<p>Hi! We’re in the market to purchase a lightweight wheeled carryon. We want it sturdy enough that it will withstand being checked if needed but small & light enough to bring aboard & stash in overhead bins. Also, would like the top of the suitcase to be flat so you can rest something on it & it’s good if it has a hook or attachment so you can add a bag if needed.
We are hoping to pay less than $100 and would like it to stand up to the abuse it’s likely to get from the airlines. Would welcome suggestions. Expect we will probably use it for up to 4 trips or so/year.
Thanks!</p>
<p>This doesn’t exactly fit your requirements but has worked very well for my daughter: LLBean rollaboard duffle. You can fit in a lot and it is light and very durable.</p>
<p>Thanks–we do love LLBean. Their products are good, though a bit expensive the quality has always been good as has the customer service.</p>
<p>Would welcome other suggestions while we ponder the options. I tried looking at & rolling a few today at Macy’s & Sears & wasn’t overwhelmed by any of them so far. Had read good things about Delsey Fusion but found there seemed to be a lot of resistance when rolling the suitcase which seems to defeat the purpose, especially if it’s tough rolling when empty.
Thanks!</p>
<p>Check your llocal TJMaxx or Ross stores. I have found some really great bargains on luggage there. Ours had a couple of Tumi bags for $79.99 !</p>
<p>I also would suggest taking a copy of the airline’s carry-on measurements with you shopping. I have found that some bags that are called “carry-on” exceed the usual allowed size.</p>
<p>I generally find that the airlines are so rough on luggage that gets checked that I do not buy anything expensive anymore; I don’t buy for long term quality in this case. I got a luggage set at Kohls (4 pieces) for $99 last summer. I wanted a small carry on, I think it is 18 or 19 inches, because the 20 or21 inch sizes are not always a comfortable fit in the overhead. The macy’s near us used to have great bags for around$20, but lately all they have are the expensive brands so I did not buy there.</p>
<p>It’s not less than $100, but I have two Eagle Creek small rolling suitcases and they have stood up well. They are light and capacious at the same time. You might be able to find one on sale or lightly used (Ebay or Craigslist).</p>
<p>I’ve personally been looking at the Eagle Creek (about $170 or so new, I think). I’m after something lighter and with a tad bit more flex. I’ve faithfully used one from Costco for quite a few years now that has been absolutely perfect and quite durable - but it just weighs so much empty compared to the newer cases out there. I believe Costco has a new and improved version, but I want something a little smaller to force myself to be more efficient.</p>
<p>Vulture: I got the first Eagle Creek eight years back when I was up against a 15 kilogram carryon limitation for one leg of a flight where I was concerned about luggage loss (travel within Africa). Eight years later the suitcase shows only slight wear, despite being used for a LOT of travel. (The last trip to Las Vegas, the doorman said “is this the only bag you have?” to my husband.“Yes, and it was the only bag for three weeks in Europe too.” “Not possible,” said the doorman. Yes, possible–and true.)</p>
<p>I suggest that you find a high quality bag in a close out color on ebags. (Search the web for ebags discount code to get a code for 20% off or free shipping.)</p>
<p>most of my suitcases are from marshalls-- they have good deals and the brands that they carry tend to hold up for a long time.</p>
<p>Another fan of LL Bean here. I’ve been using one of their carry-on rolling things for about ten years now, with a fairly significant amount of travel. Don’t remember the cost, but it was worth whatever it was.</p>
<p>All great ideas–keep them coming. There is no Marshall’s or TJ Maxx in Hawaii. We do have Ross but their prices on small luggage has been rising greatly since airlines started charging for 1st checked bag. When I last bought a piece from them, the wheeled carry-ons were about $30 or so. Last time I checked, they were about $50 & up, but I’ll check there again.
I too prefer not to spend much on luggage since they are handled so roughly when checked. I really do like a bag that is featherweight when empty but holds a lot & is sturdy.</p>
<p>I vote for Eagle Creek - bags have gone to Vietnam, Europe, etc and still look brand new!</p>
<p>I vote for Eagle Creek too. I’ve been buying Eagle Creek only bags in the last 10 years and all bags have held up well. I have an Eagle Creek carryon that weighs 7 lbs when empty and the new Costco ones weigh 11 lbs.</p>
<p>I bought a travelpro lite 19" when I was going on a 5 week Europe trip with Girl Scouts that involved flying and a lot of trains (it fit in the overheads on the long distance train journeys also) and hauling the case around. It is lightweight and sturdy and still looks really good several years and several more journeys later. It is under 8lbs empty. It is expandable so I usually come back with more stuff than when I leave. They are over $100 but on ebags and with a coupon (you can usually find one online somewhere) it should come in at under $100.</p>
<p>I see they now have an extreme lite range but I don’t have personal experience of it.</p>
<p>After that trip I became a real fan of traveling light.</p>
<p>We too have used Eagle Creek bags for years and are extremely pleased with them.</p>
<p>Some Eagle Creek on line retailers offer a discount. Just search for “Eagle Creek”+discount to see if any pop up. Last year my local luggage store offered 10% off. I know Ebags has Eagle Creek products and sometimes Ebags have coupon sales.</p>
<p>I highly recommend LL Bean’s Quickload Luggage Set. It has proven to be THE BEST and I mean THE BEST luggage I have ever had. The carryon piece is softsided and can be stuffed with so much stuff! I can pack for a full week (shoes included). The rollers are similar to those on rollerblades. It is light when empty and easy to roll when full. Each member of my family has a set and we never check luggage for trips which makes coming and going from the airport a breeze. We have yet to use the larger case. I guess if we were travelling for 3 weeks or more it would be perfect. 
Also, if it should break at all, LL Bean will send a new one. I will have this luggage for the rest of my life!!!</p>
<p>Just read a fascinating site: onebag.com. It recommends NO WHEELS for optimal travel bags & was very persuasive. It also had some travel packing list & packing tips. Fascinating info about luggage construction as well.</p>