does anyone have a recommendation for some good, solid luggage that fits AA's size requirements for a 3 week trip to Asia next year? I have some Samsonite that are about 2-3 years old which may be ok domestically but I'd like something that I can lug around easily as I'll be moving around a lot (4 countries and counting). A rucksack just doesn't cut it at the Hilton or Le Meridien! haha! any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! thanks!

does anyone have a recommendation for some good, solid luggage that fits AA's size requirements for a 3 week trip to Asia next year? I have some Samsonite that are about 2-3 years old which may be ok domestically but I'd like something that I can lug around easily as I'll be moving around a lot (4 countries and counting). A rucksack just doesn't cut it at the Hilton or Le Meridien! haha! any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! thanks!

Carry on or Checked?
I reccomend Travel Pro, lifetime warranty and you can get parts. Buy off a web site.

for 3 weeks, I would think checked... thanks for the suggestion!

for 3 weeks, I would think checked... thanks for the suggestion!

Dude,
Pack for a week in a soft bag and carry on. Chinese laundry is well... chinese laundry -> cheap. Just be sure to tell them NO STARCH. Believe me, you're going to find service in APAC like you never see in the rest of the world. If you tell them when you check in, they'll have it for you the next morning.

Ready to go back to Beijing but being forced to Milano,
J...

"Good solid luggage?"

This will cost you, but Zero Halliburton fits the bill.

I will actually suggest cheap light luggages. After a while, your "solid" luggages will seem like they weigh a ton!

I also recommend you buy luggage in Asia. If you go to China, definitely take advantage of their cheap luggage there! Buy one those expandable ones. If you go to Japan, do buy one of those luggage on 4 wheels, everyone in Japan use those and they are so easy to wheel around!

Since this does not pertain exclusively or even mainly to AA, it will be checked in and shipped elsewhere...

But to reply tothe question, Eagle Creek (http://www.eaglecreek.com/bags_luggage/) has durable and light luggage (every pound less in the luggage = an additional pound carried in the luggage,) with a lifetime warranty. Stahlsac (http://www.stahlsac.com) makes some very good wheelend bags as well (I use them for my dive gear) and they are also warranted for life, witness my airline severely ground-down wheels and bent axle being replaced by the Stahl brothers.

Both can often be found at discounts.

Long story but I brought my travelpro 22" rollerboard with a 10 year warranty (NOT lifetime as another person posted) into an authorized repair place. 3 months later I was still waiting for the handle to be replaced since the repairman couldn't get a handle from travelpro. I wrote a letter to two of their VP's. I got a phone call immediately saying that they'll get a handle to the repair place. Two weeks go by and the repair place still hadn't heard anything. :td: I called the VP back, got another return phone call. The promise was that I'd either get a replacement bag (not a new one) or they'll get the handle ASAP so I can get the bag back within 2 weeks. it's now 2 weeks and nothing. :mad: :td: :mad: PM me if you want the VP's name, address and phone number...or you can just do a google search. I've posted my story previously. I have not heard a single good thing about Travelpro and heard MANY horrible stories. I now own all Briggs & Riley and couldn't be more happy. DON"T BUY TRAVELPRO.

My first question is if you are going to be flying on any foreign carrier, if so then check their regulations first and forget about AA as you'll be limited to what the foreign carrier rules are for luggage. What's good and allowable for domestic is often not allowed for other carriers. I got nailed my first trip to china a long long long time ago.

Second question is do you want hard sided or soft sided? For a cheap hard sided without spending huge money (don't laugh it works) you can get a rolling stanley tool chest that costs about 40 bucks at lowes that has oversized wheels and a solid handle. I use that sucker more then I use my four other hard sided luggage brands (Delsey, Zero, Samsonite, and an ATA case). Not sure about AA but it works for CO. And I've used it on a few Chinese airlines without problems and with other foreign carriers.

If it's your first trip into china and you will be using a chinese airlines then they will weigh your luggage and your carry on and the weight limitations are nothing like the US Domestic market. So weight could be a big factor in your decision.

