When you’re looking for a suitcase that will last, what are the signs of good quality? Is it in the materials or is it about sturdy zippers and smooth spinner wheels? Does internal organization matter, or do you prioritize lightweight construction?
I’m curious about what tells someone a suitcase is built to handle serious travel.
I currently use Level8 luggage and have been pretty content for the past 3 years of travel. I’d love to learn more about what you guys had in mind.
I’ve had expensive suitcases and the cheapest I could find. My suitcases I got from Costco lasted the longest but finally were too heavy. Get as light as you can and don’t spend too much. The airlines have run over, torn the handles, and broken the wheels off so many suitcases. When they ran over my suitcase and it couldn’t even be closed and had tread marks on it, they had the audacity to tell me I couldn’t prove I didn’t bring it in that way. I now take a photo of my luggage before every flight so it is time-stamped and I delete it after I’ve returned.
@Lennox
Thanks! And that’s horrible, I’m sorry to hear that was your experience. I have to start taking pictures of my stuff as well before checking in.
Would weight still matter for you even if it’s a carry-on?
@Jaden
Although I wasn’t the one you asked if weight mattered for a carry-on, I’m going to answer with a definite yes. Bought an eBag roller, and although it was a great bag (rolled well, liked the organization, well built), it was heavy empty. Packed, it was fine when rolling, but some trips I could barely lift it into the overhead because of the weight.
It got delegated as a road trip bag. I now have issues with getting even a light carry-on over the lip of the overhead depending on the airplane’s design. I’m only 5’2”, so this is part of the problem.
@Jaden
It doesn’t seem to matter so much in America but if you’re traveling in Europe it will.
Lennox said:
@Jaden
It doesn’t seem to matter so much in America but if you’re traveling in Europe it will.
Yeah, in Europe there are some low-cost carriers with strict weight limits for carry-on bags. When I replace mine next, I’ll need to ensure it’s lightweight.
@River
Not even low-cost carriers. Air Dolomiti is a normal regional carrier - but it depends on the plane you fly. Some have to be very strict.
Pre-2017 Tumi bags were the best. I still have mine that is in GREAT condition.
@Jaden
Probably more so than check-in because you have to lift it into the overhead bin.
@Jaden
Carry-ons have weight limits, and I have had to weigh the bag before this.
@Lennox
This. Also, “lifetime warranties” are not cure-alls because you have to go to the store or ship your luggage and in some cases be beholden to a turnaround time. When the wheel broke on my Costco luggage after almost 3 years of constant traveling, the turnaround time to receive all my money back and get a new luggage in the store was under 30 minutes.
Consider first whether you prefer a hard-side or soft-side bag. After using a soft-side carry-on for many years, I was forced to gate-check it twice because it was SLIGHTLY over the size limit. That’s when I decided to get something smaller: a hard-shell Samsonite that looked really nice and was made of recycled materials.
I used it for one weekend and hated the whole experience. What bugged me most was how much space it took up and its lack of pockets, which I find really helpful for organizing things.
I eventually bought an amazing 21" Travel Pro bag at a discount store for one-quarter of its normal cost. Yes, I know it’s not the same quality as a normal Travel Pro bag, but I wasn’t prepared to pay $600 for a carry-on. I’d rather put that towards a trip! My discount Travel Pro performed like a champ on a recent trip.
@Uri
Outside pockets on a carry-on are an absolute must for me. Not gonna dump my wallet and other pocket litter in the main compartment and spend a few minutes searching for it after security.
@Uri
Our household has a ~10-year-old Travelpro 2-wheel carry-on and a ~18-year-old Ogio 2-wheel carry-on. I’d say they only average 3 air trips a year, but we almost always take beer both ways. We’ve never had any damage, and only one beer can explosion (probably due to a canning issue).
So I forked out a LOT of money for a suitcase (carry-on) from Briggs + Riley.
I travel about 4-8 months out of the year.
This suitcase is SO worth the money I spent on it (about $600).
It has a lifetime warranty — can fix anything with it.
It expands (not carry-on size expandable) AND compresses (this I love).
The zipper is strong, I like the spinner wheels, and it doesn’t weigh too much.
It is a soft cover, which I prefer.
It is square — I like this better for packing.
It has a deeper suitcase (basically one-sided packing). I use the other side for dirty clothes.
It has a small pocket in the front for my passport— and also can fit my laptop in the other front pocket (I’ve used this only once).
I typically only use this bag as my carry-on to avoid the airline’s rough handling of it. I’ve sent it through on direct flights but try not to.
It’s a great bag and well worth the money I spent.
I shopped at different luggage stores for a couple of weeks until I found this bag. I’m shocked I spent this much money on a suitcase but I know it’s worth it because I haven’t regretted it yet, and I still love the bag.
@Hayden
Several months ago I found a used Briggs & Riley in my local thrift store. Still in very decent shape. It was $22. I had to explain to my husband why I was losing my mind in the luggage area of the thrift store. Needless to say, it’s my favorite suitcase.
@Ari
That is a great find!
@Hayden
Briggs & Riley is the way to go with the Baseline bags. Well-thought-out design and very useful. We have 2 carry-ons and a medium.
If you don’t want to spend that much money, the next best option is Travelpro Platinum Elite bags.
@Hayden
The warranty (against damage, not just defects) is what sold me. Yes, it’s expensive, but I see it as something I’ll never have to pay to replace. Buy once, cry once. It’s for life. Etc.
I spend between 1/4 and 1/2 my time on the road in my current job. This is my go-to bag.
I read tons of real reviews (not ads/sponsored reviews), watched what the experienced travelers around me had, and came to the same conclusion.
Since then, I’ve bought several more of their products either as gifts or in larger sizes for longer trips.
When I bought it, the sales rep told me that if it ever gets damaged, I should file a claim with the airline for miles/discount/voucher/etc., but then to bring the bag right to them. They’re an authorized B&R store so they can do small repairs on-site or send it back/forth to B&R for me.
@Hayden
Ditto. Best travel luggage brand in my opinion. My current inventory consists of 2 carry-ons, 2 mediums, and 1 large. All CX. 2 backpacks.
You can take them to war. They’ll come back.