I am new to a role that will require 90% travel - generally the trips will last between 3-7 days, all be airline-used. I have yet to buy a suitcase and do not want to spend more than $150 or so (after a discount I hope) on a bag. So my questions are...

1. What is the most durable/practical case I could get in that price range?

2. What size would best acommodate trips ranging from 3-7 days?

Thanks a bunch!

Do you need business clothes along? Like suits? Or many changes of shoes? Are you male or female?

Generally I'd go with a 24" with rollers for a one week trip. But my flights are always for pleasure, not business, so maybe you need a bit larger?

Just shop at a Marshall's, TJ Maxx or similar. They have all the name brands, all styles at huge discounts. Or even a Macy's luggage sale certain brands will be that price range.

I pay attention to the weight of the suitcase empty. Some of the fancy high-priced brands are also terribly heavy!

Im a guy, business travel, and was looking at 26" Delsey. Is that a pretty good brand? I need something that's gonna hold up well for weekly airline usage. I was told to stick away from brands like Amerian Tourister and some of the "designer" names like Kenneth Cole, London Fog, etc.

For a man and business yes I think a 26" is an appropriate size. I would go to a luggage shop in person and look at the different options. I wouldn't pick by brand name alone.

Well, 26 inch sounds a bit big to me. the first question is whether you're going to check a bag, or will try to go for carry-on only. If you google you'll find several places with detailed packing advice. You might start here: http://www.onebag.com/

Most male business travelers manage w/ rollaboards (22 inches or smaller) at least for trips of a week or less. Carry on only.

You don't want to have important business meetings while your luggage is lost or delayed.

A suit, sports coat (worn on the plane) another pair of slacks and 4 or 5+ dress shirts plus whatever else you need. Easy in a rollaboard. Some 21/22 inchers have 'suiter' features.

Meant to add, the longer you travel, the easier it will be - you'll learn lots of the tricks many of us use.

See the movie "Up in the Air"...seriously!

I'm an inveterate overpacker, and take a 25-26" only on trips longer than a week.

There are some really good deals on luggage at Marshall's, TJMaxx, and Macy's (on sale at the moment).

Ebags is a terrific resource for reviews - not so much for specific bags, but what people do and don't like about various features or lack thereof.

The real trick is to assemble a terrific travel wardrobe and get the toileries under control. Most new to travel bring far greater quantities than necessary to haul (and use excess even at home).

When choosing a bag, you want it to be extremely sturdy, but as lightweight as possible (empty, obviously).

When collecting your travel clothing, all should not only be comfortable, versatile, and packable, but also what you most enjoy wearing, so don't mind repeating all.

(I could be wrong but) I was assuming this was for business travel that would require suits, fresh shirts each day, tie, dress shoes. Plus casual clothes, gym clothes, etc. for off hours.

"<i>I was assuming this was for business travel that would require suits, fresh shirts each day, tie, dress shoes. Plus casual clothes, gym clothes, etc. for off hours.</i>"

Me too. Can be done in a 22 incher. I get lots of business travelers in my packing classes - - suit and another pair of slacks in the suitcase, sports coat and jeans or casual slacks worn on the plane. Bulkiest pair of shoes worn on the plane. Several dress shirts and casual polos or whatever fits the OP's style.

A 24 incher is a bit easier - takes a bit less planning/coordinating. But then there's the risk of it going missing, so he'd have to wear a suit on the flight (just to make sure he has one on arrival) but that does nothing for it's appearance.

Actually, I would not recommend a 22-inch suitcase. You should stick to something no larger than 21 inches that can be carried on. Otherwise, you're going to be spending the larger part of your life waiting in baggage claim for your luggage.

I have a friend who travels this much and he never carries more than a 21-inch.

FYI: Don't limit yourself to $150. You want your bag to be:
1. Durable - in 6 months you;re going to be using your bag as much as a regular traveler does in a lifetime.
2. Lightweight - You have to carry this thing around with you.
3. Sturdy - Ultimately, you'll have to check it sometime.
4. As small as humanly possible - so you can carry on more planes. You'll need to learn to pack lightly and effectively.

Some people would recommend a bag without wheels, something like an Airboss or a Tri-zip. A lot of people will want something sturdy with wheels. I don't think you necessarily have to get a $500 Tumi bag (though one on sale for 50% off from an outlet would certainly be a good investment ... I've had mine since 2002, and it's been all around the world, often checked and even repaired once).

If you get a 26-inch or 24-inch suitcase, I think you are, frankly and honestly, just crazy if you are going to be a serious almost full-time business traveler. These can never be carried onto planes. And a 22-inch bag may not be carried onto many planes. You might end up gate-checking fairly often until you get to elite level.

Depends on the airline -- 21 inch on some and 22 inch on others. To be on the safe side, get a 21 incher.

I absolutely agree with Doug about buying nothing bigger than a 21. I do respectfully disagree, though, about Tumi. I'm a Briggs girl myself.

Before you buy anything, go to FlyerTalk's travel products board and read up there. Tfar is a particularly knowledgable poster re luggage, cubes, suiters and exceptionally detailed packing instructions to maximize space/minimize wrinkles. Seriously, when I started traveling for business, FT became my bible.

I have a Delsey, and the reason I chose it was for the cushioned handle and it has double wheels. I've had it for four years and very durable so far with two trips to Europe and numerous road trips.

We have several of the 21" rollaboard Rick Steve's bags. They are lightweight, meet the carryon size requirements, and are extremely durable. My DH has taken over one of them and swears by it. He doesn't need a suit most of the time, but has done that. Usually it is slacks and button down shirts, etc. There is plenty of room for clean clothes each day as well as his few toiletries (he does carryon only about 80% of the time) and his gym clothes and manages fine.

If you're going to be traveling that much buy a suitcase that will hold up with an excellent warranty. I believe Briggs and Riley is the one that offers a lifetime gaurantee.

Usually, I would say to buy a bag at Marshalls but you'll be using the heck out of this one. Spend the money once. Go to a luggage store and get someone to show you the features of the high end suiters before making a choice. Talk about warranties too.

I think going to a good luggage store is an excellent idea in this situation. I'll bow to others who know more about this kind of packing, that a 21-22" carryon can be done.

I have a 21" rollerboard and a rolling tote - both by Rick Steves. I've had the rollerboard for about 4 years and am very happy with it. The rolling tote, I've had for about 3 years.

For 2-4 day trips, the rolling tote is often sufficient. For longer trips, I use the 21". This way, I always have the option to carry-on my luggage. Occasionally I have to take a longer trip and I take both - check the 21" and carry on the rolling tote.

Oh - another consideration. If you will be in one location for a couple days, you can always send your laundry out so that you can get by with fewer clothes. It is an added expense, but depending you your company's policies, it may be expensable.

For domestic business travel, I always went with a wheeled carry-on and my laptop bag, waiting for baggage pick up wastes valuable time. Make sure you get a carry-on that has a few compartments to help you organize your contents. I allways roll my clothes to deter the wrinkles and it saves space. Also, get a bag with outside compartments to stick tickets and reading material in for easy access. If necesswary, I can stick my incidentials in my laptop bag. This site seems to have some good info in carry-on bags http://www.22carryon.com Hope this helps and good luck in your new position.