Travel Products - Luggage Recommendations?

Hi. I'm from the Usa and looking to travel domestically by air. I have traveled before on domestic flights before but never had a checked bag. The reason is because my trip is always less than a week and all i carry is a big messenger bag and that is enough for me and never have to carry too much clothes and also because i'm not allowed to carry liquid stuff so my bag is never huge.


Well this time, I'm looking to carry a lot of my clothes with me as I'm looking to travel to las vegas and stay there for an extended time, most likely a month. And the thing is I want to have a ton of my clothes with me and some other shoes as well.


I see lot of people want to have just a carry on luggage like 21 or 22' so they dont have to pay for checked bags. Well, I'm looking to fly by jetblue and jetblue allows one free checked bag. And I also know i'm allowed one free carryon. Well even if i cant fly by jetblue, i dont care for paying for checked bag as i want to bring lot of stuff with me.


I have many questions that i want to ask and would want recommendations especially from those who travel and bring lots of stuff with them.



1. Which size luggage would be best for me? I read that 21' or 22' luggage is only good if you are on like a weekend trip so this would obviously be not good for me. I read 25' and 26' are best for 1 week but I'm planning to stay for a month. I also read that 28' luggage is the best if staying for more than 2 weeks. Is this true? I read luggage that are 30' and above right now isn't good because airlines dont accept luggage that big and even if they did... it would be way too huge to move around. The thing is I plan to bring 2 bags with me... one as a carry on and one as a checked bag.


2. What brand would you guys suggest? The thing is I basically want something functionally and don't want to spend a lot for lugage. I'm not those people who care about $400 luggage sets and those who travel in style. Just want something that is functional and basic. I read a bit online and it seems Traveler's Choice is the best option as it doesn't cost much and its pretty good? The other brand that I see is okay seem to be High Sierra as well?


3. Would you guys say getting a wheel luggage is superb compared to a big duffel bag? What about to a wheel luggage duffel? Also, is there a reason why so many duffel luggage bags are so much cheaper compared to a regular wheel luggage? I see some of these 28' luggage duffel on wheels that cost like $65 but then the same one that is not a duffel but a luggage cost like double the price. Is there a reason for this? I would assume its because duffel luggage even on wheels look bulky as it doesn't have straps on the inside like a regular luggage? Also, I see that many say most of these duffel luggages on wheels can't stand on its own and you have to hold on to it or leave it on the floor?


4. Basically i will be putting a lot of my clothes with me, a laptop, like 3-4 shoes, a few jackets as well and of course t shirts/shirts and sleeping garment. So i basically will be putting a lot in the luggage. I'm thinking about getting a 21' carry on luggage on wheels and a 26' luggage on wheels and forgetting about having a messenger bag as the one i usually bring with me when i take flights. Also, is there such a big differennce between a 26' and a 28' luggage? What should be the maximum size I should get? I read that 62.5 is the biggest size for a bag when checking a bag and it seems like 30' would be very close to pushing it as the dimensions for a 30' is very close to 62'. Should my checked bag be 25', 26' or 28'?


5. Since I"m a male, would you say its best to just get black as the color? Someone mentioned that black isn't good because everyones luggage is black and it would be hard to find the bag when trying to get your luggage. Also, some people said that they get black because it doesn't look like a little kid and looks professionally. To me, I feel like grey is the best color because doesn't grey go with everything? What about tan?


6. Why do they sell those luggage sets online so cheap compared to regular luggage? I see like 4 luggage bags for like $110 and the smallest luggage they give is basically useless if you know what i mean. Isn't 2 luggage pretty much the best?


7. These are the 2 luggage bags that I checked online which I think is good.
May i have your thoughts on it?


This is the 21'

http://www.amazon.com/Travelers-Choi...3173244&sr=8-1

This is the 26'

http://www.ebags.com/product/high-si...uctid=10100934

This is a 30x15x15 duffel bag and its real cheap. Basically a bit over 30 dollars.

http://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Produc...3169923&sr=1-4


I see people mention they buy this as oppose to luggage but would you say this is bad because it has no wheels? I never traveled with a ton of stuff with me which is why i'm looking at many different bags but it seems like duffel bags without wheels just should be avoided if traveling on airplane?


Thanks!

Whoa! Huge post and way too complicated. ;)

Size: 26" inch is a good size because when it is fully packed it will be around 50lbs. The really big suitcases will be heavier when fully packed with normal density clothing. Thus waste of space and weight allowance. Use 26" for optimal volume/weight ratio. Moreover it is within all regulations, so checking it will not be a problem.

Color: Grey is certainly a good choice. Buy what you like. One argument for a colored suitcase is that it's easier to find on the luggage belt.

Price range: If this is just for one time or occasional use, get something cheap at an outlet store like Marshall or TJ Maxx. Perhaps some American Tourister. Buying local in that case is also the slightly greener choice.

Duffels: Duffels over very good volume/weight ratio compared to normal luggage. That is because the don't have all the interior walls like a normal suitcase. WHich is also what makes duffels cheaper. Downside is that they are not quite as protective of the contents but for just clothes it doesn't matter.

Read the packing sticky. It will certainly be helpful. :)

Bon voyage,

Till

Welcome to FT.

Way too much to consider. We get these "What should I buy" posts regularly. It's too personal a decision for a recommend. Sure, we have our faves, but it's like driving a car. I may like one model and think it's the best ever, but you think it's horrible. Same goes for luggage.

Go to a store and look at them. Carry them around the store. Unzip, zip, and put them through the paces. I recommend Marshal's department stores if you are on a budget. They blow out fairly decent luggage for deep discount prices.

Black is no big deal. If you want black, go for it. I have some black luggage. I put a bright yellow handle cover on both handles so I can find it easily on the belt if I check it.

I do not like hard shell luggage. It's been trashed too often by baggage handlers on me. You may prefer it.

How do you pack? Loaded for bear or light as a feather? What are your travel habits? Do you cab it a lot, or walk a lot? Do you ever train it? Always airplane? Always big commercial flights or sometimes commuter?

So much to consider. Sure, I could give you my favorite luggage brands, but those would be mine. I'd say you should decide for yourself.

Good luck! Bon voyage indeed. ;)^

See also;

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-products/1330869-luggage-recommendations.html