bramsole

O.K., I know that this topic has been discussed over the years, but I need new luggage. I have been using a Victrinox Werk ever since they came out. It received great review everywhere. I absolutely hate it. That skinny handle flips the suitcase and then you have to stop, flip it back and try to keep moving. You cannot fit a top bag on the handle because it is so skinny, it just falls around to the bottom. This luggage refuses to die, but we are going to retire it and move on to something smaller and hopefully better. It is a 22 inch.
When we travel to Europe and change to Air France, I am afraid that the 22 inch won't make it as a carryon on the jump from Paris to Florence.
Does anyone have any suggestion for a lightweight 19-20 inch suitcase? I went to the Air France website and it was very vague about the size...Sometimes the larger cases get through and other times they are sent to the bowels of the airplane.. This is one reason I want new luggage. We are carryon people and from now on will be going on 2-3week jaunts and need to downsize. Thanks so much, Brownley

yk

You may want to check out the Heys X-case which weighs under 5lbs:
http://www.fodors.com/community/air-...omment-2337313

I would err on the side of safety and get a 19" instead of 20". Many carryons "claim" that they are 20" but when you include wheels and handles, they can be as long as 21.5 or 22", which will fail the size restrictions.

bramsole

YK, Thanks so much for the timely reply. I had looked at the Heyes, but I can't wrap my mind around a hard suitcase. No extra stuffing, which is one of my bad habits. I do like the look of it though.
I do want to downsize to a 19", but it is almost like breaking up with your current boyfriend, 22", and going with a younger guy. Breaking up is hard to do, but it must be done.
I was hoping someone would say, "Go get this bag, it is perfect for you." Silly, I know.
thanks again, Brownley

yk

I can tell you that last year, I downsized from a 21" to a 19" because of the luggage restrictions.

This was the best thing I've done in a long time!

My 21" measured 22.5" from wheels to handles, so when the airlines started cracking down on carryon suitcases (so that they can charge you $15 for checked luggage), I decided it was time to go smaller.

The 19" fits in the airline luggage sizer, and it is much easier for me to handle, since I am just 5'2". What I got was a TravelPro 19". I got it at a clearance place, so I got a good price for it, though it wasn't as light as I had wanted. I think it weighs between 7-8lbs empty.

In any case, I've had the 19" for over 6 months now and have used it on 6 trips (both short and long). I never looked back and never missed my 21".

travelgourmet

Well, the hard-sided cases are the lightest ones you will find. Otherwise, you might want to go with something truly soft-sided, like the Mandarina Duck isi line or even a basic wheeled duffel. Be forwarned, though, that the monopole that you don't like is becoming standard.

While noting that you don't like the monopole, I will recommend the Samsonite Pro-DLX line, which is good quality and has a really thoughtfully designed interior. You can get a 20" version, I think. They have straps that enable you to put their laptop cases over the handle and keep it from spinning around.

As to whether your bag gets sent to the hold is strictly up to the agent. You will almost certainly be over the weight limit. Even the 55cm Samsonite X'Lite, which is about as light as wheeled luggage gets weighs just under 3 kg. Air France only gives you 12 kg in allowance, and you've already given up 25% of your allotment on the bag. A more traditional bag, like the Samsonite Pro-DLX, weighs in at 3.6 kg.

In my experience, if you are going to be asked to have your bag checked, the deciding criteria for the agents is wheels vs no wheels, because they know that, if it has wheels, that it is almost certainly over the weight limit. I don't think being off an inch here or there is nearly as big of a deal, because measuring is too much of a hassle and it is harder to eyeball 21" vs 22" than wheels = overweight.

yk

Just another point of view here:

Several of my recent trips (within the last 6 months) were domestic, flying American Airlines. More than twice I was asked to put my 19" carryon into the luggage sizer at the boarding gate to ensure that it fits.

Last year when flying out of Heathrow, I also witnessed passengers being asked to place their carryon luggage into the Heathrow sizer (which is smaller than the "standard" US Airline sizer).

