What is the best luggage for someone who travels overseas a lot?

[SeatBackForward]

Peters of Kensington is a good source of cheap Antler suitcases.

 

[seanpodge]

I'm also a big fan of the Crumpler range. Have the large Spring Peeper sans wheels and it's going very well at the moment.

 

[andrewjc77]

I dont tend to spend too much on luggage as like others I spend quite a bit of time in Europe for work and find that the wheels generally arent up to it on the rough cobblestones etc. Had a new Antler (not sure of the name, but a hard plastic back and soft front) and the bloke at the shop said the wheels were fantastic. Within 2 weeks the rubber had come off around the plastic wheel, then a wheel fell off in the middle of nowhere. I know you can replace the wheels but in the middle of nowhere I find it just easier to buy a cheap $100 bag from a shop and ditch the old one.

 

[JohnK]

Never buy "cheap" luggage. When luggage fails, it fails in very bad ways and that is the last thing you want when you are travelling.

Not always true. My $25 cheapie from Flemington markets lasted over 6 years and 20+ trips to Asia. It is sadly missed.

I have had an American Tourister (thanks Qantas for ruining another cheap bag and replacing it with this one) for the past 3 years or so and it gets used quite a lot commuting and overseas trips. It is not overly expensive (~$70-$100 range) and I believe it is the low cost Samsonite brand although does not have the Samsonite name.

 

[jetlagger]

Not always true. My $25 cheapie from Flemington markets lasted over 6 years and 20+ trips to Asia. It is sadly missed.

I have had an American Tourister (thanks Qantas for ruining another cheap bag and replacing it with this one) for the past 3 years or so and it gets used quite a lot commuting and overseas trips. It is not overly expensive (~$70-$100 range) and I believe it is the low cost Samsonite brand although does not have the Samsonite name.

JohnK, I also have an American Tourister trolley carry on suitcase.. A great bag.. Without the top dollar price tag.. Each to their own.. But for me nowadays.. I'm more than happy to 'drive" my beat up rimowa alloy around.. Forget the cost.. It is a brilliant piece of German design, engineering & especially build quality.. Just a step up from the other blend.. & it complements my red retro Benz..

 

[ButFli]

Before an overseas trip about a year ago I thought I would splash out and get a you-beaut suitcase. A few hundred dollars RRP. Took about one cobblestone before a wheel was torn off. Bent down to pick it up and the handle broke, too. Replaced it with a 30 euro one from a Gypsy. That thing is a tank! Nothing will stop it. It has 4 wheels so if one falls off I can just flip it over.

 

[moffat39]

Have recently come back from a month in Europe. Wife and I purchased new luggage before we went. Two International Traveller suitcases which were only 2.8kg each. Paid $100 each.

Wheels did not last a week after cobblestobes etc. Going over luggage was about 17kg and the suitcase coped ok with that. After a few days in Europe weight was soon up to 22kg and even though capacity was an advertised 110 litres with it expanded the suitcase could not cope wth that. Could no longer wheel and had to carry.

Had a look at luggage stores in Germany and France and range was far better and price cheaper than Australia. Struggled along with the IT suitcases but arrived back in Australia so damaged that they are useless. Came with a 10 warranty so will see how we go with a claim.

Next trip inclined to buy very cheap suitcases after comments above and if they fall apart buy new suitcases in Europe.

 

[Cynicor]

Due to a mistake with calculating exchange rates in my head, I ended up walking with my victorinox case from the Laguna Nusa Dua to the Conrad suites. Was only 1 k and I thought the taxi drivers wanted 20USD... No guesses as to how much they actually wanted. Was a pretty hot day but it was the principal of such a short trip.

Anyway- the luggage was fully loaded up and dragged along indonesian cobblestones, uneven "paving", grass and roads without any issues whatsoever. Can see only minor scratching on the wheels. they aren't even very pitted and it still rolls smoothly as a cloud now.

 

[Blackadder]

To bring up the thread again, currently in the US and had to replace my Samsonite in a hurry, (zipper broke off and no time to replace it), ended up up with Delsey hard case, a very tough plastic and no zips, but a three clip locks around the case (incl one TSA combo lock), that can all lock to keep the case secure. RRP at Macy's $300, on sale atm for $149, and further discounted by the salesperson for me to $129.

