scrb11

I think the lightest 20-inch rollers are about 6-7 pounds.

Any lighter and the thing is probably too flimsy.

Went to Ross this afternoon. Most of the luggage is not reinforced in the side at all. Seems like nylon with no backing or very thin cardboard, like it could be pierced by a pen.

Definitely cheap though and light.

justineparis

I have visited Europe for twice as long as 15 days.. usually 25-30 days at least.

I would NEVER bring a 28 inch suitcase. Teacher is an idiot.

I have two bags.. depending on my plans I use one OR the other.
22 inch or 24 inch.

I have thrown out clothes and replaced them with new ones.. they make great souvenirs. Hardly think the maids worry about what is in a garbage can in a room.. pretty sure a used tshirt is one of the LEAST offensive things one might find in a garbage can.

And yes.. there are MANY hotels in Europe without elevators.. can certainly tell who hasn't really travelled much .. or who has always been able to afford to stay in larger or more expensive hotels.

I have two bags ( as I have mentioned) neither cost me more then 200 dollars.. and both have lasted me at least 7 or 8 years now, many plane trips, train trips , and hauling up stairs. Both are canvas( well whatever that woven stuff is )
Trick is to make sure wheels are sturdy.. do not stick out too much.. and handle is well incorporated into frame.A good thick strong zipper.. and check seams are well stitched.

I have a bad back,, back packs our out for me.. but I have managed just fine with a small rolling bag..

I know some people spend way more on their luggage.. that's fine.. but one does not HAVE to spend a lot to have a good sturdy bag.

sassy27

Another vote here for a smaller suitcase. A 28 inch would be just too much. I use a 24 inch spinner. I have done the throw away clothes thing. They are just old maybe with a small hole in the sleeve or a spot that can be covered up. I save them for one last outing and it's usually just a few at a time. I've done this with shoes too. Shipping things home doesn't seem to an option here. Sometimes that takes some planning and with a group, I doubt it will be possible. I also don't recommend something without wheels. You don't realize just how heavy 20 pounds is until you can't feel your shoulder. I like the Samsonite one just a smaller size but the last Samsonite I had started fraying after it's first use. I like Ricardo of Beverly Hills as they have held up for a long time (10 yrs). You can find them at Macys and Kohls for around $150. Since you are looking at ebags, they make a great packable duffel. If you get a medium sized one it can be used as a carryon.

kovsie

Dear Alex

If you are real, you should show this thread to your teacher asap. He/she can then post a new thread on Fodors: "Taking a group of teenagers to Europe. PLEASE HELP".

BillT

Thanks sassy27, I am glad to know others out there are using this simple trick to lighten your bag as you go along. Now maybe the naysayers will give it some consideration.

VonVan

BillT, I like this method as well, but do not care if naysayers give it consideration. I just wish they would stop being so condescending and insulting to those who do. To each their own, mutual respect, live & let live, different strokes.

Gretchen

This thread really takes me back about 60 years, in college, doing a 6 week trip to Europe--guided. The dawn of wash and wear was JUST coming in. We were issued a canvas duffel of sorts that was also to be strapped onto our bicycles for those portions of the trip--so you get the size idea.
And we did wash and dry in our rooms. Toward the end of the trip I decided to jettison a skirt--but no-wait--here comes one of my mates out the door to give it back to me!! GREAT trip.

janisj

Looks like the OP forgot how to get back to Fodors . . .

Gretchen - That isn't so bad. Many years ago my mom lead a group of 17 relatives to Scotland - one of the distant cousins decided that she wanted to stock up on good Scottish woolens/sweaters/skirts/scarves and she'd heard that undies at M&S were a good value. . . so she took a huge suitcase filled w/ what she called 'second tier' clothing -- nothing tatty or torn or anything but just things she didn't like anymore and wear much plus underwear that had seen it's last days.

Then every few days she'd replenish w/ new purchases and toss out a few garments to make space. By the end of the trip she had this huge suitcase w/ a brand new wardrobe . . . And when she eventually got home -- there at the post office were 7 packages from the UK -- every single hotel had found the discarded clothing and mailed it back to her -- even the used undies

suze

<I think the lightest 20-inch rollers are about 6-7 pounds.>

Not true. IT brand has some that are 3.5 lbs. My 24" by them is only 4.0 lbs. I would never purchase a 20" suitcase that weight 7 lbs. empty!

If you can go without wheels/frame... You can get a decent size duffle in ripstop nylon (tough) that only weighs a couple pounds.

scrb11

Well here's a 23-inch IT roller, just over 6 pounds:

http://www.ebags.com/product/it-lugg...%5E50251270938

Frameless meaning it's not the most sturdy?

november_moon

I think the OP may have been turned off by the bickering. Lots of good information on this thread, but there is also a lot of other stuff to weed through to find it.

suze

scrb11- I own an IT, it's what I always travel with. It's 24" and 4.0 lbs. empty. The 22" same style is 3.5 lbs. It doesn't look like the one you linked.

suze

nov_moon, We have no way to know if the OP was "turned off by the bickering". It's their one and only post. Lost of 1st timers never come back. Who knows why?

janisj

>>I think the OP may have been turned off by the bickering. <<

Oh Puleeze . . . S/he registered, posted and never returned. There was a hell of a lot of good advice/info before any 'bickering' started. The poor OP is sitting in class waiting for notification of responses, and listening to the teacher give other daft advice/instructions about the school trip.

crosscheck

I know the OP is MIA, but for the record, the teacher was not so clueless. Teens are routinely told to take large rolling duffles on these sorts of trips because they are lousy packers, they buy a lot of stuff, they often take beach towels and sleeping bags, and they do no laundry.

A version of this 30" High Sierra bag from BB&B was very popular when my kids went on even shorter trips: http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/1/1/...ysenberry.html One went to Spain with a similar bag and had no issues with cobblestones.

Also this 28" Eagle Creek is great, and offered at a good price: http://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Creek-Lu.../dp/B00BYQ6V52

The bags are indeed ginormous, but the kids later use them for college and studying abroad.

carolyn

Janis, that's a really funny story about the returned clothing.

justineparis

When my dad went on school band trip to Cuba for 10 days they were told to bring small bags only.

janisj

>>Teens are routinely told to take large rolling duffles on these sorts of trips<<

Not IME. 4 or 5 local school groups and youth symphonies/choir groups have engaged me to teach them how to pack light/small so they can manage w/ 24 inch or smaller bags. The youth symphony (90 strong) and assorted chaperones and parents were on a 2 week trip to St Petersburg and the Balkans - and all were limited to carry on sized bags.

justineparis

"dad" was supposed to be "dd" .. daughter..

justineparis

Crosscheck.. may it was just a thing where your kids went to school..( California after all )... just wondering how school kids "do a lot of shopping" do mommy and daddy hand over credit cards.? When I took my 11 yr old on her first trip to Europe she was told to save her money and do extra chores to get enough for her own souvenirs.. by her band trip she was 14 and certainly earned her own spending money and was still in no position to do so much shopping she needed a huge bag??

I guess where your kids went to school it wasn't ok to tell kids to smarten up.. pack carefully and that the trip was more about sightseeing then shopping?