alibi13

Hi,

We are looking at two suitcases. Both at the Woodbury Common Outlet Mall north of New York City. So the prices are good. They are both very similar in size. 26 inches or. I'm just wondering if anyone has experience or knowledge of the two brands. My gut says go with Samsonite.

One is by Swiss Army. (The people who makes knives).

The other is the professional line by Samsonite. It uses some sort of ballistic fabric. It's supposed to be their top of the line.

The Swiss Army comes with a lifetime guarantee. The Samsonite also has a lifetime guarantee I think.

Thanks.

BillT

What are the prices of the two options?

glorialf

They are both good brands. I would go with the one that is the lightest weight which is important with the new weight restrictions. It also probably means it is the newest model since everyone is trying to go lite. I have had a Samsonite which was ok but not my favorite. Swiss Army is supposed to be excellent. The brand that I've liked a lot recently is Pathfinder.

ggreen

I have a Samsonite and my BF has a Victorinox ("Swiss Army&quot. We bought them both about a year and half ago. Both are great; my BF prefers his because it's lighter. He also likes the ability to carry it as a backpack when necessary, and the zip-off, locking day pack - but those are more a matter of style. Both companies have very good luggage reputations.

In addition to the weight issue (very important - don't start with an empty heavy bag!), my suggestion is to try maneuvering around the store with them both, especially wheeling them around corners, etc. My one complaint about my suitcase is that while the wheels are fine, the more compact inline-skate wheels on the Victorinox do handle bumps and maneuvering a bit better.

Oh, and the lime green color of my BF's Victorinox is a winner on the airport luggage carrousel!

alibi13

Thanks for the info.

The prices are around $400 for the Swiss Army one. It's 24 or 26 inches upright. I wasn't aware of any backpack options. The color is red.

The Samsonite one is around $350. There's one with 2 wheels, upright. And another with 4 wheels (there's a special name for that feature but I forget what it is). Both around 26 inches. More of a chocolate color.

rhkkmk

my only comment is that 26" is really big given the weight restrictions that air companies are imposing these days....its no longer how much can i cram into a suitcase, its now will it pass weight muster...

i also like any color other than black for easy recognition...

in that price range you might look at tumi....they have outlets with great buys...

i try to have as few wheels as possible...

make sure the handles are strong...

Guenmai

I have a lot of different luggage brands including Samsonite. I'd go with ballistic nylon. I'd also look at T.J.Maxx which is often times less than discount places. I bought a large Tumi suitcase there for less than half of the original Tumi price. T.J.Maxx usually carries Swiss Army on a rather regular basis. Happy Travels!

BostonHarbor

I just bought the latest Eagle Creek 28" "Hovercraft" in "frog green". It was just launched a month or so ago. I love it and am packing as we speak. Although it is 28" is weighs only 10lbs, the lightest made. My Victorinox (Swiss Army) of the same size weighed 18 Lbs!! (and the zipper pulls were all destroyed on the flight back from India--I know I could fix them, but...). 8 lbs is a LOT of clothes and I needed to reclaim that weight for my three week trip. The "Hovercraft" is made to work perfectly with the "folders" and "cubes" which I use religously because you never really have to "unpack", you just put the folders in cubes in drawers. Love them.

Anyway, get Hovercraft and don't worry about the weight. It think the 28" is $325. You'll love it.

Take a look: http://link-url.com/7F

BostonHarbor

Was wrong on the cost. The Eagle creek hovercraft is $250.

Bisbee

Yep, Eagle Creek Hovercraft is the way to go. They make them in 20", 22", 25" and 28". And as BH says, get some folders and cubes too. Once you use them, you'll wonder how you ever traveled without them!

LynnieD

I just purchased an Eagle Creek Tarmac 25'. IT was $285.00 at REI and is garnet/grey. Seems to be alot of room in it, I do own packing cubes and will use them to maximize space for a 3 week trip in January.

I love the "no matter what-lifetime guarantee" and that was what made my final decision.

I looked at the Hovercraft series as well, but just liked the aesthetics of it better. The Tarmac is a tad heavier, my 25" weighs in at 10 lbs.

madameX

Both are very good brands. I'd also look at other features that would ease your personal travel. Some pull-up handles and tops are easier to balance totes on than others -- try to imagine if your tote might slide around. I was given a wheelie suitcase from Tumi where the solid flat handle did not provide enough support for a carry-on tote, and the tote kept sliding around annoyingly as I walked. The handle is also too bulky to allow for a laptop tote to easily slide on. In contrast, my husband has a TUMI model that suits his laptaop tote perfectly with a slide-on pocket.

Also: the idea of an alternate color is good, BUT choose wisely. That Tumi is a silver-color number, and shows a fair amount of dirt. Personally, I'd still go with black, and figure out colorful tags or straps as and identification. (That's me you might see with the screaming neon pink tags and luggage strap -- highly visible on a black bag.)

Finally, is there a feature that you love on the bag? I have an old TravelPro that still wins my heart because of a small zip pocket for odd stuff, in addition to a flat pocket that is perfect for printed material, and an explanadable pocket on the other side for (ahem) items acquired during travel.

My love to Woodbury Common! Fabulous shopping place!