As far as getting your clothes washed in Asia, DEFINITELY agree with the previous poster that said that. Take few items to wear and have them washed, it costs next to nothing and it's excellent service. I've even been known to take some clothes that need fixing over with me just to have them fixed up (some favorite travel clothes that need new zippers or whatever). Plus now adays depending where I am going in Asia I take my clothes on my back basically and buy all items over there, some great tailors in Hong Kong and in mainland China and Thailand. My first trip way back when I overpacked, now I take next to nothing with me and do my shopping there. Seriously, I've been known to take nothing but my passport and buy everything there including a new cell phone and computer and other items while I'm there and bring home with me. So think about that too when you decide what to take and what luggage to use.

As far as buying luggage over in Asia, yes it's dirt cheap but that's only good if you are buying items there and bringing back, to get you there you need something. Just watch what you're buying, there's lots of junk too. If it doesn't have to be hard sided then I'd go with a lightweight rolling duffel like a High Sierra AT 32 (it rolls, or is duffel or backpack) or something along that style. If you want to roll it then no problem, if it's light weight and you want your hands free then you can use it as a back pack.

And as far as a rucksack goes, as long as you have money or a good CC then no hotel is gonna turn you away so who cares as long as it works.

Great products. Check out their new Velocity Line or the ES Tarmacs. "No Matter What" warranty on these products as well.

www.eaglecreek.com

Briggs and Riley

Lifetime warranty for any and all damage-even damage caused by airlines.

Long story but I brought my travelpro 22" rollerboard with a 10 year warranty (NOT lifetime as another person posted) into an authorized repair place. 3 months later I was still waiting for the handle to be replaced since the repairman couldn't get a handle from travelpro.

I have a different experience. My travelpro handle broke last month, but the authorized repair store (in NYC) fixed and returned it within 3 weeks. They only charged me $15 for shipping of the luggage and no replacement cost. Not only they fixed the handle, they polished the outside and made it look so new. I wonder if it's the repair store that's the problem and not Travel Pro?

In general I like my TravelPro a lot. But the I have only used cheapie ones before, so it's not exactly a good comparision.

I like Tumi

Something like Rick Steves's Convertible Carry On (http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=product&theParentId=8&id=139) along with a day pack with water bottle holders. This would cover you anywhere in the range of the Four Seasons in Hong Kong to the Happy Sleeps guesthouse in Sihanoukville.

Pack what you think you need, then take out half.

Also, you might consider taking a look at Lonely Planet's Read This First: Asia.

My travelpro handle broke last month... I wonder if it's the repair store that's the problem and not Travel Pro?I called two other shops in the San Francisco Bay Area and both said that they can't tell me how long it will take as "it is taking forever to get parts from Travelpro." Maybe the shop you went to happened to have the parts in stock. Further, I called up Travelpro directly and the woman on the phone said, "Sorry we can't be of any futher help. We just don't have the parts in stock." So it sounds like it is Travelpro issue. Again, if a VP there can't get it fixed over a month, what should the customers expect?

I just spent a little over 3 weeks bouncing around Thailand and was quite satisfied with my 25" Delsey suiter (http://www.ebags.com/delsey/helium_lite_100_25_expandable_suiter_trolley/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=40871), my 18" International Traveller (http://www.ebags.com/international_traveller/equator_18_wheeled_expandable_carry_on/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=19537), and my Delsey personal bag (http://www.ebags.com/delsey/helium_lite_100_personal_bag/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=40855). The Delseys have been with me to Asia a few times. I added the 18" bag so I would have a couple days' worth of clothes in the likelihood that, when I'm flying DCA-JFK-BKK, AA leaves my large suitcase in DCA. (It was great for bringing back some of the more fragile souvenirs and is light as a feather.) With luggage weight limits dropping, the important thing is to think lightweight luggage.

I have to agree with the poster that advised against TravelPro. The TravelPro bag I bought has been broken many times (including the very first time I used it). I was always able to get it repaired, but four trips to the repair shop in one year is an inconvenience and major annoyance.

I'm considering a Rimowa. Expensive, but very lightweight and from what I'm told, almost indestructible.

"Good solid luggage?"

This will cost you, but Zero Halliburton fits the bill.

Amen to that. And if you must check, a Halliburton is one of the few that may survive rampid abuse by the ground crew.

Consider me another Briggs and Riley fan. Their "Simple as That" warranty is amazing; just take it in for service, they'll pay even if it's the airline's fault.

