I had wanted to ask about this months ago but our next trip is sneaking up on us and I am in need of a luggage upgrade as my big box store American Tourster bit the dust earlier this year.

Was thinking about getting something hard sided and wondering if anybody makes something with an exterior access pocket? Also willing to pay buy once, cry once prices it so it lasts me awhile.

This would be the bag I routinely check so I am not concerned with keeping it carry-on size, but just need it move around freely when needed.

Thanks in advance.

Buy once, cry once - Briggs & Riley Baseline.

It is soft side, has a lifetime warranty that is rock solid (I’ve used it, no questions asked). Everything else doesn’t come close.

V525 Pelican Vault Rolling Case. If you are checking it, its weight is less of an issue.

quote:

Originally posted by reloader-1:
Buy once, cry once - Briggs & Riley Baseline.

It is soft side, has a lifetime warranty that is rock solid (I’ve used it, no questions asked). Everything else doesn’t come close.

^^ THIS ^^

It's one of the two or three brands that pilots buy because it's durable and repairable.

I bought mine back when I used to be a high tier frequent flyer and still going strong 10+ years later. I have their:

21" Carry-on expandable spinner. Spinner is a nice upgrade compared to traditional rollers especially going down airline aisle. The expandable is nice as you expand it, put the internal straps in place, zip shut, and then push it down and it'll take the fluff out clothes so you can fit more.

Large expandable spinner.

Executive Essentials toiletry kit. It's probably overkill but it's durable as all get out and matches.

BTW, there is a nuance in carry-on luggage - the 22" domestic size and the 21" international travel size. Some international airlines are merciless pricks and will make you check a 22" carry-on. Therefore, I bought the 21" international carry-on expandable spinner.

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Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity

DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.

Can't help you with the high dollar ones but I do prefer soft sided for the extra space it gives and the pockets on the outside, the hard ones can't handle a good over stuffing

The hard sided seem to be fairly thin and light shells these days, which is fine, but close with zippers. That zipper is a real weak point for both staying shut during rough handling and security against theft.

I put a bright orange locking strap tight around mine to mitigate both issues.

Prior to that I had a virtually indestructible latch closing major brand, maybe Samsonite. The wheels wore out and were replaced, and then eventually the handle mechanism wore out. I bought it like 30 years ago so they probably don't make them like that any more, but were I needing good security (like shipping a handgun in checked luggage) I would look for that configuration.

For soft shelled luggage, flight crew love Luggage Works. It's very durable, but it is soft sided.

I have spent decades doing air travel. I got one of the earliest roll-aboards when they first became popular. I don't recall the brand name, but it was touted as the one the pilots and flight attendants used.

Since then, I have gone through several: Samsonite, the last Tumi's that were made in the USA, etc.

I cannot claim to have done an exhaustive search on the various brands, because I haven't. I have picked them out of a store or catalog and run with them.However, my favorite is my Kirkland roll-aboard from Costco. When I wear it out, there is a high likelihood that I will get another one like it.


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I hate spinners. They drive me bonkers. Wife loves them.

I personally use Zuca. They have a big presence in sports, goofy sports mind you but sports. It is carry on sized on US airlines. Big wheels, aluminum frame, durable. I love them. The Pro Flyer I think is my version. Vets get a discount.

quote:

Originally posted by Frenchy1004:
Was thinking about getting something hard sided and wondering if anybody makes something with an exterior access pocket?

There not to many out there as the point of a hardside is...a clean basic case.
Popular hard case brand Monos has their Carry-On Pro which has an outside pocket; looks like they have a sale going on.
If you go this direction, make sure it's primarily material is either polycarbonate or aluminum; others materials will damage much easier, my sister had her Costco hardside tumble out of the cargo hold in Hong Kong and discovered one of the corners entirely pushed-in at the carousel.

quote:

Also willing to pay buy once, cry once prices it so it lasts me awhile.

Briggs+Riley
Their warranty is second to none, they back it enough that each of their retailers will bend your ear about it. I've got 2 rollers, they're about 10+ years now and both continue to function flawlessly. Their Baseline-collection is their most popular, good place to start your search as they also have a hardside collection; mine are from their 1st-gen BRX line. They are spendy but, paying good money for luggage will save you every once of headaches when something breaks in a foreign country or, you're the cause of a back-up on the plane because of faulty luggage. Figure its a 10-15 year investment and something you don't have to worry about, use it once a year or, anytime you overnight someplace.

my checked luggage is https://travelpro.com/

My wife and I used to travel quite a bit for business over the past 20 years. Thankfully, we don’t do nearly as much these days - but we do have a luggage closet of well-tested pieces. Here’s how they stack up for us:

Rimowa polycarbonate luggage has by far been the most durable while remaining good looking. If I need to check a bag, I use our Rimowa Essential Check-In (24”). We also have a “cabin plus” sized bag.

Second on our list would be Tumi Alpha. These are overpriced unless you buy the sales, but the carry-on pieces are great from a functionality standpoint. The wheels aren’t as nice as the Rimowas, though

Then, I’d go Briggs and Riley Baseline. Really durable, and carries a lot of stuff for their size due to the external handles. My only gripe is that I prefer 50/50 split cases, as they fit my packing style better.

We have other bags from Travelpro and Samsonite, but honestly, I’d skip ‘em (certain Travelpro lines are good, others are not so good) if I had to buy again.

Whichever your down-selected choices are, be sure to compare their warranties.

We bought a larger hard-sided American Tourister (from Kohl’s) for my son for his study abroad semesters, and after A LOT of hard and honest use, two of the four caster wheels broke and they replaced all four under warranty.

While it was in for repair, they also noticed that some of the zippers or seams of the main compartment separators were beginning to fail, which we were not aware of, and they took the initiative to repair those too under warranty.

IIRC, there was a ‘processing fee’ of $20, and we dropped the piece off at a local / authorized AT dealer to ship to the repair facility. It was shipped directly to our house after the repairs were completed. EZ-PZ.

Rob

I travel a lot for work. Airports are hell on your luggage. My most recent purchase was the Ridge suitcase. It is made by Ridge, the same company that makes the wallets. The quality is excellent and the thing is tough. I have taken it on about 30 flights and it still looks new.

Hard sided, great wheels and a study handle.

https://ridge.com/products/long-haul-kit-gt

I will echo the recommendations of Briggs & Riley Baseline. Fantastic bags. Warranty work is fast and you only pay for shipping one way. Seemed fair to me.

Or buy what most flight crews use: TravelPro

We ave four pieces and years of service.

Just went thru this for a new carry-on.
TravelPro was the best combination of features and price point

Another vote for Travelpro.

My major clients are airports and airlines and I work with full time travel professionals. Travelpro, Briggs& Riley and Tumi are all brands I run across the most.

quote:

Originally posted by FenderBender:
my checked luggage is https://travelpro.com/

This. TravelPro is the new Samsonite in terms of durability, price point, and functionality.

We’ve taken ours around the planet a couple of times - no complaints at all.

-Rob

I travel quite a bit for work and really like hard sided bags for my checked bags. I bought this one back in 2021 and it is still goin strong: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008PSWVD8

JP