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”.
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...
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"...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Himeno
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
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
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
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
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.
Racala
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
Ross
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 10 May 2014
Total posts 83
Notso Swift
Notso Swift
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 06 Oct 2016
Total posts 32
Notso Swift
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
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
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.
Dredgy
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.
MR1961
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
Himeno
Member since 12 Dec 2012
Total posts 295
Joe
Joe
Member since 03 May 2013
Total posts 190
Samsonite 'Lite Locked' ....stylish, light with a full frame and 3 locks.