Luggage vs. contents of luggage?
 

https://viewfromthewing.boardingarea...nside-the-bag/

I don't care about the labels. I've owned B&R and Tumi.

Both a B&R carryon and a Tumi large suitcases are unuseable now. I've done one or two repairs on the Tumi.

So I've gone much cheaper with no-name brands, for instance the Tumi check-in has been replace by a $60 suitcase which doesn't have nearly the braced framing but is very light.

In any event, I can't see spending too much money on a bag which I would have to check in because those get absolutely abused by handlers and belts. Even if they don't break down, the exterior gets dirtied and scuffed up.

I would spend more for a carryon but for utility more than looks. Again, when they're stuffed in bins, the contents don't fare well. Not as bad as checked-in suitcases but they don't come out unscathed.

There is merit in only paying for what you use, but where each draws that value is different. I am actual a cheapskate but my B&R has done almost a million and lots of rough and tumble sidewalks, for me at least well worth it.

I've noodled what it would be like with a Kirkland, but would have hated to be in Shanghai and have a handle or wheel go, for that the B&R was priceless, of course no telling if the Kirkland would have lasted as long, LOL

Many of the Asian travelers have a fitted "shirt" that they pull over their luggage .
keeps it cleaner and a little more secure.

My B&R had a zipper lock hoop break off.

My Tumi 26-inch had the top handle come off, had zipper pulls come off. I paid like $200 to repair the handle but they also said the frame had to be replaced too.

I gave up on it. I bought a cheap bag of a similar size for a fraction of what it would have cost to repair it again.

Like I said, the bags get filthy unless you pay at the airport to have it wrapped multiple times in cellophane.