Recommended Suitcases

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Discussion

EViS

Original Poster:

393 posts

162 months

Saturday 6th August 2016
quotequote all
We're after some good quality suitcases - a pair of cabin and two larger cases. Samsonite seems to be the well marketed brand, but at a premium price, are they worth it? Any recommendations welcome smile.

Du1point8

21,604 posts

191 months

Saturday 6th August 2016
quotequote all
what size?

mid range pricing I have the following:

http://store.dakine.com/bags/travel-bags/luggage/s...
Mine was previous model with 3 pockets on front and 3 pockets inside.

http://www.overstock.com/Luggage-Bags/Victorinox-S...
Built like brick st house... it expands and can happily carry everything I need.

Both have been on dozens of flights, held up well, go the odd scuff and I would buy them again in a heartbeat.

Large suitcases I don't have, only other bag I take on holiday is this:
http://www.spearfishing.com.au/bags/gear-bags/beuc...

for my dive equipment.

EViS

Original Poster:

393 posts

162 months

Saturday 6th August 2016
quotequote all
Not really sure what size, what's the average for a 2 week holiday for 2 adults?

The smaller one needs to be standard cabin size.

Ynox

1,702 posts

178 months

Saturday 6th August 2016
quotequote all
Off the top of my head, my medium size cases are roughly 60-80 litres, large about 110 litres.

I've had good experiences with Antler cases. They've been great for what they are. Also found my one Travelpro case to be exceptional with the beating its taken (small case, used for travel by my wife and I, at least once a month).

Try TkMaxx for cheap good luggage (where I got the Travelpro) or Antler outlets for Antler. Avoid Tripp cases from Debenhams - I've had 3 and they've all been crap.

1ians

398 posts

192 months

Sunday 7th August 2016
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I'm a fan of Eastpak luggage. Well made and compresses down so you can get a few in a car.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0010VEX1U/ref=cm_sw_r...

CoolHands

18,496 posts

194 months

Sunday 7th August 2016
quotequote all
Samsonite S'cure Spinner (size 69/25) here for main luggage. That 69/25 is two of the dimensions. It is 79 litres. I like that particular size as it remains manageable and also when full up it weighs almost exactly 23kgs normally, which is perfect for virgin Atlantic flights as that is their weight limit. It has four wheels on the bottom, is fantastic to use, I love the clips, I like the firm plasticy material it's made out of. A hundred-odd litre one is imo, too big.

I love it 10 out of 10 from me.


smifffymoto

4,527 posts

204 months

Sunday 7th August 2016
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I really rate Eaglecreek if you don't want a traditional suitcase.

Perik Omo

1,883 posts

147 months

Sunday 7th August 2016
quotequote all
Rimowa user here, cheaper if you buy by mailorder from Koffer-Direkt in Germany.

The Leaper

4,937 posts

205 months

Sunday 7th August 2016
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I've had my Briggs & Riley suitcase (good for 2 weeks holiday) for 15 years plus, been everywhere and probably chucked about quite a bit. Still looks brand new. Capacious and well designed interior and good external fittings too. Expensive, maybe. Comes with a no quibble life time guarantee.

R.

AndrewEH1

4,917 posts

152 months

Sunday 7th August 2016
quotequote all
1ians said:
I'm a fan of Eastpak luggage. Well made and compresses down so you can get a few in a car.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0010VEX1U/ref=cm_sw_r...
I use that case too, very good quality!

halfpenny43

1,015 posts

235 months

Sunday 7th August 2016
quotequote all
AndrewEH1 said:
1ians said:
I'm a fan of Eastpak luggage. Well made and compresses down so you can get a few in a car.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0010VEX1U/ref=cm_sw_r...
I use that case too, very good quality!
Another vote for this Eastpack case.

I travel once a month to the US and once every two or three months to Asia for work and I've had this for at least 3 years and still going strong with not even a broken wheel

Du1point8

21,604 posts

191 months

Monday 8th August 2016
quotequote all
halfpenny43 said:
AndrewEH1 said:
1ians said:
I'm a fan of Eastpak luggage. Well made and compresses down so you can get a few in a car.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0010VEX1U/ref=cm_sw_r...
I use that case too, very good quality!
Another vote for this Eastpack case.

I travel once a month to the US and once every two or three months to Asia for work and I've had this for at least 3 years and still going strong with not even a broken wheel
Looks very similar to the Dakine I posted up... if you look on sports pursuit website they have sales on now and again, I got mine for £65 instead of £130 and its totally rebuildable.

Oceanic

731 posts

100 months

Monday 8th August 2016
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If you want something bullet proof, I use these bad boys... http://mendoza-bag.com/collection.php?serie=seahaw...

RizzoTheRat

25,085 posts

191 months

Monday 8th August 2016
quotequote all
halfpenny43 said:
AndrewEH1 said:
1ians said:
I'm a fan of Eastpak luggage. Well made and compresses down so you can get a few in a car.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0010VEX1U/ref=cm_sw_r...
I use that case too, very good quality!
Another vote for this Eastpack case.

I travel once a month to the US and once every two or three months to Asia for work and I've had this for at least 3 years and still going strong with not even a broken wheel
Same here, I've been using it on my weekly commute to Holland for 6 months and it's still in great condition, I'd recommend them to anyone.

EViS

Original Poster:

393 posts

162 months

Monday 8th August 2016
quotequote all
Well that's a very mixed case of recommendations. Is Samsonite overpriced for what it is?

Should I opt for a soft or hard shell case? I fear the latter may crack over time and is potentially a little heavier (?).

schmalex

13,616 posts

205 months

Monday 8th August 2016
quotequote all
I bought a new Samsonite X Blade 64cm back in March. It's still in pretty good nick after some 30 or so long haul sectors since. Personally, I prefer 2 wheels rather than 4, but there are very few decent 2 wheel soft shell cases available at the moment.

jshell

11,006 posts

204 months

Monday 8th August 2016
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All of our Samsonite's have eventually given up, so it's all Tumi from now on. They're just a class above.

gtidriver

3,335 posts

186 months

Tuesday 9th August 2016
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My 9yr old lad has an osprey ozone carry on and is very impressed with it, his mum has some crap from kipling which has split after 4 short holiday and i have the maxpedition tactical carry on, which is both tactical and practical, if the plane crashes my crap in my carry on will be fine. Only problem is the price of mine,around £250

RizzoTheRat

25,085 posts

191 months

Tuesday 9th August 2016
quotequote all
EViS said:
Well that's a very mixed case of recommendations. Is Samsonite overpriced for what it is?

Should I opt for a soft or hard shell case? I fear the latter may crack over time and is potentially a little heavier (?).
Given the abuse the suitcases seem to get from the baggage handlers (they ripped the handle off mine last week) I'm not sure I'm not sure how long a cheap hard case would last before cracking. I reckon either go for a very strong hard case, which will weigh a ton, or something like the Eastpack ones which have a solid back and soft front, meaning anything damageable goes in the back half and is protected by all your clothes in the front.

andysgriff

913 posts

259 months

Wednesday 17th August 2016
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My fancy Samsonites have fallen apart but have been repaired over the years, zips bust, fabric torn, handles ripped off. The old hard case samsonites that a lot of flight crews use are virtually indestructable. I still use mine since i bought it in 92 and its done a fair few miles without issue.