i_am_kane

I would appreciate recommendations for children ranging in ages 8 - 12. We will be traveling (mostly by train) in Italy for two weeks. Birthdays are coming up, and I want to buy luggage for my grandchildren.

The kids will probably want the flexibility of wheels and a backpack. Weight is important with those young backs.

Tulips

Samsonite has a wonderful children's range of furniture. Otherwise Kipling; do not know if you have that where you live, but it's very popular with children here (Belgium, Holland); great colours, lightweight. They have backpacks that come with wheels too.

Tulips

Sorry, what am I thinking. Luggage of course, not furniture.

i_am_kane

That's okay, Tulips. Your intentions were good.

I should also mention that price is not terribly important. (However, I won't go "over the top."

mjs

I am afraid I have never understood the appeal of the combo luggage with wheels and backpack. The concept has always struck me as flawed in that to me they do not seem to work well as a backpack or even as luggage. If you are young and on a budget and doing alot of hitchhiking and walking about alot to save money on transportation a backpack is perfect. A combo luggage tends to be alot heavier and sometimes more expensive and not as good as a regular backpack. On the other hand if what you are doing in traveling is trains and planes and cars, luggage on wheels makes the most sense. These considerations are particularly true with 8 to 12 year olds as you probably do not want them carrying 20 lbs or more of luggage on their backs. A 22 inch rollaway in my opinion makes the most sense for the kind of traveling you are talking about. This kind of luggage could be used for travel for as long as it lasts. Most families that travel can usually afford to pay for a few taxis from the airport or train station to/from the hotel/apartment as it often is not that much more than buying several tickets on public transportation and alot more convenient. We bought 22 inch expandable rollaways when my children were the exact age as your grandchildren and they have lasted well for 5 years through multiple trips to Italy, Greece, France, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Ireland, England, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Texas, Hawaii ....... We bought Swiss but they are alittle heavy and abit expensive even on sale. You might look at Travel Pro or REI for reasonable choices.

StCirq

When my kids were 8 they each had a smaller-than-normal (maybe 18"?) roll-on that worked fine. They still use those tiny roll-ons for really short trips. They're very colorful, with bold stripes. They had their clothes in that and also carried a backpack with books, games, snacks, etc.
By the time they were 12, they used a normal 22" roll-on plus the backpack.
I agree that those backpack combo things don't seem to work very well as either backpack or regular luggage.

i_am_kane

mjs, Your comments were well-thoughtout. We will have limo service from the airport to the hotel, as well as the return to the airport.

The children will be hoisting the luggage up train steps, onto a hydrofoil, and onto a vaporetto. All the adults will certainly help them , if needed.

Since the trip is two weeks long, I am now inclined to investigate only the lightest, most durable rollabouts.

MaureenB

We have two kids, and have found they always need a small daypack to carry the items they will want to access on the train/plane or in the car-- i.e. books, iPod, etc. Such a small daypack does not need wheels, as it shouldn't be too heavy and will probably be carried on their backs. Then, for clothing and toiletries, a duffel bag or pack with wheels would be best. I agree a backpack with wheels doesn't make a lot of sense to adults, but I know my teen son likes his and will use it-- while he thinks a rolling "suitcase" is way too uncool! It's important to consider what the kids want, and if they're boys or girls-- otherwise they'll not use the item cheerfully! If you check with their parents and/or other kids their ages, it could give you more specific ideas. Just don't go cutesy for those ages, or they'll die of embarassment! And check the wheels-- they need to be quiet and well-made.

wills

I vote for a travelpro suitcase and a small backpack (personal item in airline speak.) Travelpro makes a solid product that lasts and it will go over cobblestones, up steps etc. They can also be repaired, in the event of rough usage. Anyway, it's what I use for my 7&10 year old and it has gone over seas, hills and across country. Hope this helps.

astein12

Sorry, I had a suggestion but I thought that you were looking for luggage to put the children IN! Now I realize that you're looking for luggage for when you travel WITH kids...

i_am_kane

Thanks everyone. I just got back from the store. I thought I bought the TravelPro Lite, which is less expensive, but when I got home, the tag indicated it was a TravelPro Crew5, which is double the price.

I called Filene's and the salesman said, it scanned as a Lite ($100 cheaper), BUT the Crew5 is too heavy for my granddaughter. So, I'm keeping my "bargain," and going back to the store to purchase the TravelPro lite for her birthday.

You can always use another suitcase.

Thanks everyone.