Good Luggage Brands (but not too pricey)??

[sweetpea&babycorn]

I think this might be my first post in Hangout!

PSers - can you recommend a good luggage brand that won't break the bank? I'm 2 months overdue on my anniversary present for my SO, and I decided I wanted to get him a carryon suitcase - one on rollers and telescoping handles. The only suitcase he has is this gigantic 30"+ suitcase which is much too large when we go away for long weekends - even with both our stuff! I was thinking something around 24" would be a good size.

I saw that the really good brands cost in the mid 100s range, I've even seen a couple for $200+, but I'm trying to spend less than $120. The most important quality I'm looking for is durability - SO can be such a space cadet and careless with traveling, so I need something that will last.

Thanks!

 

[sonnyjane]

Check out Marshall's/ TJ Maxx! I have some designer luggage from there that was cheap cheap cheap!

 

[Matata]

I just spent a few weeks researching luggage and looked at as many reviews as I could find. Does your husband travel a lot? If so, I'd recommend splurging on a high quality piece with lifetime guarantee. Spendy at the front end, but saves money over time. I went with Briggs & Riley. They have a terrific lifetime replacement/guarantee on their stuff. Samsonite got good reviews but I don't remember the price range. There's a big difference between some of the soft sided vs hard case luggage also as far as durability and price.

 

[MsP]

Check out Marshall's/ TJ Maxx! I have some designer luggage from there that was cheap cheap cheap!

I agree with this.

I have several $$$ Tumi pieces and no matter the durability...they get banged up. They might not fall apart, but they look horrible. In the future I'd rather get some seriously discounted pieces at TJMaxx and just replace when needed. They have some great ones for like <$50. Stock varies though.

 

[artdecogirl]

Thats a good gift! Years ago I bought a american tourister spinner at Target for cheap (under 100. ) it has been overseas twice and on multi trips in the states, love the spinners, way better then the old kind and it has held up well, zippers are all good, no rips or anything, I would recomend them. Good luck with your shopping!

 

[Alexiszoe]

Does your husband travel a lot? If so, I'd recommend splurging on a high quality piece with lifetime guarantee. Spendy at the front end, but saves money over time. I went with Briggs & Riley. They have a terrific lifetime replacement/guarantee on their stuff.

This. I also recommend Victorinox, it has a lifetime warranty as well. Does he travel international often? If he does weight might matter (15 lbs max for carry on) and the Victorinox Werks collection, as well as Rimowa (hard shell) is light and durable. I have used and tossed mine many times over and it's still in great condition.

 

[chrono]

If you travel a lot, I cannot recommend Samsonite highly enough. We scoped out the sales and only buy when they are 50% off which is really sweet. Their bags also have a 10 year warranty which we've used twice. On the second occasion where the zip could not be fixed, Samsonite sent us a free replacement luggage.

 

[erinl]

I second the suggestion to go to TJ Maxx or MArshalls-- in our neck of the words TJ MAXX seems to carry more purses and suitcases. I like the idea of really nice suitcases, but if I am putting them under the plane, I would go with sturdy, lightweight, and as cheap as I can find. It doesn't matter what happens, my suitcases get trashed after a couple flights-- I think they might run over them with that luggage car out on the tarmac

TJ MAXX carried a lot of samsonite, american tourister, etc.

 

[webdiva]

Used to sell luggage in college.

For a carry on, you can't go bigger than 22". The best, most durable one is the one that flight crews use themselves - LuggagePro:
http://www.luggagefactory.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?preadd=action&key=S384-4071022&gclid=CLfJgbab0LMCFSTZQgod3Q0AoA

This is just an example of a site that carries it - shop around!

 

[rainydaze]

Check out Marshall's/ TJ Maxx! I have some designer luggage from there that was cheap cheap cheap!

This! I just bought a two Samsonites from TJ's - a large one for under $150 (maybe even under $100, I can't recall specifically) and a carry-on with the handle and wheels for around $80. When I went, they had a large selection.

 

[OneFifty]

I'm a fan of the Samsonite spinners. It make manuvering so much easier. I think they can be a little pricy, but if you watch the sales at Kohls or JC Pennys, you can usually get a pretty good deal. I have never had a piece of Samsonite break on me. I finally replaced my last set with the spinners becuase the last set was so beat up - still worked great though.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Check out Marshall's/ TJ Maxx! I have some designer luggage from there that was cheap cheap cheap!

