Hi all!

You all were SO generous with my last posting of "Best Walking Shoes Ever" that I thought I'd give it a go with another travel related topic. Your postings for the shoes made all the difference in the world!

Just like my shoes, after yrs and yrs of travel I have made mistakes and have gone through many pieces of luggage that I need to replace now.( also the older you get you have a bit more $ to spend than when we were young travelin' things!)

I sifted through some previous threads and found them helpful ( thanks again everyone), but I'd like to get a comprehensive thread going here with your suggestions for the best luggage.

Here are my requirements:

24" expandable ( no more than 25", and sorry to all you 22" fans, I understand and admire you; but I just need a bit more room !), durable nylon upright roller with suiter ( an inside wet pocket would be nice but not necessary), handle on the outside rather than running through the inside bottom, no color preference.

After all this time, I really am not sure what to pay for luggage!! Would like to keep it to no more than $275 if I can. I realize you can get alot of luggage for less and then some luggage pieces may be actually worth spending money on if that will be your last and final piece you'll ever need.

No need for a luggage set. I like my little carry on I have already and all I need is one piece.

I found the Samsonite web site to have fairly priced pieces, some at $165 that met my requirements. I know alot of you love Briggs and (?, just went brain dead on the other name that goes with Briggs!) and I can see why. I went to a good luggage store in my town and found a beautiful piece for $385!!! Yikes! She said she'd give me a discount, but I think I can do better. Went to ebags and found Briggs to still be pricey, but may be worth it if that the last piece I'll need?
Took a fast peek at Eagel Creek on ebags and there was nothing there that piqued my interest

We travel alot so this thread will be so valuable to me ( and hopefully others) who need a good listing!!!

Thanks a mil......!!!

Hi tripgirl,

Just a note to add weight as a consideration, especially if you *ever* do train travel. I have a lovely 24" Briggs and Riley that I never use because it's so *** heavy! When you research these bags, do look at the relative weights.

s

Personally, I walk into Marshall's or Ross and see what they've got. I've never spent more than half of your budget on any one piece, and often $100 or less.

I've had a Ricardo wheelie that I've used for years and that has held up incredibly well. I will be in mourning when it finally bites the dust, as I've never seen another piece exactly like it (it's got an extra compartment on top that's perfect for shoes).

But one comment: while having the wheels handle run through the inside of the case makes packing a bit more awkward, I believe it is the preferred construction for preventing damage. I'd be wary of a bag with the handle running on the outside, as I think that's the cheaper way to make it and may indicate that the whole bag is not so well made.

My requirements for luggage:

1. Can't be black, but can't be so light as to show dirt too easily.
2. Needs to weigh no more than 15 pounds, even after I've stuffed 45 pounds worth of dirty clothes and souveniers into it.

Which is why I'm still traveling with a 21" red Tumi and a SportSac. I have seen some nice Travel Pro pieces on sale lately and am seriously considering getting one of their larger bags to add to my menage a baggage.

elle, LOL!

Also great if it has one of those anti-gravity buttons so it lifts itself onto trains.

My Samsonite luggage only made it thru 2 Europe trips. I like my Briggs and Riley - very very durable and easy to carry. I really like the Swiss Army stuff we got for my daughter. It seems to be indestructible as well as light weight.

My two suitcases (22" and 24&quot like Marilyn above came from JC Pennys & Marshalls for ~$50 each. They are both great, except...

I used the expandable feature on the 24" for the first time recently and it made it off-balance and harder to handle (tipsy). Point being if you really need the room, I would consider a bag that was meant to be larger rather than the expandable feature.

Also I agree with Swandav re train travel. Last summer used the 24" for 1st European trip (not expanded). Nice to have extra clothes along, but harder to get the thing on and off the train than the 22" I'd used in the past along with a secondary tote.

I haven't bought it yet, but I've been looking at the Delsey Helium Ballistic 200 24" Expandable Suiter Trolley.

It only weighes 10 lbs, 8 oz. And the price on ebags.com is $140.

The reviews on it looks good, but there aren't many. I guess I haven't purchased as luggage always seems like a last priority until you are actually packing.

www.ebags.com

Interesting timing. In my never ending quest for the perfect luggage, I purchased a piece of Olympia luggage this morning at TJMaxx. It is the E-2500-4, a suiter, for $60.00.

An interesting feature is that instead of being expandable, where you would unzip that zipper to expand it, it is a separate compartment that flips open. (I'm not sure this is making sense!) There is also a full exterior zippered pocket. In the main compartment is a hanger and the mesh garment feature plus pockets. It has a large wet bag plus two smaller zippered pockets. The rails are on the inside with the zipper access to the space.

This bag appealed to me because it would be very easy to organize everything. There are no measurements but I think it is a 24". I bought a Delsey 22" expandable and used it recently. It is very sturdy but lightweight. This model (came in different sizes) tilts back slightly to prevent tipping forward. It worked! That was $40 also from TJ's.

