Wheels Through the Snow
 

Years ago back in Chicago I needed to check out of my hotel and walk to my worksite (last day of the trip, fly home that afternoon). Overnight it snowed faily heavily, and I checkout before any serious shoveling and plowing had occurred, meaning my rollaboard went through and over snow, ice, and probably salt.

The wheels were never the same.

After that trip I could feel the wheels struggling to roll, as if something (salt? dirt?) had gotten into the bearings and was interfering with the rolling mechanism.

That bag eventually got tossed. I am currently using a $40 Delsey Helium from TJ Maxx. Been fine for the past 6 years of constant travel, mainly as a carryon, but been checked several times and survived. I now have a client in Pittsburgh, and once a week when I check out I roll my bag several blocks from the hotel to the job site. With winter approaching I am anticipating the snow scenario...

So are there any bags out their whose wheels are impervious to any external penetration? No road salt, no snow, no water? I won't be impressed by a bag just because it's expensive or just because it has a long warranty! I need proof that the wheels are manufactured to handle and resist snowy, salty conditions. I expect to have to drag the bag over and through snow drifts, through icy water, and through piles of dirty, road-salty snow.

Any bags out there up to the challenge?

You could buy from Briggs & Riley and not worry about it, as they have an unlimited warranty.

Or, you could drop the wheels altogether

How does having a warranty make me not worry? I am not interested in a warranty. I want wheels that won't be affected, not wheels that will fail but can be replaced.

If the wheels get gummed up during the first snowfall in December, what good does a warranty do me? Ship the bag to B&R and wait several weeks. What bag am I supposed to use during those weeks - is B&R going to give me a loaner? And then when the fixed bag is returned, what happens during the next snowfall?

This is indeed a possible solution, as is taking a taxi from the hotel to the job site. If no one can point me to a bag with "winter wheels" these may be my only options. Surprising that other consultants in cold-weather cities haven't had issues with the snow. Perhaps all bags are snow-proof these days?

The OP seemed to indicate that it was an issue of diminished performance, not an immediate problem. In that case, a good warranty makes sense.

As to your concern as to what to do as far as wheels go, I wonder if there is a difference if you are using roller blade wheels or the ones with rubber?

Have you considered an hybrid bag? I was in a situation similar to yours and got myself this bag: http://www.suitcases.me.uk/vaude-sap...ry-on-trolley/

Most of the time I use it as a normal carry-on and when I need to walk outside in the snow or over rough/uneven ground I use it as a backpack. A nice bonus is that the wheels on this bag can be replaced very easily at home (they are essentially roller-blade wheels).

Carry it.

I gave up wheeled carry on bags a long time ago and found satisfaction with Red Oxx made in USA (Montana) wheel-free luggage.

I'm very happy with Red Oxx products www.redoxx.com

I've dragged my Eddie Bauer Travex Rolling Duffel through countless miles of snow, slush, ice, beach sand, desert dust, big-city grime, and water.

The wheels still spin as if brand new after two years and 100k miles of plane, train, automobile, boat, and hiking.

And, yes, they do have a 100% unconditional warranty.

You had rust. As a Pittsburgh guy, you know what salt+snow will do to steel. On the models where you can actually replace the wheels, this is an option. Otherwise, you could just try your best to clean/lubricate the bearings. Maybe some cycling products like white lightning wet lube.

Take the bag to a luggage repair shop and have them change out the wheels. I was Chicago-based and traveled every week for over 10 years. Once I changed the wheels to those used for inline skates, the problems went away. They've been through everything a Chicago winter can dish out (not just car to terminal at ORD, but also making the trek train -->office-->train in the Loop).

Just noticed this thread, but FWIW:

Rollerblade wheels don't like getting wet. I've always found that as soon as I get mine wet the bearings start to go and I don't see that this would be any different than luggage. It could just be that your bearings got water in them and this is causing the diminished performance.

Now, of course, inline wheels on skates take a lot more punishment than inline wheels on a bag, but it's the same process. Water = trouble. Or at least it is every time I end up getting them wet.

I use WD-40 when I roll my bags in very dirty places. The key is to use it before it gets rough.

Excellent advise.

Ensure that the spray in on the wheels, and especially into the bearings. Then clean it off and spray it again when that trip is over. I have found bits of grit salt for Europe roads when it snows in the wheels and bearings of our Rimowa cases, after they were set down by a taxi driver in deep German street slush.

Clean, wipe, roll each wheel (assuming they have bearings)clean again, and wipe it all down. It will help with old tired squeaky wheels on cases as well, even the small ones.

The helpful motto to follow is " Be prepared. " Unless of course someone, someday invents snow tires for luggage cases.