Luggage - so many choices!

[jb747]

I just buy relatively cheap stuff, and throw it away each year. In my case at least, it lasts as well (or as badly) as the more expensive.

 

[penegal]

I buy a lot of things in the US (clothes, etc). Usually pop down to the local goodwill and pick up an old (functional, but unfashionable) suitcase for circa $10, and pack all my shopping in. Re-Donate said suitcase to Salvos / Vinnies upon arrival back home.

Flying up the front with status means I have heaps of luggage allowance, and $10 is way cheaper than shipping it home. (and a charity in each country has a small benefit).

 

[pagingjoan]

I buy a lot of things in the US (clothes, etc). Usually pop down to the local goodwill and pick up an old (functional, but unfashionable) suitcase for circa $10, and pack all my shopping in. Re-Donate said suitcase to Salvos / Vinnies upon arrival back home.

Flying up the front with status means I have heaps of luggage allowance, and $10 is way cheaper than shipping it home. (and a charity in each country has a small benefit).

Nice work!

 

[OATEK]

I have recently acquired the Samsonite 72hr (71cm) for checked bag, as we have found the one MrspOatek has to be very good. We are also in the soft-shell camp (including for Crab ).

For carry on I have the High Sierra composite wheeled back-pack (there is a newer "refined" model, but this one does the job for me):


Features:

• Ultra Lightweight Design

• Recessed Telescopic mono handles

• Hidden backpack straps behind zippered rear section

• Padded top, side and end grab handles

• Two front zip pockets

• Kissing lockable zippers on main compartment and front top pocket

• Lightweight low profile wheels

• Internal hold down straps

• Mesh pocket in main section

• Bottom stabilizer bar with grab handle on base

 

[get me outta here]

Good idea. I will try that armed with a lot of plastic shopping bags and packing tape to keep the goods nice and clean.

I buy a lot of things in the US (clothes, etc). Usually pop down to the local goodwill and pick up an old (functional, but unfashionable) suitcase for circa $10, and pack all my shopping in. Re-Donate said suitcase to Salvos / Vinnies upon arrival back home.

Flying up the front with status means I have heaps of luggage allowance, and $10 is way cheaper than shipping it home. (and a charity in each country has a small benefit).

 

[JohnK]

I generally buy cheap luggage from Flemington markets. Had 2 x ~$40 suitcases (one for domestic and one for international) which were damaged ~2009/10 and were replaced by airlines for American touristers which were quite good.

Unfortunately both were damaged again this year and could not be repaired so now have another 2 new suitcases that retail for ~$170 each.

My $25 carryon bag was also damaged and replaced free of charge. I've had to check this bag in a few times and the damage is quite visible. Another claim again shortly.

 

[YSSY]

I just purchased the Samsonite GuardIT Black Rolling Tote for A$119. I used it for the first time a few days ago on SYD-DXB-MAN. Overall, very happy with it, has several compartments which are great for putting laptops/ipad for easy retrieval at security, a section for a few clothes (a quick shower and change in the lounge en-route) and pockets for passport etc. Its small enough that it will easily fit in smaller overheads. However, because its wide, it can be a little tricky on the aisles boarding/disembarking as it only just fits.

I still have a variety of different bags dependent on the trips, but since I will be shuttling regularly between the UK and Sydney for the next 12 months I think this one will do the trick. It works for me as a hand carry for the trip, as long as I have a checked in bag also. However, I use a larger roller board for weekend/short trips where I don't want to check a bag.

 

[leadman]

Perfect timing for this discussion. Second time now the handle has been ripped out of Samsonite, so today did the bodgy job on the old boy hoping it will hold from BKK > SYD > MEL tonight. Its done some miles, I estimate around 250,000 and 200-odd terminals so I cannot complain, although on the second set of wheels. But the design of the handle lends itself to the baggage handlers getting a good grip on the bag. Probably stick with another Samsonite hardcase.

 

[JohnK]

Perfect timing for this discussion. Second time now the handle has been ripped out of Samsonite, so today did the bodgy job on the old boy hoping it will hold from BKK > SYD > MEL tonight.

Have you lodged a complaint with airline? They not repair/replace?

 

[pyne]

I have had my DELSEY forover 10 years and travelled a lot, I love it. Dont know what the model was but its pale blue with swirls looks a bit like cloudsIMO, so easy to see on the belt.
I dont like zips so gave up the other Samsonite and bought a red Delsey last year for my husband, I love the fact that the lid has a zip round inside so the clothes dont fall out . Last year on a trip round Europe I bought some thin hard plastic and cut a piece the size of the lid inside my first Delsey so it kind of jams the clothes in the lid.
I would be so so sad to say goodbye to my blue Delsey -maybe next year when I,m in France I will look at them as they are mad there

 

[gphamor]

I was just asking about this on another thread.

My 10+yr old, heck maybe 15yr old, $200 Kathmandu cargo roller bag is dying and I cant decide between buying another one or finally buying a hardside suitcase.

Part of the problem is the bag should be able to carry everything from manuals & clothing for normal trip to a full set of scuba gear for dive trips.

Hardside cases I was looking at are Lojel, Antler and American Tourist. Any I "should absolutely avoid these" brand stories AFFers can share?

