Any regular travelers here have advice on luggage brands?

[Meat-O-Rama]

Any regular travelers here have advice on luggage brands? Ready to upgrade our family luggage to something a little more durable and long lasting. Advice?

 

[Denim Chicken]

Oh, what are they called? Swim? Swammi? Slippy? Slappy? Swenson? Swanson? Samsonite! I was way off!

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Kinda depends on what you are doing with them. If you travel regularly, I would recommend Tumi (not there low end line).

If you are just looking for something to take a few family trips, then don't waste the money on real expensive. Just go down to Sam's or something like that and see what they have. For the money, it will probably be the best deal.

 

[Phrozen Phil]

I have had good luck with Dakine. The last time I went to Vegas, we were a bit over packed on the way home and the airline was about to charge me $90 for over weight baggage. The suitcase I have allowed to split it into two suitcases and I only had to pay $25 for the additional bag. The suitacase in question cost me $175 6 years ago and is still in good shape. It's a 65 liter model.They still make a sllightly different version of the bag and my wife and sons all have the same cases and good experiences with them. I bought the last one on-line from backcountry.com, but there are other sites that offer good prices. Dakine makes snowboard bags and backpacks, so they have been pretty sturdy. They also make smaller, carry-on size suitcases.

ABQ's advice on Tumi is also good, but they are quite high end. If you're a very frequent traveller, it might be worth spending the extra dough. I have a couple of friends who have Tumi suitcases and are extremely happy with them.

Eagle Creek makes bags you can use as backpacks or wheel them along. It really depends on what kind of travel you do. Shop around. There are good choices. My only other advice is that if you go cheap, you will be replacing your luggage, maybe even during your holiday. I've seen more people with exploded or vandalized suitcases over the past few years than before.

 

[Meat-O-Rama]

I have had good luck with Dakine. The suitacase in question cost me $175 6 years ago and is still in good shape. It's a 65 liter model.They still make a sllightly different version of the bag and my wife and sons all have the same cases and good experiences with them. I bought the last one on-line from backcountry.com, but there are other sites that offer good prices. Dakine makes snowboard bags and backpacks, so they have been pretty sturdy. They also make smaller, carry-on size suitcases.

ABQ's advice on Tumi is also good, but they are quite high end.

Eagle Creek makes bags you can use as backpacks or wheel them along. It really depends on what kind of travel you do. Shop around. There are good choices. My only other advice is that if you go cheap, you will be replacing your luggage, maybe even during your holiday. I've seen more people with exploded or vandalized suitcases over the past few years than before.

Thanks for the feedback. This is the situation I'm in now. I've gone cheap the last couple of times and gotten what I've paid for. Luggage that starts to unravel on the first trip etc. Looking to spend a little coin to get something that will last us a good long time of taking a couple family trips a year with some occasional individual trips mixed in.

 

[theogt]

Tumi, hands down.

 

[NeonDeion21]

Piggly Wiggly bags and Igloo coolers do just fine for me.

 

[trickblue]

Kinda depends on what you are doing with them. If you travel regularly, I would recommend Tumi (not there low end line).

If you are just looking for something to take a few family trips, then don't waste the money on real expensive. Just go down to Sam's or something like that and see what they have. For the money, it will probably be the best deal.

Ditto this... Tumi luggage isn't cheap, but it's top notch and will last a lifetime...

 

[WoodysGirl]

I'm not sure what is considered cheap, but I bought mine from either JC Penney or Sears for about $70. I've had my set for quite a few years and they've just begun to wear down. Partially because I travel alot, partially because I overpack, and partially because the baggage handlers have treated my stuff pretty rough.

Anywho, the brand I purchased was Forecast.

 

[Shunpike]

Please read below article before buying your luggage

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/03...k-airport-baggage-scandal-200-thefts-per-day/

Sources told Kramer that one of the things that makes the thieves so successful is that they engage in luggage profiling. They go after the most expensive luggage, but they also check out where you come from. So if you live in Scarsdale or Muttontown or North Woodmere you’re more likely to have your bags opened and possibly things stolen.

 

[Hoofbite]

I need to find luggage that acts a deterrent for the "random" bag checks.