This! I just bought a two Samsonites from TJ's - a large one for under $150 (maybe even under $100, I can't recall specifically) and a carry-on with the handle and wheels for around $80. When I went, they had a large selection.

Macy's has some stuff on sale right now...

http://www1.macys.com/shop/luggage/luggage-collections?id=29334

Like others, I found my carry on at TJMaxx for about 50% off retail.

 

[sweetpea&babycorn]

These are great suggestions, thank you everyone! I now have direction as to where to start shopping. I never considered Marshall's/TJ Maxx, I will definitely check them out! I was looking at Victorinox and Briggs & Riley, but even online their prices were overbudget. I'm hoping that Marshall's and TJ Maxx will have some of these higher end brands for much cheaper. I think I'll start there, and look out for sales at other department stores.

My SO doesn't travel very much. His big trip is usually a trip out west to connect with college friends and go to his grandparents' lake house in Tahoe. We are planning a trip in May, and I think a carry-on each would be great for us. Plus, he would never plan enough ahead of time to realize he needs a different suitcase, so I feel like I'm killing two birds with one stone!

 

[Enerchi]

Not sure about pricing, but I have 2 different Heyes cartons - one spins the other just rolls behind - and I've done a lot of trips in the 4 years with only one minor repair. The manufacturer covered the handle repair no charge. I'm very happy with Heyes!

 

[monarch64]

If you're concerned about durability, I would encourage you to increase your budget. You really do get what you pay for in terms of quality and durability in luggage. My mother has given me two sets of luggage in the past 10 years that came from Macy's, that were "fashion" brands that basically fell apart.

My next carry-on will be this:

http://www.amazon.com/Osprey-Meridian-Inch-60L-Pack/dp/B002B3XOVG

 

[lulu66]

Not sure about pricing, but I have 2 different Heyes cartons - one spins the other just rolls behind - and I've done a lot of trips in the 4 years with only one minor repair. The manufacturer covered the handle repair no charge. I'm very happy with Heyes!

I have 2 heyes spinners also (purchased at tj maxx for near $100 for the pair). I've owned them for two years & they've been through 8 flights. I don't have a single complaint about them

 

[Alexiszoe]

You might want to check out 6pm.com for Victorinox - they have some fantastic deals from time to time. I know Victorinox and Briggs and Riley provide unconditional lifetime warranty - if it breaks, they either repair it for free or you get a replacement luggage. So even though it can get pricey, it's a worthwhile investment in the long run.

Webdiva's suggestion of TravelPro is good too, although it is heavier.

One of the forum members on a frequent flyer forum mentioned his Victorinox got RUN OVER by a cab...and other than some dents, the luggage was still working!

 

[ForteKitty]

My $30 carryon from TJMaxx has been thru about 80+ one way flights in the past 5 years and still looks great. About 40% of the time, I checked, 60% of the time, I carried it with me. Wheels are still in great shape, handle is not wobbly. It has a lot of bumpy city street miles-- definitely not a pampered suitcase! It even fell off a 2 story flight of stairs once with the handle up and surprisingly survived! Think the maker is some department store women's clothing maker, but I can't remember. I bought it because the inside liner is purple plaid and the exterior is silvery grey with faux silver snakeskin trim on the outside where the zippers are. It's a little loud and I like it, which brings me to my only possibly useful piece of advice.

May I suggest not getting him a black suitcase? I always see people at baggage claim trying to figure out which of the 30 black suitcases is theirs and getting frustrated when they can't find it!

 

[Dee*Jay]

I also think Victorinox is a great choice! After 15+ years and (literally) many hundreds of thousands of miles I retired my Hartmann last year and got a Victorinox with four way wheels. It is FABULOUS! I didn't realize how uncomfortable pulling the previous bag was on my elbow and wrist until I got this one. No matter what brand you go with, get the four way wheels!

 

[sweetpea&babycorn]

One of the forum members on a frequent flyer forum mentioned his Victorinox got RUN OVER by a cab...and other than some dents, the luggage was still working!

what a terrible story! but i admit i laughed a little bit. the ring in your avatar is gorgeous by the way!!

If you're concerned about durability, I would encourage you to increase your budget. You really do get what you pay for in terms of quality and durability in luggage. My mother has given me two sets of luggage in the past 10 years that came from Macy's, that were "fashion" brands that basically fell apart.

