ginn

My husband and I will be traveling (primarily by train) in France and Italy this summer for five weeks. Please recommend
a suitcase and purse or daypack that is not exorbitant.

susiecraft

We use Costco Kirkland luggage and love it.

elberko

Two places to keep an eye on, they often have good stuff, such as Eaglecreek, on sale:

www.sierratradingpost.com
www.campmor.com

I've also heard good things about the luggage Rick Steves sells:

www.ricksteves.com

bob_brown

Look for sales on most any brand at big department stores. I got a 30 incher on sale at JC Penny and it was suitable and fairly cheap. My theory on it is that buying expensive luggage is a waste of money because the airlines beat any of them up. I had a very expensive Samsonite 27 incher, and after 5 years of use it is torn in several places the stiching has pulled loose from continual scuffing and pounding.
It also dirty as it can be even though I sponge if off as best I can after every trip, but the dirt is ground in.

JN

I tend to agree with Bob that high cost suitcases are a waste of money. I've had expensive ones that fall apart after a couple of trips and cheap ones that last over a decade.

We just bought a Montlake, Skyway suitcase. They are lightweight (9.8 lbs for 26&quot, yet said to be durable. They come in 22, 26 & 29 inches. Here is a website for online viewing/purchasing. Though retailers offer them for less (E.g., $60 for 26" at Dillards).

http://www.luggageonline.com/product...=232&tab=1

Bob1

We have used it all and find the Costco Kirkland brand is a great value. Lots of extras and well made.

Seamus

Although it pains me to concede defeat to the "disposable everything" mentality I, too, have abandoned buying pricey "good" luggage and now buy something cheap enough that if it gets ruined in transit I am not as upset. Six years ago I bought a truly cheapo 25" roller and shoulder bag combo assuming it would last a trip or two, and I am still using it!
Back in the days when only fairly wealthy folks traveled steamer trunks were hand transported by uniformed porters and it may have been worth it to invest more in lugagge but these days when travel is acessible to the hoi polloi and baggage handling is at least partially mechanized it just doesn't make sense. IMHO, The only reason to drop a bundle on bags is vanity or pretentiousness. The condition of your items on arrival depends more on how you pack than in what you pack them, I find.

isabel

Another vote for cheap luggage. I have an Eaglecreek but found one the same size but much lighter weight and it was about $20 (versus over $100 for the name brands). I figured it would last one or two trips but it's still in perfect condition after about five.

Marilyn

Eagle Creek is fabulous stuff -- well designed, lifetime guarantee, etc. I use it for everything except my actual suitcase, and the daypack is a particular favorite of mine for many reasons.

You can tuck the pack straps away and use it like a messenger bag, for a slightly upgraded look. It has lots of built in organizers that I like, especially one in the main compartment that keeps my camera from stabbing me in the back.

For luggage I always check first at Ross and Marshall's. I have often found great bargains on last year's color or model.

Personally, I swear by my RBH (Ricardo of Beverly Hills) 23" rolling case with a "floating" divider and an outside shoe compartment. It's incredibly versatile and seems to hold more than it should, by any laws of physics.

flygirl

more than just looking at price, make sure it has features you like and is sturdy. price isn't always an indicator of quality, at least at a certain level.

I have a piece of crap 20 dollar Macy's special suitcase which would still be trucking along but for the 40 pound backpack I loaded on it and tried to drag it and said backback up Eurostar stairs (by the pull handle) only to have the handle pull out completely and have both things tumble down the stairs... BUT that little case had the best features I've found yet. had I not tried to drag something so heavy on it, it would be fine.

I then bought a 150 dollar name brand case, same size (small, I think 20 inches, both of them) and within 6 months it broke, without any stress on it I might add. the pull handle didn't come off, it just won't go up without a huge effort and then it won't go down. as a result, I don't use it. the cheap one I still do, b'c I can pull it with the little strap they put on there to hold coats, etc.

I like having a mesh zipper type separator, on the inside lid of the suitcase. you can stuff all sorts of flat things in there, such as cotton pads, dove facial cloths, ziploc baggies with pills in it, contact lens case, other small toiletries.

you definitely want at least one pull suitcase. make sure it's sturdy, and you can load up your other bags on top of it to drag through airports, etc. it's nice to have that little removable strap at the top too, you can fold up your coat and use that to secure it to the case so you don't have to carry it around the airport.

if you have a bottom separator, that is good for your dirty clothes. put them on the bottom and then cover it with the separator. (I am anal, I don't like the mesh ones for that purpose).

allisonm

For our first trip in 95, we bought two huge rolling duffel bags at Macys for under $50 each. My son later took one to college, and they have been to Texas once and Europe 3 more times. They are getting a little frayed around the edges but will be going to Paris next month. (Wow, Next Month!!) I bought two small wheeled bags (Macys again) as carry ons two trips ago when the shoulder couldn't take the weight anymore. I loaned one of them to a friend for her trip home to Ireland. I can fit my camera bag in the bottom easily with plenty of room for books, water and other necessities. They are holding up well, $20 for each! (Macys still carries the smaller ones, I happened to see them in the store today.)

suze

If you're buying new, I'd pay attention to the weight of the bag empty - that really helps in trying to pack light. I've traveled in Europe with a medium size duffle bag, which worked fine. But now prefer a rolling 22" suitcase (easier on my back).

