that is in still great shape... mainly cuz we dont have other people handle it...
Build bright stand out color....
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Post by busy on Oct 24, 2018 22:04:38 GMT
It's not cheap, but I'm really happy with my Away luggage (yes, the one that's on Instagram ads all the time lol). I've been traveling quite a lot this year for work and it's been super durable and still looks great.
I prefer hard sided and four wheels. I have a carry-on size - but look at actual dimensions, not just if a brand CALLS it carry-on because some airlines have moved to smaller dimensions - that I can get by with for a business week. And then I have a larger one that has to be checked that I use for longer trips.
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Post by dewryce on Oct 24, 2018 22:06:54 GMT
I received a lot of great advice and recommendations in this thread. |
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AmandaA
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,502 
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Post by AmandaA on Oct 24, 2018 22:07:44 GMT
I like my eBags suitcases. They are hard on one half and soft on the other. I like the added flexibility of the soft side. And they have the roller blade style wheels. I would never do one with 360 wheels. All it takes is one wrong toss from the baggage handlers to break one and leave you with a bag that is all wonky... just like those original wheeled suitcases back in the day.
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Post by malibou on Oct 24, 2018 22:12:44 GMT
I have used Rick Steves convertible carryon for years and years. It is soft, has no wheels, and is a back pack with nice padded straps and a waist band. It can expand. I have done 3 weeks in Europe with it and didn't have to check it. Because there are no wheels and the gear for the retractable handle, you get a lot more room. It looks like a suit case, not a hiking back pack. It has ample outside pockets. Straps to hold thing in place inside and compression straps on the outside. I am 54 and have no issues carrying it. I originally got it when ds was a baby so I would have my hands free for boy wrangling. When ds was old enough for his own adult size suitcase, he asked for one like mine. He got the hand me down, and I got a new one. Dh was still using the regular style carryon with wheels, until the last time we were in London and he had to carry his bag in hand up a HUGE flight of stairs, bumping along and knocking people as ds and I just continued on business as usual. Ds was even eating as we climbed because both hands were free. When we got back, dh promptly ordered a Rick Steves convertible carryon. I have checked the bag a couple of times, and there has been no issue. I love this bag. store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/carry-on-backpack |
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GiantsFan
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,488
Site Supporter
Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Oct 24, 2018 22:14:35 GMT
Hard side with 360 degree wheels purchased at a discount store like TJ Mazz, Tuesday Morning, Marshal's... This ^^^. We bought hard-sided luggage at 75% off at Ross. I didn't think the 360 wheels would be a game changer, but they are! Size does matter. Go to the airlines website and see what the maximum dimensions are. You do not want to get the GIANT luggage it will cost extra. DH's suitcase is at the max dimensions, mine is slightly under. For driving vacations, we use our old soft-sided carry-ons that no longer meet airline regs. And I highly recommend packing cubes. |
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Belle
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,309
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Post by Belle on Oct 24, 2018 22:19:44 GMT
The cheaper the better IMO. We have 3 hard sided carry-on bags from Costco and 1 soft sided carry-on bag from Rick Steves. All are roller bags. We like to travel to Europe and take trains often so the smaller, carry on bags work best for our family.
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Post by MichyM on Oct 24, 2018 22:20:50 GMT
I don't know what brand I have, but I would think part of your problem is going for cheap luggage. I've replaced both my carry on and larger bags in the last few years. I'd had my other ones for eons. I don't buy most expensive, but I don't go with cheap ones either. I really find that most of the time cheap things that are used frequently end up costing more in the long run.
I replaced my carry on first with a hard sided 360 wheeled bag. Very dark gray...just different enough than the black ones in the overhead so I can spot it easily. LOVE it. I have chronic neck and back problems. It's so much easier to manage the 360 wheels and not have my neck and shoulders handling weight with a 2 wheeler, especially when walking great distances. A year or so later I replaced my larger bag with another hard sided, 360 wheeled bag. In an easy to spot blue color (love being able to relax as all the black bags come down the conveyor belt). While it doesn't get used nearly as often, it's held up well to the baggage handlers (knocks wood).
