Discounted luggage websites
 

I am shopping for a piece of luggage that I don't intend to use very often, a soft-sided duffle or backpack without wheels. Therefore, I'd like to spend as little as possible on it, within reason--I don't want to waste even a little money on something truly flimsy.

Can you suggest some discount websites, such as Campmor or Overstock? I have months to shop so I can haunt them :-)

I absolutely hate going into stores, and don't have a TJ Maxx near me, so brick and mortar stores seem unlikely to yield results.

Thanks in advance!

There is often luggage on sale on ebags.com

but honestly - if there is a TJMaxx, Marshall's or Ross near you, they will be as cheap or cheaper than even eBags. And the advantage is you can touch/feel/examine the piece.

Have you tried Amazon?

like janisj, I need to touch and feel and walk around with a new piece of luggage. it's nothing I'd ever try to buy online (unless you have free shipping BOTH directions).

I got a really good deal on my Samsonite luggage at www.suitcase.com. You might also want to check www.overstock.com as well.

I am a fan of ebays. I bought a gorgeous rolling laptop bag from them on sale and I get compliments on it every time I use it. It's the strangest thing - even men compliment it. Great service, great price, great quality.

Here's the roller -
http://www.ebags.com/product/mcklein...uctid=10033724

When I just went to their website, a popup said they are having a big sale right now - up to 65% off.

I like ebags, too, a lot. I have a carry on roller of theirs that is just ingeniously designed and it was not at all expensive.

I am still looking, but thank you all for the suggestions. Right now I really like this bag for my needs:
http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/...340-0&pcc=1128

I know Patagonia is probably worth the $120, I just didn't want to pay that much. Hence the quest for a website where I might find it for less.

Btw, the bag can't have rollers and should be soft-sided all around and must also be water-resistant, though not waterproof. One thing that's great about that Patagonia is that it has shoulder straps that would allow me to carry it like a backpack for short distances, like in the airport.

http://www.zappos.com/duffle-bags-on-sale~1

Quite a few choices at zappos. I'd not pay $120 for a duffle myself. We have a couple of Dakine bags, which really hold up well and look nice.

Thanks, Tab! I actually have a Dakine backpack, so thanks a lot for the reminder. I am now looking at this Dakine duffel:
http://www.zappos.com/dakine-womens-...-74l-medallion
$50 is a whole lot easier to contemplate than $120! Shoulder strap instead of backpack straps, but I don't think I need to pay $70 extra for backpack straps.

Dakine is well-made. Maybe you can keep looking for that one on sale.

I'll keep an eye out, but the Dakine has an outer pocket, which the Patagonia lacks, so I think I may have a winner :-) Thanks again!

Some of my favorite small luggage are the Swiss Gear series from Target. They carry pretty nice stuff anymore, at reasonable prices.

My favorite duffle, came from LL Bean. Their Adventure Duffle series are wonderful. Mine has been to China, Thailand, Tahiti, sailing the Caribbean, every winter to Mexico, three times to Africa and its still in good shape. With an LL Bean Visa card you used to be able to get free monograming, too.

Thanks for that, TC. The LL Bean Adventure duffles are slightly bigger than the Dakine I was looking at on Zappos (in the comparable size, that is), and about the same price. But the Dakine has a separate side compartment, which is ideal for a dirty pair of shoes, you know? Decisions, decisions...

NewbE, I just bought a Dakine roller bag like this one, at ebags. I got a more subtle and pretty print, which are now sold out.

http://www.ebags.com/product/dakine/...erunder/207233

With the sale, my purchase came to $99, including shipping and tax.

I know you don't want wheels, but you might find a good price at ebags.j

DH has the small duffel you post above, in a dark grey plaid. It is very sturdy. He uses it everyday to go to the gym.

I have two Dakine bags I use a lot: one is a large purse, the other is a larger version of that purse. The larger one fits my iPad and accessories, carry on necessities, books, and even my everyday purse, if I need to nest them for carryon.

Dakine is so well-made.

Thanks, Tab! I would actually like wheels just fine, but we were asked to avoid them if possible because the bags will be strapped to mules, and the guys find that if everyone has wheeled bags, positioning is tougher. Or so we were told, and we want to comply. I am definitely leaning towards Dakine, and I do keep an eye on eBags promos...

Good idea to be kind to the mules, NewbE!

