Buying a suitcase

JimmyCorkhill

Looking to buy a good quality suitcase (20kg or so)

Any recommendations on a suitcase or where to buy from?

Also any advice on whether certain material or anything else to look out for is much appreciated.

Thanks

endofrainbow

I'd stay away from hardshells, they tend to get dented. Heavy weave I find are the most durable. Get one where handles retract and one that has reasonably small wheels. Amazon has a good selection.

PHG

I used to fly every week with a bag in the hold. Its a Samsonite (I know pricey) with a hard/soft outer shell. Has lasted over 100 flights and still going strong! Can't see it being replaced for at least another 5/6 years. I also have a Samsonite Rucksack that came with me on all these flights and to work everyday and in great condition still!

Tip for whatever you go for, don't buy a generic colour, makes it harder to find if lost

Ubbquittious

Holy sh1t I didnt realise samsonite suitcases were so expensive. I have a hardshell one from the mid 90s that is still going grand, hope it never breaks.

Furasta

I work in baggage, buy a soft sided bag with at minimum 2 handles that a gloved hand can fit in.

Quality hard sided cases are grand but if they're over packed they can split the zipper open as that's the weak point as the zipper is the only thing holding those cases together. Seen bags come through empty cause everything feel out. Also if they're to heavy the wheels have a tendency to break off or get smashed up into the bag as there's no give with the hard shell unlike the soft ones.

Chancer20

I use an IT suitcase, the closest of which is the Urbane now. Very soft thin but framed construction which I might have decided not to buy if I'd seen it in a Department Store, but I got it from Amazon.

It's huge, and light (just 2KG compared to some hard cases that I've seen at above 7KG) which makes a huge difference when paying for luggage with Ryanair, I get to take 5KG more luggage than someone with a hard case.

The Urbane has a retractable handle and wheels and is large enough to pack 2 weeks of clothes for 2 people. I pack fragile items inside shoes and wrapped in clothes.

I've owned mine for a good 10 years now and its still in perfect condition. Somehow it's managed to avoid rips and tears, it's a tough beast. With its 10 year guarantee, I wouldn't buy anything else.

NSAman

I travel more than most…suitcases are the Bane of my life.

soft sided last longer but are an absolute pain in the arse for things getting broken inside.

hard shell…my go to now. Have tried them all from the cheap to the expensive. My favourite: Samsonite.

Do NOT buy the nice shiny silver ones…they get skuffed and look like crap after the first trip. Black is the only way to go. Red can look good also and has stood the test of time….Do not buy the large ones. The wheels get destroyed with the weight. Also as someone said, do not overpack them, the zippers do separate, leaving your contents exposed on the luggage belt.

forget paying a fortune for Louis Vuitton etc…it all ends up the same way. Fine if you have your own jet, but fly commercial….errrrr… let’s say they get destroyed.

there are other brands which have done well for me, but for the durability and price samsonite all the way!