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Post by Patter on Oct 24, 2018 22:21:22 GMT
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Nink
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,956
Location: North Idaho
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Post by Nink on Oct 24, 2018 22:22:38 GMT
I have used Rick Steves convertible carryon for years and years. It is soft, has no wheels, and is a back pack with nice padded straps and a waist band. It can expand. I have done 3 weeks in Europe with it and didn't have to check it. Because there are no wheels and the gear for the retractable handle, you get a lot more room. It looks like a suit case, not a hiking back pack. It has ample outside pockets. Straps to hold thing in place inside and compression straps on the outside. I am 54 and have no issues carrying it. I originally got it when ds was a baby so I would have my hands free for boy wrangling. When ds was old enough for his own adult size suitcase, he asked for one like mine. He got the hand me down, and I got a new one. Dh was still using the regular style carryon with wheels, until the last time we were in London and he had to carry his bag in hand up a HUGE flight of stairs, bumping along and knocking people as ds and I just continued on business as usual. Ds was even eating as we climbed because both hands were free. When we got back, dh promptly ordered a Rick Steves convertible carryon. I have checked the bag a couple of times, and there has been no issue. I love this bag. store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/carry-on-backpackThis is what I use too, I swear by it. Best bag ever! |
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tanya2
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1604
Posts: 4,427
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Post by tanya2 on Oct 24, 2018 23:16:00 GMT
get the lightest ones you can find! When you only have a 40-50lb luggage allowance you don't want 10lbs of that to be the suitcase
I prefer soft side myself. I don't like how the hard side ones open up and I have seen how much they can be damaged by the airlines. I also try to find a 28 or 29" suitcase. The extra couple inches makes a huge difference on how much fits inside
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tanya2
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1604
Posts: 4,427
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Post by tanya2 on Oct 24, 2018 23:18:55 GMT
oh yes next tip, don't buy black! unless you want to be like the other 100 black suitcases coming off the plane. Or at least get a funky multicoloured strap to wrap around the outside
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Post by busy on Oct 24, 2018 23:20:43 GMT
get the lightest ones you can find! When you only have a 40-50lb luggage allowance you don't want 10lbs of that to be the suitcase I prefer soft side myself. I don't like how the hard side ones open up and I have seen how much they can be damaged by the airlines. I also try to find a 28 or 29" suitcase. The extra couple inches makes a huge difference on how much fits inside Be careful when packing a 28-29" suitcase, though, exactly for the weight limit reason. It's VERY easy to end up with an overweight bag that will cost extra to check. I have a 29" and wish I'd gotten a 25" instead. It's basically impossible to fill the 29" without going well over 50 lbs (and the suitcase itself is light), so what's the point of having a huge suitcase if I can't actually use all that space? |
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Post by Jen in NCal on Oct 25, 2018 1:43:48 GMT
My parents swear by Rimowa. Pricey as hell. I have gone through at least 2 pieces of luggage in the time since they bought their first set. And they travel probably 3x as often. Still looks like new.
Their dog chewed the wheels on one of their pieces and it was replaced with no problems.
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tanya2
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1604
Posts: 4,427
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Post by tanya2 on Oct 25, 2018 2:28:09 GMT
get the lightest ones you can find! When you only have a 40-50lb luggage allowance you don't want 10lbs of that to be the suitcase I prefer soft side myself. I don't like how the hard side ones open up and I have seen how much they can be damaged by the airlines. I also try to find a 28 or 29" suitcase. The extra couple inches makes a huge difference on how much fits inside Be careful when packing a 28-29" suitcase, though, exactly for the weight limit reason. It's VERY easy to end up with an overweight bag that will cost extra to check. I have a 29" and wish I'd gotten a 25" instead. It's basically impossible to fill the 29" without going well over 50 lbs (and the suitcase itself is light), so what's the point of having a huge suitcase if I can't actually use all that space? The place I usually travel to (vacation home in another country) I end up taking more than just clothes so I need the space sometimes for larger items so it's an issue for me. Plus often we need 2 suitcases to go down but only need one to come home so rather than pay for an empty suitcase they will damage we put one inside the other. |
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Post by pajamamama on Oct 25, 2018 4:45:34 GMT
Such an interesting topic to come up today! My DH found and purchased me 1940 vintage leather luggage from Samsonite for our anniversary-- I saw a man carrying some the last trip we took, and had been craving it ever since.! He bought me two larger cases, a train case and a smaller makeup case. All 4 pieces are in great shape, in a beautiful saddle brown leather, hard sided case. I was so thrilled with it! I do use it for regular travel, but wouldn't dream of using it to fly--just use the cheapest stuff I can find, since it gets all beat up. I'll see if I can get a good pic of all the pieces together in daylight.