My next carry-on will be this:

http://www.amazon.com/Osprey-Meridian-Inch-60L-Pack/dp/B002B3XOVG

I really wish I could increase my budget more, but I'm still a student, and my family even agreed that we weren't going to do christmas gifts this year (too many people to account for and too many kids in school) though I am planning on suggesting secret santas. I think if I can find something that will last him 3-5 years, I will have a paying job by then and could get him something better.

My $30 carryon from TJMaxx has been thru about 80+ one way flights in the past 5 years and still looks great. About 40% of the time, I checked, 60% of the time, I carried it with me. Wheels are still in great shape, handle is not wobbly. It has a lot of bumpy city street miles-- definitely not a pampered suitcase! It even fell off a 2 story flight of stairs once with the handle up and surprisingly survived! Think the maker is some department store women's clothing maker, but I can't remember. I bought it because the inside liner is purple plaid and the exterior is silvery grey with faux silver snakeskin trim on the outside where the zippers are. It's a little loud and I like it, which brings me to my only possibly useful piece of advice.

May I suggest not getting him a black suitcase? I always see people at baggage claim trying to figure out which of the 30 black suitcases is theirs and getting frustrated when they can't find it!

I love the idea of a non-black suitcase! I have the same problem too, and have lost too many ribbons to airlines! I was thinking some shade of blue, or red.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Check out Marshall's/ TJ Maxx! I have some designer luggage from there that was cheap cheap cheap!

I agree! That is where I buy all my luggage.

 

[Alexiszoe]

One of the forum members on a frequent flyer forum mentioned his Victorinox got RUN OVER by a cab...and other than some dents, the luggage was still working!

what a terrible story! but i admit i laughed a little bit. the ring in your avatar is gorgeous by the way!!

Thanks for the compliment!

And I agree getting something that is non black helps a lot - at the end of a red eye flight it's hard to stay awake, let alone figure out which is your luggage!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

May I suggest not getting him a black suitcase? I always see people at baggage claim trying to figure out which of the 30 black suitcases is theirs and getting frustrated when they can't find it!

Mine is black. It seemed so practical of a color at the time. It now has a bright ribbon tied to the handle so I can find it among the sea of similar bags! hahaha (figured that out after the first flight I took it on!)

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I like buying luggage in odd colors. Easier for me to spot my bag.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Unless he travels a LOT, your regular brands like Samsonite should be all he needs. I like being able to buy new ones occasionally and really wouldn't care to have a set that I kept forever because I am sure I would tire of it! Besides Marshalls and TJMaxx, department stores do have major sales on luggage a few times a year and you can almost always get some sets for 50% or more off.

I also agree with a color that is not black. We do have some black luggage and I have ribbons on them that I can easily recognize in the baggage area.

 

[sweetpea&babycorn]

Unless he travels a LOT, your regular brands like Samsonite should be all he needs. I like being able to buy new ones occasionally and really wouldn't care to have a set that I kept forever because I am sure I would tire of it! Besides Marshalls and TJMaxx, department stores do have major sales on luggage a few times a year and you can almost always get some sets for 50% or more off.

I also agree with a color that is not black. We do have some black luggage and I have ribbons on them that I can easily recognize in the baggage area.

This is a good point too! I wonder how SO would feel about new luggage every 5 years or so. He doesn't seem to be the type to care, but I certainly would mind mixing up luggage styles and colors once in a while. He really doesn't travel much at all by plane. Most of our trips have been local - Cape Cod, Maine, NYC, etc. I was thinking about it because we're trying to plan an international trip and I'd like the luggage to at least last through this and his trip this summer to California, both of which will probably require connecting flights and rough handling of our luggage. I'll have to look out for major luggage sales at department stores.

Any thoughts on the manliest non-black colors? On second though, I'm not sure how a guy would feel about pulling a red suitcase. Is teal too girly? How about green?

 

[Dee*Jay]

Grey is a good choice, and also navy blue.

 

[partgypsy]

Maybe not for someone who travels a lot, but my carryon I purchased I believe was Anne Klein I purchased at TJ Maxx (I'll look it up when I get home).
I love it! I don't travel a lot (1 or 2 times a year) but after 10 years still looks great, nothing broken on it, plus it is one of their "light" styles so it is not very heavy. I then bought the same, in a smaller size for my oldest daughter. I asked her if she wanted to size up, but she is also so attached to her luggage she is sticking with it.

Ps - about black luggage, the one time my luggage got lost by the airline (or someone maybe accidently took it?) it was a black suitcase, so when I got my replacement it is a greige patterned fabric. Anything but black!