Best Luggage?

[munitalP]

As I have mentioned in a previous thread on exactly the same topic, I have a number of cases. Each case has it's particular use such as:

Hard ABS Samsonite
(sorry I used web images instead of photos!)

Pros: strong, robust, good for carrying fragile in, drive a bus over, durability
Cons: weight, width, cost

Hard shell zip, TSA locks - TITAN X2

I use these cases for the majority of my travel - they are exceptional (very understated) and I will not buy anything else ever again. I have had these cases for quite a number of years now and have survived at least 300 attempts of murder by luggage handlers and survived with minor flesh wounds, no broken bones, and all 4 wheels intact.

Spinner cases rock. I rest my cabin bag on the top and effortlessly wheel my luggage to or from the airport (or hotel). I bought a cabin size earlier this year, so time will be the trial of this one as well. Bundybear and Anat0l were remarkably surprised at the weight (lack of) of these cases.

Pros: Everything about these cases
Cons: Price

I also have a overnight JAG (red) case, it has an outside tiny pocket which I stash my Bose headphones (no carry box), then a laptop sleeve (you wouldn't get a 14" lappy in there). It has a clear liquid pouch which thoughtfully has dome attachments so when removing for X Ray, you dont have to pull your luggage to bits to find it, its always attached at the top. Light, great overnight case.

I have 2 Antler cases - a suit foldup - functional and I got it at a good price, no complaints, and a 30" Antler fabric case - heavy, poor choice in bags.

On top of that, I have an assortment of cheap cough purchased at markets in Asia (that end up at the salvos once a year) that do usually 1 flight, thats home overloaded with market treats

Mr!

 

[csomole]

Have decided to stick to cheap and cheerful. Bought various samsonite and other brand wheelie cases, they generally failed in about 12 months or so. Broken handles or broken wheels usually. More recently have been buying cheap and cheerful at a fraction of the cost. They generally fail in about 12 months or so...

Cheers skip

Should have got them fixed at the airlines' expense: lodge a claim still at the airport as soon as you realize that something was damaged. Especially Samsonites are very fixable, parts are plentiful anywhere in the world for even the oldest models.

That said, my Delsey has lasted 25 years and numerous circumnavigations of the globe without any damage other than lots of scratches. My wife's Samsonites did need fixing, as you say, for handles and wheels.

 

[blueflamenco]

I've just converted to a Samsonite with 4 wheels. I don't know how else to describe it but it has made my life a whole lot easier. Since my luggage ends up being about half my body weight dragging it behind me is a pain. Being able to just slide it is so much easier!

 

[munitalP]

I've just converted to a Samsonite with 4 wheels. I don't know how else to describe it but it has made my life a whole lot easier. Since my luggage ends up being about half my body weight dragging it behind me is a pain. Being able to just slide it is so much easier!

:like:


munitalP

 

[Blackadder]

Picked up a Samsonite Bright Lite spinner (74cm) today for $299 (rrp $399). Looks solid enough so will be interesting to see how it handles a 4 week multi city trip to the US that is coming up.

 

[JeniSkunk]

Hard shell zip, TSA locks - TITAN X2
I use these cases for the majority of my travel - they are exceptional (very understated) and I will not buy anything else ever again. I have had these cases for quite a number of years now and have survived at least 300 attempts of murder by luggage handlers and survived with minor flesh wounds, no broken bones, and all 4 wheels intact.

I looked at the Titan X2 cases when I was figuring out which case to get for my first flight at the end of July.
Whilst they are very recognisable in terms of colour and style, they got knocked out of the running as I could not find a Titan X2 case that matched domestic carryon size.
For the flight, I wound up getting a 46cm Landor and Hawa, Domo Sassari hard shell in the leopard print finish for $99 from Luggage Direct. I had to buy the suitcase at the actual Luggage Direct store, as they only list the Landor and Hawa suitcase sets as being available on their site, and not the individual suitcases from the sets.

Jenifur Charne

 

[Mute]

Travelpro Flightcrew3 Pilot 22" Carryon = my vote. :mrgreen:

About $140USD if you can pick one up in the US like I did.

Flightcrew series tends to be of a stronger build compared to the consumer grade Crew series. Pilot carry-on grants a few extra pockets and protective armor which can be a bit overkill but... well yeah, I just thought it looked kinda cool.

photo courtesy of stopoverstore.com; http://www.stopoverstore.com/content/product/large/3823lg.jpg

 

[TimB]

Hard shell zip, TSA locks - TITAN X2

I use these cases for the majority of my travel - they are exceptional (very understated) and I will not buy anything else ever again. I have had these cases for quite a number of years now and have survived at least 300 attempts of murder by luggage handlers and survived with minor flesh wounds, no broken bones, and all 4 wheels intact.

Spinner cases rock. I rest my cabin bag on the top and effortlessly wheel my luggage to or from the airport (or hotel). I bought a cabin size earlier this year, so time will be the trial of this one as well. Bundybear and Anat0l were remarkably surprised at the weight (lack of) of these cases.

Pros: Everything about these cases
Cons: Price

I've just bought a "Titan Xenon Shark Skin 4 Wheel Large Case (Diamond Edition)" for my upcoming trip; it arrived today, and I'll be able to report on how it survived 15 flights, 3 train trips and the various transfers in between in a few weeks time.

However, I wanted to alert everyone that these cases are now on special from various suppliers. I bought my case from Luggage Professionals - Melbourne - Sydney, and it was $219 (reduced from $399), with free shipping. I think another place had it for $199. It seems to be just a selection of models on special, but that includes X2 Flash, Xenon Manhattan and Xenon Shark Skin.

Tim.

 

[jamesD]

Does anyone have any views on Samsonite Cosmolite?

 

[Postcode]

I recently busted the wheels on a great ziplock suitcase when the wheels became caught in a footpath stormwater drain and when I turned I managed to nearly break the wheel off. As I was leaving HGK that afternoon I hurriedly bought a hard shell case with inbuilt locks. I assume they are non TSA friendly.

I have a couple of flights to, within and from the U.S. coming up. Should I

a) take the suitcase and leave it unlocked while flying

b) take the suitcase and keep one of those straps which hold things together when locks and catches fail, hoping that the TSA will be pleasant and helpful by reapplying the straps if they decided to check what is in my laundry

c) just buy yet another suitcase to add to my sizeable collection of partially destroyed suitcases.

Thanks in advance.

Just thought of another option

d) take a smaller ziplock back, buy a TSA lock here and buy something cheaper than I could buy here that will allow a TSA approved lock while in L.A.?

 

[drron]

Does anyone have any views on Samsonite Cosmolite?

Just bought one.Was on special at DJs and we needed another bag-having had Postcode's problem.Great to move around with it's 4 wheels but doesn't like carpet on any uneven ground-revert to 2 wheel pulling.Got a few superficial scratches on it's first flight sector.However due to its light weight were able to stuff it full and come nowhere near 23kg.
Actually our next purchase was going to be the Rimowa Salsa air-even lighter and quite cheap at the airport in HEL.

 

[jamesD]

Just bought one.Was on special at DJs and we needed another bag-having had Postcode's problem.Great to move around with it's 4 wheels but doesn't like carpet on any uneven ground-revert to 2 wheel pulling.Got a few superficial scratches on it's first flight sector.However due to its light weight were able to stuff it full and come nowhere near 23kg.
Actually our next purchase was going to be the Rimowa Salsa air-even lighter and quite cheap at the airport in HEL.

Rimowa seems to be the better of the two but Cosmolite currently at 40% off at Myer and DJs is hard to pass up.