I'm slowly converting all my luggage over from TravelPro to Briggs. TravelPro luggage is okay, but once you start having problems, good luck.

I wouldn't worry....

The only time I've had luggage damaged is by airlines in the US. The last one was one I'd been using extensively in Asia since 1993 - destroyed on my first trip with Continental in 2001.

I've had expensive Samsonite stuff (a brand that seems to be going downmarket) and Chinese made stuff bought in markets in Vietnam. In the end, the ones with protruding wheels seem the most vulnerable. The ones with 4 wheels that you can "spin on a dime" tend to get them ripped off. Also corners get dented in. The brand doesn't seem to make much difference - just look at the actual construction.

My luggage faces the most wear and tear in the UK - simply because I want to save money and end up lugging the stuff up and down steps as I change from tube line to train etc.

In Asia I just travel in cars/taxis etc. The wheels rarely hit the ground.

Only if you're really pushing/pulling the stuff over rugged terrain would I worry unduly.

I use Tumi almost exclusively - fantastic construction that lasts forever. Also very well thought out luggage. I do have a TravelPro Platinum5 garment back that I like as well as any Tumi I've owned.

From experience, you do get what you pay for with luggage (as long as you do the research first).

I would consider using a Red Oxx Air Boss (http://www.redoxx.com/catalog/carry-on/p_91018-air-boss.html) as the bag to transport the majority of my belongings. If you're not certain you could fit everything for a 3 week trip (do laundry, either yourself or have someone else do it) you could also bring a rolling luggage of some kind. Alternatively you could use an MEI Voyageur (http://www.onebag.com/leisure-bags.html) travelpack which you could zip down to a simple shoulder carried bag if you feel self-conscious carrying a "backpack" into a fancier hotel.

after my samsonite spinner broke on its first trip, im never buying anything but briggs & riley.

I'm slowly replacing my tumies with briggs.
You can find many Briggs & Riley fans here on FT.

My Kirkwood (Costco) rolling bag is great. Bought it based on FT advice.^

if you are flying within China, weight is a huge issue, they are very strict about it and it's not allowing for much.

For inexpensive, durable, and light, it's hard to beat the Samsonite oyster line. It's certainly not the prettiest luggage out there, but it's extreamly durable, the longest lived bag I have is an old blue oyster bag.

But be very careful on the weight of the bag and it's contents, they weigh every bag.

I don't understand the big concern with luggage. Is it a vanity thing?

We buy plain black roll-board bags at Costco and they work beautifullly and fit into all of UA's mainline overhead bins, although we do have to gate check them on EMBs and CRJs. This luggage is tough and inexpensive. Well I am not exactly sure how much it costs, but if it were expensive, I would have remembered, so it is probably less than $100 a bag.

My last Costco bag held up for close to 1,000,000 miles before I passed it on to an employee and got myself a new one. My new one may last me the rest of my life unless I am really, really lucky. ;)

Consider me another Briggs and Riley fan. Their "Simple as That" warranty is amazing; just take it in for service, they'll pay even if it's the airline's fault.

I'm slowly converting all my luggage over from TravelPro to Briggs. TravelPro luggage is okay, but once you start having problems, good luck.

I received large B&R roller bag as a gift and eagerly started using it. It's made 4 or 5 trips now and I just noticed that the one attach point for the handle (top half) has been ripped from the bag, so the handle ...'y is now attached only at the bottom and at a single point on the top. They make a big deal about the exterior handle, I find it to be a major weak point. It is a convenient thing to get hung up and torqued.

I check out where I can get it repaired. 5 locations in PA. Great! All in Pittsburgh! What a joke! Why all in PIT?

So how many times am I going to have to ship this bulletproof bag for repairs and at what cost?

my samsonite spinner lost a wheel and pocket on its first trip. do either the airline or samsonite care? nope.

briggs and riley >
If your Briggs & Riley bag is ever broken or damaged, even if it was caused by an airline, we will repair it free of charge. Simple as that!

travelpro platinum5 >
You can trust that Platinum5 will hold up to the rigors of frequent travel, but occasionally common carriers mishandle your bag and damage occurs. The Platinum5 Worry-Free Warranty covers such functional repairs.

tumi, samsonite black label, etc NEVER cover damage. they ONLY cover manufacturer defect.

personally i dont have a lot of faith in travelpro's wording either.

so im going with briggs and riley now.

if you are flying within China, weight is a huge issue, they are very strict about it and it's not allowing for much.

