Searched Fodors Forum: am interested in current info on best rollerbags only (no duffle bags, or bagpacks) to buy for travel as carry on.
Looking for comments the brand and model most interior space, durable, lightweight material best wheels from those who travel alot. Currently looking to buy, replace a Samsonite...

A few years ago we bought the 21" rolling Rick Steves bags. Those things have turned out to be fantastic bags! They weigh 7 pounds, so pretty lightweight. We only do carryon, and these have worked well with several trips to Europe as well as DH's weekly domestic trips he had for a while. Extremely durable, and I like the compartments as there are a few, but not too many. Just right for my style of packing actually. We paid about $115 or $120 for each.

Best is SO relative. If they are "light" and you check them, there will be damage eventually. Airline crews use TravelPro, and Costco sells one that looks so much like it it might just be--it is $80. We have Atlantic 22", expandable to 24" and they have been TERRIFic. Bought at Tuesday Morning for $50 10 years and a lot of trips ago, all flying.

Mine is a Cal-Pak brand I bought 5 years ago at my AAA office. It has been everywhere, thumped up and down stairs and over cobblestones and has held up flawlessly. I can definitely recommend the brand. I've looked at Rick Steves' products and this one is similar.

Tumi for durability.

I love my 21" Rick Steves bag. I have one of the earlier versions and its seen a lot of places and been dragged thru cobble stone streets and up train steps etc. I have had to have the wheels replaced and just recently it needed to be repaired along the zipper where it was starting to tear a little. Both were repaired at no cost. I've looked at the newer versions and like their design even better than the one I have...change in the configuration of the outside compartments.

I don't shop suitcases by brand name. I go somewhere like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, JC Pennys, or Macy's on sale. And LOOK at the bags. I'm really picky about the confirguration, interior pockets, number of zippers, etc. There is no "best" there is only what you like, and what best fits your own packing style.

Often the more expensive & more durable brands (like Tumi) are quite heavy in weight even empty. That's the other thing really important to me... "how much does the luggage weigh empty?" Under 5 lbs. is ideal.

After years of trying to find the perfect piece of luggage, I have to say my Rimowa Salsa meets all my requirements. It is lightweight, durable and the rollers are a dream. It moves sideways every bit as well as it does back and forth. Expensive but worth the price as I travel a lot and have found that the cheaper bags just don't last. Even the more expensive ones don't have the excellent wheels found on Rimowa, at least none that I know.

I don't shop suitcases by brand name. I go somewhere like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, JC Pennys, or Macy's on sale. There is no "best" there is only what you like, and what best fits your own packing style.

There is another thread here on Fodors about someone's expensive ballistic nylon bag being torn. I don't have that same concern with my less expensive bags, and none of them are torn, either. The generic carryon I use is over 10yrs old and still works fine.

When it goes kaput, I'll buy another $30 bag.

Ditto what J62 said. I'm not interested in "good" luggage, I'm interested in in the right size, the weight, good wheels, good handle (long enough, sturdy), etc. My current luggage is Delsey. It's fine.

I have a Briggs & Riley suitcase and it is by far the best piece of luggage I own. They have a range of wheeled carry-ons (http://www.briggs-riley.com/category...eled-carry-ons ) that are lightweight, durable, capacious, and carry an unconditional lifetime warranty. If you’re replacing an existing one, you may want to look at a size closer to your current Samsonite carry-on!

HI all.
More saga. 1st txs everyone for posting. I looked up carry on sizes for most airlines.

1st of all, domestic US and International are different size allowances.

2nd even the US domestics are different! Delta which I fly the most has for carry on 22X14X9.

Went price/feature shopping this weekend. New Samsonite carry ons were 22X15X9. Newest model had a handy on side zipper pouch for water bottle or rolled up magezine I liked.

Most new other brands were 21X13X9.5. Really, so how are we suppose to buy something within the "airline carry on limits"?
Also huge reduction on interior bag space due to roller hardware on the inside..except Briggs and Riley, hardware on the outside. Also B& R was the only brand that carried any warrenty: for airline damage. Did not say anything about damage from the "apes" at TSA.
Looked at Rick Steves online and liked their simplicity, looked at a couple of Tunis (have Tumi briefcases and they are indestructible..but the Tumis were the smallest, heaviest and had a hard back, of all the carryons.

Hey, maybe Fodors would consider a "gear" Forum.

1JAR~ They already have one. It's under the "Travel Tips & Trip Ideas" where luggage is discussed.

Sure I know about all the different rules between airlines and between US and Europe. To answer your question, the only way to be sure your carry on will be accepted in all circumstances is to go with the smaller sizes (like a 19-20" max.).

Another Briggs & Riley owner. I prefer a basic "box on wheels" without lots of compartments, and B&R was perfect for me. The lifetime warranty sealed the deal.