Wow, isn't it amazing what variety of opnions you get on a pretty simple question?! Chalk some of it up to individual taste.<BR>How strong you need it depends somewhat on how you're going to use it & how often. Since you specifically asked about durability, I assume you'd like to buy a bag & not have to worry about replacing it any time soon.<BR>I used to travel 80% of the time in my old job, so have a lot of experience with a lot of bags.<BR>I've owned Target stuff - 1 surly baggage handler and your undies are all over the carousel. If you're going to spend enough to buy the best they have, you may as well spend a LITTLE more and get something that will last forever.<BR>I also agree with the "don't pay the bucks for a brand" crowd. But let's be very careful about defining what that means. It means don't pay extra JUST for a name. It does NOT mean that anything costing more than anonymous crap at Target isn't worth the extra money.<BR>I don't care how long it lasts, as expensive as Louis Vuitton is you have most definitely paid extra just for a name. There is other, much cheaper luggage that will last a lifetime. If LV says something about you that you value, then feel free to buy it if it's actually that good. We shouldn't pass value judgments & you should recognize WHY you've spent that money.<BR>I went through 3 Tumis in 3 years. Zipper broke twice, then the handle broke. They do stand behind their products, replaced each time (though I had to pay $15 shipping & handling & be without a suitcase for 2 weeks). But if I pay that much for a bag it's so I don't have to hassle with that.<BR>I had a Hartman, which I liked feature-wise, but all that leather trim is destroyed quickly.<BR>For the past 3 years I've had a Land's End ballistic carryon, & haven't had any problems at all. Several folks have mentioned the features to look for; you'll find them on many cheaper and more expensive bags but this is the one I'd swear by. Look for:<BR>&gt; Ballistic nylon fabric<BR>&gt; Roller blade wheels that are a good 3" or more in diameter<BR>&gt; Hard, solid protective plastic housing around & above the wheels, so that if you have to pull it over something (stairs, curbs, into the rental car bus) the bag/handle don't get beat up<BR>&gt; Chunky, wide, strong zippers<BR>&gt; Handle is protected from damage but also not taking up too much space inside<BR>&gt; 1-touch mechanism to put the handle up & down, should be ON the handle so you can do it with 1 hand<BR>&gt; Protective material around the corners since they get the most friction and will wear out without it<BR>I personally think the little suit foldout attachments that they make are useless & don't in any way prevent wrinkles.<BR>As for price, the 22" Lands End bag is right around $200 and sometimes they have them in overstocks for closer to $100 (my husband got his for $99; it was a return that had someone else's monogram on it but that makes it easy to spot on the carousel!). It would be a value at twice the price (the comparable Tumi is over $500).<BR>Hope that helps - happy travels!

My aunt's ex-husband. That man could protect and carry anything. I miss him, but she doesn't.

I have a couple Tumi pieces and love them. Not only durable and well designed but also stylish with being too obnoxious - it is after all, luggage.

Lots of good, varied suggestions...<BR><BR>I travel a lot. I go the cheapie route. Haven't had any problems with them falling apart. But I always carry on, which helps. I buy from TJ Maxx, and the like.<BR><BR>My suitcase is Olympia. $39. I love it for one reason...it has a "cup holder". A little zip up mesh pocket on the side meant to hold water bottles. Very, very convenient, since I never travel without a water bottle!<BR><BR>Also, this isn't as much of an issue anymore (since wheels are now of the rollerblade variety) but make sure the wheel base is pretty wide...otherwise, the bag teeters a lot.

Replying to xxx, and her query on Louis Vuitton luggage: Im sure the quality of Louis Vuitton is just as good today as it was in 1929. Afterall, who would pay $10,000 for a steamer trunk that was a piece of "crap?" <BR><BR>Im also sure that the "cheap" LV luggage you see people carting around is faux. When I was in Beijing, I saw an entire street market with nothing but ersatz LV and Prada bags and luggage.<BR><BR>That plastic that you complain about actually waterproof canvas (on real LV) and serves the purpose of keeping the luggage dry. Imagine if the surface of the luggage was real leather. It would be ruined in a month.<BR><BR>You have to realize Louis Vuitton started out making travelling trunks for the aristocracy, which would be loaded onto the back of a carriage. They would have been completely useless if not resistant to the weather. <BR><BR>Today, Monsieur Arnault has turn Louis Vuitton into a luxury brand, appealing to the masses who want to pass themselves off as a Biddle or a Radziwill. <BR><BR>You can too, with the help of your Platinum AMEX card. If not, you can always buy a fake on Canal Street, darling.

If you are going to travel once or twice a year, anything that you buy will last a long time. <BR><BR>My advice is to buy a light piece without the bells and whistles which only add weight. I would emphasize portability rather than durability.<BR><BR>Consumers Reports Dec 2001 has a good review of luggage which is unbiased and based on considerable experience.<BR><BR>Good luck on trying to pack all the "necessary things" in 2 pieces of luggage.

The problem with investing in durable luggage is that as elvira points out, there is no 1 bag that fits every kind of trip. <BR><BR>After paying for both 'quality' and 'cheap' I now travel with a zipper repair kit, which allows one to replace broken tabs. A good bag is one that can be repaired easily and quickly. Rather like travelling with a notebook versus a laptop. You drop the notebook in the bathtub, you can dry out the sheets eventually, but the laptop is history.

Sue<BR>where did you find the zipper repair kit?

We bought TravelPro Professional series luggage three years ago. We travel often and it has held up very well - it is quite expensive though.

Elaine, we found it at a store specializing in outdoor gear, sports clothes, etc. I'll try to remember to get the name of the manufacturer next time I'm in the shop.

thanks

Thanks a lot for all the valuable infos. I surely need to do some homework and shop around. Thanks again everybody. Wish you all have a great 4th July long weeken!!

topping again<BR>

I vote for my $20 roll-around K-mart suitcase. I have had it for 10 years and at least 100 trips. Mostly I do carry on but sometimes must check it when luggage room is nonexistant or one airline (Lufthansa) says it weighs too much. It's still going strong, rolls great, repels water and the zippers take much abuse and overpacking. When it dies I'm off to K-mart for another (unless K-mart dies).