I am going to Italy in June for the first time. I am looking for lightweight or flyweight luggage suggestions-28 to 30 inch. I have looked at the Eagle Creek Rolling Duffle but the cubic inches looks smaller than the standard luggage. Do duffles normally pack less? Any suggestions or experience would be greatly appreciated.

Get a 21" or 22" bag.

"Lightweight" and "flyweight" have nothing to do with "28 to 30 inch" luggage.

Although the weight of any piece of luggage (empty) IS important, taking a suitcase larger than 22" on a trip to Europe is a certain recipe for you to curse the day you were born.

See my post (and that of others) on http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34486344

Best wishes,

Rex

I take a 25" - 26" roller bag and wouldn't really want anything bigger than that to travel with. But everyone has their own luggage preferences.

QVC has some nicely priced luggage sets. I purchased a 3-piece set of Atlantic luggage that is pretty lightweight - for $80.

We normally take a 26" and 27" bag on trips of 2 weeks or more and haven't experienced any real problems, but many people apparently have physical issues that make this difficult for them. Consider how many times you'll be getting on and off trains, checking in and out of hotels, etc. We normally stay in places for at least 3 or 4 nights, so it's not a daily issue for us to be dealing with luggage.

Another poster who questions the need for such a gigantic suitcase! I use a 22" for 3 weeks in Europe. Last trip tried a 24" and found it a bit big, especially for getting on and off trains.

If you truly need that much room I'd consider two smaller pieces (i.e., a 24-22" rolling suitcase with a 18-19" that piggybacks on top of it.

If you decide (against all the good advice that will be posted here against it!) on a 30 inch then I would switch to a normal "suitcase" Samsonite style hardside with rollers (the shells are actually lighter than softsided, zippered, pocketed models).

I would never get a duffle bag that big, especially a rolling one. Too floppy and hard to handle.

Has anyone tried those new Samsonite spinners? They look very easy to use.

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/sto...p;guideId=7753

LL Bean has great luggage of any size, all is totally guaranteed, you can return or exchange it at any time for any reason. All are reasonably priced as well, I'd check it out!

By all means, go with a 22" bag. It might be more difficult in January because your clothes will be heavier, but in June, you can easily fit everything into a 22". The new Samsonite seems very nice.

After reading the "how to pack light" posts, I decided to try it on my recent trip to Switzerland. I bought a 22" expandable Delsey. My friends warned me to bring warm stuff because it had been so cold.

I packed 1 pr. dress slacks, 1 pr. jeans, 3 tops, 2 sweaters, 1 pr. shoes, silk long johns, vest, hat, scarf, socks, undies, sleep wear, the toiletries I don't carry on, gifts for my friends and more stuff I don't remember! I also had a small carry on tote. It was easy to handle and I still overpacked!!

I searched for the right bag for three weeks and found it ($40 TJ Maxx) the night before I left. If you pick the right one for you, it works. You will be so happy not to lug aroung that big bag!!

Make that AROUND.

Wow, a 22 inch for a 2 week stay in Europe! I'm will be moving each day with a tour group, there will be no time to wash clothing, can I get 14 blouses, 7 pants (if I wear them 2 days), undies, and everything else necessary for a 2 week trip? I have 2 herniated discs and although the case will be on wheels there will be some lifting, therefore I am looking for the lightest weight available. Thanks for the suggestions. Bren

Bren--on many tours, your luggage is handled for you. Check on what is included in your tour.