After the second failure of my large Kirkland Signature bag (read Costco house brand) I'm ready to buy something better. I'm looking for suggestions for a new 26" pullman style bag for my longer trips. I'd like it to be expandable for those really long trips, or bringing home extra trinkets. From what I've seen so far, I believe that the Pathfinder bags come out of the same factory as the Costco stuff, so I've kind of written them off.

I've got a Tumi laptop case that has served me well for years and shows no signs of wearing out or breaking soon, but am not sure about their bigger bags. I'm also not hot to spend $600.00 or $700.00 on a suitcase, but if their really worth it, I might stretch.

So please offer up your experience and opinions.

I appreciate all of your millions of miles of flying experience and look forward to your replies.

Thanks.

jmx

------------------
A man's got to know
his limitations

I usually replace my main travel bag once a year. Nothing over $70, and usually on sale. If I can find a bag that will take the wear and tear of weekly visits to the luggage hold and baggage claim (and being stuffed to capacity), I would seriously consider it, even at $700.

Been using Tumi for the past 7 years, never a problem and very much worth it.

Tumi!!

As we strive to focus on FT. community activities such as events, get-togethers and the happenings of FTers, may I please suggest one of the FT Travel forums such as Travel Buzz for this topic? Thanks, will move to Travel Buzz
Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, Community

[This message has been edited by Ocn Vw 1K (edited 02-24-2003).]

[This message has been edited by Ocn Vw 1K (edited 02-24-2003).]

Definitely TUMI! Lifetime warranty. Subtle elegance. Look for good deals on EBAY!

I have 8 TUMI pieces for different things and they look and work great.

This great luggage thread is worth looking at.

I would reccommend Briggs & Riley. I believe these are fully as durable as Tumi, although the name may not be quite as prestigious. The real benefit, however, is their lifetime warranty against anything, including airline damage.

The bottom line is, I don't think there is a material on earth that a case could be made of that the airlines wouldn't find a way to damage eventually. Why not have a top of the line case, but have a no-nonsense warranty to back it up?

Wow, I think I should write ads for them...lol

Tumi any day.... My roller garment bag has aalready outlasted my last 4 bags.

Repairs have been no questions asked...fixed everything NC.

Well worth the higher price.

You get what you pay for.

Streeeeeetch, and go for Tumi ! Elegant, last ages, great design. The Mercedes of the luggage market !

Try the Delsey range. I have done 20 flights in the last few weeks and this baby is tough.

Travel Pro without a doubt.

Briggs and Riley for the quality and the warranty.

There is one school of thought, though, that says don't spend much on checked luggage, since it'll get trashed anyway. This school recommends spending the bucks on the rollaboard, since you can control its treatment.

Since I check bags maybe once or twice a year, I use a B&R rollaboard, which I love. Still haven't decided what suitcases to buy.

I have a TravelPro hard side that has been great. I bought two--to replace two Tumis when the company refused to repair them. One was a wheeling wardrobe with a broken frame. The other a garment bag that developed dandruff. The wheeling wardrobe was hardly ever used. I see lots of folks have had good experience with Tumi. I have not. If you look through old threads you'll see I am not alone.

I have used tumi for 8 years and have zero complaints.

Also if you purchase tumi from nordstrom they rock in getting it shipping it off for you and getting it fixed if need be.