It's been years since I even looked at a hardsided suitcase. But Int'l Traveller has one that keeps catching my eye because it's so LIGHT! I need a 21-22" for my trip next month. I don't expect a suitcase to last 20 yrs...as long as it makes it home without busting!

Right now, here's what I'm comparing:

Skyway Montlake 3 - 22"
14 x 8 x 22 (44 linear in.)
Capacity 2341 cu. in.
8.5 lbs
$60
http://tinyurl.com/a688l

Int'l Traveller Ultra-Lightweight 21in.
15.25 x 9.5 x 21.5 (46.25 linear--larger than the 22&quot
7.12 lbs !!
Capacity 3192 cu. in.
$74
I like the interior features, especially the cross-strap. It gets terrific reviews.
View here w/ interior photos & reviews
http://tinyurl.com/c24kf
***The description (dimension/weight) is slightly different here than at the site where I intend to buy (free shipping at luggagepoint.com). But the product #s are the same.

Both are available in "charcoal", my preference.

I can't remember why we stopped using hardside luggage? Is it liable to bust? (I do take straps for long flights). Would it be any more unwieldy? We'll be travelling by train and I want to be as light as possible.

I'd love to hear from someone who's used this hardside or something comparable. Thx, J.

Airlines continue to "recommend" hardsided luggage and for years I used both Samsonite and Halliburton products; the latter are practically indestructable but they dent easily.

I've lugged a four-wheel hard-sided Samsonite onto and off of practically every train in Europe, over cobblestones, etc. Samsonite products always seemed to get holes on the rounded corners (probably from playing 'bumper luggage' in the bowels of airline terminals)

But now I use Briggs + Riley luggage which I find easier to use and the stuff is reliable although not necessarily lighter in weight..in fact it is heavier than some of the Samsonite hardsides.

I agree with NOt paying full price and getting it through a discounter such as your own or 1800luggage or ebags.

Is there any particular "disadvantage" you can think of? I would think packing a hardsider would actually be easier...but I could be wrong.

A good question...
I like the Briggs + Riley (as just one example) stuff because it has the usual handle for tilting the bag and pulling it along. The Samsonite four-wheelers were, in some ways, easier to handle because you were pulling them like a wagon rather than "holding up" the weight of the bag and pulling it also. However, they could be unstable as you pulled them AND the way they were shaped made it harder to heft them onto overhead racks sometimes and they take up a lot of space.

I also like the fact that with the usual soft-sided design I can piggy-back an additional bag such as my wheeled carry-on to the front of the bag..I could never do that with the Samsonite hard-sided.

On the plus side, I never worried about anything in the hardsided luggage getting damaged. But, I have also used an Eagle Creek duffle (non-wheeled) when I've had to REALLY cut down on bag weight which has been through a lot and has always protected the contents..perhaps because it is somewhat more flexible when playing 'bumper luggage.'

If B+R even made a hard-sided bag I would probably buy it depending on the shape and size. I do think the airlines may be more conscious of luggage handling than they used to be..perhaps not.

Hopefully topping this will bring additional replies.

I travel for a living, often on the road for more than three weeks at a time, i have logged more then 500,000 miles in a 3 year period using the same soft sided 26inch Samsonite bag. i paid about $75 for it.

I don't have an answer but am sure interested in this question! although I wish the "lightweight" suitcases offered were even more LIGHT weight.

One downside I can think of for a hardside, Jeanne, is that is wouldn't have any give to squish into overhead shelves or bins. But it it's truly the correct size maybe that wouldn't so much matter.

I favor hardside, because I think things are less likely to get broken, and also, no one can "rip" your case open to get to anything. I bought a set I like at eBags. It has two sets of zippers, making an expandable "gusset", so you can get more packed in there. They seem to still be selling it, although no longer as a set. Mine is silver-grey.

http://www.ebags.com/search/index.cf...mp;Ntt=Equator


Bon Voyage,
BC

I wouldn't ever use a hardside myself -- used to have one in the old days. The weight was a big thing, but I still wouldn't use one because they have no "give", and I don't think there is anyway to make them expandable. My main softsided 22" has a heavy-duty zipper all the way around the middle, which when unzipped, expands it outward around 1-2". That is great for when I'm going home and may have bought a few things or something.

I also do the piggy-backing thing occasionally, don't know how that works. My old hardsided one did get damaged with holes in it (done by the airline somehow) whereas my softsided ones have never been damaged (beyond getting a little dirty) even though I've used them for years and they are pretty cheap.

Both are structured, so I don't see why packing a hardsider would be easier. I really don't like completely soft baggage at all for that treason (ie, a giant duffle bag like some folks carry).

I don't really have much of anything in my bags that are breakable. Nothing large, anyway, and small items are easy to cushion. The only thing I usually have in it that might break would be a very small travel alarm and extra pair of glasses. What else would one be packing that would be breakable? If I buy a souvenir piece of pottery or something, if it's really small, I pack it in the middle of my clothes, or I just take it in my carryon for protection.

Jeanne, I really like the Int. Traveller. The 21-inch would be too small for me, but it's so unusual to find a hardside with expansion capabilities. That's always been an objection to hardsides, no extra room. Plus the weight has always been a deterrent, but this one's so light. Do you plan to check it, or use it as a carry-on?