I consider 10 lbs. 8 oz. way too heavy for an empty suitcase.

I bought this when it was actually a 4-piece set that retailed for about $220. While I have yet to have occasion to use the largest bag in the set, I like the set as a whole, and that fact that it has a "gusset" to allow me to close it even if I overpack. It's hardsided but not at all heavy.

http://www.ebags.com/international_t...?modelid=42537



BC

My hard-sided 4-wheeled Samsonite actually weighs four pounds LESS than my Briggs and Riley two-wheeler but I still love them both.

I love my Samsonite lugagge. It's made it through 2 European trips and several domestic trips and it is holding up just fine.

Hi, I have the exact same Ricardo luggage that Marilyn described. I have lost count of the trips I have taken it on (all via airplanes) and it has help up terrific.

Only problem is it is a 29inch (I think) and I now need something smaller.

From what I understand Marilyn is also correct about the handles. And I was told by a old time luggage salesclerk always get luggage that has skateboard wheels so if a wheel does break you can easily get the wheel replaced (good to know if the wheel breaks while on a trip I guess).

Just thought I'd put in my two cents on some unusual size luggage that works for me. The first is a wheeled tote bag type. Size: 7" deep x 16" wide x 14-1/2 " high. It is wedge shaped and looks similar to a wheeled laptop case. It's made by Olympia and I got it at Ross for $11.99!! I've lost track of how many times I've used it. It works for me as a carry-on because it fits under the seat in front of me. (Put the smaller wedge shape end under the seat first). I have a bum shoulder which prevents me from lifting anything and I got tired of asking others to lift into the overhead bins for me. The real trick is how you pack it - for a four-day trip I packed:

1 pr. Jeans
Two lightweight jean jackets
3 short sleeve T-shirts (can wear layered)
1 long sleeve T shirt
1 thin cardigan sweater
2 tank tops (to layer or alone)
1 long sleeve blouse
sweat pants for sleeping
sweatshirt " "
small amount of makeup and a few toiletries I can't live without
four pair underwear
four pair socks
a notebook/binder size
a map and a paper back book
round brush and four rollers
NO extra shoes (which admittedly is very difficult especially for women)but I could manage on this trip with only the ones I wore.

Okay - this note is getting long. But now here is the important part:

I rolled my clothes in rolls of about 4-5 clothing items at a time. First: Jeans folded in half. Three t-shirts folded to about the same size as jeans. Then underwear and socks. Roll it up like a jelly roll and put it in the suitcase either on the bottom or standing up. (everyone's clothes are different sizes so you have to work to see which way works best.) Do the same with the rest of the clothes - about 3 to 5 items at a time. Amazingly, things actually wrinkled less than my usual layers placed in a "standard" suitcase.

Okay - next suitcase. It's kind of a duffel bag type - but sturdier. Dimensions are: 10" deep x 11-1/2" tall and 20" long. It has wheels and is a Diane VonFurstenburg for $50 at TJ Maxx. I was able to pack for 9 days in Europe (about twice the amount above plus one pair shoes and a purse) and I still had room to bring stuff back.

I know this post is long, but think about rolling your clothes up. I was truly amazed at how much I fit in! Happy travels.

PS: A great big "Howdy" to TexasAggie!!

Forgot to say: the Diane Von Furstenburg bag does NOT fit under the seat. But I had family to put the suitcase in the overhead for me.

Best places to compare suitcases and prices are at www.packinglight.com and www.ebags.com They have all the major brands and you can compare weight and features.

I had an experience on BA last year that really made my decision to get a lighter carryon. I have a 20" which was way overweight - the maximum is 13 pounds. It weighs almost 9 pounds empty so doesn't leave much for packing. I now have a duffel-type rolling bag and am much happier with the lighter weight particularly hefting into overhead bins. I don't miss all the pockets and inside extras which add weight. BA, from what I understand, is not the only airline with this restriction in coach.

Thanks all so far!

I spent some time this am on Ebags and here is what I like and wanted your opinions.

By the way, for my carry on, if it weighs all of 3 lbs, I'd be surprised; I'm not a carry on girl!!!! ( some people haul all kinds on board of things and I am always amazed!)

In any event, here is what appeals to me and you let me know what you think:

Delsey Helium Ballistic 200 Expandable Suit Trolley either the 24" or 26" ( I'm ever so slightly leaning towards going for a 26" as some of our trips are quite extended: 4 weeks or more). The 24" is 10.5lbs and the 26" is 11.50lbs

The other piece that appealed to me is the Samsonite Aspire II Expandable 26". It weighs 13 lbs.

I won't purchase anything above 15lbs.

We don't do alot of train travel anymore ; years ago we did alot, but now we do mostly planes and not tons of traveling from country to country
in one trip.

If anyone can jump on ebags and let me know what you may think it would be so appreciated.

I love their comparison chart! Makes it easier to come to decisions!!!

Thanks a mil...