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

[Denali]

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

......

I recently took this Syd>Singapore>China>Singapore>Sydney.

It is as light as its advertises and doesnt seem flimsy.

Likes:
Light
Seems strong and well made
Side pocket for extra stuff or drink bottle and a few zippered areas.
The handle seems well made as I was concerned it wouldnt be strong enough.

Dislike:
The grey colour. Its nice, its grey but I prefer black.
The four wheels work best on non-carpet areas so I found I reverted back to the two wheel drag on carpets.



It also came with an "emergency cover bag" for some reason but that only takes up room so I left it at home. Happy to take pics if you want more details.

 

[maninblack]

I don't think there is any possible single answer to this. Different luggage styles have different purposes, suit different styles of travel and different clothing needs and so on.

 

[Boogs]

+1 for Crumpler. I have 6 or 7 of their bags. Sturdy as hell if you want a soft case. I have used the life time guarantee replacement when a baggage handler got a bit carried away.

Expensive but worth it.

 

[bass_ke]

+1 for Crumpler. I have 6 or 7 of their bags. Sturdy as hell if you want a soft case. I have used the life time guarantee replacement when a baggage handler got a bit carried away.

Expensive but worth it.

Absolutely a Crumpler fan here, very sturdy!

At the moment I use my Karachi outpost the most, very convertible from a tech bag to standard backpack and anything inbetween.

 

[Womble99]

After reading though this thread there seems to be mixed thoughts on hard v soft case. As a recent retiree and about to start increasing my travel I am on the hunt for some decent luggage, I wouldn't mind going the hard case option but looking around there doesn't seem to be a lot available in the 80:20 anymore? Having never used 50:50 cases before I am a little hesitant to take the leap as I am wondering how easy they are to handle once full? (i.e the lid being possibly as heavy as the base?) They don't really look to be user friendly, any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[vetrade]

This thread is 18 months old Womble99. There are other more recent threads on luggage available. We have 50:50 hardcases (4 wheelers) which I much prefer - mainly because I find the weight on my wrists uncomfortable with a 2 wheeler for any great distance. Our 50:50's are not more difficult to handle than 80:20's - but like all 4 wheelers their downside is rough/ cobbled streets and carpet where they don't roll as easily. Of course, you can tip a 4 wheeler up and use it as a 2 wheeler.

Once you have selected a case I suggest you post the make and model details on AFF - someone is sure to have used it and will be able to tell you how well it performs.

 

[Womble99]

I took the better half out today to check out some of the Antler range based on what I had read last night. We like the Juno, though SWMBO informed me that she would need the Juno 79 to fit her makeup bag etc in (packing light is not an option). Will the 79 be a problem as it comes in at 163cm which is just over the 158cm for most international limits and well over for domestic? For me the Juno 68 at 140cm would be heaps but I think I am going to be overruled without a serious justification.

Aside from the overall size issue could I have some feedback on the positives and or negatives that others have found using this model (Antler Juno 68 / 79) please?

 

[vetrade]

I don't have any personal experience with Antler luggage so I can't help you with the pros and cons other than in regards to sizes.
Apart from the airlines' requirements regarding size I'd be more concerned with the problems of lugging around a 79 cm case. They don't conveniently fit in many places - e.g. if you use hire cars a 79cm case won't fit in the boot of many standard sized sedans; if you use trains they are an absolute pain to get through station turnstiles and are often too big to fit readily in the luggage racks on trains. Having had one once I'd never go down that path again.

The problem with a very large case is that if you're tempted to fill it up, it is easy to go over the standard 23kg weight allowance (even though you can pay extra for up to 32kg - but depends on travel class too). And it's surprising how the effect of that extra weight seems to be magnified when you are trying to maneuver it. Wife and I each travel with a 70cm tall Delsey 4 wheeler (146cm total dimensions) and we can fit everything we need for a 2 month trip in that. Usually they weigh about 17kg when we depart and they're right on 23 kg each when we get back. I am a big bloke, and fit and strong, but I would hate to have anything heavier to move around. You can always have a carry on bag as well to fit extra bits and pieces.

Our 70cm case has plenty of room for everything my wife wants to carry, including her makeup bag (I should add that we are not backpacker types who travel with the bare necessities - we like to have clothes for various occasions etc) so I guess what I'm saying is that unless your wife wants to take the kitchen sink you should be able to fit all you should reasonable need in the Juno 68.

 

[Jamie R]

Hi Womble99. I'm not a retiree, however I travel a bit and a Crumper fan. I have the Dry Red 4 as check in if needed, otherwise use the Spring Peeper Carry On. If you are travelling where you think they'll be stairs or tiny lifts, then stick to a carry on size bag. As mentioned above, they are also harder to exceed weight allowances and easier to get into cabs / trains.

 

[Womble99]

Thanks Vetrade and Jamie R for the feedback, I will see how i go with persuading ♀ Womble99 I have a feeling that we will end up with both the 79 and 68.... I did go measure the makeup bag from last trip and it comes in at 30x25m23cm and a tiny 4kg and that isn't fully packed? Guess I will have to put a few miles in to get the weight down and encourage lighter packing

 

[get me outta here]

Samsonite, the world’s largest luggage company, has agreed to purchase Tumi for US$1.8 billion.
The acquisition of Tumi will allow Samsonite to enter the luxury market – a space the brand has never occupied before, having traditionally been focused on the mass market.
“We always wanted to have a play in this segment, but we have never been able to do it in a very credible way,” said Ramesh Tainwala, Samsonite’s chief executive, to The Washington Post.
Meanwhile, becoming part of a larger brand will allow Tumi to increase its scale and achieve operational efficiency. Speaking to the Post, David Schick, a retail analyst at Stifel, said: “What we see in the evolution of luxury is that brands understand they can only get so big.”
Samsonite has stated that it intends to expand the Tumi brand to international markets.
The company posted US$548 million in sales last year, with 68 per cent coming from North America, and Asia coming in a distant second (17 per cent).

Samsonite to purchase Tumi - Business Traveller Asia

 

[vetrade]

For the 2nd Q of 2015 Tumi made $16.7M on sales of $138M so a rough extrapolation of that suggests $66M annual profit on revenues of $548M. $1.8B seems expensive.

 

[get me outta here]

JohnK asked on a luggage thread here somewhere about an Antler Cyberlite (unless my memory fails me), anyhow ... it is on special at Myer:

Myer Online - Up to 65% off selected luggage

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

Samsonite, the world’s largest luggage company, has agreed to purchase Tumi for US$1.8 billion.
The acquisition of Tumi will allow Samsonite to enter the luxury market – a space the brand has never occupied before, having traditionally been focused on the mass market...........

Samsonite have in their brands Travelpro, American Tourister, High Sierra and Hartmann. Many would call Hartmann a luxury brand. So adding Tumi should just add to that.

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

JohnK asked on a luggage thread here somewhere about an Antler Cyberlite (unless my memory fails me), anyhow ... it is on special at Myer:

Myer Online - Up to 65% off selected luggage

the Antler Cyberlite II @ Luggage Direct 70cm $ 189 82cm $ 199


so Myers price is great !!

ANTLER
Cyberlite 11 Softside Spinner Case Medium 70cm Blue 2.9kg
was $319.00 now $127.60
quickview
ANTLER
Cyberlite 11 Softside Spinner Case Large 82cm Blue 3.2 kg
was $339.00 now $135.60

 

[Denali]

3.2kgs, ouch!