Line the soft sided bag with Ethafoam. Alternate, paper towels or toilet tissue.

I will check it for the flights over and back. But I'll be doing the hauling on our train trips.

I went to Ross today and they had the Skyway Montlake. I wasn't impressed. The bag was nice, but the handle kept sticking when raised/lowered (they had several, all had the problem). It also didn't have the intermediate stop point for the handle.
-------------------------------
BOOKCHICK:
Here's the link I gave above for the hardside I'm considering.

http://tinyurl.com/c24kf

Please take a look...I think it's the same one as yours. I'd like to know what the bottom of the interior compartment is like. I assume there's a "bump" where the handle rails run along the bottom. Does it interfere terribly w/ packing? The other bag had great big humps on each end of the rail bump, taking up valuable space.

Does the handle have the intermediate stop point for maneuvering on stairs?

Also, does yours have a strap at the top where one can attach a smaller bag during long walks?
------------------------------------

Thanks, everyone, for your input. I'm considering them all carefully.

Hi Jeanne,
Mine is different, because the brand name is Equator. There's a bit of a "bump" on one side that cuts down on room, but I still find these bags adequately roomy because of the double zipper. (When you zip just one, it forms a "gusset" that allows the bag to expand depth-wise, and gives you additional room.) There's no strap for mine, but I've never had a problem balancing another bag on top, like a large purse or small duffle. It does have a few intermediate stops in the handle, and I do not find sticking a problem with mine.

Best wishes,
BC

They look <i>very</i> similar, but I see now yours is just a tad larger. The front logo is different, too. This one also has the expansion gusset or gussets in the middle.

Unfortunately, the Equator style only comes in &quot;terra cotta&quot;...not a color I would choose.

I'm close to deciding on this one. I may order it tonight.

Thanks so much!

Well, of course, rather than deciding I've done more looking around and I found a 22&quot; under 7 pounds!

Travelpro TPro Xtreme 22in. Rolling Duffle
http://tinyurl.com/83tmn
22 x 14 x 9
45 Linear in.
2634 cubic in
<b>6.7 lbs</b>!!

Ordinarily, I'd never consider a duffle. But this one opens flat like a suitcase. Unlike most duffles, this one has a separate bottom compartment with rigid sides to hold folded items in place. Expandable. I can't find any description of the zippers...that bothers me a little. It's very &quot;compartmented&quot;, lots of pockets. I like the extra strap across the top...nice for lifting into storage racks.

6.7 pounds. Incredible! Can it possibly be sturdy enough? It gets great reviews. Very tempting.

(Has anyone guessed I love shopping for and comparing luggage?!)

Topping

to see if anyone's used the duffle I describe in the post above.

I'm torn between the Int'l Traveller hardside vs. the ultra lightweight duffle.
Anyone used the TravelPro?

I use a 'cargo bag' which is a duffle but with end pockets for shoes, etc. The benefit to giving up wheels is a 2 lb weight!

If I want wheels I add my folding luggage cart which rides on top of my clothes in a plastic bag. (the duffle/cargo bag has a wide 'C' shaped zipper that is along the lengthwise dimension of the bag, so access is super easy. I also don't have to put up with those awkward bumps that one finds on the bottoms of rollaboards.)

Recently my H bought a rolling 'duffle' (actually a cargo bag) about 23 inches * 12 * 12 long, since he wanted the convenience of pre-attached wheels instead of carts. It's not by any make I recognize. He's only used it on one very short trip to date, so I've no idea how well it will pass the acid test. We move around a lot on our trips, so bags really get put to the test.

Regarding zippers, 'Gearaid' (try a google or ask at local camping stores) sells a 'zipper repair kit' which is our faithful companion on trips. A warranty is useless when you are on the road and staring at a busted zipper.

thanks for the tip on zipper repair. I found another site which had a close up of the top handle on the duffle. It gave me a good look at the zippers. They don't look very sturdy, more like a lightweight jacket zipper. I'm not going to take the chance for just a few ounces. Will probably order the hardside.

When checking a bag, I can't imagine using anything other than a hardside. I have 2 bright red Delsey ones I bought through Magellan. Instead of pulling them, I can pull up their handles and push them in front of me as they have 4-way wheels. Women stop and point and tell their husbands &quot;I want that!&quot; Granted they don't squish and stack, but I've brought home a lot of unbroken pottery, olive oil, etc. Also, 10 years ago we took a Mexican cruise. Leaving dockside in L.A. it poured rain on everyone's luggage as it set on deck. My clothes inside the hardside Samsonite were fine. The 'softside' people had wet clothes for a couple of days.

A vote for Travelpro, which makes very good, very rugged bags.

We bought a sturdy roll-aboard. But it was heavy and looked like everybody elses. The my husband picked up a purple roll-aboard for $10. It was lightweight, but I thought it would never last. Wrong. It's been through several trips, not a mark on it. (Maybe it's been lucky.) And that purple really stands out.

Good point about soft sides and water! I got one very soggy suitcase one trip, forget the exact circumstances, but I think it was a rainy day in London.