I became aware of Lipault today when looking through the new Magellan's catalogue. Seems similar to GoLite but I like the Lipault's front pocket design better.
Researching the brand on FT I saw this post from the "Lightest carry-on bag" sticky:
Originally Posted by
SanDiego1K
It is worthwhile considering
Lipault if you have the opportunity to visit France. They advertise all of their collections as being ultra-light. I visited the Madeleine store, two blocks down from Opera, 3 blocks from Park Hyatt Vendome, and found quite a range of tote bags, carry on suitcases, and larger ones. I didn't buy, having been on quite a buying spree this past year, but would have seriously considered it otherwise. There was a range of cabin bags, all of which would slide over the handle of the suitcases. Suitcases had pockets and compartments that looked to make good use of space. I didn't weigh anything, but wouldn't doubt their claim that the foldable 2 wheeled cabin luggage (55cm) is 2.42 kg (5.3 lbs). They have a range of colors, many quite vivid and more likely to appeal to women.
So based on
SanDiego1K's thumbs up I then researched Lipault online and it seems that it's not only to new Magellans but relatively new to being sold in the US.
The piece I'm focusing on is the 22" Carryon. I like its weight of 5.3 lbs.
Here's Lipault's English site and you see the 2 lines of "Plume" and "Foldable 0%". It doesn't seem possible to purchase from this site for affordable US delivery but I went there to get what I assume to be the authoritative details on their products:
http://en.lipault.com/collections.html
Magellans appears to be selling most of the "Foldable 0%" line, calling it "Folding":
http://www.magellans.com/store/Landi...ipault_Luggage
They currently have a deal good thru May 6 for free shipping and gift with purchase (a hanging toilet kit)
But on Lipault's own site it states that the "Foldable 0%" is made of "Twill Nylon 210D", and the Magellans' bag says "420 Denier Nylon".
So perhaps a special line has been developed for the US, or perhaps one line is last year's model? Or who knows... (
but 420 denier nylon is better than twill nylon 210D, right?)
I've been searching online to see who else might be selling Lipault in the US and I'm seeing both "Twill Nylon 210D" and the "420 Denier Nylon" mentioned, as well as some sites not specifying. Here are some well known retailers:
Neiman Marcus is selling the 420D for prices more than Magellans:
http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/ca...0002&parentId=
Travelsmiths is selling the 420D for the best prices found so far for the 22" ($149):
http://www.travelsmith.com/jump.jsp?..._-Micro%20Site
Bergman Luggage is also selling the 22" for $149, but I don't see mention of the material:
http://www.bergmanluggage.com/li22fo2whca.html
Altman Luggage is selling another collection from Lipault, the Plume, 22" 4 wheels, 6 lbs, for $199:
http://www.altmanluggage.com/lipault_jpf4r020.php
I also want to get a coordinated tote and Lipault has a few choices in their Plume line:
http://en.lipault.com/product-7-15-24.html
http://en.lipault.com/product-3-6-24.html
http://en.lipault.com/product-21-49-24.html
http://en.lipault.com/product-21-50-24.html
I see Magellans is only selling the 19" Weekender but I've found other sites selling the other pieces.
Also in this Plume line are several options for laptops:
http://en.lipault.com/category-35.html
And lastly from Lipault's site here is the gift with purchase that Magellans is currently offering (but it comes in 2 sizes, so not sure what Magellans is giving, most likely it's the smaller one):
http://en.lipault.com/product-11-27-6.html
I've searched for reviews on Lipault but only found this thread from Fodor's:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rry-on-bag.cfm
If you wade through that you'll see initial comments on the Lipault and later there are follow up posts after the ppl had used the bag for awhile.
I also found a video of someone packing the larger piece, but the woman in the video irritated me so much that I don't even want to share the link here!
I would love to hear if any of you have purchased Lipault, or if not, I would love to hear your thoughts just based on this online info. I'm quite impressed by its looks, dimensions and weight, although ideally I wish the upright cabin bag only measured 20".