<p>DD leaves in a week for her two year stint in the Peace Corps. Tomorrow we need to buy her two light weight, durable, but NOT expensive suitcases. Her limit is 80 pounds including the weight of the bags. She needs to be able to schlep these around herself. Her carryon is an internal frame backpack. </p>
<p>So CC experts…I know someone here will have advice…any suggestions…I do not want to order online. I want to go in person with her to get these bags. She does not want rolling duffles, she prefers regular suitcases.</p>
<p>I like Travelpro, but we have outlet near my house. They sell a light weight model in pretty blue. Bought full set for DS, and yesterday another set for niece.</p>
<p>I’d go with what is on sale, as her luggage could gt pretty beat up in PC. where is she heading?</p>
<p>Depending on where she’s going with the Peace Corps, her bags may be tied to the roof of a truck or thrown around. I’d suggest durable duffle bags. When we went to Africa, we used the large Lands End duffles (we were limited to 40 pounds/person). I was surprised to find I could actually run through Heathrow with one on each shoulder. It was a slow run, but we did make the flight.</p>
<p>I second the TravelPro suggestion. That is what I use and what we bought for our S last May. He has a job as a consultant for an international firm, which requires him to live exclusively out of a suitcase – no home base, just hotels. Everything he owns has to fit in two bags (up to 50 pounds each) so a littler more weight flexibility than your D but he has to be able to handle winter to summer temps and a very broad range of clothing from business suits to athletic wear. He is happy with the luggage so far.</p>
<p>I like Ebags website and their luggage for durability and lighter weight. My d just went to London for a year and we bought her two collapsible duffles on wheels so that she can store them.</p>
<p>Since you don’t want to order online- it’s hard to suggest without knowing what stores are in your area. Duffle bags are great because they can be smooshed, folded up, etc- but I always bear in mind just how easy it would be to “break into” them. For my kids, frankly, we always just went to some national low-price chain- found what seems to have a solid enough frame and a balance between sturdy and not heavy. We like the poly outers (the canvas look- not hard plastic. Check for zipper strength.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions so far. Travelpro are sold at Macy’s so I’ll try there. Again…I know many folks prefer duffles (rolling or not) but this is not what we want at this time. And as much as ebags would be a nice option, DD wants to see and TRY these when we buy them. We don’t have time to order online right now and worry about sending back and forth.</p>
<p>Anyone else have a suggestion? The Travelpro of the right size is actually sort of heavy…almost 10 pounds just for the bag. I guess that is what luggage weighs…</p>
<p>We live near Hartford CT…I’m sure that most retail stores are nearby. Tomorrow we’ll go to the odd lot places first and see what they have (yes, checking for zipper strength), and then to places like Marshalls, TJMaxx, Macys. </p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions. You never know what you’re going to find wherever.</p>
<p>Re: zippers: look for the sort where there’s a double zipper (starting at far ends and meeting in the middle. That way, if one breaks, the other can still zip around. Also, just our experience: some of the cheaper bags are just fine. Sounds like you know what you’re looking for. Exciting time.</p>
<p>I saw an American Tourister an UGLY color but the right size…canvas type outer for $30 at our “odd lots” store. I think that will be our FIRST stop tomorrow. She has Swiss Gear baggage…if we wanted to send the “good stuff” we would send that. We aren’t doing that!!</p>
<p>She will be in Rwanda teaching secondary school science. She is VERY excited.</p>
<p>While out tomorrow, check out Ricardo of Beverly Hills luggage at Kohl’s. My D got a piece after a recommendation from a fellow CC’er. Very lightweight, multiple compartments, and it looks like it is on sale now.</p>
<p>I will probably be the only voice of dissent here, but I DO NOT RECOMMEND Travelpro. Three months ago I bought a very nice, very lightweight suitcase for DH, and after just one business trip it fell apart - right by the X-ray machine :eek: Imagine DH’s embarassment when he, who normally blazes through the airport security faster than the guy from Up in the Air, had to collect his stuff that got spilled from the infamous suitcase. So back to Macy’s the suitcase went!</p>
<p>TJMaxx usually has a good selection of luggage in various sizes, or if you a Costco memeber, check their store - usually there is nice choice of reasonably-priced pieces. The only problem with both of these places is that it is impossible to find out what they have in stock without actually going there! </p>
<p>Get something at Ross, heavily discounted. If they break, she can buy perfectly adequate for future travel virtually anywhere in the Third World.</p>
<p>Over time, I have had much better luck with no-name luggage. And, as Yogi Berra once said…</p>
<p>Thumper, I think I mentioned Costco before but I’ll bring it up again because I think Consumer Reports just rated their Kirkland brand pretty highly recently. I thought of you last time I was in my Costco, looked at their suitcases and liked them. I just perused our last issue of CR and couldn’t find any suitcase rating - so now I’m not sure where I saw that…</p>
<p>Thank you all for the continued suggestions. We’ll stop at Kohls and the Container Store. Our state is filled with BJs stores but the nearest Costco is NOT on our radar screen, unfortunately.</p>
<p>I"m sure we’ll find something…no choice.</p>
<p>And thank you for the congratulations. She is looking forward to her two years in Rwanda.</p>
<p>I have a 22" Eagle Creek Hovercraft carry-on. I’m getting ready to buy the 26" suitcase. It is extremely light-weight. One of the best out there - I did a lot of research on it. We have travel extensively for many years, so I’ve become somewhat of a luggage aficionado. I’ve got a huge close full of luggage and travel accessories.</p>
<p>I don’t care for the one TravelPro piece I own. I know they were designed by airline crew but this particular piece (it’s a rolling carry-on) is really not that functional. I was very disappointed in it and am planning to send it to Goodwill.</p>