Thanks for the feedback re: the color, aktchi! I think I have a serious internet shopping problem-- I just ordered another one of the 20" bags as a Christmas present for my mom!
Now the 24 wheeled duffel is sold out as well as the 25 non-wheeled. Left are 3 of the satchels and a limited quantity (which I take to be more than 5) of the 20" wheeled duffel.
aktchi, have you received the VD25. What thinks you, good sir?
The 24" wheeled Valoroso came in today. Awesome bag! Big! Net interior uninterrupted packing space is 12x12x24, so basically a 2 cubic foot compartment. I can literally put my Tumi 26141 in there and have room for two or even three more of the same kind. This doesn't count the outer pockets or overstuffing. The measures above are conservatively measured.
The usual Valoroso fineries are all onboard. I measured the handle and it is 45" high. So even if you are tall, this should fit well.
On the inside of the main compartment the bottom of the lining is velcro'ed in. This is certainly to make any repair easier. You can take the entire thing out. One could also hide stuff under it quite easily. Or just get rid of it to gain some space and lose some weight. Talking about weight; it weighs in at 13.2lbs that's quite exactly 6kg. Mind you, this is not a carry-on bag. This is a full size suitcase with more volume than most 26 inchers. Still the slightly bigger BR UWD 626 (26" upright wheeled duffel) with hard bottom compartment weights only 11.5lbs according to ebags. That's Valoroso overkill built for you, as usual.
The inside has one hanging mesh, zippered compartment. It also has diagonally attached (x-shape) compression straps. I like that.
On the outside there are two equal size side pockets that are big enough for a 13" Macbook in a poly bubble envelope and possibly in a slim sleeve. Then there is the top pocket in the flap. This spans the whole surface of the flap. 18" EC folder would fit if it weren't for the rigidity of the inserts; the size itself fits. The 15 incher does fit the top compartment and the side pockets, too. Or you can use the top compartment for really huge magazines or a thin rain jacket. On the top small side, where the extension handle comes out, there is another zippered slip pocket. This is clearly meant for tickets and passport. A very good location and it is still be accessible even if you have a briefcase riding on that side. I tried.
The top and the bottom panel both have leather-wrapped pull grips for better handling. And obviously you have the main handles, too. The top panel also has the quick release contraption with adjustable loop to hand something from the front.
The only thing that is strange is that the color of the material is not quite the same as the rest of my grey Valoroso pieces. They all have a slight blue tint within the anthracite. This one doesn't. It is a neutral grey. Might come in handy for adjusting the white balance.
Can't wait to use it but the next long trip, where such a big piece would be justified, is still months away.
Anyways, this was a missing piece in my luggage collection where there was no medium size luggage.
uwantsavings did re-stock. Good news for all those who missed it in the first round.
Till
Last edited by tfar; Dec 16, 09 at 10:11 pm..
Reason: clarified EC 18 fit, added color remark
Programs: AA (current EXP, occasional PLT, 0MM); UA; US; DL
Posts: 4,650
Quote:
Originally Posted by tfar
aktchi, have you received the VD25. What thinks you, good sir?
Yes I have! This series really looks good. I can also attest to the "optical engineering" aspect, it looks smaller than it really is. Of course, no such illusion is needed in my upcoming short driving trip. Suitable flights may be months away.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tfar
Update! The 24" wheeled Valoroso...uwantsavings did re-stock. Good news for all those who missed it in the first round.
I continue to resist the temptation. This seems equivalent to a 26" traditional suitcase and I have a few of those. Now is there any reason one would prefer this to a 26" suitcase?
Yes I have! This series really looks good. I can also attest to the "optical engineering" aspect, it looks smaller than it really is. Of course, no such illusion is needed in my upcoming short driving trip. Suitable flights may be months away.
I continue to resist the temptation. This seems equivalent to a 26" traditional suitcase and I have a few of those. Now is there any reason one would prefer this to a 26" suitcase?
"Optical engineering", well put. I am glad you think so, too. Now we are three and we either all need to see an eye doctor or this bag (VD25) really pulls off a very
nice trick. Where else can you pack as much as in a good size 24-25" suitcase and take it onboard for free while not taking up more space in the bin than a MLC carry-on?
Well, not sure if you really need the 24" roller then. In my car, which has a really small and weird trunk, a normal 26" or even most 24" suitcases won't fit. So that was an excellent reason for me. Same reason I got the 36" ORV Supertrunk from EC. But the ORV fills out almost my entire trunk, whereas with the Valoroso I still have room for a camera bag and miscellaneous other items.
The other reason might be the form factor for packing. Most 26" suitcases max at around 11" height. This thing will pack 12-13 inch high items. Additionally, if one is short, the chubby/compact shape of the Valoroso will be easier to hand carry. It will also be easier to put in the overhead bins of trains because it is not as wide as a 26" suitcase. In fact, with a little squeezing I bet this one could even fit sideways in the window bins of a 767. Of course, they won't let you carry it on because the VC24 really looks too big and has wheels, but I think it should still fit.
