Most durable luggage to fly with - Timeshare Users Group Bulletin Boards

Timeshare Users Group Bulletin Boards

Travel Info

Most durable luggage to fly with (Page 2)

BBS Home > Travel Info
This topic is 2 pages long: 1 2

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Author	Topic: Most durable luggage to fly with
snelson TUG Volunteer Posts: 6520 From: Belly-View, WA. Owner: Embassy Poipu (floating); Winners Circle (Week 52), Raintree Vacation Club; Club Regina Registered: Dec 2000	posted 11-18-2003 19:47 I abandoned Samsonite when some of their near top of the line stuff fell apart on me after a just a couple of years. When I bought our current Atlantic gear, I spent some time looking at construction details - particularly wheels, handles, framing, and reinforcing. After spending time on this, it was pretty clear that Samsonite was easily outclassed by many other brands out there. I think Samonsite is fine for moderate travel. With my travel schedule (up to 25 trips per year, and needing to transport signficant amounts of work materials), Samsonite just didn't cut it. As I mentioned above, I have been very happy with my Atlantic. I also looked closely at Briggs and Riley, Tumi, TravelPro and a couple of others brands that I forget. Also almost all brands have a variety of models that span a range of quality. Some Atlantic products are no better than Samsonite and similar products. ------------------ Steve Nelson ** Lead me not into temptation; I can find the way myself. - Rita Mae Brown [This message has been edited by snelson (edited 11-18-2003).] IP: Logged
Carolyn TUG Member Posts: 868 From: Indiana Registered: Dec 2000	posted 11-19-2003 12:05 Any ideas how to figure out which "style" of a certain brand of luggage is the most durable? Do you think it could be obvious if you were able to compare the different styles side by side? Are there certain things to look for such as stitching, zippers, material used, wheels etc? Carolyn IP: Logged
PamH TUG Member Posts: 1495 From: Nashua, NH, Marriott Heritage Club, Marriott Harbor Pointe Registered: Jan 2001	posted 11-19-2003 16:26 Frenchie, I agree with you! We bought our last few pieces at Marshalls for about $75 each. They do get beat up, and who cares if you have to buy new ones. But for some reason I decided to splurge this time and give it one more shot. Especially when the store told me even airline damage would be repaired. Pam IP: Logged
Maddle TUG Member Posts: 215 From: Virginia Registered: Oct 2002	posted 11-19-2003 20:22 I absolutely love my Costco "Kirkland" branded luggage. It is very durable, lots of nice features, packs well. I paid about $85 for the roll-aboard 22", and about $125 for the 26". The fabric still looks good, the wheels and back feet have no problem, the handle is still straight and strong. There was a garment bag in the 26" that snaps into place, very useful. The zippers are strong and the binding around the corners is in great shape. Believe me - I pack those babies tight, although I don't usually put much of anything in the outside pockets, just to reduce the stress, (maybe some papers or a magazine.) Maddle IP: Logged
hvsteve1 TUG Member Posts: 395 From: Hyde Park, NY,USA Powhatan Plantation Registered: Aug 2002	posted 11-20-2003 19:11 You cannot always go by brand. Companies such as Samsonite sell everything from junk to good quality. Most brands are the same. Some, such as Travel Pro don't have a low end. Travel Pro is the originator of the upright luggage (invented by a pilot) and is the brand preferred by flight crews. Pathfinder, as mentioned earlier, has a variety of lines, the better one being Presidential which has a heavy duty ballistic fabric and YKK brand zippers and buckles which are normally used on sporting goods equipment. Unfortunately, the best luggage is also often the heaviest which is becoming more of an issue. Travel Pro has come out with a line called T-Pro which is amazingly light while still rugged. IP: Logged
Hoc TUG Volunteer Posts: 4789 From: Huntington Beach, CA Owner: Club La Pension, New Orleans; Nob Hill Inn, S. F.; Pueblo Bonito, Mazatlan; Allen House, London; Custom House, Boston Registered: Jan 2001	posted 11-20-2003 22:17 quote: Originally posted by golflover: Hoc, that is the same model I use. Bought mine at the Samsonite store for about $400. The bag does not weigh anywhere near 50 pounds. Have never had a problem with the weight. I just got mine on the bathroom scale and it weighs 27 pounds. Also went to Robinson's May today, and noticed that Samsonite doesn't make anything as big anymore. The largest they make nowadays is the Large size, which is about 2/3 the size of the one I have, and weighs 17 pounds. IP: Logged
