Yet another luggage thread

[Cynicor]

Time for me to buy new luggage and I need some advice.

Old threads suggest Victorinox is decent for the price, but Wenger is on special at David Jones so i'm wondering if anyone has experience with this brand.

Probably tossing up between the Werks 3.0 Victorinox and the Wenger Bern- 72cm luggage. It apparently has a lifetime warranty but probably not as comprehensive as the Victorinox...

So help me decide, or offer alternatives- just want something around the 24"/70cm rolling luggage that has to expand. Everythin else is icing on the cake. Long warranty and quality build would be good too.

Thanks
Jon

 

[Cynicor]

Just found the Victorinox for $420 shipped from a local store but it's October only. The Wenger is just over $200 so now I'm really unsure. Anyone at all have experience with Wenger?

Thanks,
Jon

 

[Travel Guru]

I can't assist with the Wenger question, but I can vouch for the Victorinox luggage, it's fantastic.

I've had my case for a couple of years now, its been on 10+ overseas trips and 50 or 60 domestic flights and aside from a bit of a grubby look its got going on, its held up perfectly, its fantastic.

TG

 

[Chicken or Beef]

Have Victorinox Werks handcarry and love the way the handle turns for an ergonimically sound natural grip whilst walking. It also fits very nicely under the seat in front. Enough room to pack the essentials.

Also have a 4 wheeled Samsonite Xion handcarry and larger versions for checkin - these are great as they are expandable. When expanded though, the h/c version ends up being checked in.

When travelling with the family, also use my Eminent Hippo large hardsided, vertical 4 wheeled bags. Usually checkin 5-6 bags if travelling to the States. Combination of hard and soft bags works better for getting them to fit into car boots!

Would never buy a bag without 4 wheels now. Even the kids can manouvre a heavy suitcase.

For shopping trips, I like my Delsey large weekend bag, but the zipper is already slightly buggered after only a few uses.

Love www.bagworld.com.au and www.theluggageprofessionals.com.au . They have the best prices! Also use Eagle Creek packing cubes to organise my bag and I manage to fit a lot more in whilst keeping clothes crease free.

 

[Mr Ed]

If you can't travel with style, travel with dignity. Meaning no Back packs, Hessian bags, Voluminous trunks to mention a few.

 

[The Beast]

I recently bought a Wenger from David Jones, also on special. By definition, I can't give you a long-term perspective, but it seems to be very well made and did me very nicely on a recent trip to Belgium. A good guarantee from a reliable retailer like DJ's counts for something, I reckon.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I recently bought a Wenger from David Jones, also on special. By definition, I can't give you a long-term perspective, but it seems to be very well made and did me very nicely on a recent trip to Belgium. A good guarantee from a reliable retailer like DJ's counts for something, I reckon.

AGREE, always buy from DJ's or Myers. I have Tumi - fantastic, but very expensive, held up everywhere on around 30+ trips. low whole of life costs, but high capial cost is how i see it

CHEERS Spruce

 

[docjames]

Our Antler Aeon air looks brand new despite a LONE4 and multiple BNE-MEL-BNE runs.

That includes large, medium suitcase, carryon and suit bag. All have been checked at one time or another.

Edit: i should add it's frequently on sale at Strandbags - the large suitcase gets down from $280 to $160 and the carryon from $180 to $100.

 

[browski]

Although I am a big fan of the Victorinox products; I am a bigger fan of their commitment to lifetime warranty.

As a heavy duty traveller, I have given their siutcases a beating of the years and I have had no problems receiving replacements or free repairs. I've had wheels replaced, zips repaired, handles replaced and other issues as well. Now you may think that these problems suggest inferior product; they dont - they represent symtoms of product overuse and misuse.

Outstanding after sales service which is so rare that I can't think of another industry that offers similar.

 

[Travel Guru]

Although I am a big fan of the Victorinox products; I am a bigger fan of their commitment to lifetime warranty.

As a heavy duty traveller, I have given their siutcases a beating of the years and I have had no problems receiving replacements or free repairs. I've had wheels replaced, zips repaired, handles replaced and other issues as well. Now you may think that these problems suggest inferior product; they dont - they represent symtoms of product overuse and misuse.

Outstanding after sales service which is so rare that I can't think of another industry that offers similar.

I'll second that, I was blown away at just what was covered by their lifetime guarantee, alot of other companies could take a leaf out of Victorinox's book about after sales service.

My next case should this one ever get the worse for wear will DEFINATELY be another Victorinox.

TG

 

[maninblack]

A couple of years ago Victorinox brought out a high priced range (cannot remember name) that had a fancy but dodgy handle mechanism. On it's second O/S trip the mechanism broke and I couldnt get the retractable handle to go back in. The hotel sent up their handyman and no luck. I had to dump the case.

When I got home I sent Victorinox an email complaint withs photos of the case. A week later a Fedex man turns up with a new NXT case shipped direct from the USA.

The particular Victorinox line was dumped, service was great but a shame they made a dodgy product in the first place.

 

[serfty]

... As a heavy duty traveller, I have given their siutcases a beating of the years and I have had no problems receiving replacements or free repairs. I've had wheels replaced, zips repaired, handles replaced and other issues as well. ...

Sounds like "my grandfathers Axe" - as good as new and he's only replaced the handle four times and the head twice ...

 

[browski]

For the cabin bag, I also gush about the Victorinox Stonehenge.

http://www.swissarmy.com/TravelGear/Pages/Product.aspx?category=arch2&product=30324101&

.......no repairs/replacements required so far.

 

[Cynicor]

Went with the WERKs 3.0 61cm wheeled luggage as it was $408 shipped online (40% off sale til 1st Nov. Timing!), next cheapest was $679.

Thanks for all the advice, those reviews of their customer service definately sealed the deal for me.

Might get some TUMI gear while in Sing, as the store is apparently in my hotel complex (Fairmont SG).

Jon

 

[Ewok]

I've tried just about everything (130+ flights per year, long/short haul), and I will never use anything but Tumi. Perfect luggage in my opinion - They have something to suit every occasion. Everything I have still looks like new after much use.

 

[browski]

I've tried just about everything (130+ flights per year, long/short haul), and I will never use anything but Tumi.

I'm sorry, but you'll have to increase your annual flight quota before anybody on this board can take you seriously.

 

[Archphoto]

I travel about 98% of the year and have split my luggage between 3 makers:

• Samsonite - medium duffel bag
• PakLite - Bag with wheels
• Victorinox - small duffel bag

All 3 take hard knocks and baggage handlers throwing them around nicely - obviously I don't pack breakables in them without adequate padding.Had a bottle of red travel IST-LHR-BKK packed in one of those foam bottle holders in the Samsonite and it arrived intact.

All three bags show very little signs of wear - the Samsonite is starting to fray a tiny bit at one of the seams, but after 6 years of hard knocks I think I can live with that for now.

The Paklite is a newbie to my stable after hating using the Samsonite on the Shinkansen throughout Japan - rolling luggage in this case is so much easier!

And the Victorinox is fantastic for my short hops; can throw in the hold or use as carry-on.

I'm very happy with all three of these and so far (fingers crossed) haven't needed to use their warranty yet. Guess your choice will ultimately depend on:

1. Price
2. Size
3. Use
4. Style
5. Reliability

and not necessarily in that order.

I'd love to get Tumi luggage (or even better Porsche), but like the cheaper stuff, it all gets handled the same and will look the worse for wear sooner or later.

Until they can guarantee their luggage will last a lifetime, I'll stick with something slightly cheaper that lasts just as long.