I know that there have been a few threads on this, but it seems like there might be some new features available lately. I want to get a single piece of luggage for DS who may occasionally be traveling for work. He has an overnight bag and a carry on, but needs a larger, non carry on piece for longer trips.
I have seen video ads on facebook for a type that has easy storage, includes charging ports etc. but I don’t know if they are actually a thing or just a prototype. Since he lives in the city storage will be an issue to consider.
Has anyone seen anything new and exciting in the luggage department?
I’d suggest that whatever you get is RETURNABLE for cash. Luggage is really tough to gift. It is so personal–like a wallet or purse. There are a few pieces that do have tha capacity to charge electronics, but the reviews I’ve read of these pieces aren’t that positive, so I think it’s best to get an external battery charger if that’s an important feature instead of take up valuable luggage space building that into the luggage.
We only have carry on pieces in our household. S traveled up to 3 weeks of the month and is a pro at fitting everything he could want in a carry on plus a small backpack so he never has to wait at the baggage claim. D and we are also able to fit everything into rolling suitcases.
I personally like purchasing from Costco because they have great return policies and decent prices. There are also varying selections at Ross, TJMaxx, Nordstrom’s Rack. We have been happy with Delsey Heium and our Briggs&Riley. They are both 2 wheeled rather than spinner 4-wheeled. I do like that the spinners can better navigate the increasinly narrower aisles on airplanes but dislike that they wheels are more likely to get caught in airline machinery and break off. H does like to check his bag as often as possible, even thoough it could fit fine in the overhead bin.
2 wheeled vs spinner is very personal, IMO. For the 20 feet that I’m navigating an airplane aisle, the extra bulk and the loss in clothing space from a spinner isn’t worth it to me - I’m just as likely to carry my carry-on down the airplane aisle than I am to actually wheel it.
I hadn’t heard about the luggage that recharges a phone, but everyone needs a phone charger anyway, so I don’t really see the benefit.
OP stated they alredy have a carryon. The need is for a bigger bag. These are way less personal, but functionality is important.
I do not know if anything beats a good old-fashioned split-level duffel bag by Ful (they come in many sizes). It has a ton of room, collapses easily for under the bed storage, and the side compartments can be used for things like shoes or last minute (oops, where could my wet swimsuit go?) packing things.
For charging, get him a USB charger with multiple ports and a looong cord. The fellow pax waiting by the gate will think he is a god for being able to turn one outlet into 5.
Thanks for the replies. We also have used Delsey for years and it has held up well. DS is welcome to take one of those, I just thought a nice new more innovative piece might make a good gift.
So I think I found the one I was thinking of that I saw on facebook a while ago. It looks like there are a few new ideas in luggage. G-Ro might have been the one I was thinking of, but it looks like it is a carry on too.
Then there was this one, Biaggi, which stores easily in an apartment.
and Fugu
Of course, this will not be a surprise gift. I will have DS look at the options and pick one out if he would like one. I just wondered if anyone had used anything like these or had any other interesting discoveries.
I would not pay for any of those functionalities embedded in a bag that is going to be checked in. Bags get mangled by luggage handlers, ripped, peed on by checked in pets (yup!!!)… so any extra gizmos will become useless the moment the bag becomes useless.
BTW, Fuguluggage page was blocked by our firewall… I wonder why.
@BunsenBurner eww peed on? Wow of all my travel anxieties, that one was not on the list LOL. Not sure why the link would be blocked, maybe it thought it was too close to FU? Hmm, hope that doesn’t block me here. Oh well, you can google the brand, it looks pretty interesting too.
I agree completely. Bear in mind the selection is minimal. They will likely have one and it might be part of a set. Most airlines will destroy your zipper tongues in a relatively short amount of time. The airlines don’t consider this damage since it is “trim”. Travelpro has a lifetime (or at the very least a very long) guarantee on their luggage. The problem is their authorized repair shops are few and far between. We live in the east bay area of S.F. Travelpro has 2 repair facilities, neither of which are very convenient to my home-- one in outer S.F., not accessible by BART, and the other one in San Mateo, across the bay from me.
We got a couple of Eagle Creek soft sided bags last year. I think they are called Gear Warrior. We’ve been happy with them. They have a lifetime warranty, I think. (but I just realized the place we bought them went out of business… So much for shopping local).
Eagle Creek itself will warranty all its products. I have had them replace the strap on my convertible waistpack/purse several times and one of the zippers in the many years I’ve owned the bag. They are no Qs asked and very helpful. I did pay postage to send in the bag when zipper broke.
I agree that too big a bag is a problem. I only buy luggage at Costco when it’s one bag and the size I want; we have no use for sets of larger pieces. You could get him a bag at Costco and then offer to return and take him luggage shopping with a meal for his perfect bag.
I was recently at a luggage warehouse sale. The manager, and my friends 26 year old daughter, recommended the rolling duffel. Travelpro had the duffel in several styles and sizes. The girl, who is returning to Africa where she was in Peace Corps, said duffel easier to pack for her life style, with no dressy outfits.
Agree that a rolling duffel is more universal. Even dressy clothes can be easily packed into a split-level duffel with a hard-sided bottom compartment. Especially if packing envelopes are used (Eagle Creek makes great ones).
My large (30"? I have no idea) Ful duffel bag (Costco, $50) survived multiple trips to HI, several trips to Central Asia, and a number of cross-country flights without any issues, not even a broken zipper. I think you can still get a great deal on them at EBags. They come in several sizes, too.
I agree with thumper1 that capacity is not as much of a problem as weight is, since there’s a 50 lb. max. limit before excess overage fees are charged. If you fill, even a 25" bag to capacity, with the gusset opened, you very easily could be over the 50 lb. limit.
In my mail recently was a $30.00 off coupon at Costco for a 27" and 21" Samsonite set. The 27" is a good size for checking. These 4-wheel soft-sided bags run $120.00 after the $30.00 coupon discount.
I packed more than 50 pounds once in a 24 inch suitcase. I had to shuffle stuff around at the airport…a real pain.
24 inch is the largest I own…and it’s plenty big to haul a week’s worth of clothing…or more. I went in a three week trip…three climates (temperate, tropical, and winter) with that one bag and a carryon tote. No problem.
My 22 year old son will be going on a 4 week (or longer, depending on his budget) trip to Asia next year. I’ve been looking at luggage for him and also wondering about sizes. Being a guy, a minimalist by nature, and going to a warm climate - so no bulky clothes necessary - I’m thinking he might even get by with a 22 inch rolling suitcase and a daypack. But, as a long term purchase would a 24 inch be better… decisions decisions.
Agree with advice above to get something with a very good return policy and/or warranty.
Against some online reviews, I purchased a lightweight 20 " Lucas spinner on Ebags. Used twice by my daughter for about 10 minutes total before the exact problem described in reviews happened - wheels started to disintegrate. Ebags will not accept the return since it is more than 30 days out and Lucas does not refund . Lucas’ standard policy is for you to pay to mail the bag to them, then pay $20 to have the repaired bag returned to you. Not sure why the customer is solely responsible for the defective product but that is Lucas policy.
After multiple emails, I was able to get Lucas to repair the bag free of charge, it is now being sent to the other side of the state for repair , but they will probably put the same defective wheels back on it. In summary,avoid the headache - don’t use ebags or order a Lucas brand suitcase.
I came close to 50 pounds in a 22" suitcase. They really sock you for overweight charges, so be careful! Space is very tempting to fill and go over 50 pounds. Repacking at check in is a good way to lose stuff.
We have played the luggage juggle game at the airport too. Never again. The killer is that sometimes they charge your more for an overweight bag than for another piece of luggage.
