Searched and Looked for the old threads on this topic..... none found.

Got a three week trip to Italy and Switzerland coming up and need new luggage. What's the current better Names in luggage.

Thinking that the new hard side will last long/better. Planning on one large suitcase and one carry on.

Any/All Advise is very welcome.

Thanks in advance.
Andrew

Based on a past thread, I purchased Briggs & Riley, and I have never been happier with a set of luggage. Light, expandable (really clever as it compresses too), well made, and life time warranty.

I own the:

International Carry-On Expandable Wide-body Spinner

Medium Expandable Spinner

Executive Toiletry Kit

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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.

I'd say Briggs and Riley or one of the top end TravelPro. My B&R laptop case is about 6 years old and doesn't have a single loose thread, zipper problem or tear.

I use Victorinox luggage. Pricey but long lasting.
And on my last domestic flight, the flying bus experience was confirmed and enhanced by my fellow flyers choice of carry on luggage:
The trash bag.

I used to sell luggage for a couple of brands, there's two that stand-out for all-around usage:

Briggs & Riley
Eagle Creek

Both are highly regarded within the industry for quality, design and service. If there's a consumer product where the saying of 'buy once, cry once' can be applied, it's travel luggage; go to an airport and start looking at what other passengers are using, it'll become apparent. Both brands offer warranties that are above and beyond what any other brand offers; B&R has a 'we don't want to know' warranty, you just tell them the problem and send it in, they'll fix-it. Eagle Creek, isn't quite as generous but, they stand behind all their products and work to get your problem fixed. I had the handle come loose on one of my bags, they sent a updated replacement screw-set that I could replace it.

Eagle Creek is born more from the outdoor industry however, they've been a travel staple from their accessories to their luggage for decades now. Their Tarmac collection is their most popular and one of the most copied designs in the travel luggage industry.

B&R is more of a premium brand overall, they have several collections available depending on your needs, their most popular is their Baseline collection. Hands down most popular collection within the travel industry, you see more business travelers with a Baseline item than any other. I have three pieces from their original BRX collection in Coyote Brown, the 22" roller has probably million-miles on it, they copied Eagle Creek's Tarmac roller. So, Eagle Creek design, B&R warranty.

Brands like Victorinox, Samsonite, TravelPro, Tumi, even eBags house brand styles, all have specific models where are very good but, their warranties will not be or, you'll find some short-coming in workmanship. If you're only doing one big trip and not looking to spend much...I've heard Costco luggage isn't too bad, they get one of the big brands to make their stuff under private label.

Hardside luggage has it's strengths; flying around Asia and a tropical downpour is happening while the luggage carts sit in the open or, during loading and everything is getting wet, that hard side is performing well. The downside is if that hardsides show all the scrapes and bumps of the ramp gorillas. My sister came back from Hong Kong and her hardside took a tumble out of the cargo hold. It hit the ground right on the corner and that entire corner was pushed in...lost a bunch of internal packing space, not to mention earning some travel character.

I travel globally, and have done so for 15 years.

10 years ago, my recommendation would have been TravelPro's Crew series, hands down. My Crew 5 set withstood punishment. But TravelPro's quality has fallen off.

I recently purchased 2 pieces (suitcase, garment bag) from Briggs & Reilly. Great quality, and I'm very pleased with the new B&R to replace my old TravelPro.

If cost is a factor, look at the Rick Steves luggage. I traveled Europe for weeks with his suitcases, and was happy with them as well.

I like TravelPro for features. I bought a carry on luggage and am happy with it.

I also like Briggs and Riley and have a couple of carry bags from them. I think they are pricey but if you have the money, they have great warranty. I don't think they're high on features like TravelPro.

I don't know about cost but for weight, Rick Steves luggage is great especially for carry on and if you have weight limitations.

I've had victronox but they are heavy. I also used to like Tumis but their quality and warranty have fallen down.

Travelpro. I went through a samsonite annually since I travel 25 weeks a year and the travelpro holds up much better. Travelpro has lots of unique pockets and features as well.

TravelPro.

My current favorite is Rimowa.

They're expensive, but they make the lightest hard-sided large suitcases available (the Salsa Air models) and mine has held up really well.

Rimowa also makes about the heaviest large suitcases - those beefy aluminum monstrosities.

I've been a commercial pilot for the last 12 years, in all aspects of the industry. From part 135 charter, to the airlines, and now corporate, and I've destroyed a lot (a lot a lot) of luggage, and I've been witness to a lot of luggage failure. So, that said, I feel like this is my area of expertise.

If you're looking for luggage that's absolutely indestructible, even by the airlines, and you're not super concerned about weight, then buy a Luggage Works bag. Not their lightweight plastic stuff but the steel framed stealth series monsters. I have two of these bags, and they'll outlive me.

If Luggage works is too heavy, then I can recommend either Rimowa, as has been mentioned or Tumi. I currently use both brands a lot and both their hard and soft sided Luggage are worth the price of admission. Tumi's alpha series offers the best bang for the buck, but both brands aluminum offerings are also outstanding despite the spendiness. Stay away from the polycarbonates, I've broken those too.

I do not recommend the Briggs & Riley bags because of the external handle that they advertise as a great packing feature. The realty is that the external handle hardware tears up trunks and car seats, and catches on just about everything it comes into contact with. I own two of these bags, and I've given up on using them because they're a pain to load in the car, and in the airplane. Knowing how bags move through the airlines, and knowing how much I despise dealing with them (and I take care loading my own luggage) it would only be a short time before your bag would get destroyed in the system.

Cheaper bags, from travel pro to samsonite and down are relatively worthless and will not last long for any serious travel. The airlines will break off both the wheels and the soft handles, and eventually the telescoping handles will fail spectacularly on both.

All that said, if budget is a concern and you can only afford one bag, buy any of the luggage works bags.

Where in Switzerland are you headed? I get to spend a few weeks there every year, and it's one of my favorite countries.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: JJexp,

My wife travels an absurd amount both domestically and overseas. Her current and longest lasting luggage is Rimowa. Not inexpensive, but worth it if you travel a lot. Don't get the largest they make, as you can easily overload it past the 50 pound limit, and end up paying luggage fees.

I travel international and domestic about every week. I got sick of wrecked luggage so I went the nuclear option, Pelican Air Case. They get a little more attention from the baggage handlers in that I often have to claim the case at the baggage office but it sure does take the beatings well.

Briggs hands down. Very well made and will stand up to the abuse of travel for sure. That's pretty much all I use now for luggage. I had one issue with a piece that was around 8 years old. Sent back for repairs at no charge. I may have had to pay for shipping, cant recall.

I use LL Bean, but then again I hate rigid or rolling suitcases. Their duffel bag style items are great for clothing. My valuables go in a Saddleback bag which is always carry on, so I'm not too concerned if my clothing is thrown around a bit.

I've been happy with the Eagle Creek carry-on that I purchased. REI has Eagle Creek luggage on their Labor Day sale (25% off). Sale runs Aug 25 to Sept 4. Link to sales flyer

quote:

Originally posted by mrw:
I travel international and domestic about every week. I got sick of wrecked luggage so I went the nuclear option, Pelican Air Case. They get a little more attention from the baggage handlers in that I often have to claim the case at the baggage office but it sure does take the beatings well.

I nearly bought their luggage a few months back, but the things are so heavy that I'd probably blow out a disc loading them in the airplane.

Having handled them, they're definitely at the top for the title of indestructible, but you lose a lot of internal room with just how thick the shell is.

Pelican Luggage

Find a tumi outlet near you and go for it. Likely 40/60% off retail cost makes it a sensible choice.