Recommendations for checked luggage?

20 replies

Himeno

Member since 12 Dec 2012

Total posts 295

I’m looking for a new checked bag.


My current bag is a Samsonite Duranxt Lite which I’ve had for 3 years (of a 10 year warranty). In that time, the wheels have been replaced twice and now the retractable handle is bent and some of the zippers have fallen off.

I don’t use the bag as much as some other people, just 1-2 short trips (a single stop of 4-6 days) and 1 RTW trip each year (6-10 stops over 5-6 weeks).


I had the prior bag, don’t remember the brand (wasn’t a Samsonite), for 5 years before replacement. It didn’t need any repairs like the Duranxt Lite has. Only got replaced because the fabric at the top of the bag had started collapsing off the frame.


I got the Samsonite because it had a harder top while keeping the lighter soft case so as to prevent the issue.


The 2nd time the wheels got replaced under warranty, the store complained about having to do it, claiming that I wasn’t using the bag “correctly”.


Any suggestions for a new bag?

sid

Member since 07 Jan 2011

Total posts 208

They're not readily available here, but from my experience I can highly recommend TravelPro bags.

BigH

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 24 Dec 2012

Total posts 34

Try Rimowa. The Original is built like a tank. Wheels extra stable and smooth. Handle works really well. Has not failed me yet since purchase early 2014. Used 6-8 times a year. A bit on the exy side though...

David

Member since 24 Oct 2010

Total posts 1,021

I don't have any particular loyalty to any brand of bag, so among my checked luggage bags are a Samsonite, a Victorinox and a TravelPro, and I'm happy with all of them. Used to have a Delsey maybe a decade ago and it lasted damned well through a lot of travel. It's hard sometimes because you hear someone recommend Brand X and then somebody else says "Yeah, nah, they used to be good but they changed manufacturer or material or some such and now they're not that great anymore"...

Pallydou

Cathay Pacific - The Marco Polo Club

Member since 02 Jul 2018

Total posts 22

Rimowa Classic Flight or Topas are workhorse for me. I travel 12-14 bi-weekly trips a year and they followed me to the extreme locations (e.g. -20 Chicago or 40+ Dubai). They work perfectly. They come with 5-year warranty. The only shortcoming is $$$. If you buy in Australia it is double the price you get in Germany.

Last editedby Pallydou at Dec 27, 2018, 05:29 PM.

Racala

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 22 May 2018

Total posts 66

Firstly I wouldn't be getting anything that is soft sided.. the attrition rate on them with my travel (domestically and international) was significant. 15 years ago I bought a Samsonite rigid one.. it' been around the world several times, domestically about 20+ times a year, on and off ship/trains etc and has held up really well.

Ross

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 10 May 2014

Total posts 83

Try Rimowa. The Original is built like a tank. Wheels extra stable and smooth. Handle works really well. Has not failed me yet since purchase early 2014. Used 6-8 times a year. A bit on the exy side though...

Totally agree with Rimowa, and mine are the aluminum. A lock and wheel damaged at HKK were repaired overnight in KL without the bat of an eyelid without charge.

Was a huge fan of Victorinox, but on upgrading to Spectra 2 had three of them crack - replaced under warrenty but I moved to Rimowa.
Last editedby Ross at Dec 20, 2018, 02:50 PM.

Notso Swift

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 06 Oct 2016

Total posts 32

Rimowa for me, Topas because the classic handle looked more venerable, I had a wheel go tight (not broken) and replaced no questions. I have 3 now
Just a warning if you don't like the "patina" in the Aluminum don't even consider Topas or classic, but if you don't care about the dents go for it (and any bigger dents can be pressed out). There is a plastic one with the same hardware as the Topas, as well as a zip type plastic shell.

Notso Swift

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 06 Oct 2016

Total posts 32

PS, they are not super light, especially in smaller sizes, but not an issue and some of that weight is practicality such as adjustable the dividers

Ourmanin

Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer

Member since 08 Jun 2018

Total posts 144

Rimowa are hard to beat on quality. I’ve used Briggs & Riley for many years. Big fan. Lifetime guarantee and very tough. It’s all down to personal preference of course, but I prefer not to have the hard case. Mrs Ourmanin’s Samsonite hard case of many years (and flights) service has finally died and after borrowing my B&R bag for a recent business trip, that’s the route she’s gone down as a replacement. But as I say, very much personal preference.

gapmatt

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 06 Jan 2017

Total posts 14

comments on Rimowa seem pretty positive!
I am thinking of biting the bullet to get an aluminium one.

Now which country should i buy one in!

Dredgy

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 02 Apr 2017

Total posts 182

Away Travel does great bags. The standard color ones scatch (cosmetically) a little easily but they are the best laid out suitcases I've used.


They do aluminium ones but I'm not sure if they're worth the cost advantage over the excellent standard ones.

MR1961

Member since 17 Feb 2016

Total posts 9

Hands down Rimowa clam shell aluminium four wheels. For carry-on, the light polycarbonate is terrific.

Himeno

Member since 12 Dec 2012

Total posts 295

I've had a look at the Rimowa, but at those prices, it's a deal breaker. :(

It seems that most people lean towards hard sided cases. Why is this? I've always tried to avoid them because of their heavier weight and lack of pockets compared to soft sided cases.

Joe

Member since 03 May 2013

Total posts 190

Samsonite 'Lite Locked' ....stylish, light with a full frame and 3 locks.

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