Which is the best suitcase/luggage?

[d15.in.oz]

Rex: 2 x 105 bag carry-ons (max 7kg total)
http://www.rex.com.au/FlightInfo/cabin.aspx
Virgin Blue: 1 x 105 + small bag or non-rigid garment carry-ons (max 7kg total)
http://www.virginblue.com.au/helpInfo/travelInfo/atTheAirport/index.php?section=Baggage+Information
Tiger: 1 x 115 bag + lap top carry-ons (max 7kg for bag)
http://www.tigerairways.com.au/flight/useful-travel-information.php
SkyWest: 1 x 105 + non-rigid garment carry-ons (max 4kg total)
http://skywest.com.au/home.asp?documentid=88
Jetstar: 1 x 105 + small bag or non-rigid garment carry-ons (max 7kg total)
http://www.jetstar.com/flyingwithus/at-the-airport.html#bag

 

[adrian]

Mandarina Duck. I love mine. They've done 35-40 long-haul (mostly) flights since last October, and don't seem much worse for wear - usual scuffs around the plastic parts, but the fabric is holding together perfectly. Zippers are nice & strong. Relatively lightweight. Look great. Even though they are black, they look pretty distinctive on the carousel. But I think that there are other colours also.

Around $400 to $500 a bag, and it wasn't easy finding anywhere that wanted to discount, but if you are Sydney, Peters of Kensington generally do 20 to 30% off, so that is where I ended up buying mine from.

Would recommend them.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Some not-so-well known brands have lifetime (or a few years) warranty that covers *any* damage. That could be an option if you can find someone with that type of warranty.

Hehe last suitcase I bought (as opposed to carry on) I managed to get a 5 year full warranty (includes wear and tear) thrown in. Little did they know I travel as much in a year as most people do in a lifetime. Fortunately for them I switched to rarely checking in bags so now hardly use this suitcase.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I have always used carry-ons that comply, but the limits for checked baggage...well lets say most decent size luggage does not comply with the size regulation and i have never been pulled up on it, nor has anyone else I know. Here are some popular models, none of them comply, but I dont think the airlines care, its really weight that they worry about.

I strongly suggest you comply next time you travel from (even in transit) the UK. If it is oversized and spotted by security you will be made to check it in, even if it means clearing immigration and missing your flight.

 

[maninblack]

I strongly suggest you comply next time you travel from (even in transit) the UK. If it is oversized and spotted by security you will be made to check it in, even if it means clearing immigration and missing your flight.

I was talking about oversized CHECKED baggage.

 

[dragonman]

To explore this theme further, I would like ideas on what is considered to be the best laptop bag. The one I have barely fits the laptop and no more. Any recommendations?

 

[NM]

To explore this theme further, I would like ideas on what is considered to be the best laptop bag. The one I have barely fits the laptop and no more. Any recommendations?

I use my Samsonite roller briefcase for my laptop. I just used it with my Dell D820 which is pretty big and worded just fine. Next trip is with my new Lenovo T60 which is smaller and lighter do will be even better.

My Samsonite roller brief case is 105cm linear dimensions, so complies with QF Domestic carry dimensions, and it big enough for my laptop, cables and enough clothes for a few nights away. Just don't look like you are struggling with the weight because I am sure its over 7kg when loaded with laptop, power supply, other assorted cables, iPod, Pocket PC, shaver, toiletries and clothes.

The new T60 came with a Dicota brand back-pack which seems to be very good. For my ATW trip coming up, I might take both, but will need to check one of them for my LHR-FRA flight due to the one-piece limit there. I can cope with that.

 

[simongr]

In relation to using using the carryon for a few days clothes - how are you managing with toiletries? Do you decant everything into appropriately sized bottles? Its the one I can think of how to get around. I cant use airport/hotel gels etc due to sulphur allergy so can't figure out how I can get round this ban without spending an age decanting stuff into mini-bottles.

S

 

[serfty]

Being a guy who rarely checks luggage, volume/weight has always been an issue. I have been decanting shampoo etc. into small bottles for years; generally reusing empty hotel miniatures.

I also employ a small tubes of toothpaste.

Coming back from HKG last month, mrs serfty filled her 'litre bag' with sundry gunk and proceeded to use ½ of mine.
.

 

[NM]

In relation to using using the carryon for a few days clothes - how are you managing with toiletries? Do you decant everything into appropriately sized bottles? Its the one I can think of how to get around. I cant use airport/hotel gels etc due to sulphur allergy so can't figure out how I can get round this ban without spending an age decanting stuff into mini-bottles.

