Looking for new luggage
 

Thinking of buying a new piece of wheeled luggage -- anyone have experience with the Magellans III "Ballistic" series? Any other recommendations for a rolling suitcase that you really like?

I bought a 22"at COSTCo for under $100 and I love it. Many compartments, inserts, etc. Why fret with expensive luggage that only gets banged around.

I'm very attached to the Victorinox brand and its Werks series of wheeled suitcases. Victorinox seems to be the high-end label of a related series of products produced by the makers of the Swiss Army Knife.

http://www.swissarmytravelgear.com

I travel regularly for business and fun (about once a month). I've found the Werks series to be very lightweight and durable. The best features are: 1) in-line skate wheels (exceptionally easy to wheel around in all directions - you can spin the suitcase in circles by its handle if you want); 2) the ergonomically friendly handle (it's slightly curved and the handle twists so that your fist is in the position it would be if you were swinging your arms - hard to describe but much more comfortable than regular luggage); 3) the built-in garment bag; and 5) the way it looks :) - very sleek.

I think I'm addicted to luggage the way other women get hooked on shoes. Although I already have the 24" and 20" versions, I bought the 22" expandable version in the Boxing Day sales. It's just the right size for my longer (2 to 3 week) business trips - but still very easy to move and lift.

Werks is not inexpensive (I think the 20" was on sale in Canada for $200), but it's not outrageously priced either (like Tumi).

Briggs and Riley but buy it, or anything else, ONLY through a discounter such as EBags or 1800luggage.

I second Costco's Kirkland brand. We love ours.

Oops, just proofread my own message: 1, 2, 3, 5 reasons to love Victorinox. Reminds me of a memo I sent to the partners at my law firm once with the same numbering system. I got back 40 copies (out of 50 partners), with some kind of smart-ass remark about the 1.2.3.5 numbering system. (We used to say that "proofreading was a competitive sport" at the firm.)

Costco's are rugged - hold up well, but are a bit on the heavy side. For a variety and comparison of lightweight luggage brands, check out www.packinglight.com

I travel a lot and have tried about every type of luggage made. I love my roller from Brookstone. Have found it to be the most durable piece of luggage I have ever owned. I've been using the piece I have now for almost two years - and I travel about 125,000 miles per year on airlines and almost always check this bag.

If I were buying new I'd most check out how much the bag weighs empty! Anything with wheels and necessary frame always seems too heavy to me. I'd pay extra if something was truly lightweight with wheels.

I have a 22" from JC Pennys >$50 & a 24" from Marshall's >$50 & a new tiny rolling carry-on from TravelPro $90.

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. I also have a Costco bag that I like a lot, but my husband (who is actually the one shopping for new luggage) thinks the Magellans will suit him better.

So I'd still like to know if anyone has experience with buying luggage from Magellans.