I'm just about to purchase some new luggage and would appreciate some ideas and sugestions.
I curently have a large Samasonite and small/medium Skyways. Both are soft sided and have been great - howvere it's time to update so i'd like to hear about which luggage is the best

There was a recent discussion on this hear on the board. A lot of great recommendations:

http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...ML/008985.html

Costco costco costco -- If anything ever happens to the luggage you can return it no questions cash back no matter how long ago you bought it.

TUMI...by far the best on the market....expensive to say the least....but well worth it.

I was very happy with my hardside luggage with built-in combination locks until the recent TSA requirement to not lock your luggae. I suggest buying the cheapest yet reasonably built luggage (meaning, one that you can afford to lose), and secure with cable ties that the TSA can cut easily.

I like TUMI the most.
Though it is expensive compared to others, it is very easy to use and strong.
I love their duffle bag (I am not sure of spelling) very much and all my family has one. It is really comfortable to carry.
If your bag got damaged, TUMI shops usually fix it free.
The NY TUMI shop (around 5th Ave. and 49th) even sent messenger to me to deliver the fixed bag.

Word of caution on Tumi, if you purchase from their factory outlet stores, they don't have any warantee on the bags unless they are full priced first quality. You have to compare their incredible service should you ever need it to the cost savings.

Samsonite, not super fancy, but I had a hard shell for over 10 years and 30 countries.

I still use it, and it has to be repaired by AA, Alitalia, Delta, Continental.

Looks a little like hell, but its still ticking

Second this. Handle ripped off, zipper broken - doesn't seem to matter. Anytime during the manufacturer's warranty, which on American Tourister (for example) is 10 years.

Rimowa - the snazzy German aluminum suitcases do it for me. They are light, spacious, easy to wheel around. Sure, they get dented, but what's inside is safe. As an added plus, Rimowa make one of the largest capacity suitcases I have ever seen. Carnegie luggage sell them in NY (6th Ave.), and you can also check out www.rimowa.de

TUMI - yes, expensive, but not as bad as it used to be.

I just picked up their new 40" rolling garment bag. It folds out long enoung to carry shirts/pants on a hanger, but is short enough when folded in half that I have taken it as carry-on without any complaints (its 1-2" over "legal" dimensions in 2 directions). It has fit in the F100 overheads, which are the tightest I've used.

I have to agree. A very similar bag to Tumi in design with high quality zippers, wheels, and nylon. At under $100.

I hate to check my Tumi and Lark. They get banged around, scuffed, and damaged.

My Costco bag is built great, has super wheels, and I could care less if the airlines ruin it. A trip to my Costco and a no hastle return. No fighting the airlines, no sending in to Tumi. And probably a lower profile target for theft(Tumi is tempting an attractive target).

I bought one Costco bag about 4 or 5 years ago and the airlines have ruined it 3 times over. Back to Costco each time I go and they are happy to exchange it, even though the bag workmanship was in no way defective.

Try it. If you don't like it, take it back.

I use a combination of Tumi and Rimowa, no problems and sturdy as heck, considering how nasty I am to my bags