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-   -   Lipault Paris, "the ultra-light luggage" (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-products/1204559-lipault-paris-ultra-light-luggage.html)

sk3 Apr 11, 2011 8:29 pm

Lipault Paris, "the ultra-light luggage"
 
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 (Post 14213058)
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".

lalala Apr 11, 2011 8:35 pm

There is a store near place de la Madeleine that sells this stuff. It looks very lightweight but not very structured - at least the model I saw. Having said that, I would be curious to read reviews by American consumers who tend to go into deep detail on their likes and dislikes of any product. It does come in some really bright colours, so your bag would not be hard to find if you were to leave it in the lounge or check it.

Teresita May 29, 2011 6:56 am

Lipault luggage deals
 
Just bought 2 pieces at Marshalls in nice brown color at substantial discount. There are also some purple ones. I had to go to two different stores to find the rolling carry-on and then a 30 inch. Only made one trip with them so far, but am impressed. Inventory goes quickly at TJ Maxx and Marshalls, so look now if you are interested.

sitegia Nov 16, 2012 9:12 am

Teresita, not sure where you are located. I am in NYC and I can't find the Lipault line in both TJMaxx and Marshalls. At least the one I went to. Do you/anyone else know of any other discounted stores that might have them? I love this line but I am trying to save some money since they are quite pricey.

LapLap Jan 25, 2013 3:42 am

4 wheeler soft cabin bag (55x35x20cm) is actually 55x37.5x23.5cm
 
I have a cherished Samsonite case which has been my companion for the past decade and it conforms to all the European Low Cost carriers' required dimensions - even Ryanair when I leave the front pockets empty.

However, I just returned from a short trip to Tampere, Finland with my 3 year old daughter and realised that none of our other bags are within the strict Ryanair 55x40x20cm requirement. I ended up having to make up a bag using a strong square shopping bag and compressing the clothes with a large furoshiki square of material. Then some light plastic boards and a luggage strap to stop the sides from bulging (the weather was -24C in Finland and I had no intention of doubling the cost of my flight to pay for check in luggage).

The short story is that this last trip demonstrated that LapChild needs her very own case. One that she can use (4 wheels are ideal for this), one that isn't too heavy (around 2.5kg being the max), and one that she can love and cherish as her own travel companion.

I looked around, and searched and hunted, and then came across SanDiego1K's original post also. Started investigating Lipault and, result!, Lipault have a sale on their 4 wheel 55cm cabin size... in fuschia pink, my daughter's favourite colour.
Declared dimensions are 55x35x20cm and it weighs 2.7kgs. Practically perfect in every way.

EXCEPT...

Bag arrived. My daughter is thrilled. I'm concerned. Take out the ruler and, ouch! The bag is actually 23.5cm wide instead of 20cm. (The plastic housing the wheels makes the bag stick out way more than the declared 20cm for at least a third of its length).

In summary - this case can't be used with Ryanair without risking a £50 fine.

I've contacted Lipault who agreed verbally that the dimensions stated are an error.
I accept that the actual measurements are within IATA guidelines (and can confirm that it falls under the 25cm requirement) but this wasn't the reason I chose this particular case.
Have also sent an email as suggested requesting that they send me the stickers needed to return the case to Paris and Lipault will then issue a refund.

A real shame as it was ideal in so many other ways.

For the record the actual dimensions are 55x37.5x23.5cm
The 37.5cm width measurement can expand out a bit but it should be easy to keep it under the 40cm guidelines for other carriers.

Hopefully, Lipault will do as they said they would and amend their website descriptions as this error has been a real nuisance.

mg10461 Jan 25, 2013 6:30 am

ebags also has them
http://www.ebags.com/brand/lipault

free delivery and free returns in the US.

SanDiego1K Jan 25, 2013 7:41 am


Originally Posted by LapLap (Post 20120211)
The bag is actually 23.5cm wide instead of 20cm. (The plastic housing the wheels makes the bag stick out way more than the declared 20cm for at least a third of its length).

That's a shame, LapLap and how frustrating. I would have loved to have read an actual user report. Lipault certainly has a range of vivid colors for their bags. I hope you find another solution for little lapgirl.

biznizclass Jan 25, 2013 10:27 am

.

Originally Posted by LapLap (Post 20120211)
I have a cherished Samsonite case which has been my companion for the past decade and it conforms to all the European Low Cost carriers' required dimensions - even Ryanair when I leave the front pockets empty.

However, I just returned from a short trip to Tampere, Finland with my 3 year old daughter and realised that none of our other bags are within the strict Ryanair 55x40x20cm requirement....


I would have suggested the Hideo Wakamatsu Smart Foldable Carry-On as a Lipault alternative, but it too appears to be by a few centimeters:

21.5" x 14.5" x 10" ~ 54.6 cm x 36.8 cm x 25.4 cm, 5.75 lbs

In this case though I think the bag is 25.4 cm deep (not wide), if that's indeed the case that might not be such an issue, since the "deepness" of the case is dependent on how much you pack it it....in other words, you could pack it to be 20 cm deep which would allow you to fit Ryanair's "55x40x20cm requirement".