Carolyn TUG Member Posts: 868 From: Indiana Registered: Dec 2000	posted 11-23-2003 07:16 I wanted to thank everyone for all their input on this subject. I really learned a lot and now it's time to go shopping!! Carolyn IP: Logged
Liz Wolf-Spada TUG Member Posts: 2011 From: Wrightwood, CA, USA Registered: Dec 2000	posted 11-23-2003 14:07 I bought a lightweight carry on, with wheels, from LLBean about 2 or 3 years ago for less than $150. I love it and to me, one of the greatest things about shopping at Bean is that everything is unconditionally guaranteed. If it doesn't hold up you can get a refund or another suitcase or use it towards a different model, even if it's 5 or 10 years down the road. Also, if you get an LLBean credit card (thru MBNA) there are no shipping charges, free monograming etc. And unless you live where they have a store, no sales tax. Liz IP: Logged
Carolinian TUG Member Posts: 5681 From: North Carolina Registered: Dec 2000	posted 11-26-2003 08:33 No matter how good it is, Delta's baggage mishandlers can certainly break it. When I used to fly Eastern, they were good at temporarily misplacing luggage, but it never seemed to get damaged. Delta doesn't do that, but it has certainly destroyed enough of mine that I use only carryons whenever possible. [This message has been edited by Carolinian (edited 11-26-2003).] IP: Logged
sfwilshire TUG Member Posts: 2156 From: Clinton TN Registered: Jan 2003	posted 11-26-2003 10:51 Carolinian, I agree with your statement regarding Delta and have to add that it seems particularly bad when flying into Orlando. I have a hard-sided bag that you would expect to be immune to damage. It has been busted every single time I've flown into Orlando. It's like it gets caught in some piece of equipment or something. Finally had to stop using it for air travel because it no longer latched reliably and that worried me since you can't lock the bags these days. Sheila IP: Logged
frenchieinme TUG Member Posts: 1838 From: Biddeford,ME,USA; Owner :Orlando,FL,, USA Registered: Jun 2002	posted 11-29-2003 19:35 If any of you are interested, there is a company out there which the airlines use which will repair any suitcase for pennies on the dollar. I found out about them when the airlines' mishandlers really did a number on an old suitcase that had been in the family so long we were about to retire it. This company revived it and the suitcase is as good as new. I since have sent them 2 other suitcases which they fixed for peanuts. If interested email me and I'll get you their 1-800 # & address. frenchieinme IP: Logged
ragtop TUG Member Posts: 465 From: National City, CA, USA Registered: Feb 2001	posted 11-30-2003 10:03 Ditto on the Costco brand. We bought it because it was cheap and thus it wouldn't matter how quickly it wore out. Turns out to be more sturdy than Travelpro and other top brands we've tried before. IP: Logged
BDK TUG Member Posts: 1365 From: Washington, DC - Owner: Vistana (Cascades), The Pointe Resort & Club (WI); Flamingo Beach; The Summit at Massanutten; & Hershey Vacation Club & Resort Registered: Dec 2000	posted 11-30-2003 11:00 Last year I bought the Swiss Air Victorinix line. The 24" retails for about $385 but I got it on E-bay for $210. I recently bought two of their Weekend Totes. The best price I could find for them was $250 each. The 24" is heavy and almost impossible to lift when packed, but it appears to be holding up well bumping up and down steps. The weekend totes are great because the handles disappear/collapse back inside the bag. Oh, and I got red so my bag would be more easily identifiable at baggage claim when I fly again. IP: Logged

This topic is 2 pages long: 1 2 All times are in Pacific Timezone	next newest topic \| next oldest topic
Administrative Options: Close Topic \| Archive/Move \| Delete Topic
	Hop to:

Contact Us | TUG Home | Privacy Statement

Copyright Timeshare User's Group - BBS Script customized by Laurence Chan lcc_home@hotmail.com
The Timeshare Users Group (TUG) makes no representations or warranties with respect to the use of the TUG bulletin boards, or their contents and further makes no representations with respect to the results that may be obtained from information on the BBS. The Timeshare Users Group shall not be liable for any damage or loss of any type arising from such use or content, and reserves the right to remove any posting on the bulletin boards. The bulletin boards are intended for use by Timeshare Users Group members, Non member postings are welcome. Advertising is not permitted on the BBS, TUG provides other areas on this web site for advertising. Any messages that are deemed as advertising will be deleted. Please read the full TUG BBS Usage agreement located in the FAQ. By using the BBS you accept and agree with the above statements. If you do not agree please return to the TUG Home Page