I have 2 American Tourister bags, at least 15 years old, before hard shell became popular and they are virtually indestructible.
The problem is they have been bought out - by Samsonite, I think, and like all bags today, they have a short life.
I tried expensive bags, no better than El Cheapos.
Now I have a hard shell Rimowa, my wife has a hard shell Samsonite, a cheap version, and they seem to be doing the job OK.

My advice would be to buy a relatively cheap bag that you can throw away when they fall apart, and you won't be shedding any tears.

 

[KGA123]

When a wheel failed on my Samsonite, I emailed them and they sent a full set of replacements - so I now have spares. Same when the hinge (hard shell) wore out. No proof of purchase requested either time. They offered to do the repairs, but none of their agents are very close so I was happier to get the parts and do it myself.

Did they knock you back when you contacted them?

I am also curious as my bags 1 eagle creek had the zipper split and a Qantas city roller wheels are splitting and great bags but need to be fixed. Also looked at crumpler bags- they look amazing

 

[johncitizen]

I work FIFO, travel to vendors in Europe and Asia for Audits, and in my free time do rebreather and cave diving.

The only bags that ever work for me are 100L duffel bags from The North Face or similar. I've got some heavier black diamond duffels, but I opt for newer lighter Northface one usually. I'll compartmentalise my work and casual gear with organiser bags. But the biggest saving is in the weight department.

These make sense to me because usually my bags are being thrown around, stacked or dragged. Sometimes I have to chopper offshore and I'm limited to a ~40L duffel for 4 weeks. Same choice.

 

[KGA123]

I work FIFO, travel to vendors in Europe and Asia for Audits, and in my free time do rebreather and cave diving.

The only bags that ever work for me are 100L duffel bags from The North Face or similar. I've got some heavier black diamond duffels, but I opt for newer lighter Northface one usually. I'll compartmentalise my work and casual gear with organiser bags. But the biggest saving is in the weight department.

These make sense to me because usually my bags are being thrown around, stacked or dragged. Sometimes I have to chopper offshore and I'm limited to a ~40L duffel for 4 weeks. Same choice.

Thanks for your advise!

So does anyone know where to take bags that need repairs eg wheels in Melbourne please

 

[leadman]

on the East side Bon Voyage Luggage, 425 Springvale Road Forest Hill 9894 7833. Do all the insurance claims and great service.

 

[sceadugenga]

The trouble with cheap bags is that the zips go on them.
I still carry a roll of duct tape when traveling after a friend had this problem getting out of the taxi at Don Muang with a bag he had bought on Sukhumvit Road the night before.

 

[leadman]

When I'm buying a new bag, one of the most important features is the wheels and the wheel base. To narrow and you start to get those "death wobbles" as you need to move quickly and poor wheels only spell trouble somewhere along the journey.

 

[johncitizen]

The trouble with cheap bags is that the zips go on them.
I still carry a roll of duct tape when traveling after a friend had this problem getting out of the taxi at Don Muang with a bag he had bought on Sukhumvit Road the night before.

Simpler Solution, Buy a bag with the heaviest gauge YKK zipper on it. I've got a rolling duffel, the back plate and wheels are destroyed but the zipper holds strong.
Totally agree with not dropping $800 on a bag, especially a Rimowa or heavier hard case. You can basically pay for the bag in excess fees if you're travelling for diving or hobbies, etc.

 

[YSSY]

I work FIFO, travel to vendors in Europe and Asia for Audits, and in my free time do rebreather and cave diving.

The only bags that ever work for me are 100L duffel bags from The North Face or similar. I've got some heavier black diamond duffels, but I opt for newer lighter Northface one usually. I'll compartmentalise my work and casual gear with organiser bags. But the biggest saving is in the weight department.

These make sense to me because usually my bags are being thrown around, stacked or dragged. Sometimes I have to chopper offshore and I'm limited to a ~40L duffel for 4 weeks. Same choice.

When I have to chopper offshore, I travel with this: Montrose Offshore Kit Bag (Medium). I always see a few others on the carousel in Karratha, Port Hedland, Aberdeen etc and serves me well. Generally I only use it when I'm travelling light and going on a heli because it doesn't have wheels.

 

[ontheaisle]

I buy a lot of things in the US (clothes, etc). Usually pop down to the local goodwill and pick up an old (functional, but unfashionable) suitcase for circa $10, and pack all my shopping in. Re-Donate said suitcase to Salvos / Vinnies upon arrival back home.

Flying up the front with status means I have heaps of luggage allowance, and $10 is way cheaper than shipping it home. (and a charity in each country has a small benefit).

I use the Kathmandu Tanker Cargo bags on trips where I expect to shop a bit - Tanker Cargo at Kathmandu. I've got the 60L and the 90L and they come with a little storage bag and weigh practically nothing (until they're chockers and you've got to lug them to the check in because they have no wheels, lol!). Exxy at full-price but they're a good buy at sale time, usually minimum 50% off.

For my usual luggage, I generally use a Samsonite Cosmolite for carry on only or short trips. For longer trips or when I need to use a check in bag, I rotate between an Antler Aire or Cyberlite, or a Samsonite B-Lite. Never had any issues (touch wood) with Antler or Samsonite which are my preferred brands, wheels or otherwise, but I have heard differently from other people.