 

[cove]

I use the Samsonite bags from Costco in California as they often do a pair for US$119 for the pair. They come with wheels that roll with the lightest touch of the handle in the up right position even when the contents weigh well over 20 kgs.

 

[funnymummy]

I use the Samsonite bags from Costco in California as they often do a pair for US$119 for the pair. They come with wheels that roll with the lightest touch of the handle in the up right position even when the contents weigh well over 20 kgs.

the cheap suitcases didn't last - 2 trips NthAm and I love my Samsonite carry on & larger (4wheeler) but this last trip from YVR to MEL the name badge & zip tag came off- I cant figure out how the baggage people don't put a sticker on it as they notice the damage occurs. QF said it wasn't claimable with them -

 

[cirqueboy]

I'm a convert for the North Face Longhaul range (I have the 26 & 30) as well as an Overhead for rolling carry on. It's a bit on the expensive side when purchased in Oz. In Canada or USA easily $100 - $150 cheaper.

My Longhaul 26 has done just over 150 flights and still in pretty good condition. Before North Face, I'd had Samsonite, Antler, Victronix, Wegner. They all broke in some way or another.

Like others, I spray with a water resistant each year, although the North Face soft bags are relatively water resistant to begin with.

 

[johncitizen]

I own both a North Face and Tatonka PVC duffel bag, the expedition types with massive zips on them. Have a few black diamond expedition duffels as well. some have backpack straps, others don't, but for carrying tools, ice-axes, metal parts, etc they are all top of class.

 

[moa999]

About the most recent luggage thread I can find.

Has anyone used the new Samsonite 72 Hours range.
72 Hours
Samsonite - 72 Hours Wheelaboard Spinner Case 55cm | Peter's of Kensington

Softside spinners (4 wheels), not expandable, but ridiculously light.
The 55cm comes in at 1.5kg.


What appears to be the equivalent Antler (albeit expandable) is 40% heavier
Antler - Cyberlite Black Expandable Wheelaboard Spinner Case | Peter's of Kensington

The Ultralite series is still around (and 2 wheeled) but weighs even more
Samsonite - Ultralite 8 Black Expandable Wheelaboard 55cm | Peter's of Kensington



Looking for something to replace my 12-yr old seriously beaten-up Samsonite 55cm that weighs nearly 3.8kg (from memory Ultralite 3 range).
Must have dual handles as I often have a laptop bag or my Victorinox Trifold on top.

I would potentially prefer 2-wheel but they seem harder to find and as long as you can still drag a 4-wheel I will be happy - just got to remember that they can easily roll away

 

[jlien]

About the most recent luggage thread I can find.

Has anyone used the new Samsonite 72 Hours range.
72 Hours
Samsonite - 72 Hours Wheelaboard Spinner Case 55cm | Peter's of Kensington

Softside spinners (4 wheels), not expandable, but ridiculously light.
The 55cm comes in at 1.5kg.

Seems like a nice case. Shame that I wasn't aware of it when I bought my b-lite xtra over Christmas.

 

[rickylee]

I principally use the Crumpler range of bags. The Dry Red No. 1 is a particular favourite in terms of packing, but need to be careful with the wheels if the bag is loaded with stuff that are too heavy. If I have heavy things to carry, I switch to a hard-shell Samsonite suitcase.

I am with the others - never buy cheap stuff or face the nightmare of your bag exploding on impact on conveyer belt. In Hyderabad. 4:30 am.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Tumi has never failed me. Victrinox is the other loyal servant.

Buy both in the states and when on sale. Tumi has premium outlets as well

 

[NFF]

No recommendation for Pacsafe bags ?

 

[Alanslegal]

I have a Samsonite, hardshell, spinner, bought back in 2007 and has travelled with me now on over 100 sectors, 150,000miles and still working like new. Its solid so thus weight will be on the higher end (~6kgs) even though back in 2007 it wasn't too bad.

My partner bought a Samsonite Cosmolite spinnercase recently, almost 50% lighter than mine but didn't feel as sturdy even though their commercials promote them to be quite strong. It's nice how they can crumple and then regain its shape but I bet anything inside would have been smashed to smitherines anyway.


BTW Blair Waldorf* looks down on people who travel with Samsonites

*for those who watch Gossip Girl

 

[rickylee]

BTW Blair Waldorf* looks down on people who travel with Samsonites

*for those who watch Gossip Girl

I don't use Samsonite. So pleased to have approval.