Carryon Luggage recommendations?

[netmouse]

I will be traveling in March and need to buy a new carry-on bag. My old one was too worn out, so I got rid of it. I've done a little shopping, but so far haven't seen what I want - something relatively small, that can fit a laptop and a few days' clothes, maybe with a pocket large enough to accept some folders and/or a book on the front.

My old bag was too long to fit front-to-back in some airlines' overhead compartments, so I want one shorter than that. I value a sturdy, easy-to-use collapsable long handle to drag it around by, and I want the wheelbase to be sturdy as well. It should also be well ballanced on the wheel base - my previous bag had a tendency to fall over forward when standing, which got annoying quickly.

Color doesn't really matter, though something other than black might be refreshing - otherwise I'll decorate it.

Comments

[tammylc.livejournal.com]

I got an amazing bag at TJ Maxx. It's from the Samsonite Aspire line. Very light, and the absolutely coolest thing about it is that the wheels have 360 degree movement. Sounds goofy, but it means that you can pull it in every direction, spin it around in place, and - most cool - you can actually push it along next to you while it's standing completely upright. Not having to pull a bag behind your body is so much better ergonomically - it made all that traveling I had to do last year so much better. I could walk down the aisle on the plane, pushing my bag sideways ahead of me. So awesome.

I can show you mine sometime, or you can just go look at TJ Maxx. It cost around $60, I think.

[laurel]

Wow, you got a great deal.

I have a Samsonite spinner and love it to death, the wheels are a revelation! I got mine when they first came out and so it was more expensive. I don't remember the model I have, but it's designed specifically to fit in the overhead compartments from front to back. And even has a convenient way to get stuff out of the bag while it's up in the bin.

[tammylc.livejournal.com]

I expect that it's a second. The zippers handles are a little weird - if they're not quite in the right orientation, they get stuck and have to wiggled around. But it's a very minor flaw, and I love, love, love the bag. As you say - those wheels are a revelation.

Briggs & Riley

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

I really like the Briggs & Riley ultralight bags. I can travel in one indefinitely. It's expensive, but given how much travel I do it's well worth it.

I know they make a whole line of carry-on wheeled bags. Find a local distributer so you can look at them.

B

Re: Briggs & Riley

[netmouse.livejournal.com]

Looks like they're carried by Travel 2000 here in Ann Arbor at the Briarwood Mall. I'll go take a look - thanks!

[blue-duck.livejournal.com]

You may also want to try Satchel as long as you're going to Briarwood mall... they're cheap and often have good stuff as far as bags.

[laurel]

The Samsonite bag I got is a dark red color and it survived being checked without getting filthy or torn or anything (usually I carry it on though). I know some people that have gotten fun brightly colored luggage have later found they don't stand up to being checked at all-- just in case that's a concern.

I forgot to mention Kevin's carry-on bag. I got it for him from eBags. It's actually made by eBags and is a carryon that is a backpack. He likes the backpack thing better than wheeled bags. The straps can be put away in a pocket and zipped up and it can also just be carried like a small softsided suitcase. Comes in a number of colors IIRC and is very affordable and well-made.

[metalfatigue]

My mother, who does an awe-inspiring amount of business travel, has this to say:

I use a Travelpro Platinum series 22" carryon suiter. I highly recommend it. I have used Travelpro ever since rolling bags were invented. I still have my original bag and though it is a bit worn, it is still very usable. The reason I use the Platinum series is that it has a special handle that allows you to fold out a bicycle grip that lets you pull the bag without twisting your arm. It makes a huge difference to me, given my gimp shoulders. The Platinum series also includes rolling duffles, garment bags, and totes.

They are up to 5 in the Platinum series. One might be able to find a discontinued series 4, but it's not likely.

[netmouse.livejournal.com]

hmm. well, according to their website, they're carried by

Wilkinson's Luggage Shop (http://www.wilkinsonluggage.com/)
283 S. Zeeb Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48103

which also has the Briggs and Rikey someone else mentioned, so maybe I'll be going there.

Thanks for the info!

[raaven.livejournal.com]

I must put in a plug for my Land's End luggage. I've had it for around 7 years at this point...it's still looking and working great. Plus, they have an incredible replacement/refund policy. From their site:

"If you’re not satisfied with any item, simply return it to us at any time for an exchange or refund of its purchase price."

They really mean the "at any time" part. A friend of mine returned a set of sheets to them 3 years after purchase, and they immediately replaced them, no hassle.

Plus, lots of different options for bags.