S

No issues with liquids for Australian domestic flights.

But even still, my toiletries bag does not have anything over 100ml anyway. The hotels always have shampoo etc, so I all I need to carry is deoderant (roll-on 50ml bottle is good for a a 3-4 week trip) and toothpaste (I save the mini-tubes from F and J amenity kits for when I am travelling). No need to decant anything and keeps the packing simple.

 

[serfty]

... No need to decant anything and keeps the packing simple.

As simongr posted, he "cant use airport/hotel gels etc due to sulphur allergy". I have issues with the 'conditioning shampoos' you often get, so decanting for me is necessary.

 

[NM]

As simongr posted, he "cant use airport/hotel gels etc due to sulphur allergy". I have issues with the 'conditioning shampoos' you often get, so decanting for me is necessary.

No problems there for me. I just use whatever they give me in the hotel room. Makes packing simple for me.

 

[simongr]

You are very very lucky then NM... I left my shwoer gel in a hotel in Pittsburgh last year and had to scour NYC looking for shower gel... a long experience...

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I was talking about oversized CHECKED baggage.

sorry

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

In relation to using using the carryon for a few days clothes - how are you managing with toiletries? Do you decant everything into appropriately sized bottles? Its the one I can think of how to get around. I cant use airport/hotel gels etc due to sulphur allergy so can't figure out how I can get round this ban without spending an age decanting stuff into mini-bottles.

S

Decanting is not always successful. Some screeners take it upon themselves to interpret the rules as requiring original bottles and thus confiscate anything that is obviously decanted.

Also been some reports of unfortunate mix ups with decanted contact lens solution :shock:

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

No problems there for me. I just use whatever they give me in the hotel room. Makes packing simple for me.

Me too.

 

[Optics]

You are very very lucky then NM... I left my shwoer gel in a hotel in Pittsburgh last year and had to scour NYC looking for shower gel... a long experience...

I feel for you, that would be a pain . I almost always manage to travel with only my carry-on bag, with laptop etc and a few days clothes. Use the hotels supplied shampoo and the toothpaste from the J amenity kits. Makes it all very simple. I hate having to check baggage. Luckily, my company has a casual clothes policy for our semi-annual get togethers, so don't need to pack suits etc.

Last time I went to Quebec City in December 06, I needed to check a bag (bloody cold and snow etc meant I needed to pack more than normal), and of course my checked bag never made it out of the chute in Toronto in time for me to load it for the flight to LAX. Still, it arrived at my door in Mel the day after I got home, so no real harm done .

 

[alect]

I have had a bit of a luggage year - trying to get the right luggage. We had a LARGE triplite wheeler case and a small (might be just bigger than regulation) rollaboard. My suit bag was looking a little worse for wear so I bought a new one - nice and slim - before my first trip last year - Airport brand . The upshot was a a main bag that was too heavy when full and a suit bag that was too small.

Just before my big rip last october I bought a new spinner case - A$110. As I landed into JFK the corner round one of the wheels got cracked and basically the bag became useless.

I now have a nice sized samsonite (black) spinner that I am very happy with. Just the right size and can hold a decent 30kgs (where appropriate). Although its black it is shiny enough that I can easily recognise it. It is a bit scratched but I am working on the principle that the average person flies say twice a year and their bags should last them 10 years - so 20 flights. On my last trip the bag went through 18 flights alone so if I can get say 50 flights a year out of it for two years I think that is enough.

I am now trying to sort hand luggage. On my short trips (single flights or multiple short flights of less than 4 hours thus not wanting to shower) I am taking my over-the-shoulder laptop bag by HIDESIGN - it forces me to travel light and fits neatly my laptop, power, comics, notebooks (work and trip reporting) and a couple of other things. For my DONE4s (or anything with multiple flights over 4 hours) I will take my rollaboard - but I am now scouting for a new one. It has to be regulation but now hold normal gear plus changes of underwear and shirts - a new quest for me (and yet more explaining at home )

For heavy users such as you, I would recommend Briggs & Riley. They are really well designed, but the best thing of all is that they have a no-questions-asked lifetime warranty - ie even if the airline damages your case in any way they will fix or replace. There are many fans of B&R over on FT. I was persuaded and bought the U21NX and love it.

The one downside of it is its weight when empty - but I have never been denied bringint it on board for that reason!

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I thought B&R stopped offering their lifetime warranty a year or so ago, or am I thinking of Tumi??

 

[simongr]

According to this link they still seem to be offering the lifetime guarantee.

Shame the luggage is so bland and uninteresting - maybe I shouldnt be so focussed on aesthetics....