Why Are Retractable Luggage Handles So Crappily Designed?
Oct 4, 2007, 7:21 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 4
Why Are Retractable Luggage Handles So Crappily Designed?
Rolling luggage has to be one of the greatest engineering innovations of all time, but I've have had particularly bad luck with the retractable handles failing. See my photo gallery of busted bags here. At this point I'd simply like to find a bag with a handle that holds up for more than 50 trips. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Oct 4, 2007, 10:20 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,254
Passengers want luggage that is lightweight and reasonably priced. Passengers won't accept a solution that results in a heavy bag.
FWIW Consumers, and many other reviewers, say the cheap bags sold at places like Wal Mart may not even last one trip.
50 trips may be about all you can expect. I guess you have to rely on the mfg warranty.
FWIW Consumers, and many other reviewers, say the cheap bags sold at places like Wal Mart may not even last one trip.
50 trips may be about all you can expect. I guess you have to rely on the mfg warranty.
Oct 4, 2007, 10:32 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oregon
Programs: AA EXP, AS 75K, UA 1MM Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Plat, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,001
I have to say that I'd never buy a bag with handles as shown in those pictures. You can feel how crappy they are right in the store. I've got several years as a 1K, 100% domestic, lots of cycles, and I always check my bag because they won'ytlet my tools onboard. I'm still on the same Jansport bag I bought in 1999.
Oct 4, 2007, 12:03 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Chicagoland/ORD
Programs: UA Million Miler (Gold), Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,458
My TravelPros have held up for years of living in the cargo hold.
Rule #1: Never buy a bag with the handle on the outside; it's guaranteed to get bent or broken the first time it's checked.
Rule #1: Never buy a bag with the handle on the outside; it's guaranteed to get bent or broken the first time it's checked.
Oct 4, 2007, 12:11 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Somewhere between IAD and DCA
Programs: UA Premier, Starwood Gold
Posts: 333
I have a Hartman that's been going for over 7 years and 200+ trips. Only problem I have is that the wheels are wearing down from overuse. I also have a Briggs bag that's excellent and showing no signs of wear and tear.
Oct 4, 2007, 9:51 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS
Posts: 406
It's clearly a conspiracy to get you to buy more bags... 
In all seriousness, I've had nothing but good luck with the Kirkland (Costco) luggage which comes in just about every size. The best part is that you can return it with ease if you do get a dud. 7 years and going with the same carry-on... the handle is getting a little loose but I figure I'll make it to year 8.
In all seriousness, I've had nothing but good luck with the Kirkland (Costco) luggage which comes in just about every size. The best part is that you can return it with ease if you do get a dud. 7 years and going with the same carry-on... the handle is getting a little loose but I figure I'll make it to year 8.
Oct 5, 2007, 11:11 am
#11
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oregon
Programs: AA EXP, AS 75K, UA 1MM Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Plat, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,001
Oct 5, 2007, 9:18 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: ATL
Programs: DL GM,2MM [3.37TMM]
Posts: 305
Oct 5, 2007, 9:26 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: YYC, MIA, JFK, LHR, AMS, BRE, SIN, NRT ... or in transit.
Programs: LH Gold, Flying Club Silver, JAL Mileage Bank, Hyatt Platinum, SPG Platinum
Posts: 32
Rimowa
Rimowa Tango series! Awesome, best investment I made last year -- superlight, 5 year warranty (which you won't need).
They have luggage in different sizes, cabin trolley all the way to superbig.
And you can overload them as much as you want -- they'll hold!
http://rimowa.com/main.php?country=U...product/831.52
They have luggage in different sizes, cabin trolley all the way to superbig.
And you can overload them as much as you want -- they'll hold!
http://rimowa.com/main.php?country=U...product/831.52
Oct 6, 2007, 2:54 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,084
My Briggs & Riley rollaboard has seen significantly more than 50 trips and the handle has stayed in perfectly good condition. When I sent it in for warranty service (needed new wheels), they replaced the handle simply because the rubber grip had gotten a little loose - can't beat the service either.