[Tail Gunner]

(06-18-2018 02:41 PM)Laner Wrote:  

I bought these years ago. The one is 8 years old, the other 5. Scratches and dents just add to the appeal.

Its not cheap, but I have never regretted the decision to spend 30% more and get the good stuff.

Also, because its metal, some airports have a special baggage section for pick up and drop off. At first I thought this might be a pain, but its been a stroke of good fortune. Now I pick up with musicians, DJ's and others who transport items that need extra protection.

What is the brand?

[CaptainChardonnay]

Rimowa, thats the top end of luggage

[Count Pierre]

Bought six years ago a 29" Tumi Tegra-Lite case that still looks great (made with a super durable composite material used in lifesaving armor), and a bit later a 24" (same model) for shorter trips.

Admittedly, a bit expensive, but worth it to travel with style (as a carry-on baggage, I have a superb all-leather Tumi Ashton Lenox duffel bag).

When you have a good, high-end and expensive wardrobe, you also want good, high-end and stylish luggages. It goes hand in hand.

[tobehero]

(06-18-2018 02:07 PM)Tail Gunner Wrote:  

(06-18-2018 01:50 PM)CaptainChardonnay Wrote:  

Building on what Tail Gunner said, my Atlantic check in bag is a lot of value for what it is. I remember I got it for 80 USD. Bag looks great and is very tough. I didn't even realize it was a mid range brand until I looked at this thread because I got it for such a crazy deal.

You just spurred me to do a little research. The bag that I just had repaired at Eagle Creek retailed for $300 -- and you could buy it on sale for about $200.

In 2010, I bought a gently used one on ebay for $60, including shipping. So, I have owned it for eight years and it is not even close to wearing out (and was, in fact, just refurbished by Eagle Creek for free). That is outstanding value. First, identify value gentlemen, then look for the deal. Why buy cheap luggage, when you can buy great luggage for cheap?

Here is a stock photograph of what the bag looked like when new:

I have something similar. Doubles as a backpack. Taken with me everywhere and still in good condition.

[puckerman]

I travel with a military-style duffle bag and own two of them. I wouldn't travel with anything else. They are meant to last and are easy to carry. Most have exactly one zipper and a handle as well. Your best bet to buy them is an army-navy supply store. And since soldiers are the target market, they are going to be cheap and reasonable. That's what soldiers want--something cheap and functional.

Another benefit of duffel bags is that they have more flexibility. It is easier to bend it or change its shape to fit the space where you are putting it. So, it will go into the trunk of your car with ease. You can put lots of them in if you need.

If you travel with anything that is breakable or fragile, you would NEVER want to put it in your checked luggage anyway. If you are flying, take fragile items as a carry-on or ship them to your destination. If you must check it, buy something that is designed for that job.

Finally, I want to put out a warning about AeroMexico and duffle bags. I checked my bag with them, and they told me it was "too long." While almost every airline has weight limits, this is the first time I had ever been told a bag was simply "too long." They decided to give me a break and told me it would cost $175 the next time.

[ksbms]

I'm a minimalist and try to travel as light as I can. It saves me both money (by not paying for check-in luggage with low budget airlines) and time (check-in and check-out) at the airport.

My go-to is my "2 in 1" system. I carry Osprey Transporter 65L duffel bag (it's pricey at £120 RPP but I got it for £75) which is nearly "bulletproof" with a smaller Osprey 34L rucksack (great to carry laptop and groceries) inside and some compression drysacks.

Why a duffel instead of a wheelie? Well, it's heavier on my back but I rarely need to carry it for more than 10 minutes, end point to end point - after all I'm not hiking in the wilderness and it isn't designed for that purpose. The upside is that with one key, big and tough zipper, few plastic elements, and just one big compartment as well as high water resistance, there's little chance anything can break and render is purposeless (as if when a wheel breaks in a wheelie rendering it nearly useless). The other key element is increased mobility when going up and down stairs and when it requires fast maneouvers such as running to catch means of transport. Another plus, though not as relevant is it is collapsable and when empty, I can pack it into my rucksack.