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Post by M on Oct 25, 2018 10:25:42 GMT
I was going to mention weight also. If you're going to be using it to fly frequently, be mindful of the weight of the suitcase before it's packed. Some are much heavier than others.
I prefer the 360 wheels, but that's because I have short arms (not like T-rex short, but...) and it's just easier for me to have it beside me when I am walking rather than pulling it behind me.
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Post by pierkiss on Oct 25, 2018 10:45:37 GMT
Mine are all soft sided. Because I am constantly whacking myself with it when I travel, I want it to be soft. It definitely needs to have the 360 wheels. Those are amazing.
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Post by originalvanillabean on Oct 25, 2018 12:14:49 GMT
TravelPro
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Post by LisaDV on Oct 25, 2018 12:16:55 GMT
TravelPro.
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likescarrots
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,879
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Post by likescarrots on Oct 25, 2018 12:59:23 GMT
I posted about this recently, but I think the ebags mother lode series is a good compromise. It is very well made but relatively affordable. Ebags gives discounts often which makes the price for these bags reasonable, I have 3 of them and got them all at least 30% off.
I have seen tons of luggage come off the belt mangled with their contents hanging out or held together with tape, so I wouldn't go with the super cheap stuff, but I won't spend more than $200 on a piece of luggage because yes, it's going to get abused based on how I travel (checked bags at the airport, dragging luggage around cities, etc.).
Eta: I prefer soft sided duffle style rollers. I hate 4 wheel luggage and while I originally liked the concept of hard sided luggage, the first/only one I had cracked on its 3rd use, so I'm sticking with soft luggage.
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Post by baslp on Oct 25, 2018 13:26:38 GMT
I like light soft luggage. I tried the hard ones and did not like how they held my clothes. I buy either Delaney or Samsomite .
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smartypants71
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,835
Location: Houston, TX
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Post by smartypants71 on Oct 25, 2018 13:42:15 GMT
Whatever is on sale at HomeGoods. However, I have a Swissgear carry on that I've probably had at least 10 years that looks brand new.
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Post by birukitty on Oct 25, 2018 14:31:57 GMT
I like Samsonite soft sided 4 spinning wheels in any color other than black (a color that's easy to spot), lightweight and I like to buy my luggage at ebags.com
Ebags has great choices, an easy to navigate website and super sales.
I've always believed you get what you pay for. When it comes to buying luggage I don't go for cheap-who wants to have a piece of luggage that busts at the zipper halfway through your trip? It's just not worth it! I'd get super expensive luggage if I could afford it and if I traveled a ton, but I can't and I don't. So for me, Samsonite works.
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Post by beaglemom on Oct 25, 2018 14:41:23 GMT
About 5 years ago we decided to go expensive and bought 3 Tumi suitcases. I large and 2 medium. They are hard sided with 360 wheels. We fly 5-10 times a year. They still look brand new! No issues at all and they come with a great warranty.
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scorpeao
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,521
Location: NorCal USA
Jun 25, 2014 21:04:54 GMT
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Post by scorpeao on Oct 25, 2018 16:02:45 GMT
Samsonite hard sided duffel. It was around $75 and it is awesome. I've purchased one for my DD who is in the Navy, and that thing takes a beating. Best money spent on luggage.
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tracylynn
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,903
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Post by tracylynn on Oct 25, 2018 16:58:40 GMT
Luggage is so poorly made and gets so abused by baggage handlers that it’s practically disposable! My husband travels a ton for work, and I feel like a suitcase may only last him a few months. I think I’m going to start buying it at Costco so when it inevitably gets wrecked I can return it. ETA I prefer hard sided, with spinner wheels and compartments inside. Although hard sided doesn’t seem any more durable than soft. Why would you return luggage to Costco after having it for a few months when it is in no way their fault the luggage got ruined? I get this may be within their return policy guidelines, but it's certainly an abuse of the policy and the reason why they have to keep changing their already generous return policy. Most luggage you buy comes with a warranty through the manufacturer. Use that. Or buy cheap luggage you don't mind replacing every few months. I bought nice hard sided luggage with 360 wheels - I travel for work - a lot. I bought it at least 3 years ago, maybe a little longer, and it's held up fine. It has plenty of scars to show for it's troubles, but it's not broken at all. |
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