I love our Rick Steve's bags. They are extremely durable and not expensive at all, and not heavy. We do carryon only, so the largest we go is 21". We have a few of these, and the one I use we have had for 13 years so far. My husband actually uses a hard sided tiny one from Costco most of the time. It is one that is designed to fit underneath the seat in front of you. I found it for $29, and figured it would be good for his 1-2 day work trips, but he has taken it on 6 trips to Europe this year, for up to 10 days at a time.

hi schmerl, hi jubilada I got my first IT from TJ Maxx mostly because it has a cute print and was by far the lightest weight option available. I do have a second one of a slightly larger size (like a 24" and a 26"). And no they don't last a lifetime, because nothing so lightweight can be totally durable. But I'd rather pay $50 and replace when needed. There's just no way I'm paying a thousand bucks or even a few hundred bucks for a suitcase, especially if it is one that I am ever going to surrender to checked baggage on an airline.

If I traveled for business or carry-on only... well... oh never mind, I'd probably still go for IT anyway -lol!

I like the IT bags, too. However, our last trip involved the most restrictive carry on restrictions making the ITs 2 cm too tall (handle and wheels count). I found 2 old 2 wheelers that made the dimension limits because the wheels are inset instead of sticking out on the spinner cases. Got my 2 cm savings while the interior space was the same. Yes, spinners are easier to manage while walking, but at the expense of a significant loss of packing space. That said, we can get what we need to take in the IT bags so I still prefer them if I can use them on a particular trip.

With the strict weight limits on carry ons, my other most important desired feature is low weight. That means fewer or no dividers, packing features, pockets, extra handles and dodads. Simple is better, at least for me.

As for durability, in case of midtrip failure, there is always duct tape or purchase of a cheap replacement bag wherever you are. And having an expensive famous name bag makes you a theft target.

Thank you for the pictures and all of the recommendations!

Fun to think about something travel related and I hope we are able to use our luggage again soon, at least in 2020!

I haven't made a decision yet, am checking websites but I appreciate all of the ideas and suggestions!

Good point AJP, I've always thought that about 'designer' items for a purses or luggage. Seems not the smartest time to look like you have money (expensive suitcase = expensive items inside??).

My other suitcase rule... no solid black luggage.

Suze: Solid black is the color of most bags, mine included. I take brightly colored duct tape and run a racing stripe completely around the bag parallel to the zipper. It makes the bag easily identifiable while giving me an easy way to take duct tape on the trip.

Nope not for me. I just see no reason for black luggage. Trust me no one is grabbing mine in error. Certainly nothing wrong with your method either.

No matter how funky your bag may look the factory made many thousands of that pattern. Plus others in the same pattern but different sizes.

Most of the people grabbing the wrong bag are sleepy,stressed out and couldn't tell blue from black from dark red .

I have found that carefully selected, inexpensive luggage often holds up just as well as more costly brands, and I like different luggage for different trips, rather than one all-purpose piece. We have an attic full and still once in awhile add something. We have pieces for weekends, for cruises, for longer trips to Europe, etc. If we are going to be taking our own luggage through a lot of airports, then I like a spinner with a small carry on that fits on top. Lots of train travel in Europe, I like a narrow, duffel bag style but with trunk style opening on long side and two wheels. Car and visiting friends, something with lots of pockets to stay organized. Cruise, large with no extra pieces and we use packing cubes. It also depends on where we are going and if we are packing art supplies or things for the beach, etc. For me, choosing the luggage is a fun part of the trip and something new for up to a hundred dollars or so is just a little extra for the cost of the trip. I like Olympia for design and IT for weight, but have a dozen other brands.

No matter how funky your bag may look the factory made many thousands of that pattern. Plus others in the same pattern but different sizes.

My suitcase fabric is a pattern of purple, pink, black, and white geometric design. With a thick red 'samsonite' luggage strap around it. And an oversized hula girl and palm tree luggage tag. It's, uh, fairly distinctive -lol!

I definitely agree about different bags for different trips. The ITs I use for beach vacations where I pack generously (about 30 lbs packed) and check it thru. For Europe travel I'd go an entirely different route (I'd still probably look for a new IT but in a smaller size for train travel).

Dear Lynni,

My travel mostly revolves around going to the jungle, river and cycling trek - on sealed and off road. Hence, traveling light is crucial as the luggage needs to go for example from one boat to the other, or carried along the mountainous or jungle trail. A durable waterproof foldable hand luggage is what i trust. you can even fold this and put in your hard or soft sided luggage when you travel. For this i recommend the sustainably produced Ortlieb Waterproof travel bags.

Stay safe and once the world is healed, happy traveling.

Best wishes,
imwerren

My IT bag is a beautiful purple. I put a colored luggage strap around it and a bright orange luggage tag.
I doubt anyone would mistake my bag for theirs.

Curious -- what is the need for the luggage straps? I figure the purpose is to keep the bag from opening but does that ever happen to people? I rarely check a bag, so just wondering.

Yes, it does happen once in awhile. Zippers can break. It is just extra protection.

Correct the luggage strap is just an extra protection for the zipper(s) on a soft-sided bag, plus adds to easy identification... both.

Thanks! Not necessarily recommending Kenneth Cole luggage, but I just had a great customer service response. At the end of December, I bought at T.J.Maxx a $70, 24" clamshell luggage by Kenneth Cole. (We needed to pack hiking poles.) First flight - we checked the luggage at IAD. There were 3 separate flights to our first destination. Finally in Sri Lanka, we get the luggage & it's damaged. Our luggage had been lost and we didn't notice the damage until days later. I finally got around to dealing with this. I sent one email with photos and info to the Kenneth Cole Repair company. Within minutes I got back an apology and they are sending us a new suitcase. Now if only we could go somewhere!

Jeez suze....I was about the say the same thing. Big surprise!

Most of the people grabbing the wrong bag are sleepy, stressed out and couldn't tell blue from black from dark red.

I guess that's true, because one time a woman DID pick up my (above described) crazy suitcase off the conveyor belt. I couldn't believe it!!

As to the luggage strap, yes I have, just a few times, seen bags open up and people's clothes falling out at the luggage carousel.

re: luggage straps
Luggage straps saved us from emptying an entire suitcase and having to purchase an entire wardrobe.

We used hard sided luggage on a vacation trip and wrapped luggage straps around it mainly for easier identification. When we arrived at our home airport, the hard sided case looked like a forklift punctured it and the side as well as top locks were all popped open. Luckily I had used XXL Ziploc bags for packing. The luggage straps held the bag relatively closed (it had about a 1” gap all around, and the interior bags kept the contents from being strewn all over the airport.

they sure saved you!