Right! :-D

It sounds like the Campmor Essentials convertible bag would be what you're looking for. I've used this bag for numerous trips, and though low cost, it is holding up really well. The only issue everybody seems to have is the big white Campmor lettering. I used a black marker on this, so not too noticeable now.

Oops, the correct name is Campmor Essential Carryon.

Thanks, travlsolo2! The logo doesn't bother me, but I fear it will be too small for a 2 week trip. I have to think about the size of my bag pretty seriously, though, so this one goes on the list. Price is certainly right! Here's the link, in case anyone else is curious:
http://www.campmor.com/essential-carry.shtml

Big sale on the Dakine bag on ebay. Only $34.99/free shipping. Have a wonderful trip! (long url but should take you there)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DAKINE-Women..._qi=RTM1562569

Wow, thanks, wikoffclan! I bought it :-) Free returns, too, so if it turns out to be too small or something, I can send it back. Thanks very much!

Beware of fake stuff on ebay

ebags is always having a sale. My old suitcase lasted 3 years and developed a couple of holes. I have a number of suitcases at home I am using before buying anything new. The next oen up is a hot pink $50 bag bought in Sydney, Australia, when the handle broke off the bag I had.

No matter what you buy, it will not last long. I never use a bag larger than 26" if I am flying anywhere. Too much to lug when you get there. When you home exchange, you do not need a lot of stuff because you do laundry.

<No matter what you buy, it will not last long.>
This has not been my experience. I have never had a suitcase that lasted less than hundreds of trips, but all mine are Samsonite or eBags brand. Because the Samsonite carry a lifetime warranty, I was able to have a minor zipper problem repaired for free. That particular bag was used frequently for 15 years before that problem occurred, and is still going strong.

This is really why I won't buy some random brand for $50 at an outlet: I don't want to have to toss a bag after only a few years.

MissGreen, I agree. My purchase was through eBags eBay store, so definitely not a fake.

I've never had a bag fail or wear out -- but then I usually carry on so they seldom get tossed around.

I do get a new bag every so often, but because I get tired of the old one or want something '<i>sexier</i>' -- not because of wear/tear.

The old bags don't go to waste -- I teach packing classes so I use my old luggage for the demos.

I get new bags as circumstances change. Got the eBags carry on because I wanted to stop checking a bag; now I need this duffle.

Which, btw, is a good value at $35, but I wouldn't like to have paid more for it. The Dakine material feels sturdy, but the biggest pro is also the biggest con: it's very light and totally unstructured, and folds down to nothing when empty, all of which is perfect for my purposes, but may seem flimsy to someone else.

74l will be big enough, I've decided. Any bigger and I wouldn't be able to carry it!

Thanks to Tab for recommending it and to wikoffclan for the sale tip, and to all who gave advice.

I always check a bag when going overseas. No matter what I get, sooner or later, the bag hits the dust. It can be a broken handle, holes in the bag or a problem with the wheels. Even my Eagle Creek bag got killed by the airlines. Now I refuse to buy a new bag but am just using whatever I have (with wheels) in the house. I need to reduce the bags I have and I know the airlines will take care of that for me.

Glad you got it, NewbE. DH has that same bag in a dark grey plaid, which he uses everyday for the wellness center. It hasn't aged a bit. Very strong fabric.

I received my Dakine from eBags, too, and like it a lot. Got a 20% discount coupon from them for my next purchase. Which I don't need, if anyone wants it. I could e-mail it.

Well I have enjoyed this thread immensely because I, too, need to pack with a 33 lb limit for a trip to Africa. The limit is for the bush flights - also requesting soft sided luggage - but I am also spending a week in Cape Town before heading off of the 10-day Safari. I know I can meet the weight limit - but I don't have a duffel. So, what to buy? So I read this full thread - and chuckled at some of the angst ridden replies. C'mon traveling friends, this is just a travel forum! Be kind. Anyway, I got great leads for Dakini, North Face, LLBean, and Patagonia. In summary, it appears that I need something in the range of 12x12x26. Traveling light is liberating. Wheels are easier, but not for bush planes. And the elephants are waiting for me.

Just returned from another flight, using my Dakine bag
http://www.ebags.com/product/dakine/...erunder/207233
(mine's a different color pattern, but the same strong fabric)

It really holds up to the wear & tear of being checked, without any marks. I get compliments on it, and love that it's design stands out, so I don't worry about someone taking it by mistake. L

I love its 'split level' design, where both inside packing areas have a mesh zipper separator, and are equal sizes. It's easy to pack and to find things in.