GadgetFreak

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It isn't. B&R covers everything including airline damage.

Paul79UF

I've had a "Ballistic" carry on piece of luggage for years that still looks new after many trips to various climates.

The interior space feels a bit tight due to the rugged construction, but I make it work.

Emeraldcity

I just retired the best piece of luggage I have ever had. I always check a bag and I had a 27" Eddie Bauer I had gotten at Target for $120.00.
This bag went through hell and 122 flights and I had to retire it after my last flight because the zipper finally tore away from the body of the bag.
I also have the 21" matching carry on size of that case and again, GREAT bag. Really durable wheels and easy to maneuver.
Sigh......I hope I can find another 27" Eddie Bauer that is as good....

DEADF15H

I've been using Victorinox for over 10 years, I can get Tumi, Hartmann, etc at cost due to my business, but have chosen Victorinox over the rest. I own a rollaboard, wheeled duffle, wheeled suiter, etc. Had to have wheels replaced on the carry-on, just called them up and since I have a allen wrenches, opted to have them send me the wheels and I installed them myself. No charge.

Apparently my big 27" check through got caught on the conveyor belt somehow and it wore down to the steel piping, I will have to send that in for repair, but it's a lifetime warranty.
They are built to last, I'm not familiar with B&R, but I did have a lengthy conversation with a pilot about Purdy Neat Stuff rollaboards, his was 12 years old and never a problem other than the wheels needing replaced. They are defiantly built like a tank and the most durable designed I have ever seen.

I also own a Porter Case rollaboard/hand truck that can tote 200lbs, for trips with the family where I will have to move luggage for other people, but it's more of a speciality item.

jmanusa

Interestingly enough, a sales manager at Harrods in London introduced me to Victoronix and told me that it was their biggest seller, far outselling Tumi.

I had actually walked in looking for Briggs & Riley, but he told me they could not sell them due to Tumi not allowing them!!! I was flabbergasted, I said but you are Harrods!!! He said it was under an exclusive contract. He did say that many of his Tumi clientele had converted to B&R, which didn't surprise me, as I am one of them.

To the OP, from personal experience I would highly recommend Briggs & Riley; it appears that Victorinox is worth considering too.

kitsura

Tumi is doing the typical bait and switch. Build up your brand using good quality products and customer service then once you have brand reputation, outsource and mass produce everything and cut your warranty support to cut costs.

meetyoutoday

That's true for sure. By the way, What ya think about this Skyway 41380-ST Ultra No-Weight 21" Upright Vertical Carry-On Case? Is it nice travel product??

kitsura

Never heard of this brand before. Might be a buy and throwaway brand.

DL-Don

+1 from me too. I get about 1,000,000 BIS miles per bag. I'd probably get more but I have to fly too many Barbie Jets where it gets abused because it has to be gate checked.

carolinelb

I don't know about bags that will survive everything.

We have decided to try the guaranteed for life approach to bags. My husband and I are really enjoying our Eagle Creek HC2 Hovercraft bags.

Another post mentions Eagle Creek - just wanted to clarify, not ALL Eagle Creek bags are guaranteed for life, but several of the lines are.

A way around a limited warranty can be to purchase from a company that will allow returns no questions asked, forever. They may not be able to replace a damaged bag, but you can return it and get your money back. REI, LLBean, Lands End, Costco, Magellan and other companies have this generous policy. In this way, you could purchase a less expensive bag, and still not have to pay to replace it if or when it fails.

emlane

Thanks for all of the suggestions. After searching high and low and a lot of debating I decided to go with the 20" Victorinox Mobilizer NXT 5.0. I have not been on a trip yet but it will be getting plenty of use very soon.

emlane

BadTime

For my two cents, I can't imagine bags tougher than a B&R or Red Oxx. My friend has a B&R and it is impressive. My Red Oxx is the tough as h3ll and has my favorite shoulder strap.

cawhite

Another +1 for Purdy Neat on durability. It's the heaviest of my four rollaboards (all 20" and 22") at about 15 pounds empty, but it's been beaten on and has taken a lot of abuse.

peterk814

Unfortunately quality and price go hand in hand. Go with the Briggs you will not be disappointed. You can find it on sale a lot if you search around a bit and the lifetime warranty regardless of who caused the damage goes along way.

Timothy Q

Club Glove carry-on or mini rolling duffle are great. They're made in America, durable, lifetime warranty and best of all for your situation; the wheels are rollerblade wheels. You can buy a complete replacement set online for under $10 and just pack the spare in the case of a wheel issue. Very easily replaceable.

Drawback? The bags are pricey but I guess it's better than buying 4 bags in 4 years. Buy black though, it'll look way less dirty in its 5th year of use.