I also tried the clip-on function. The VD25 clips right to the VC24. Neat, no overhang. But it obstructs the ticket pocket unless you use the dongle/loop.
A few days ago after reading the thread, I ordered the 22" Packing Satchel in Steel Gray, it's on the way to me now. Too bad I forgot to use the GIFTY code. I really wanted the bigger rolling bags, but settled just so I can try out an Andiamo bag relatively inexpensively.
Today I see an email from UWantSavings and saw the Four Pocket Duffel. Took a look and saw that it's more fully featured than the Packing Satchel, so I bought one of those too. At 62.99 with the GIFTY code, it's not much more than the 58 I paid for the Packing Satchel.
Thanks to the thread, I will go from zero to two Andiamo bags by next week Good thing it's Christmas season and the wife asks fewer questions about the UPS guy stopping by regularly
So I received my order today from uwantsavings... but they sent me 2 of the 20-inch rolling duffels instead of one 20-inch and one 24-inch I called customer service and they are shipping me a 24-inch... The bags do look really nice, though. They definitely appear to be built to last. And my mom got hers and is happy with it, so that's always good.
I noticed that they have several more items now, including a 28-inch rolling duffel. They also have more pieces in black, in addition to the steel grey. The 28-inch is too big for me-- I already have a 29" B&R rolling duffel, and I don't think I need any more really big luggage. Nevertheless, it's a great deal for someone who is looking for something that big!
Programs: AA (current EXP, occasional PLT, 0MM); UA; US; DL
Posts: 4,650
Quote:
Originally Posted by hungryhungryhippo
The 28-inch is too big for me---I already have a 29" B&R rolling duffel, and I don't think I need any more really big luggage. Nevertheless, it's a great deal for someone who is looking for something that big!
Agreed - and I ordered one. Unlike you I don't have a good quality 28". Most of our luggage is BR (235X shoulder bag, wheeled 20" carry-on, 24", 26"), so a few months ago I started looking for a good deal on 28" BR. Then, almost on whim, I thought I don't have any duffel, so why not a duffel for the big slot? Pretty soon, with help from good friends like Till, I zeroed in on this model, but didn't find a good price opportunity until now.
The only point I would want a potential buyer to be aware of is that Valoroso tends to run heavy. IIRC the 28" duffel is around 14-15 lb. That is par the course for this brand and quality, but something one should be aware of.
BTW, Uwantsavings.com is turning out to be a most interesting and useful outlet. I only wish they would relocate to some place outside IL so I don't have to pay the IL tax.
I have collected three Andiamo Valoroso pieces within a short time now---got to stop reading this forum!
Aktchi, that is awesome! So glad you got the 28 incher you were eyeing for so long and at such a great price, too. I love it when stuff works out like that. You will be able to hang the VD25 from the big duffel. Together these two should work really well for the next big trip home.
I will go to Houston after Xmas to get all of mine hot stamped. Well, I am not going there to have them hot stamped but I will do it while I'm there.
Are you going to get yours personalized with a monogram?
Aw, heck no. Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in. Ordered the packing satchel. Was thinking about the VD-25 in black as well, but can't justify having two of them.
Last edited by Air Pirate; Dec 17, 09 at 5:54 pm..
Black?!?
Was thinking about the VD-25 in black as well, but can't justify having two of them.
Why not? I did!
Seriously, the VD25 is such a fantastic piece. I had it in black first to go with my big 28" suitcase. But I loved the grey on my other items, so when I saw the great price on the grey VD25, I couldn't resist. Stacked on the VG22H the combo looks indeed badass, no other way to describe it.
Oh, and I got a jacket in practically the same color and a material that looks like ballistic nylon. The fashion devil in me that I thought was buried is coming up again. Sorry for the bad pic. Click on the link or question mark to see the picture.
Till
Last edited by tfar; Dec 18, 09 at 2:05 pm..
Reason: added picture instructions
Thanks very much for the information about the uwansavings website and the great deals on the Andiamo luggage. I just ordered the VD25 in black. You guys are such enablers!
Does anyone have any information as to why Andiamo went out of business? Their products are excellent. I don't think they did nearly as much marketing as they should have. But I'm curious if it was mismanagement, poor business decisions, etc.
Digits, no idea why. I suppose lack of marketing and possibly bad management. I think they folded twice actually. Pathfinder/Paragon was the parent company. They also made the Kirkland line for Costco. Perhaps when they didn't have that contract anymore it gave them the rest.
OT: Does anybody know why my picture doesn't show up? The link was there this afternoon and worked. Now, I get a "?". The picture in the link is still there in its original spot. I am running on Safari. Can others see it?
Digits, no idea why. I suppose lack of marketing and possibly bad management. I think they folded twice actually. Pathfinder/Paragon was the parent company. They also made the Kirkland line for Costco. Perhaps when they didn't have that contract anymore it gave them the rest.
OT: Does anybody know why my picture doesn't show up? The link was there this afternoon and worked. Now, I get a "?". The picture in the link is still there in its original spot. I am running on Safari. Can others see it?
Good thing it's Christmas season and the wife asks fewer questions about the UPS guy stopping by regularly 
