Recommended Suitcases

[soad]

Oceanic said:

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

Wanted one 6 or 7 years ago, but completely forgot about them.

I do have a hard-bodied Samsonite, which I bought from Allders almost two decades ago!

[Oceanic]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

fk. Actually they weigh a fktonne..... 6KG empty when you've a 23kg weight limit is slightly

Not had a problem with mine and they are a damn site stronger than Samsonste stuff.

[Slushbox]

I have a 'medium' Samsonite Aeris 64CM hard-case roller. Big enough for a good weekend away. Don't know if Ryanair could destroy it though.

Bought six months ago for £70 from Amazon Germany, but prices go up and down, can be double the price. Nice case at the right price if you can find it.

Have a long guarantee if you keep the receipt

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00J9YS6FY/ref...

[brickwall]

I've had a Samsonite B-Lite for a couple of years. I must have done 200 flights with it, and it's still in great condition. Very light, and you get a lot of volume (given cabin size restrictions).

[craig1912]

we have two of the earlier version of these
http://www.travelsage.co.uk/samsonite-aeris-spinne...

Used 3/4 times per year and only criticism is they lose a wheel occasionally- an email to Samsonite and we get a new one in a few days FOC so good customer service

Edited by craig1912 on Sunday 21st August 08:21

[Flying Penguin]

600+ flights and apart from scratches, mine is still in perfect condition. Best "sub £100" suitcase IMHO.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsonite-Suitcase/dp/B00...

[keith333]

I really like these. http://www.caribee.com/fast-track-45

Great quality zips and good looking too. Did I really say that about a bag :-)

[djc206]

Flying Penguin said:

600+ flights and apart from scratches, mine is still in perfect condition. Best "sub £100" suitcase IMHO.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsonite-Suitcase/dp/B00...

I just ordered one of these on the back of the 600+ flights comment. My current cheapo suitcase has probably only done 20-30 flights and it looks like it's been run over by a tank.

[djc206]

I have one of these that I take to rougher parts where I might need to lug my back around. It's faired very well and is very waterproof which is handy.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00WI09NLW/ref=mp...

[AndrewEH1]

djc206 said:

I have one of these that I take to rougher parts where I might need to lug my back around. It's faired very well and is very waterproof which is handy.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00WI09NLW/ref=mp...

Yeah, I have a couple of those and they're great as long as they aren't too heavy!

[djc206]

AndrewEH1 said:

Yeah, I have a couple of those and they're great as long as they aren't too heavy!

True I lugged one around Tokyo for a day with 3 weeks worth of kit for a trip to NZ in it and my shoulders and back were in tatters by the time I boarded my AKL flight.

[silentbrown]

My vote : two-wheeled cases every time.
The four-wheeled ones need exposed wheels, casters and generally way too much complexity to handle the level of abuse the most cases get.

I have a Samsonite cabin case, but it hardly gets used because it's so strong and feature-ridden that the interior space is badly compromised. Most time I just use a Tom Bihn bag as a carry-on. https://www.tombihn.com

[jshell]

silentbrown said:

My vote : two-wheeled cases every time.
The four-wheeled ones need exposed wheels, casters and generally way too much complexity to handle the level of abuse the most cases get.

[Slushbox]

Suitcases with zips can be opened with a ballpoint pen, and often closed again.

Hence the need for clamshell zip-free cases.

For what it's worth, my sister-in-law, a righteous Christian woman and utterly naive flew into Miami with a zippered case, and had everything of any value removed from it, including her hair dryer.

Like a mug she then buys another zippered case, flies out of Miami back to LHR, only to find second case has been rifled, and all the new stuff she bought removed.

See:

https://youtu.be/9JvmAktLvFg

[tim0409]

Slushbox said:

Suitcases with zips can be opened with a ballpoint pen, and often closed again.

Hence the need for clamshell zip-free cases.

For what it's worth, my sister-in-law, a righteous Christian woman and utterly naive flew into Miami with a zippered case, and had everything of any value removed from it, including her hair dryer.

Like a mug she then buys another zippered case, flies out of Miami back to LHR, only to find second case has been rifled, and all the new stuff she bought removed.

See:

https://youtu.be/9JvmAktLvFg

Now I understand why I see so many people getting their cases wrapped in cling film at Miami!

[LordHaveMurci]

silentbrown said:

I have a Samsonite cabin case, but it hardly gets used because it's so strong and feature-ridden that the interior space is badly compromised.

Likewise, and mine weighs a ton too! Sadly I don't fly very often so it's not an issue to me.

[johnfm]

Pointless using carry on luggage that is heavy - as many airlines have a 7kg limit on carry on! Light as possible 4 wheel case for me.

[sly fox]

EViS said:

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 .

Samsonite- No.
I'm just about to replace 3 year old Samsonite cases because they are knackered after that time. Locks barely work, zips difficult to use, frame has been smashed more than once and is now weak. Coasters are also started to wear out meaning the case is hard to pull in some directions.
Admittedly i travel far more than most (20+ trips a year) , but they are not up to the abuse transatlantic travel operators can put them through IMHO.
I've had them repaired once under warranty but that took 2 months to get them back.

Previous cases - cannot remember brand but bought from John Lewis and i think they were Italian - lasted me 5-6 years before i replaced them. So, the premium i paid for Samsonsite does not seem to be worth it.

Looking for a different brand this time.

[TheGuru]

Samsonite are not worth a premium these days, they are no better than many others. If you can get them on special maybe worth it, but the really aren't worth the premium over their own American Tourister brand.

Delsey is a brand I would avoid

[Craikeybaby]

CoolHands said:

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.

Another vote for the S'cure here, for the main bag, although I use the smaller (60ish litres) as I tend to pack light. I chose it due to the lack of zips, which always seem to be the weak point in any cases I've had.

Samsonite do a cabin luggage sized one, which I did look at, but decided against it as you would need to open the whole case to get anything out - such as your bag of toiletries when passing through airport security. We've got a couple of Dakine rollers for checked luggage and have been pleased with them.