As I've said, my 19" TravelPro (with wheels) weighs around 7-8 lbs. When fully packed, it weighs about 20 lbs. So if I were to fly Air France, I will have no problem staying within their weight allowance.

bramsole

Thanks ya'll! I have a couple of questions please.
yk, could you tell me where you bought your travelpro luggage? I would like to look in to that brand.

Travelgourmet, please tell me more about the monopole business. I can't believe they are headed that way, the luggage is much less stable with the slender handle.

Yk, I WILL reduce my bag thanks to your positive reply. Thanks again, Brownley

Jean

We've finally given up on our long-standing carry-on-only policy. Each airline, airport and agent seems to have their own inconsistently applied rules. We check one wheelie bag each and hope for the best, and we carry on one small bag each with a change of clothes and a few basic toiletries. So far (knock wood), there have been no problems, and we've come to like boarding the plane with just a small bag.

Briggs & Riley 22" no-frills, non-expanding "box on wheels"

travelgourmet

bramsole - Well the monopole looks cool and it takes up less interior space. There are certainly some brands that continue with the traditional handles, but they seem to be the more staid (and heavier) brands like Briggs & Riley and Travelpro. Personally, I haven't had any problems with the monopole, but I understand what you mean about the twisting problems.

yk

Brownley - Many stores carry TravelPro luggage. Here's their website showing the carryon-size:
http://www.travelpro.com/viewByStyle...e=Rollaboards#

Mine is similar in look and weight to the Walkabout Lite, but mine was the Crew5 (or Crew6?) series which has been discontinued. The website also has a "Where to Buy" tab.

I bought mine at one of those discount stores - either TJMaxx or Marshalls - and it was fairly cheap because it was discontinued product. The reason I prefer buying in a store is because I bring my measuring tape with me so that I know the dimensions exactly - something you can't always trust on websites.

In any case, I still wish my suitcase were lighter when empty, but for the price I paid I guess I can't be too picky. In terms of quality, the TravelPro is pretty good. The material they use is thick and sturdy (perhaps that explains the weight), and mine is still in very good shape after 6 trips.

P.S. I'm someone who uses public transportation and walks a lot. My suitcase has been dragged on cobblestone streets or regular sidewalks for at least several miles in the last few months.

bramsole

Jean, I know what you mean. I traveled to Pennsylvania last month and checked my bag. I was carrying cornmeal to out kids. A hard to find itam in Pa. you know. I took my purse on board and a book. What a joy that was!
When we trip travel, I must carry three or four books to read along the way.
Travelgourmet: That is exactly what I mean. That twisting and turning. It works great for a while and then wham-oh, I am struggling to upright the silly thing.
Yk: You are shopping my favorite stores. I'll keep an eye out there. I do love a discount bargain.
Right now, I am thinking about finding one for me and letting Dh carry the 22" and deal with all the issues, if any that he incurs.
Thanks everybody for the luggage ideas. B.

macinpv

Eagle Creek Hovercraft 22" 7 lbs 6 oz. I have used it for multiple trips to Europe and all over the U.S.

CarolA

Kind of unrelated.

Has anyone checked at Heyes case? I am considering one but since I am going to be traveling with my mother I might as well check. (I have her down to a 24" and that's as SMALL as we are going to get LOL!)

Wasn't sure how well these would check.

I have both a 22" Vitronix (that unlike the first poster I love) and a 21" Rick Steves (that I also like, but find it's not good for business travel as it tends to 'tip over' if you attach your briefcase to the front)

yk

CarolA - there are lots of reviews of the Heys X-case on ebags.com. You can sort through them and see if there are comments on checking them:
http://www.ebags.com/heys_usa/xcase_...?modelid=56285

One thing about the TravelPro I have - it is designed to tilt towards the handle bar, so even if you attach a briefcase to the top, it won't tip over because of the design.

tuscanlifeedit

My Heys Hybrid weighs LESS than the Heys hardside luggage. Sadly it only comes in three piece sets, but Heys Canada told me to go to a shop that sells their lines, and I could order the 19" outside of the set.

