Luggage Recommendations

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cssaus

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It's getting to the stage where my existing suitcases that we've been travelling with are on their last legs (or wheels) and it's time to think about replacing them. We're pretty much ok with overnite bags and carry onboard luggage, it's the big cases that we're focusing on.

Up until now we've mainly used the soft-sided traditional suitcase on wheels with the pull-up handle but I'm starting to wonder whether or not to think about a large sportsbag style on wheels with a pull-up handle rather that the suitcase style. Some of the larger suitcases can weigh anywhere from 5-8 kg when empty.

Interested to hear from others on what is being used and some good brands to look out for.
 
My partner and I had a set from Antler, forgive me for forgetting the collection name (will add once I get home). Anyway, it was a pretty big disappointment. Loose threads, plus the extension arms bend out of shape making them hard to put back. The carry-on split down it's seam also! So we had issues with 4 out of the 7 pieces, so definitely not just a one off with one of the pieces.

They did come with a warranty and will be going back once Ms Bammac finds the receipt .:confused:

I know you want tips on what to get, but often what to avoid is just as good.


For what I have been told by other travellers, Samsonite is very good. (A little boring to look at, but do we really need to impress the luggage chuckers?)
 
cssaus said:
...I'm starting to wonder whether or not to think about a large sportsbag style on wheels...

Interested to hear from others on what is being used and some good brands to look out for.

TravelPro's Walkabout Lite is very often discounted 40% at DJs, seemingly every few months (often all brends similarly 40% off). There is a sports-style bag on wheels in the range.

Maybe worth a look - the Lite models are lighter than normal but still tough.
 
straitman said:
If you search through the archives you'll find an extensive forum on this subject.

Actually I did several searches before putting up this thread but wasn't able to find what it was I was looking for. Maybe I was using the wrong search keywords but using the word "luggage" invokes a mass of threads.
 
bammac said:
My partner and I had a set from Antler, forgive me for forgetting the collection name (will add once I get home). Anyway, it was a pretty big disappointment. Loose threads, plus the extension arms bend out of shape making them hard to put back. The carry-on split down it's seam also! So we had issues with 4 out of the 7 pieces, so definitely not just a one off with one of the pieces.

They did come with a warranty and will be going back once Ms Bammac finds the receipt .:confused:

I know you want tips on what to get, but often what to avoid is just as good.


For what I have been told by other travellers, Samsonite is very good. (A little boring to look at, but do we really need to impress the luggage chuckers?)

Samsonite are good, but I prefer the Delsey, they have both the Polyester and hard shell.

I prefer the hard shell
 
Bought a Tumi rolling duffle a few years back in the States. Great but expensive. The price here in Aus is double so forget it. Victorinox make one which also looks excellent. Over the years only had one Samsonite break on me, the closing/latch/lock mechanism, but overall you should have few problems with Samsonite. My wife and I had two matching Delsey cases which we used for some years and they copped a real beating.

Overall you get what you pay for. Some of these newer brands like Eagle Creek look good quality but I have never owned one.
 
maninblack said:
Bought a Tumi rolling duffle a few years back in the States. Great but expensive. The price here in Aus is double so forget it. Victorinox make one which also looks excellent. Over the years only had one Samsonite break on me, the closing/latch/lock mechanism, but overall you should have few problems with Samsonite. My wife and I had two matching Delsey cases which we used for some years and they copped a real beating.

Overall you get what you pay for. Some of these newer brands like Eagle Creek look good quality but I have never owned one.

I too have had a preference over the years for Samsonite and they've been quite reliable.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far.
 
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I like Samsonite, but recently I bought the largest "Ultralite 6" series Samsonite and after it went missing for 3 days (and took a few extra flights), it came back with threads hanging off it and the padlock loops on the zipper broken off, and one of the main pull-tabs missing. That was it's first use.

I'll sort it out when I get back to Australia, but it left me a bit unimpressed.

I also have a "Skyway" garmet bag which I've been very impressed with - it's extremely well-made and still looks brand new (it's flown more than the Samsonite). From memory it has a 10 year warranty (as opposed to Samsonite's rather average 3 year warranty).

Cheers,
- Febs.
 
With the change to EU carry on rules (worst of all worlds - taking the liquid rule from US, size limit and 1 carry on only from UK), I will probably need to get a decent luggage that I can check in. Last I looked into it was a couple of years ago and at the time Tumi had lifetime replacement guarantee. I think I've seen that this no longer exists (on new sales)? Any other brand with similar guarantee?
 
Has to be rigid. I buy the Samsonite F'lite cases from the US; if you shop around you can get them for US$100 - $115 each for the large size. Unfortunately they only have the large size in the US now. Large wheels - small wheel are a pain in places with dodgey pavement - and a flexible shell that won't crack.

I prefer to get a colour that doesn't show marks too much & isn't black like everyone elses. I would hate to pay mega-bucks on fancy cases seeing as how the airport staff handle them. The first flight they will sustain some damage and it just goes on from there.....

In the US the 50 pound weight limit (before extra charges) is a hassle; I notice a lot of the locals there use several medium size check in bags (large ones exceed 50 pounds too easily with clothes etc) but carry on as much as they can, often two reasonably sizable bags per person.
 
Soundguy said:
Has to be rigid. I buy the Samsonite F'lite cases from the US; if you shop around you can get them for US$100 - $115 each for the large size. Unfortunately they only have the large size in the US now. Large wheels - small wheel are a pain in places with dodgey pavement - and a flexible shell that won't crack.
Samsonite F'lite is nice and cheap and its also lightweight, but it's the one I had that broke. Also no pockets, dividers etc which annoys me. Still it's strong and will protect your belongings, and use a luggage strap. At the price you can pick them up in US (often under $100 for a big one) they are semi-disposable, if you get 10 trips out of it then it has been fair value.
 
Any comments regarding the pros & cons of using the large wheeled sports/duffle bag style luggage?
 
maninblack said:
Samsonite F'lite is nice and cheap and its also lightweight, but it's the one I had that broke.....

Yeah, I havn't had a problem but the locks could be more sturdy. I leave the combinations unlocked when travelling to the US as the gorillas employed as TSA staff will likely just tear them open if they are locked.

I like the tough rigid shell and the large wheels. I regularly travel on Qantas domestically with one of these loaded (full 32kg) with tools; it is just big enough to fit my small compressor in (which freaks out the security screeners a bit).
 
Soundguy said:
Yeah, I havn't had a problem but the locks could be more sturdy.

That's exactly what broke :mad:

Back to the original question. Rolling duffels are good if you dont need your clothes very flat and if you want a narrower bag, which does make them a bit more nimble in doorways, escalators, taxi boots, trains etc. The Tumi also has a neat shoe compartment at one end.
 
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