Some clothes I have are merino wool and down jacket(s), hence can be worn up to a week without washing, meaning I can minimise the volume in my duffel. I still can pack gym clothes into that and a grid rolller. I don't carry books, just Kindle to read, other electronics are lightweight too, macbook pro 13", small powerbank.

I've never done it, but I could travel with that system around the world easily, and replace worn & torn things as needed - after all, almost everywhere bar Antarctica and Sahara has H&M and Zara

   

[kurti]

After I've had a bad experience with a zipper trolly I decided to buy two Samsonite S'Cure Spinner: small (34 liter) and medium (79 liter) size. I am very happy with them.
   

[BBinger]

I used cheap mostly cheap wheelies moving to Uruguay. Never again. I lived in a hostel from December through this week when I finally for keys to my own apartment. My observations here:

- If you do want wheels, Samsonite should be the minimum standard of quality. If you travel a lot the high end stuff that uses replaceable skate wheels is awesome. The whole spinner thing is a bit over rated, but it isn't a deal breaker.

- Hardsided luggage is pretty cool, but if it gets checked it will never look as good as new again. Some designs and colors wear better than others. Well traveled aluminum cases on the rare occasion they show up to the hostel look classy. Smooth plastic invariably looks like shit if it isn't a carry on and even then tends to wear poorly. Patterns and textures help ease the appearance of wear and tear.

- Hiking backpacks that get checked are a gamble whether they are high end or low end. Fabrics and straps can tear, but the real horror is bent internal frames.

- The new breed of carry on travel backpacks are pretty cool. People who can fit their stuff in them tend to like them.

- If you decide to try the carry on only thing remember that most airlines still let you take a personal item under the seat. A personal item which can be up to a school style backpack. The daypack plus a rectangular two wheeled suitcase (or carry on sized duffle) seems to be the winning strategy for maximixing your carrying capacity without having to check anything.

[kurti]

aluminum cases are very cool and durable, but also heavy.

[Tail Gunner]

(06-30-2018 09:06 AM)kurti Wrote:  

aluminum cases are very cool and durable, but also heavy.

I thought the same thing, but when I examined the Rimowa brand aluminum suitcases (see post 27) I found them comparable in weight to other suitcases.

For example, this Rimowa check in model was about 11.5 pounds:

https://www.rimowa.com/us/en/check-in-m/...al#start=4

By comparison, this Eagle Creek check in model was about 10.5 pounds:

https://shop.eaglecreek.com/luggage-pack...ac-29.html

Having said that, everyone should have a light check-in bag without wheels to use on European Airlines where the weight of the wheel-system would quickly place you over the measly European airline weight limits.

I agree that buying a cheap suitcase with wheels is probably the single worst mistake that a novice traveler can make. At the very least, buy a good-quality used suitcase on ebay. It is simply not worth the risk -- and the ensuing hassle.

[lookslikeit]

Delsey/Samsonite are actually cheap. They get the old look very fast. The cheaper ones will actually break (wheels) if you check them in. I have had one friend pulling one with one wheel broken and I have seen several open at the airport.

Here is what I found best when it comes to value/money: Lojel for check-in luggage and Thule (surprised no one mentioned it here) for carry-on. I have a backpack and a crossover from Thule. The crossover was a bit expensive (cost me around $400 but it is selling now on Amazon for $300). I had the backpack 7 years ago. If you look at it now, you can barely differentiate it from a "new" one. And it cost only $150.

I hate when my luggage look like I have been through a war. Lately, a friend of mine (he was actually selling them) convinced me about Lojel. He promised me that the luggage will still look new after being thrown around in the airplane. So I got it (around $200 but they sell for $150 on Amazon lucky US guys). 8 planes later and some cars loading/offloading it still look pretty new. They have a special material that can take a hit without deteriorating the overall look.

[lookslikeit]

I also hate victorinox. Their items look high quality but they are really not. I had an expensive umbrella from vic broke after a few uses. Was really shocked as it was a top of the line item.

[DJ-Matt]

Can anyone recommend a good computer bag? I'd like some extra compartments inside for phone and cords, etc. One that's nicely padded to protect the laptop. I specifically don't want a backpack though, but a handle carry bag with a shoulder strap.

