So every year I seem to find myself buying new suitcases, usually because at least one wheel has given up (probably not helped by me dragging them down stairs and wherever else). I’ve currently got cases that are starting to come apart at the seams – and I find myself thinking, ‘here we go again’.
I don’t really buy expensive luggage, I’ve never really seen the point since suitcases are only going to end up getting dragged, scraped scratched and bumped all over, so why spend more than you need to?
Recently I have started to reconsider this attitude, and have found myself drifting around luggage sections of some of our well loved department stores, hovering and pondering over this suitcase and that.
I wonder whether it might be worth investing a bit more in luggage peices that ‘might last longer’ and even prove more functional.
What do you think?
I’d really like to hear your thoughts/advice on this subject and any recommendations in terms of brands you have tried and tested yourself.
Hard cases are appealing to me as a better option for enduring battery and scratches, and they come in some lovely zingy colours, but it seems as though I might end up compromising on space with hard case…..The fabric cases seem to have more ‘give’ and you also get the handy external zip at the front, plus they’re a lot lighter.
Decisions, decisions….
I need to hear your views, please share them below.
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oriana77
Since we travel for extended periods, of 4 months + we use 4 cases plus carry on bags. For the past 8 years we use 4 – 26″ Samsonite Spinners. Very light, hard sided cases with 4 wheels and they are expandable. I can handle all 4 cases easily, with 2 back to back in each hand.
Some complain about wheels being knocked off, but our cases have been around the world a couple of times and no issues.
Cherryl
That’s a reassuring review – if I had luggage last 8 years I’d be very happy indeed. It’s normally the wheels I have trouble with – though that might be because my cases are always large and heavily packed. Thanks, I’ll have a look at those Samsonite Spinners.
Charlie Keeble
I have had quite a few suitcases broken in my time. That is because of the load I carry and the places I drag them through. I learnt to get a different kind of suitcase. Instead of conventional suitcases I now use roller duffles from sports and outdoor brands. I have a Berghaus roller bag and I am planning on buying a second one. Check North Face, Dakine or some brand associated with sports and outdoors instead of fashion.
Cherryl
Sports luggage, ye that’s another interesting alternative to consider – thanks Charlie
Audrey
I buy quality suitcases. My cabin size suitcase that I checked in most of the time when I travel is still in good condition other than the scratches. By the way, I used to travel at least 24 times a year using that luggage for past 10 years.
Cherryl
Wow, that’s what you call ‘tried and tested’ – I don’t mind a few scratches if it holds together and stays strong.
SueT唐 梦 琇
I do buy quality suitcases which means a little expensive. I find even though they get scraped they don’t break. I have bought both a hard sided suitcase and a quality soft sided one. Both are Samsonite brand and I love them.
lexklein
I’ve used the same carry-on bag for over 30 years, starting when I traveled for business and ever since for tourism! It is a little worn at this point, but the wheels, zippers, exterior, etc. have never broken. It was expensive; it’s by Bric’s and the exterior is leather. I love it! I’m a contrarian as far as wheels and hard sides go. I hate those 4-wheeled spinners. They take up more room in the overhead and geez – how much more effort does it really take to pull the bag?! 🙂 And the hard cases are less malleable for when you need to squish it into a trunk or other spot!
Cherryl
I totally agree with you on the squish factor…I prefer a fabric bag to a carry on case for that very reason. …..but 30 years!!!! Wow. I need to Google Bric’s, sounds like they’re the ones to beat!
milfordstreet
I’m like you and tend not to spend a lot on luggage. I use a fabric bag that can be carried on and also can expand (by way of a zipper) if I need more space. Expanding it, means I can’t use it as a carry on. Cheers
Cherryl
I’m never a light traveller so a suitcase is a must for me….expansion is a must though. I prefer a fabric cabin bag though as I can man over
Cherryl
Sorry…I meant to finish by saying fabric cabin bags are easier to squeeze into tight spaces or under my seat if need be (I hate messaging from my phone lol…my fingers always slip)
milfordstreet
That’s okay. Yes, fabric bags are better for stuffing places, however, I recall a flight when I somehow totally wedged my bag into the overhead bin and had to wait for people to clear out so I could wrestle it free without hitting anyone. Cheers!
