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Which is the best rolling suitcase? We were traveling this weekend (home to Ohio to see the fam and celebrate Easter), which meant that yet again I got to deal with my horrible carry-on rolling bag.
I got it a few years ago during what I thought was an amazing sale at Macy’s– if memory serves I paid less than $100 for what was originally a $430-ish bag. The logo fell off the first time I traveled with it. Since then, all of the zippers have broken at least once (some irreparably), the fabric hasn’t held up well, and it’s generally become a pain to push around. In other words: time for a new bag.
But I’m feeling a bit gunshy from my last travel experience, so I thought I’d ask — readers, what are your favorite rolling bags?
My brother has the Victorinox Werks (pictured above, available at Zappos on sale for $239) and while he likes it, I’m still curious about what you ladies have to say.
These are some of the Corporette readers’ favorite items for business travel…
In “things that work” news, I still love my LeSportsac Large Weekender bags — you can shove them into that useless front pocket on rolling bags when empty, and then use them if you need to carry back a lot of new purchases, gifts, or souvenirs. They’re particularly nice because you can lock the zippered main compartment (so it won’t burst open while the bag is being handled), but keep the key on the zipper so the TSA can hopefully get into it.
Readers, what are your favorite bags for travel? Have any other great travel tips?
Liana
So much temptation! Now to save up for proper luggage now that I’m out of school….
Related question: Any recommendations for clear zippered toiletry cases? I had a cheap one I loved that has finally started to fall apart, and I’m hoping to replace it before the next time I fly. Much quicker getting through security than having to fumble around removing ziploc bags from inside another other case.
Anonymous
Honestly, Ziplock freezer bags with the slider.
RRugosa
Yup. Ziplocks with sliders, the traveller’s best friend.
Menolly
I saw one at The Body Shop for under ten dollars a few weeks ago. It’s not very big though, would only hold travel sized items.
Liana
Agree the ziploc slider bags can work nicely, but they tend to get ratty after a trip or two (at least for me). The little clear plastic zipper bag I had worked beautifully for over two years of regular use.
Thanks for the BS tip, Menolly (btw, great name) — sounds like that one might do the trick . :)
RRugosa
I gave up on soft-sides when the zipper broke on the umpteenth one. Now I use hard-sides with latches. If I don’t feel confident of the latch, I put a luggage belt on it. Thread the belt through the handle so it can’t slip off sideways.
Hard-sides also save rummaging through all those fiddly little pockets looking for whatever.
RRugosa
Dear Santa – I would like a Rimowa carry-on and 26″ suitcase for Christmas next year. Aluminum. Spinners. Many thanks.
Yvonne
I carry an expandable black soft-sided case (it folds to a pouch) with my laptop and toiletries and a Lilly Pullitzer white/cream fabric garment bag. I wear one work outfit. My purse fits in the garment bag when I walk on the plane (to consolidate to the two bag limit). With these items, and wearing a coat and work flats, I can travel for up to 7 days. Any longer and I use hotel dry cleaning. No more travel problems – I’ve even been re-routed on a completely different airline for an entire trip, and I don’t lose luggage. Travel is nearly stress free…..
Lisa
My Hartmann suiter. 15 years old and FINALLY time to replace it. Not because it has broken, just because it’s too dirty to condone:).
k-t
I’m surprised no one else has mentioned them, but we love our LL Bean rolling flight bags. I’ve had mine for more than 15 years. My husband was using it so much for business trips that I bought him a full set 7 years ago. We almost never check luggage, but have never had any problems with it when we have. The design has changed a bit over the years, but this is what we have, and will probably get one for our daughter soon: http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/63261?feat=63260-ppodxs&dds=y.
M-C
Funny, everyone is talking about luggage, must be Spring :-).
Wheels take a huge amount of space, especially so in proportion to a carry-on (roughly 20%). So I have wheels on the large ‘moving’ suitcase, but I have a zipable-backpack for a carry-on. The extra straps are neatly tucked into a zipped pocket if I ever have to check the bag, so they don’t rip on the conveyors. But the point is that in my experience, miles of airport corridors always come with carts. On the other hand, miles of metro stairs don’t, not to mention skinny sidewalks covered in dogshit or small cobblestone streets with mopeds, and I’m too old to schlep a wheeled suitcase through all that. It’s not a true backpacking climb-the-Eiger quality rig, but it means I can carry even heavy contents comfortably, I could pack it with books and still cross a Paris arrondissement or two. For Europe, it’s way superior to wheels.
Oh, mine’s still available http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags/mother-lode-tls-weekender-convertible/143101?productid=1370035 fabric quality is less than Eagle Creek, that’s true, but the function is so much better.. Great flexible open design, but plenty of convenient pockets etc. I’m not a frenetic business traveler, mine’s still pristine after 5 years of vacations, but if I had to do it over I’d get this one again.
Diane
I have used TravelPro rollaboards for years and LOVE them for business/city travel. The only reason I got a second one is that the first one was looking tired, but I handed it off to my husband, and he still uses it. They hold up great under a lot of abuse.
However, the TravelPros seemed heavy for an upcoming trip to Europe where we will carry our bags around a lot, so my whole family bought Rick Steves bags. 3 of us got the rollaboards (much lighter than TravelPro, and 1″ shorter, so more likely to fit in overhead). My teenage son opted for the backpack (same size as rollaboard, 21″) and it’s so lightweight that I’m wondering whether I made the wrong choice. We’ll see …
Definitely recommend packing cubes — was shocked to see what a difference they make. Mine are from Rick Steves, but Eagle Creek, Magellan’s, etc. are similar.
Rachel
I highly recommend Tom Bihn bags!
http://www.tombihn.com/
Raivyn
I know this is an old thread, but I stumbled across it and just wanted to add my 2 cents that EAGLE CREEK is some of the best luggage and totally worth the cost. Last year I traveled for a conference and brought most of my belongings in my older Eagle Creek Switchback 28 (check-in size/detachable backpack). At the airport, it was RUN OVER BY A SHUTTLE BUS and wedged beneath the buses rear axle. A tow truck was needed to retrieve the bag.
It was pretty scuffed up and there were cracks along the base by the wheels, but the handle still functioned, the wheels still worked, and most importantly, the zippers held and my contents didn’t explode out of the bag on impact. So I would call that a super durable bag if it can survive being run over by a shuttle bus!
The best thing about it was that I sent the bag back to Eagle Creek for repairs, which is free because of their fantastic warranty, and they sent me a brand new bag!! For FREE!!
So now I will only purchase Eagle Creek luggage. Proven durability and great warranty – I’ll never have to purchase another piece of luggage again.
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Rebecca d.
I got a nice Travelpro set and its lasted through more than 50 flight segments with minimal signs of wear. I’ve taken it to the jungle, the arctic, and everywhere in between – no complaints!
Chilp.It
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