[CaptainChardonnay]

(06-30-2018 08:41 AM)BBinger Wrote:  

- Hardsided luggage is pretty cool, but if it gets checked it will never look as good as new again. Some designs and colors wear better than others. Well traveled aluminum cases on the rare occasion they show up to the hostel look classy. Smooth plastic invariably looks like shit if it isn't a carry on and even then tends to wear poorly. Patterns and textures help ease the appearance of wear and tear.

The trick is to buy a TSA lock. Airport security should have a universal key to open these locks so they shouldn't be trying to crack open your bag anyways because they should have their own key. Actually most new bags I've seen have built in TSA combination locks now.

I can second Thule quality and customer service. I got a computer case for them 5 years ago. It broke after wear and tear twice and both times they sent me a new very quickly one no question asked.

Also have had bad experience with Victorinox stuff.

[Saweeep]

I don't see the point in buying anything other than cheap checked luggage bags for flying.

Cabin bags and weekenders for driving away to a hotel etc is a different thing altogether. they are worth spending money on.

[zatara]

(06-30-2018 07:58 PM)Saweeep Wrote:  

I don't see the point in buying anything other than cheap checked luggage bags for flying.

Cabin bags and weekenders for driving away to a hotel etc is a different thing altogether. they are worth spending money on.

Buying checked luggage for the brand name only is pointless, but I don't think anyone in the thread is advocating buying silly Louis Vuitton type ostentatious stuff. Buying good quality, preferably not obviously/noticeably branded stuff is very worthwhile.

When your bag is getting chucked around by third world baggage handlers you don't want some cheap cloth thing with 10cent zippers that will bust open easily. Its worth spending money to get something made of durable materials that will survive. If its a suitcase full of expensive clothes its not worth the risk to cheap out on a shitty bargain basement case.

[Saweeep]

(07-01-2018 03:55 AM)zatara Wrote:  

(06-30-2018 07:58 PM)Saweeep Wrote:  

I don't see the point in buying anything other than cheap checked luggage bags for flying.

Cabin bags and weekenders for driving away to a hotel etc is a different thing altogether. they are worth spending money on.

Buying checked luggage for the brand name only is pointless, but I don't think anyone in the thread is advocating buying silly Louis Vuitton type ostentatious stuff. Buying good quality, preferably not obviously/noticeably branded stuff is very worthwhile.

When your bag is getting chucked around by third world baggage handlers you don't want some cheap cloth thing with 10cent zippers that will bust open easily. Its worth spending money to get something made of durable materials that will survive. If its a suitcase full of expensive clothes its not worth the risk to cheap out on a shitty bargain basement case.

My checked suitcases cost about $50 I guess. None of the things you've said have ever happened to them and I travel very often.

[Bikal]

(06-30-2018 07:58 PM)Saweeep Wrote:  

I don't see the point in buying anything other than cheap checked luggage bags for flying.

When I was younger I would've said "WTF you on man, branding is everything!! " but now, I've had one very expensive LV bag ruined by those TSA hacks who decided not to use their key but to break in, destroying the bag, losing clothes and electrical. Whenever I go to the US, I take the square root of fuck all, never again!

I'd sooner have luggage that's sturdy but affordable so if the TSA decide to go snooping and break the locks (despite the lock being TSA approved)/zipper/latches, I don't have to spend a fuckton replacing.

I do have a very nice Mulberry carryon though, that's worth the money, stylish and practical for weekends away.

[ksbms]

(06-30-2018 02:05 PM)DJ-Matt Wrote:  

Can anyone recommend a good computer bag? I'd like some extra compartments inside for phone and cords, etc. One that's nicely padded to protect the laptop. I specifically don't want a backpack though, but a handle carry bag with a shoulder strap.

Osprey does a messenger bag with extra protection for a laptop and it doesn't scream "I have an expensive laptop/camera inside".

Crumpler does a few messenger bags specifically for laptops and/or camera enthusiasts/pros.

There are tons of others but the above ones are cordura ripstop made, hence durable, yet relatively lightweight in contrast to the ones made of leather.

I had both - Osprey and Crumpler messengers and opted for Osprey backpack, for the weight I usually carry too much for one shoulder. - If you have small and very lightweight laptop and not much else inside, they'll do a great job as they come for laptops of different sizes too.