Cherryl
Bad luck that time 😊
Les Petits Pas de Juls
Been traveling with my backpack back and forth for the past 8 years; might be scratched a little but has endured more than its share and will keep going!
I’d go for a hard shell, should I switch for a suitcase: just because I have gone zero waste and I’d rather spend more money on something that will last than less money and keep throwing away (think about materials, ressources, non recyclables, landfill, etc.).
Happy travels!!!
Cherryl
Good ‘eco’ points!! Your trusty back back has done you proud, 8 years is very impressive!
Les Petits Pas de Juls
Yep! And counting! I wouldn’t change for the world! Deuter makes them everlasting!
Cherryl
I’ve noted the brand for future reference – thanks for your thoughts, and happy travels! 😊
monika Bascombe
#luggagestruggles hard case for me always
styles5433 (Kim Styles)
#luggagestruggles I believe buying a better quality hard case one is good with 360 spinning wheels- less likely to get damaged – I would get one with a decent guarantee and spend about a middle of the range price of £100
Cherryl
Thanks – 360 wheels sounds like a must (and x4 wheels).
Kim W
#luggagestruggles what we need is something sturdy as baggage gets thrown around, squashed, scuffed, marked etc. The hard shell ones could crack if thrown from any height but putting a belt around it will hold anything in.
Cherryl
I’ve never used a belt before – good tip, thanks.
CAROL PATRICK
#luggagestruggles We find cases get knocked about a lot. We buy sturdy zip ones (discounted in sales) and we use a luggage strap that buckles around each case. Bright colours are easy to recognise on the luggage carousel, or try sticking coloured pictures on. Other passengers can see they’re not theirs. There always seems to be umpteen black cases. We padlock the zips with a lock that airlines can undo with a master key – handy when travelling to USA
Cherryl
Thanks, you’re right about the black suitcases lol.
butterflytails
#luggagestruggles We have the middle price raged Tripp luggage and having just returned from Antwerp I can really recommend these cases. I love the wheels that mean you can manouver the luggage by your side instead of tripping people up as you drag it along. It also is good for balancing a piece of hand luggage on the top of it. Definitely go for the 4 wheel variety that does this. I like the softer cases as I have had a hard top crack when it was being thrown about by the airline in the past.
butterflytails
We have the middle price raged Tripp luggage and having just returned from Antwerp I can really recommend these cases. I love the wheels that mean you can manouver the luggage by your side instead of tripping people up as you drag it along. It also is good for balancing a piece of hand luggage on the top of it. Definitely go for the 4 wheel variety that does this. I like the softer cases as I have had a hard top crack when it was being thrown about by the airline in the past.
Cherryl
Thanks for the feedback, I’m hearing a lot about cracked hard shell cases and it’s making me think twice about them…..and four wheels is definitely the way!
Catherine Shipston
I bought a Tripp case from Debenhams, used it 3 times do far and has done the job. Its lime green and ccan spot it straight away in baggage reclaim 🙂 #luggagestruggles
Cherryl
Tripp are super popular right now too, thanks for the feedback – they seem like a good value brand.
Caroline Signey
#luggagestruggles I’m not a regular traveller abroad and when I have been it’s just been me and I have a fairly cheap but sturdy case I got from Trago Mills over ten years ago. We are however going as a family of 4 abroad this year and we’ll probably borrow cases from family rather than buy new
Sam
#luggagestruggles I think it’s definitely worth splashing out. I bought a lovely case from Debenhams years ago and it’s done me really well. It shows no sign of any damage except a few scratches.
Cherryl
Thanks….Debenhams usually have quite a wide range 🙂
isis1981uk
I was lucky enough to win a £300 Briggs & Riley suitcase years ago and wouldn’t use anything else now, it’s so worth the investment!
Cherryl
That was very lucky indeed!!! I’ll Google them and take a look 🙂
Kirsty Woods
I like hard cases with wheels #luggagestruggles
Liz T
#luggagestruggles I like hard cases in bright distinctive designs so that they are easy to recognise and my stuff is protected,
Cherryl
The bright colours definitely are very tempting….
Julie
A case with wheels definitely, also the lighter the better for us.