Yeah--flying out of HongQuao (back when it was still an international airport) they tried to make me check a camera bag! Fortunately, my wife (a native speaker) talked them out of it.

Nowhere else in the world has anyone ever tried to weigh a carry-on. The only time I've had to check one was in Japan and that was because I "had" three and apparently didn't want to admit they made a mistake in not noting my wife beside me with one. (Admittedly, we are an inter-racial couple and with our baggage in hand we weren't holding hands or anything.)

The Delseys have been with me to Asia a few times. I added the 18" bag so I would have a couple days' worth of clothes in the likelihood that, when I'm flying DCA-JFK-BKK, AA leaves my large suitcase in DCA. (It was great for bringing back some of the more fragile souvenirs and is light as a feather.) With luggage weight limits dropping, the important thing is to think lightweight luggage.

Am I just having bad luck with my Delsey, then? They're only a few months old, have made only 4 round trip flights and one cruise, and already look and act like they've been through a war. The rollaboard is in better shape than the suiter, but not by much.

I solidly agree that the Personal Bag is great, it is just the right size when you don't want a rollaboard carryon for a short trip, and is sturdy, but I'm feeling that the 25" suiter was a complete waste of my money- it's fraying at the edges, the zipper is starting to come unsewn at one of the corners, the nameplate fell off, and one of the locking loops has broken off the zipper already. Did I get a bad bag, or do they just not hold up long term?

Some people are lucky with some cheaper brands. For myself, I've had 2 top of the line (product line name?) Atlantic rollerboards that have been amazing. The first one was a 30" that lasted 300,000 mostly domestic miles. Yes the frabric was fraying but more so from my cat than from the airlines. Yes the zipper pulls came off but the zippers were fully functioning. yes teh bearings on the wheels were rusting. But the thing kept working and never needed service. I finally put it to rest (well gave it to my cat) but for $130 it was incredible since it ALWAYS carried the maximum weight (at the time) of 69.5 pounds that I weighed on an electric scale! I replaced it with a 25" model and that has been going extremely strong as well for another 100k miles. I anticipate this working for 250k miles. Again for only $130. Todays equivalent is this:
http://www.worldtraveler.com/jump.jsp?itemID=2878&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C4%2C978%2C1113&iProductID=2878

What I look for in luggage are the following: (in no particular order)
1. good solid handle that pulls up when you want it to and pushes down retracts when you want it to even if you are pushing the luggage rather than pulling it. Further, the handle should be strong enough to handle the shoulder strap from my laptop bag being hung around it. I never carry the adapters to hang bags off the rollerboard. For checked luggage, I'd definitely prefer internal handles (ie, NOT Briggs & Riley).

2. protectors on the front of the luggage as checked luggage is only put the frontside down. The luggage monkeys do this so the bag doesn't roll down conveyor belts on the wheels. Protection on the back is only for when pulling it up over curbs.

3. recessed wheels so they aren't broken off like others have mentioned.

4. big strong zippers. I expect the pulls to come off. I generally use zip ties instead of luggage locks as both locks and pulls. cheap and disposable.

5. good fabric that resists fraying....all of the better luggage comes with 1000+ fabric.

6. good handles including one on the bottom of the bag between the wheels. This makes handling the luggage a million times easier.

7. a flap to stick your contact info under. My B&R bag doesn't have this so I have this stupid tag hanging off one of the handles. It always seems to catch on something.

8. a color other than black. Black doesn't show the dirt but it is nearly impossible to pick out on the carousel.

9. semi-cheap as I consider checked luggage as semi-disposable (well after 3-4 years and 250k miles. I can't justify spending $450 for this. My B & R carry-on bag is another story though as I live out of that on EVERY trip as it always carries at least 2 days worth of stuff just in case my checked luggage disappears for a day or two (so far I've been amazingly lucky!!!).

10. For checked luggage, go with soft fabric. When it gets dropped, the fabric doesn't get bashed in. it just rebounds. The hard cases get completely dented. The hard cases also weigh WAY too much. I have an Atlantic 30" "vault" and it sucks in every regard. I only use it if I'm bringing something very delicate and lightweight.

