I purchased a $200+ Tumi backpack for my son to use for school. The first backpack lasted 1 month before a shoulder strap broke. The replacement lasted 1 month before the shoulder strap broke. The next replacement lasted 3 weeks before the shoulder strap broke.

Tumi's response to this problem was to send the bag in for "evaluation." I ended up eating the cost of the Tumi and had to buy another backpack for my son...which at 1/4 of the cost of a Tumi is holding up just fine.

I will never buy a Tumi ANYTHING again.

One of the reasons that I recently bought another TravelPro bag was my good experience with their customer service dept. I had managed to damage a wheel (my fault) on my several-years-old 22" rollaboard and was NOT looking forward to shippping it off somewhere for repair (not possible locally). So I called customer service for advice. Within 3 days, I received two (inexpensive) new wheels; it took me 5 minutes to replace them.

I have a 22" Tumi from '94 or so which is bulletproof. Eventually Parisian cobblestones on a wet morning made the wheels squeek occasionally - repair was something like $14.

I have a 22" Tumi expandable from '99 or so which is much more fragile. The top handle is held on with two philips head screws that seem to come loose every other trip.

When I complain (to random people), frequently the response will be "they started making them in China ...". I don't think manufacture location has anything to do with it -- it's design and choice of materials.

I have a 24" Tumi expandable (this sucker is HUGE when expanded) from '02 which is very sturdy again. As is the 20" I have from '01.

Maybe they've learned something?

Oh, and I have a ballistic nylon Tumi laptop briefcase which qualifies for admission to F/C, but it's not leather so I still feel like I'm from the wrong side of the tracks. (I had to have the zipper replaced on this one once, and recently the shoulder strap latch-to-bag thingie wore completely through the metal (!!) - hard to blame Tumi much for that, IMHO, but I noticed that they're now putting some nylon slippery stuff between the metal ring and strap-latch-thing to minimize this)


But I'm NOT a Tumi snob. I have a collection of North Face duffel bags as well (talk about heavy duty...) Not a snob. Not a snob.

I am a Tumi fan.
I hate it that they just discontinued the 'classic' wheelaways and replace them with new designs... One of the reasons I chose Tumis is because they seemed quite timeless.

Actually I *do* blame Tumi for that -- I had the same thing happen on a Tumi Expandable Organizer Brief; granted, I loaded it full of stuff on most trips, but if I can carry it, it should be able to handle it, particularly for a $300 bag (in 1999). The metal clasp on the shoulder strap completely wore through; I replaced it with a strap from another bag. The corresponding side on the bag is about half worn through.

I replaced that bag with a Brenthaven Urban Laptop Backpack (or something like that.) Three years of similarly heavy use and it has barely a scrach on it; all straps are still fully intact, no fraying. I highly highly recommend it. (I'm looking at replacing it, not because of the bag but because I'd like a smaller laptop bag paired with a wheelie bag for 1-2 day trips... something like the Briggs & Riley Multi-Case... ) My back is starting to complain about all the stuff I carry in the Brenthaven...

I have some three TravelPros and I am very happy with them, including excellent customer service.

For those in the L.A. area the best/most competitive place I found, carrying many top brands is:

Savinar Luggage, 4625 West Washington Blv., L.A. (323) 938 2501.

Recently I picked up a TravelPro 26" on closeout overthere for less than $ 100.

I don't give Tumi complete pardon for this problem, but (1) I've used this bag 5 days/week for 5+ years and it's held up remarkably well; and (2) they've since improved the design to include some friction abatement measures.

BTW, the bag-side triangular loop that the stap hooks to is completely unaffected. This says to me that they designed it so that the strap (easily replaced) wears instead of the bag (replaced with a sewing machine). [abusive distortion of language: "sacrifical anode"]

imo, the 2 most important features are: 1) wheels that swivel in all directions so you can move your bag down aisles upright and 2) a hard shell. #2 is useful if you are hard on your luggage. i currently have a delsey rollaway which fulfills both criteria. samsonite also makes a similar product.

Why the hard shell? I ask becuase I need the expandability of the canvas types.

ime, hard luggage is much more durable than soft luggage. i don't care for expandability because i like the fact that my bag is always the exact same size (no problems with overhead bins). plus, you'd surprized how much you can force into a hard bag if you put a little muscle into it.

Got my first Skyway 3 yrs ago for around $80.00USD and on the road nearly every week since then. Great for 3-5 day trips. Shopped like mad for a new one when it died (handle got stuck) but settled for the updated version because of:

- lightweightness
- 20" fits under the seat in emergencies
- expandable if I need more room for 7 days trips

TJ Max & Ross are great places to get good luggage at 1/2 price. I have a spare Kenneth Cole 22" (heavier) that I sometimes use but still prefer the SKyway for my trips.

I too only use Briggs and Riley. The gaurantee alone is worth it: they'll replace your bag no matter what happens to it, no matter whose fault.

Those bags are great. I have a 22" rollerboard that expands to 26", and a roller laptop bag.

I'm going to give the Eagle Creek Pilot EXP a try. I like the fact that it's so lightweight and it seems to be highly regarded in reviews as well. For someone who usually just uses a duffle bag , this will be a nice step up just for it to have wheels and a handle. I'll let y'all know how it goes.

- T

I purchased a Pilot XP last year and love it. I got so tired of hoisting around heavy bags. I also have a Road Warrior 30" which I am really happy with. No, they don't have all the dividers and pockets but I don't even miss them in exchange for the weight they add.

I also recommend the Costco Kirkland luggage. My parents have a 26" that is well put together. Costco seems to update the luggage when new technology adds functionality to bags. They upgraded the hardware and added bigger feet and a base handle for the latest 22". I'm going to get a 22" for myself when I finally beat my tired midrange Atlantic to death--I'm not that thrilled with it.

You certainly can't beat the price and you can't beat the warranty. From what I've read, bring a busted one into Costco and walk out with a brandspanking new one. No ridiculous handling fees that almost equal the cost of a new bag to fix and old one.