New Luggage Recommendations

[Andy Travels]

Hi all

Newbie here but a frequent flyer who will be rejoining the skys again very soon.

I'm looking at refreshing my carry on luggage to a hard case. Currently looking at the Qantas branded hard cases but just wondering if anyone has any feedback / suggestions? Probably looking at around $120 mark (obviously in this field a $120 price tag is usually a RRP reduced from $250 haha)

Thanks!
Andy

 

[CaptainCurtis]

Good luck. I think their main office is @ Belrose 3minutes up the road from where I live. I'd be a bit peed off too having to drive out to Mascot. Maybe a call to the Belrose office would elicit a compromise.

Interesting Antler offer discounts to airline staff and essential workers.
View attachment 455263

Quick update for you - they've agreed to replace the suitcase. Their warranty department doesn't have any stock of soft-shell cases, so they're going to replace with the Stamford 2.0 hard shell. I don't love hard shell cases, but happy enough with the outcome. No need to return the original case with the damaged fabric strap.

 

[Flashback]

I am considering HLO for a 5 week overseas trip, all in US and Europe summer. Whilst I would normally never do this, I recently fractured my foot and it will (hopefully and praying) be ok by the time I go away (it will be 8 weeks post fall on my first day away) I am thinking that HLO will reduce risk of carrying a heavy suitcase Any recommendations on the lightest possible bag that will fit the most in. Part of the thinking is that I can buy some cheap dresses whilst I am away as my foot gets stronger so will need to room to grow the suitcase as I am away. Any thoughts?

Agree with the request: have been thinking along similar lines although not sure whether I can fit all I want into HLO. I am going to do a trial run on a shorter trip with s other and see whether it will work or not. He can carry any excess if it doesnt work

I'm just wrapping up 4 and a bit weeks in Madagascar and no problems with HLO (other than needing deodorant as I don't like roll on as it stains clothes). Of course you need to wash once a week and a bit, but that's fine.

 

[JWILLS]

Four wheel cases - travelling to Europe hate to think the number of times I have seen four wheel cases with three wheels due to damage.

So Happy I have a two wheel case it is 12 years but no damage!

 

[NM]

Four wheel cases - travelling to Europe hate to think the number of times I have seen four wheel cases with three wheels due to damage.

So Happy I have a two wheel case it is 12 years but no damage!

Yep, I concur. I will not buy a four-wheel "spinner" type case. I much prefer to pull a 2-wheeler behind me where its not going to suddenly stop on a bump/stone/crack and fall over beside or in front of me. And that empty unusable space between the bottom of the case and the bottom of the wheels is wasted space.

 

[OZDUCK]

Yep, I concur. I will not buy a four-wheel "spinner" type case. I much prefer to pull a 2-wheeler behind me where its not going to suddenly stop on a bump/stone/crack and fall over beside or in front of me. And that empty unusable space between the bottom of the case and the bottom of the wheels is wasted space.

Another one with the same opinion. Hauling a 2 wheel case over cobblestones, or snow, is so much easier than a 4 wheel one.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Four wheel cases - travelling to Europe hate to think the number of times I have seen four wheel cases with three wheels due to damage.

I've tried using a four wheel case once, and the ONLY benefit I found was when I was standing in a queue on a nice even surface and the queue was moving slowly so the case could be just budged from one position into another. Any other time, I'm moving, and want to get from A to B as efficiently as possible and two wheels wins hands down. I've never bought any other four-wheeler.

 

[prozac]

Yep, I concur. I will not buy a four-wheel "spinner" type case. I much prefer to pull a 2-wheeler behind me where its not going to suddenly stop on a bump/stone/crack and fall over beside or in front of me. And that empty unusable space between the bottom of the case and the bottom of the wheels is wasted space.

Nowadays does that mean buying a duffel type bag?
A decade ago I hired a Mercedes 200, a mid sized sedan. The 2, 2 wheeled checked bags, and 2 x 2 wheeled cabin bags only fitted in the boot one way if carefully placed like a jigsaw. Spinner wheels would have meant I'd be buying rope to tie them on the roof.

 

[NM]

Nowadays does that mean buying a duffel type bag?

2 wheelers are certainly in the minority in terms of availability.

I suspect that is because the manufacturers have found they sell more 4-wheel "spinners" ... mostly because they break more often to owners need to replace them more often. It suites the manufactures to sell more 4-wheelers as they get more repeat business - until the punters realise their plight.

 

[prozac]

2 wheelers are certainly in the minority in terms of availability.

I suspect that is because the manufacturers have found they sell more 4-wheel "spinners" ... mostly because they break more often to owners need to replace them more often. It suites the manufactures to sell more 4-wheelers as they get more repeat business - until the punters realise their plight.

I have a Wegner 2 wheel bag which whilst a little heavy is a good robust suitcase. I'd love to change it for a new, lighter 2 wheel bag.

We need to start a movement, petition the travel suppliers.

 

[Flashback]

I have a Wegner 2 wheel bag which whilst a little heavy is a good robust suitcase. I'd love to change it for a new, lighter 2 wheel bag.

We need to start a movement, petition the travel suppliers.

I had to hunt high and low for my recently purchased one!

 

[prozac]

I had to hunt high and low for my recently purchased one!

What did you buy?

 

[Aeryn]

Quick update for you - they've agreed to replace the suitcase. Their warranty department doesn't have any stock of soft-shell cases, so they're going to replace with the Stamford 2.0 hard shell. I don't love hard shell cases, but happy enough with the outcome. No need to return the original case with the damaged fabric strap.

I have a coupe of Stamford's and absolutely love them, very sturdy and great wheels.

IMO and IME 4 wheelers kick butt over 2 wheelers every day of the week. They are so much easier to maneuver as can easily be pushed in front, rolled at your side or pulled from behind. You can easily tilt and use just 2 wheels is you want to drag behind you.

I have had no issues with broken wheels or cobblestones, and frankly if wheels are going to be problematic (unpaved dirt roads) then I take a travel pack. After getting my first 4 wheeler i happily donated all my 2 wheelers.

The reason 2 wheelers are less common these days is because they are less popular as take more effort to move.

 

[Flashback]

What did you buy?

Aerolite (55x40x20cm) Lightweight Cabin Luggage | 2 Wheel Luggage. – Aerolite UK

Shop Aerolite (55x40x20cm) Lightweight Cabin Luggage. 2 Wheel Luggage at Aerolite Luggage. Great prices and free delivery.

aeroliteluggage.co.uk