Natalie Ellis
For a large suitcase I would recommend any make that is expandable to accommodate any souvenirs and gifts that you bring home. Also a case that has 4 wheels that travel 360 degrees so that you don’t have to drag the heavy weight, it simply rolls along upright. #luggagestruggles 🙂
Cherryl
Great advice – I agree – especially about having 4 wheels, it definitely makes a huge difference (plus if one wheel goes funny there are still another three to keep you going lol).
Lindsey Smith
I think it is always worth spending that little bit more on a good suitcase because of how much they get thrown around but my biggest tip would be to invest in a fun coloured luggage strap or big Luggage Tag as when we went to America last year there were literally 5-10 other families on our flight with the exact same bright red Tripp cases so it was so much easier to grab ours when we had rainbow straps around them all! #luggagestruggles
Cherryl
Thanks, and Tripp are very popular indeed right now – I see a lot people with then around London and out. The coloured strap is a really good idea, you can get all sorts of interesting designs these days – I usually tie something around the handle – bright chiffon scarf or ribbon etc
Caroline Hunter
#luggagestruggles
I recently went to South America on a 3 week tour. I bought 2 large suitcases from Tesco from the American Tourister range and they were great. We had 9 flights during the 3 weeks but my suitcases came back fine! They were both hard shell cases and I’m so glad we picked those rather than a soft cover. The reason being, after one of the flights, two of the people on our tour got their luggage back and all the contents of their cases were soaked. Apparently, they had been left out in the rain at one of the airports with no cover and got drenched. So that’s a good reason to get a hard shell!!!
Cherryl
Omg – I never thought of that happening before and coincidently I have been looking at the same brand recently – they aren’t too heavy and have some nice colour. Thanks for sharing this….got me thinking.
Caroline Hunter
I recently went to South America on a 3 week tour. I bought 2 large suitcases from Tesco from the American Tourister range and they were great. We had 9 flights during the 3 weeks but my suitcases came back fine! They were both hard shell cases and I’m so glad we picked those rather than a soft cover. The reason being, after one of the flights, two of the people on our tour got their luggage back and all the contents of their cases were soaked. Apparently, they had been left out in the rain at one of the airports with no cover and got drenched. So that’s a good reason to get a hard shell!!!
KelsieLou
I bought a hard card because of the bold fuchsia color. It is heavier than the soft luggage and when it gets scratched it does not look as good as the soft.
Cherryl
Yes they do look awful with scratches…I saw someone with a white one – covered in dark scrapes and marks – not a good look.
Annabel Greaves
A hard case is best with a carry handle, it is worth investing in a good case as it is something that can last for years
Cherryl
This is the thing, I don’t want to keep buying new ones every tow minutes – costs more in the long run!
Joanne Matthews
I have two Animal 80 litre holdalls. Incredible durable, with a handle and wheels. I’ve travelled around the world with them and never had a tear or rip. Plus unlike hardcases they’re just a couple of kg when empty which means you can pack more holiday stuff! #luggagestruggles
Katie Kingsbury
I’ve owned expensive and not so expensive luggage – they’ve all ended up damaged in some way. Put it this way, I was a lot less annoyed about the cheaper ones getting smushed/scuffed! #luggagestruggles
Cherryl
Point taken!! Some of the more expensive cases offer replacements if damaged but I wonder how much hassle this would be….
Jane Willis
#luggagestruggles make sure you choose an unusual colour or design so your luggage stands out on airport carousels, in coach holds and in hotel baggage rooms. So many cases are black, people get confused, take the wrong one off the carousel then just dump it rather than putting it back so the owner ends up hunting for it.
Cherryl
Good tip – I always tend to go for black and then tie a bright ribbon.
Ryan Biddulph
Ditto Cherryl 😉 I also buy less expensive luggage knowing I’ll slam it into stuff, drag it and yep, airline workers will toss it around too. Although methinks a hard case may do the trick. I cannot get myself to spend more than $60 LOL.
Ryan
ROBERT MCINTOSH
#luggagestruggles I find that good quality soft cased luggage lasts best as it is more resistant to the throwing about it gets during loading and unloading
glendabjack
Hard case especially for carry on.