For a pocketbook, I use my normal one from home. It zips close, has a long thick strap so you can wear it across your torso. If you are feeling nervous or particularly safety minded, maybe get a money belt, neck pouch, or small leather purse to be worn close to the body.

An inexpensive daypack or canvas bag works great for maps, guidebooks, water, purchases, groceries, you might end up wanting to tote around.

pamh

We use the Eagle Creek switchback - a 22" wheeled bag with straps to wear as a backpack and a zip-off daypack. It's perfect for the train - easy to stow and light enought to make a quick dash between trains.

We each took one for a 3 week trip to Europe and it worked out fine (though we did have to do some hand-washing of clothes).

Pam

Underhill

We buy Atlantic and Samsonite soft-sided luggage when it's on sale and have had some for years. Hard-sided is great for protection from the slings and arrows of baggage-handling by airlines, but it's murder to cart onto and off of trains.

GSteed

Study a baggage claim conveyor. Majority of bags are fabric. Hard side bags should have wheels arranged to travel narrow way. Train travel is difficult with heavy bags. Minimize your wardrobe. Pre-travel..load your bag and carry it up and down stairs. Daypacks..Check the local school children..Secure bag with luggage strap. Mark bag with cloth flag or fabric paint. Use plastic ties to secure fasteners..do not close them. Tip..package clothing in plastic bags. Double bag anything liquid. Too many souvenirs? Buy cardboard boxes at local post office. Mail them home.

bob_brown

One more thought here. When I shopped last summer for a large suitcase, I found that everything was on wheels with pull-handles. The rolling mechanism on the more expensive pieces of luggage was always heavy. Some of them weighed over 14 pounds fully empty.
Given that 20 kilograms (44 pounds) is a limit on many European airlines, you need to check the weight.

Also, bear in mind that if you plan on traveling by train in Europe, you will need to hoist all that weight on and off. And, in some cases, you may need to lift a piece or two onto an overhead baggage rack. Unless you are a strong person, positioning a 50 pound suitcase up over your head requires more strength than a lot of people have. Fortunately, I usually can find a place at the end of the coach to store the big stuff.

The other problem is trying to grab a heavy piece of luggage off of the baggage carousel at the airport. One friend of mine travels to France with his family for extended visits. He takes along 2 cases that weigh 70 pounds each. It is a good thing he is strong and young. I tried to grapple with one of his 70 pounders on the baggage carousel and it was all I could to to get if off of there.

So if you are going to lug along something in the 60 to 70 pound class there are two requirements: 1. Be very strong in the arms and shoulders.
2. Have help.

easytraveler

You've gotten excellent advice here.

Guess I'll add my two cents:

Shop for features, not brand name. Go for sturdy wheels, large good zippers, good pull handle, fairly sturdy fabric, light weight.

Go to Target, Costco, or a discount place like Tuesday Morning, or an outlet store.

For a 22" you can get something decent from $25 to $100. Costco has excellent backpacks on sale sometimes.

If you are in Canada go to a large Chinatown and look at all the different types of luggage they carry.

The best luggage I've gotten (no particular brandname) have been in Asia, in Vancouver's Chinatown, a luggage store in Budapest with a Korean owner.

With Asians you can generally bargain down the price a bit or have a "freebie" added, like getting a great deal ($5/$10) for an excellent second smaller piece. Don't try to be too cutthroat. Remember that bargaining is supposed to be win-win situation for the two of you: the seller makes money and you get a great price!

Finally, PACK LIGHT! You'll have more fun on your trip and less problems!

Wayne

I feel compelled to add my comment that the advice from bob brown is not to be ignored. Other than that, you have heard several times that it is features, not brand names, that you should look for in luggage. I have purchased a carry-on bag for $20 that does the same job as some big brand name bags selling for nearly $200.

The only other comment I have is that you should take account of the cost of luggage as a percentage of your overall travel expense. I'd be surprised if the items you named would be even one percent of your total travel cost. So get out there and shop for good features with a good price, not a brand name. Good luck.

brotherleelove2003

I've been using a Brand X expandable duffle for 12 years now and it's been perfect for me. It doesn't have wheels, but in its smallest configuration it can also serve as a carry-on if I'm travelling light. I've also used Ricardo of Beverly Hills bags with wheels along their carry-on and found them to be quite reliable for more extensive packing.

MAC1

I take a soft sided bag, a little larger
than a gym bag with a strap and all my clothes are from TravelSmith. They are light weight and wash out in the sink. I travel for 3 weeks once a year-it works for me!