Hideo Wakamatsu Smart Carry-On video:

.

LapLap Jan 25, 2013 12:04 pm

Thanks biznizclass(and to you SanDiego1K for the sympathy)

The Hideo Wakamatsu bag looks pretty good but it just doesn't have girl appeal for a growing child. I'd veered away from two wheels as a little one can manage to push around four wheels much, much more easily in crowded trains and airports.

To buy myself some time I've gone for a child's suitcase from Samsonite.
The current range for kids that have wheels, whilst cute, just don't have the right dimensions. Thankfully, I've been able to locate a vendor in Ireland who still has one of the fast disappearing examples of the old Playdream range.
It's listed as the golden 55x40x20cm ratio with an optimum 46litre capacity, and it only weighs 1.4Kg. Now THAT'S ultralight!

A British vendor still has the spaceman example:
http://www.funkymoose.co.uk/luggage-...m-upright-55cm
We've purchased the wigwam version at half this price (39Euros inc delivery) - I consulted LapChild and she seemed fine with this. The sweetest of this now obsolete range was the pirate suitcase, but NOBODY has this anymore.

Hopefully, I can use a luggage strap to secure the new bag over the handles of my own roll along as the handle of the Wigwam case won't extend very far, and I think it will be some time before my daughter is rolling her case for the entirety of a journey.

It could be that LapChild will get attached to her Samsonite in the same way I have to mine, time will tell. It just doesn't have any of the luscious glamour of that fabulous Lipault case, I had so hoped this was going to be 'the one'. And it's in my home now taunting me until I get the return documents from Lipault and go through all the hassle of sending it back to them :(

LapLap Feb 1, 2013 11:10 am

A week later and I'm still waiting for the promised stickers from Lipault so I can return the not-fit-for-purpose-intended case. No sign of the website having been changed either.:(

What DID arrive today was the child's Samsonite case from www.jeteasy.ie who describe is as a "Big Chief" design.

Weight, no more than 1.5kgs ^^^
My own measurements, taken at the widest points and including handles and wheels:
Depth 18cm unpacked, or 20, 21 and up to 23 if you REALLY stuff it.
Width 38cm (will widen to 40cm when jammed full)
Height 50cm
Handle extends to 81cm. I'm 165cms tall (5ft 6?) and this is fine for me, better than I had expected. But this will be a problem for anybody taller.
If you're my height or shorter, want some truly ultralight luggage you can confidently take onboard Air China, Austrian Airlines or a LCC, this is one to consider.

There is an oddity with this cabin case that is worth bearing in mind. The lid of the case is soft and will expand considerably. When you open up the lid there is a wall of netting that covers the bottom 70% or so of the recess under cover flap. At the top part the netting stops and there is a wide gap so you can slide your hand into it to stuff in clothes and magazines. Other cases have a similar net which will cover the entire lid and you'd get access using a zipper.
Ordinarily, this could be an inconvenient nuisance. On the up side, it truly is the perfect place to stash packing cubes. And the packing cubes can also ensure that the suitcase lid doesn't expand too far and stays within the 20cm limit as needed.

Even with the unmovable net there, this case still fulfills my own cabin luggage requirement; can I get two pillows into the case?
From this test, it's hard to see a difference between this case and the technically larger (and considerably heavier) Lipault. And that net means you can STILLl get some thin packing cubes inside where the airline allows bags with a 23cm depth.

The compression straps are in a cross shape with one buckle, but they are effective and the telescopic handle can be zipped out of sight. Only thing missing is a front compartment with zipper for stashing travel documents, but LapChild won't need this for quite a few years.

All in all, very hard to imagine a more suitable case (it's only the fact that it's 2 wheels instead of 4 that gives me cause to not be entirely satisfied). And this would be very, very easy to customise so that it gives up its big chief vibe.

What a shame that Samsonite's new children's range don't reflect the realities of flying that so many of us experience.

LapLap Feb 11, 2013 1:00 am


Originally Posted by LapLap (Post 20166931)
A week later and I'm still waiting for the promised stickers from Lipault so I can return the not-fit-for-purpose-intended case. No sign of the website having been changed either.:(

Still another week later and no sign of those promised stickers.

Although the worry now was that the agreement to send the stickers was made verbally, I've no actual record and the follow up email I was asked to send got nothing except an automated response - but only because I had ticked the 'send this to my email account' box.

Am not feeling very reassured at the moment.

I've sent another message using their online form today.

lolvarie Jan 25, 2014 4:53 am

bad fabric - poor customer service

I was very attracted to lipault luggages, nice colors, cool design, space, BUT i had a terrible experience with a 22' trolley blue. After one, ONE, flight, the fabric came back with a hole.
I contacted the customer service in France through email to their customer relations email addres, they never answered me, I send them a second email after 10 days, no answer to that one either.
When i finally called, they were very brisk to let me know it was not their problem, that i should just go back to the airline. And oh, the reason they never answered my emails?? they went to the spam folders??? for a customer service???
of course, by then i had passed the delay to report damage to the airline.
so you can go with Lipault, but beware that once they sell they don't care about you whatsoever. and well the fabric is just of bad quality.


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