TinaLee204

Hello all!

While I currently own a perfectly functional 26-inch rolling bag, I have to admit that the current luggage sales EVERYWHERE have me casting my eyes to a new Samsonite or (in my dreams) Victorinox piece. The argument begins here... my husband says that should I up-size to a 28-inch or larger bag that said bag, when filled with clothing and other various travel items will far exceed the current 50-pound weight limit for airlines. Taking into account that NO, I would not fill the suitcase with shoes, but that I am a plus size women (and thus the clothes do weigh a bit more) - is this a valid argument? I have never gone over-weight (well, with my luggage) using the existing 26-inch bag, but I also usually have a smaller carry-on bag as well. Sometimes this is checked and sometimes I actually do "carry it on" - depending on destination.

The larger bags these days seem lighter to me, and being able to get everything into one bag has definite appeal, as I see a certain amount of luggage schlepping to be done by myself in Venice. No train travel will be involved this time around, so that's not a factor.

So, I humbly ask the opinions of the Fodorites on this issue and thank you in advance for you advice!!

TinaLee

Christina

If you want my opinion, a 26 inch is the max you should have for yourself for traveling. I think you are right that luggage is a little lighter weight than previously, or that some brands are, anyway. I would think a full 28 inch bag could easily go beyond 50 pounds.

I don't know -- I understand your point that sometimes it is easier to have things in one bag rather than several. I have a friend that feels that way, whereas some other people prefer two smaller bags. If you are the kind of traveler who just takes a taxi to your hotels and only are going to one city per trip, then I don't think it matters so much what you get, but you may go beyond 50 pounds.

I have a 25 inch bag, and when very fully packed, including shoes, it comes in around 38 pounds, so I think a 28 inch could well be over 50.

I suspect you could buy one, take it home and put a bunch of stuff in it and weigh it to find out -- without removing any of the tags, etc. And if it did, you could return it.

Holly_uncasdewar

Well, I'm a 22-incher myself, but I must say that train travel is much easier than rolling bags up and down bridges all over Venice.

I would downsize the luggage a bit if I were you.

pavfec

I have a 29-inch suitcase that I've taken on 3 trips and only once gone over the weight limit (when my relatives loaded us up with various types of alcohol and other gifts!). The suitcase itself is 8 kg (17 lbs.) and weight limits are often set at 26 to 30 kg, so I wanted to get something lighter.

I handed that suitcase over to hubby and bought myself a 28-inch Samsonite Spinner. I haven't used it yet, but will for the first time in 3 weeks when we go to Northern Germany and Amsterdam. It's lighter than the other suitcase and seems very easy to manoeuvre. I'll have to see just how easy it is once it's full.

My reason for staying with a bigger case is that we're planning on having a family and I'm thinking ahead to travelling in the future with kids. I doubt we'd be travelling around a lot with children, so I'd prefer having as few bags as possible.

kwren

My 25 inch suitcase weighed in at 42 pounds coming home loaded with souvenirs, but I'm sure I could have added at least another 6 pounds if I had opened the expandable section. I assume you considered an expandable suitcase? It was easy to roll along the corridors of trains.

Sue_xx_yy

Tina, we had a 29 inch bag. We sold it in a yard sale a year later.

Can you manage a daypack as your carry on bag? This leaves both hands free to manage the 26 inch bag. Personally, if anything I would try to teach oneself to go smaller, not larger. You could even pack so as to have room for the daypack squished into the bigger bag, if you wanted just one bag.

Also, as we all invariably get older, not younger, every pound of luggage feels that much heavier with the passing of time, or so it seems to me. This negates any improvements by the manufacturer with respect to weight.

But in the end, it is, of course, your bag, your trip. Have fun with your decision.

SAnParis

I'm also a 22" fan. That is plenty big enough for anyone (in my humble opinion).

Celticharper

I have downsized to a 24" bag and a 21" carryon. I like the idea of having two bags only because I want to have a change of clothing in my carryon for when my main suitcase is lost, as it inevitably is.

I also like the fact that I can pack the 21" and bring it into each hotel as we travel and not have to schlep two suitcases in and out.