I would have done that, but found someone selling the 19" Heys Hybrid on ebay. What a score. It is the lightest piece of luggage that I have ever owned and I love it. About 4 lbs.

CarolA: you and your mother could split the Heys Hybrid set that is on ebags and a bunch of other places.

I also have an EagleCreek 18" rolling piece, but it doesn't hold as much as my Heys 19".

crckwc1

For what it's worth - I just bought a 20" Heys 4WD, (4 wheels), but haven't actually used it yet. Weighs just over 6 lbs and has an expansion feature that will add an extra 2 inches to the capacity. It has a "normal" handle that will accommodate a smaller tote bag. It probably won't pass the carry-on sizing since overall it measures about 22-1/2" but I intend to check anyway, so for me it's no big deal. In preliminary packing, it seems to hold almost as much as my heavy, old 22". I bought it at SteinMart for about $100, half of suggested retail.

bramsole

Alright ya'll, let me ask ya'll another question. I am flying Delta next fall to Paris and on to Florence on
Air France. I have my 22" roller Victrinox Werk. If I piggy-back on the matching tote will that be two much for carryon? I have been studying the web and I have traveled with those two bad boys before, but now I am a little concerned. I could carry a tote, but that would mean huffing it across CDG with a arm load and pulling as well.

I understand the need to pack light, really I do. I just don't know how women do it. I'm the one carrying the hairproducts, for both, make-up, and Lord have mercy... At this age I need all the goose juice on my face I can get. I've got the moisturizer, the sunscreen, lotion, soap, (I can't stand those tiny hotel bars), ya'll get the picture.

I don't want to go to Europe and hit the drugstore first thing. I understand a lot of people think that is a treat, but not me.

Travelsmith or Magellan had tiny paper products that were shanpoo, conditioner, handcleaner and lotion. I'm thinking of trying something like that. That would lighten the packing and take care of the liquid issue.

I also understand it doesn't matter what I carry if I am breaking my back trucking it all around. Edit, edit, edit. Oh, to be a man with a duffle! B.

I also am going to quit obsessing about this, I always think someone has a better mousetrap than me!!

crckwc1

I just found the Heys Flylite Extreme Hybrid luggage at www.luggage4less.com and the pieces are available separately as well as in a set. I might try the 20" and compare it to the 4WD before deciding. Hmmmm

MademoiselleFifi

If you travel often and can put up with your old luggage for one more trip, you may want to wait and shop in Europe, where there's a much bigger selection of smaller, lighter luggage. In Florence, I saw lots of beautiful light-weight suitcases at reasonable prices (north side of the Arno, a block or two west of the Ponte Vecchio). In Paris, at Printemps, I bought a collapsible 21" by Lipault that weights only 2.2 kilos (4.85 pounds)-- can't wait to try it out on my next trip.

Always bring a tape measure when shopping for luggage-- it's never exactly what the tag says. In the US, the real measurement is usually 1 1/2 to 2 inches over what they call it, while in Europe it's sometimes a little under. Watch the width too-- the side that needs to be under 14" for most airlines-- that's where many brands are oversized.

travelgourmet

<i>I have my 22" roller Victrinox Werk. If I piggy-back on the matching tote will that be two much for carryon?</i>

Air France says you can have 1 carry on + 1 personal item. Again, the issue will be weight, as the total of the two can't be more than 12 kg. On the way over, I don't anticipate too much of a problem. You should be able to get onto the Delta flight with it and I think the likelihood of Air France forcing you to check it at the gate are probably pretty small.

The times I have had trouble is at check-in. At some airports, Air France actually tags your carry-ons to verify that you are within the requirements. It is at this point that they would be most likely to force you to check. But at some airports, the check-in staff simply don't seem to care, so you may coast through.