[Sidney Crosby]

For short trips to me it seems ideal to have a carry on with wheels and then backpack/laptop case or whatever that you can attach or slide onto the handle if it has a sleeve. With proper packing I'd say you should be comfortable with that setup for 2 weeks.

I would much prefer have my other bag attached to my suitcase on wheels, I sweat easily and airports are often hot, I'd be dripping.

Osprey has a lifetime warranty don't they?

What do you guys think of getting your luggage wrapped? I did this once when leaving Mexico but I was curious if the security is more likely to fuck with your luggage because of this or not.

[Count Pierre]

(06-18-2018 02:41 PM)Laner Wrote:  

I bought these years ago. The one is 8 years old, the other 5. Scratches and dents just add to the appeal.

Its not cheap, but I have never regretted the decision to spend 30% more and get the good stuff.

Also, because its metal, some airports have a special baggage section for pick up and drop off. At first I thought this might be a pain, but its been a stroke of good fortune. Now I pick up with musicians, DJ's and others who transport items that need extra protection.

The pic of your luggages really inspired me, and I am now seriously thinking about switching my two composite Tumi cases (one 29" extended trip, and one 24" medium trip) for their aluminium stuff. Been to the Tumi store this weekend, the "19 degree" aluminium collection is stunning (even maybe too stunning at first glance, but I guess you get used to it pretty quickly - and anyway, with all the dents and scratches that it will take from the first trips, it gets quickly less flashy I guess). There's some cool vintage stickers that come with the case BTW.

Furthermore, as Tail Gunner said (it was my worry), it's not excessively heavy (some 7 kilos for the aluminium case vs some 6 kilos for the same size composite case). Gonna most certainly make the move soon ..... I want those beauties.

[scenicway]

I considered Rimowa, but there's a million reviews about them taking dents and getting fucked up / spilling all your shit. Second, you are way more prone to getting ripped off, especially if you get the polished aluminum. I would be too paranoid traveling with those. I agree they are sexy, maybe ok for a carry-on.

But for a carryon I carry a 70L Black Diamond alpine climbing pack that condenses down as needed. Since you can wear it on your back, it never gets called out for being oversized. Carries a ton of shit and if you take off the "brain" (top compartment), doubles as a decent day pack. If I have to carry a suit or something, I also have a Costco brand roller thats I've been using 15 years. Bomber. I'll replace it with a Tumi if it ever wears out.

If I have to check luggage I have a extra large black military style rolling duffel by Sandpiper for $100, or North Face L/XL "base camp" duffel.

I don't do hardshell suitcases, I can't see any added benefit and they are awkward. In the rare event I needed that level of protection I would get something like a Pelican case.

[DJ-Matt]

(07-01-2018 07:34 AM)ksbms Wrote:  

Osprey does a messenger bag with extra protection for a laptop and it doesn't scream "I have an expensive laptop/camera inside".

I had both - Osprey and Crumpler messengers and opted for Osprey backpack, for the weight I usually carry too much for one shoulder. - If you have small and very lightweight laptop and not much else inside, they'll do a great job as they come for laptops of different sizes too.

Thank you sir! Just purchased an Osprey Flapjack for $60, the lifetime warranty sold me on it!

[Drazen]

(06-30-2018 02:05 PM)DJ-Matt Wrote:  

Can anyone recommend a good computer bag? I'd like some extra compartments inside for phone and cords, etc. One that's nicely padded to protect the laptop. I specifically don't want a backpack though, but a handle carry bag with a shoulder strap.

This stuff is pretty nice.

https://www.aersf.com/commuter-bag-black

I just bought their Tech Sling (haven't received it yet) but I've seen their stuff in person and its pretty solid.

[Drazen]

(06-30-2018 10:53 AM)lookslikeit Wrote:  

I also hate victorinox. Their items look high quality but they are really not. I had an expensive umbrella from vic broke after a few uses. Was really shocked as it was a top of the line item.

Yes. I have that luggage in the first post and its a POS. The single telescoping handle is useless to try to stack another piece of luggage on and its wobbly when things are inside. I have a $60 hard costco luggage that is way better.