As for size, it seems a 30" carries *exactly* 69.4 pounds on every trip no matter how I pack it. My 25" carries *exactly* 48 pounds on every trip no matter how I pack it. It's weird at how almost precise it is.

So having said all that. I'd go for B&R for carry-on and Atlantic for the checked luggage.

Lastly, an update from Travelpro. So the other day I got a box that I wasn't expecting. It's a brand new 22" rollerboard. No phone call letting me know what to do with my old bag. More interestingly, they NEVER contacted the repair place. As far as they know, I never even owned a travelpro bag. The packing slip says it was "sold" to the repair place yet shipped directly to me. No instructions on what to do with my old bag. :confused: What great communication. :td: I'm sticking with my B&R 21" rollerboard and this new one is either a present or on ebay.

ok, that's my biggest rant so far and I'm sure I'm leaving something out. :)

Did I get a bad bag, or do they just not hold up long term?My Delsey 25" has been on 3 trips with me to and around SE Asia (total time spent on these trips about 2½ months). Apart from a couple of snags on the exterior fabric, it is still doing fine. My main reasons for personally liking the Delsey 25" is that the bag is relatively lightweight, holds more than its size would indicate, and was not expensive enough for me to cry if I have to replace it. One or two bad luggage handlings can trash the best or most expensive of bags. I am not a slave to the Delsey brand; it's just that the Delsey bags that I do own have worked out for me. My main recommendation in general is that rather than be a slave to brand loyalty, look for bags that are light in weight, not overly expensive, and meet YOUR personal needs.

OK, Here's my 2 cents....


My most used bag, is a $25 wheeled duffle I bought about 10 years ago at KMART! Basic black, great wheels, has been all over the world with my dive gear, still in great shape, unable to be killed by the airline baggage handlers.

For a lot of space with the minimum of weight, try LL Bean's wheeled duffle. Weighs nearly nothing, is nearly indestructable, and rolls around forever. Carries more than you can take in weight, so make sure you weigh before going to the airport.

Just got a Heys set --sort of hardsided, with the 30inch bag with wheels, weighing just about 6 lbs empty. :)

after my samsonite spinner broke on its first trip, im never buying anything but briggs & riley.


I have a Samsonite Spinner, I love the 4 wheel concept. It's easier for me to put my laptop on top of the bag and push both bags upright instead of pulling the bag behind me. I also like the fact that the 2nd set of wheels on the spinner will catch if you go off curbs or uneven surfaces and not twist your wrist around, the bag twists and rolls instead. The Samsonite Spinner however is a real drag pulling across carpet. The wheels work great on any uncarpeted surface, but if it's on carpet I have to pull harder to move it. I do not have that issue with my Travelpro but it only has two wheels.

My Samsonite Spinner pullout handle decided not to pull out one day after I was packed and ready to run out the door. I had to throw my stuff in another bag and take off. I took my Spinner to the repair store and it took 3 weeks for the part to come in and get it repaired. My bag is a burgandy and black fabric and the fabric is not wearing well. The bag is a little over a year old and looks pretty rugged already. Recently one my my 4 wheels has decided to roll sporadically and woobly like a grocery cart wheel. I wouldn't purchase this particular bag again as it now needs to go to the shop twice in 12 months. Love the concept of 4 wheels but this bag has a few issues.

Does anyone know of another brand that has the 4 wheels that is better quality than the Samsonite Spinner? That drag on the carpet is quite literally a drag on my body.

Another vote for Tumi! ^

The Samsonite Spinner however is a real drag pulling across carpet. The wheels work great on any uncarpeted surface, but if it's on carpet I have to pull harder to move it. I do not have that issue with my Travelpro but it only has two wheels.

Does anyone know of another brand that has the 4 wheels that is better quality than the Samsonite Spinner? That drag on the carpet is quite literally a drag on my body.

Of the top of my head, Hey's sidewinder, Atlantic Graphite Lite and Tutto that I know of (for carry on), but they all are a PITA on carpet that I know of. If you get to asia they are all over the place in Japan / Hong Kong / China / Korea in a wide variety of sizes and style and material. But same issue on deep carpet.