Though I have packed with only the 21" for several days, unfortunatly my camera equipment takes up half of the suitcase so I am forced to take two. My preference is still the 21" & a smaller large handbag style carryon.

ellenem

TinaLee, I am plus size and travel all the time, 2 week trips and more, with a 22-inch bag and a shoulder strap carry-on. I wouldn't get any suitcase bigger for myself--to unwieldy on trains and such. I won't use a bag I can't lift above my head fully packed without help. Take less and wear it more.

OReilly

I travel out with one 28" Samsonite double-sided spinner, which usually has about 6 pairs of shoes, and can generally keep the weight under 50lbs. Best suitcase I have ever owned! I bring an extra soft bag for my return.

I travel for 10-14 days at a time, have both business and pleasure clothes. I know some people are brilliant at packing light, but I am not one of them. I could not manage with a 26 inch. If you buy the "spinner" (there are two versions and I highly recommend the double-sided), you don't have to drag it, you just "walk" it - no stress on your back.

Here's the model:

http://us.samsonite.com/webapp/us/se...pinner&pc=


Make sure you understand the rules re total weight for your particular airline.

Seamus

Something else to keep in mind - clothes actually travel better if they move around less, so having things packed a bit more tightly in a smaller bag is not a bad thing.

Ronda

Trust me, the smaller the bag you have for Venice the better. You have to get it on and off the boats, possibly up and down stairs on the bridges, and over cobblestones. And then there is the possibility if it rains you will have to walk on those platforms.

Trophywife007

Perhaps it depends on how deep your bag is, but I would think that it would be entirely too easy to exceed the weight allowance with a 28 inch. My Tumi is only 24 inches, but is 12 inches deep including the suiter and I could easily exceed 50 lbs using it. DH's 26 inch bag is usually over the 70 lb. BA limit on the return trip and he has to off-load into a duffle.

Choose wisely - you'll be living with your investment for a long time!

FauxSteMarie

Personally, I do not own any suitcase larger than 26". Large ones tend to be unwieldy to move around with. If I need to pack a few more things, I take a carry on (which I may have to check). I also always put one of those collapsible bags inside my suitcase just in case I need it when returning.

Do not take more than 2 pairs of shoes and a pair of flip flops and you can easily use a smaller bag. Also, you can always get laundry done once a week somewhere. There are many laundromats where you can just leave your clothes off and they will wash, dry and fold them for you.

Do not bring anything that needs to go to the dry cleaners.

hazel1

TinaLee - I'd have to agree with your husband. I have a 29" suitcase currently gathering dust in my garage that I consider good for storing comforters and pillows only, because the last time I packed it, it wasn't even close to full when it hit 50 lbs.

Gretchen

Get a 22" expandable to 24" and be creative in packing. Love my Atlantic--has made many trips of multiple weeks.

FauxSteMarie

My oversize suitcases, by the way, were cleaned out of the attic a long time ago. They went to a consignment shop. I didn't bother registering to get a few dollars. I just donated them and got them out of the house. When packed, you just can't lift them.

janisj

24" if you are checking, 21" or 22" if you carry on - are all the bigger one needs.

By the time you get up to 28" you are almost automatically over 50lb - and that is where most airlines are headed for standard weight allowance. Plus big bags are hell to get on/off trains, don't fit in European car trunks, are really hard to carry on the metro/tube/buses or lift off the luggage carousel.

LoveItaly

Hi TinaLee, I am another one that has a 29inch suitcase. It now is used to store my extra bed pillows. I too donated all my other luggage a couple of years ago.

I am going to buy a 24inch suitcase. I was thinking of buying a 22inch but in that "what will be allowed as carryon in the future?" I have decided a 24inch will be better and yet a size I can handle. I will check it in of course and than deal with whatever is allowed for carryon.

Fodorite018

The largest suitcase I use for traveling is a 22". I have a 26" that has only been used for moving. It sits in the closet otherwise.

LoveItaly--I love your idea for the big suitcase! Why didn't I think to make it useful??? LOL!