Luggage

Marcia (Mrs. Pete) · Post by **Marcia (Mrs. Pete)** » Tue May 12, 2009 12:02 am

Here is the deal: my parents want to give my daughter luggage for a graduation gift. Not just Target luggage (not that that there is anything wrong with that, we have plenty of it). They are talking "real" luggage.

So, I ask you all. What is your experience with luggage? The good, the bad, the ugly.

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Tue May 12, 2009 7:10 am

5 years ago we bought a set of Polo luggage from Overstock.com. We liked the look of it, not your basic black, and the reviews were good.
We have used it alot and it is really showing some wear and tear and we decided that we need to get a new set this year.

I think the most important thing to look at is the wheels and the zippers. Those are the 2 things that have failed us.

I am thinking that I want spinner wheels, but would love to hear from people that have them.

Overstock has a huge selection and with 2.95 shipping we will most likely buy from them.

I guess I didn't really help you, did I?

BOATSRUS · Post by **BOATSRUS** » Tue May 12, 2009 8:25 am

As former F/A I recommend TravelPro..I think I went through 2 of those suckers in about 10 years, and trust me, as a commuter it got the $hit beat out of it!(mostly from me!)Their accessories are also very well made.

Chickadee · Post by **Chickadee** » Tue May 12, 2009 9:10 am

Red Oxx (www.redoxx.com) makes seriously durable stuff in a huge variety. They are VERY expensive, but carry a lifetime warranty which reads as follows (for lawyer-Pete's benefit, since I know how us law folks can be about trusting warranties):

All Red Oxx travel bags and accessories are covered by our famous lifetime warranty. Simply ship the product back to us at: Red Oxx Mfg. 310 N 13th Billings, MT 59101 We will either repair or replace the item at no charge. The item will be returned to you "return shipping paid".

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Tue May 12, 2009 9:17 am

For suitcases, we have ones from LLBean. I can't remember the model name but the exterior is a sturdy nylon fabric and the luggage is fairly light weight.

For suitcases, weight was our #1 deciding factor. At the time, I bought the lightest weight I could find. I am happy with it, the corners are starting to show some wear but after 5 years I expect that.

For duffles, we have Lands End Lighthouse duffles in several sizes. These have held up well for several trips.

If you have a damage problem, Lands End is great about replacements.

My grandparent's gave me luggage for my high school graduation - sort of a light purple/dark pink American Tourister set. I used the suitcase until the wheels fell off. I don't think I ever used the garment bag.

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Tue May 12, 2009 9:24 am

All my three girls have Rick Steves rolling carryon luggage that are expandable past legal carryon. These are light, rugged and inexpensive. I prefer them over my $300 Samsonite that has had handles ripped off an corners broken. The roll extremely well and have a briefcase/bag clip.

Cheers, RickG

pjayer · Post by **pjayer** » Tue May 12, 2009 9:42 am

Looks like Amazon has a great deal on Rick Steves right now.

http://www.amazon.com/Evergreen-Rick-St ... 549&sr=1-9

RickG · Post by **RickG** » Tue May 12, 2009 9:46 am

I'm not a fan of their knapsack - very small. I do love the Rick Steves collapsibe bags. I use one for laundry on long trips in Europe and just drop the bag off at a wash and fold place and pick it up at the end of the day.

Cheers, RickG

bevm · Post by **bevm** » Tue May 12, 2009 9:58 am

We have Briggs and Riley. It still looks like new. They have an awesome warranty.
http://www.briggs-riley.com/

Margy Z · Post by **Margy Z** » Tue May 12, 2009 6:40 pm

We like Pathfinder - we have the older Revolution series. I like their rolling duffels - very sturdy but you can over-stuff them, too. They can take a lot of abuse. We have a Briggs & Riley 26" pullman that has really held up, as well. We use Kipling New Yorks for rolling carry-ons as they are lightweight but still structured and I just like the little stuffed gorillas

. The thing I've noticed about the side rollers is that you seem to lose some interior space - at least on the ones I've looked at. I was looking at a Kipling Seattle for a carry-on side- roller but I think it is a bit longer than 22" because of the fully exposed wheels.

- Margy

cocosmom · Post by **cocosmom** » Tue May 12, 2009 7:05 pm

Can't live without my spinner wheels. Never buy luggage with only 2 wheels again. I am petite & can use 2 fingers to push the big suitcase along side me through the airports, parking lots etc., while everyone else is dragging theirs behind them

nothintolose · Post by **nothintolose** » Tue May 12, 2009 11:56 pm

I don't have a brand suggestion as I don't know what brand mine is, and I am not going up in the attic to find out.

I can only tell you that next time I buy luggage, I am buying the most gawdy color/pattern there is so I don't have to figure out which black rolling bag is mine. Even with the bright luggage tag, it's a pain. In the future I am going with ugly and loud so I can spot my bag as soon as it comes out on the belt.

b-as-u-r · Post by **b-as-u-r** » Wed May 13, 2009 8:21 am

Hah, I own that ugly piece of luggage you speak of and it always stands out. Liz Claiborne suitcase in an ugly yellow/mustard color from TJMaxx with dirt stains and its still going strong after 5 or so years. Travel to Aruba and you'll really appreciate having ugly luggage. Your daughter is graduating from ??? Grammar school, high school, college? Depending on which, you may need to factor in it's "cuteness" and if it comes in any pink shades or a cool silver color. Just saying because those 2 things would be important to my (19 year old) girl. Good luck! Ali~

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Wed May 13, 2009 9:20 am

nothintolose wrote: I can only tell you that next time I buy luggage, I am buying the most gawdy color/pattern there is so I don't have to figure out which black rolling bag is mine. Even with the bright luggage tag, it's a pain. In the future I am going with ugly and loud so I can spot my bag as soon as it comes out on the belt.

You know, when we bought the LLBean suitcases, I chose red thinking that they would stand out.

Wrong! I think red now runs a very close 2nd to black in luggage colors.

Last time we took the suitcases, Husband slapped bright orange stickers that he uses for work all over the bags.

Marcia (Mrs. Pete) · Post by **Marcia (Mrs. Pete)** » Wed May 13, 2009 11:03 am

Thank you for all of these suggestions so far. My daughter is graduating from high school and will be attending U-Michigan-Ann Arbor next fall. She is an extremely practical young lady who is not a slave to fashion so an ugly set of luggage will make all kinds of sense to her!

Pete and I need new luggage, too. This last trip to STJ really took a toll on our bags. (Oh, and ours are RED, too. When did that become the new black for luggage? Grrrrrrr.)

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Luggage

Luggage