Almost every time I fly, I end up with a nice little pamphlet in my luggage.

 

[Jammer]

Please read below article before buying your luggage

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/03...k-airport-baggage-scandal-200-thefts-per-day/

This. I travel frequently (+125k miles per year) and I get the best "cheapest" luggage I can. I spray paint big "Xs" over the entire luggage so there is no doubt it is mine. People are always telling me what a good idea that is, but I've yet to see anyone else do it. If I had expensive luggage I wouldn't do that. No body messes with my luggage, but it does sometimes catch TSA's eyes, but that's not a big deal with me.

My wife bought some fairly expensive luggage a couple of years ago and she had a camera and a couple of other things stolen, and I know it was because of the luggage. The airline paid us some money, but the pictures she took were forever lost.

 

[trickblue]

Please read below article before buying your luggage

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/03...k-airport-baggage-scandal-200-thefts-per-day/

I always lock mine...

That being said, I would imagine luggage profiling is quite prevalent...

 

[rocboy22]

I need to find luggage that acts a deterrent for the "random" bag checks.

Almost every time I fly, I end up with a nice little pamphlet in my luggage.

I hate that! All your stuff is just mangled. It's kind of like you wish they just did it to everyone's so you wouldn't waste the time packing your stuff neatly and just smash it all in there, because it's gonna end up like that anyways.

 

[Phrozen Phil]

This. I travel frequently (+125k miles per year) and I get the best "cheapest" luggage I can. I spray paint big "Xs" over the entire luggage so there is no doubt it is mine. People are always telling me what a good idea that is, but I've yet to see anyone else do it. If I had expensive luggage I wouldn't do that. No body messes with my luggage, but it does sometimes catch TSA's eyes, but that's not a big deal with me.

My wife bought some fairly expensive luggage a couple of years ago and she had a camera and a couple of other things stolen, and I know it was because of the luggage. The airline paid us some money, but the pictures she took were forever lost.

My camera, tablet, other electronics and valuables come with me via carry-on. I invested in some Eagle creek pack-it folders and containers and I use the extra-large zip-loc bags. In order to get into my suitcase, you have to undo two large straps, unzip the two sides to fold it out and then you have to unzip each side. TSA has gone through my bags and the agent seemd to like being able to see my stuff in an organized fashion. The dirty clothes go in the zip-loc bags, so they don't have to handle my unmentionables.

I like the idea of making your luggage look less desireable. I'm going to consider something similar. I have a buddy who's luggage is an awful mustardy yellow and he says nobody wants to handle it. Even the bell-boy at his hotel looked down his nose at it.

 

[Meat-O-Rama]

Thanks to all for the input on luggage brands.

Also a very interesting perspective on luggage profiling. Had not occurred to me before. I too bring my electronics and valuables on the plane with me, so it's not much of an issue.

 

[jobberone]

We fly back and forth to China and some here and there as well; also the occasional trip to Europe etc. My wife makes these ridiculously colored custom covers (horrible prints to be honest but don't tell her I said that) and puts that over our luggage. First you can't miss them and two they are difficult to remove so I doubt people mess with it esp since they're locked, too.

We buy ours from Sams and get it on sale as long as it looks reasonably durable. I've lost too much luggage to invest in expensive pieces and they are like jewelry; way!!!! overpriced IMO.

Don't put medications, cameras, computers, jewelry yada in your luggage. Carry it on your person or we use moderate sized shoulder packs for computers, kindle, extra batteries, etc. People aren't normally interested in stealing your clothes. We don't stand out much either as we dress casually although I do it for comfort rather. If you wear expensive clothing etc then you could be targeted.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

Tumi is ridiculously overpriced and unnecessary and for those who want everyone else to think they are rich. Buy something in the low to mid price range and expect to get around 5 years. The airlines are going to beat the crap out of the luggage anyway. If the airline loses your Tumi bag you will never get back what you paid for it.

I go with Eddie Bauer and buy when the store has 30% off everything or a good clearance price. 10% extra discount for military. Light, durable, lifetime guarantee, and can hold a lot.

I also had a Somsonite I used for over 18 years until the fabric around the zipper tore last year. That bag took a beating.