Opinions? Links? Cost?

I'm looking at getting some new luggage - preferably high end. Would like FTers opinions on the best kind.

thanks!

Tumi... www.tumi.com

This really has nothing to do with miles or points, so I'll go ahead and move it to travelbuzz.

Regards,

Flipside

Skip high end. IMO. Been there, done that (for years). I've since seen the light and switched to a 22" high quality rolling duffle (still under $100) that is lightweight, flexible, and holds more volume.... oh, and doesn't weight 15 pounds empty. You can actually carry it comfortable up and down stairs when needed, such as airports and London tube stations when the escalator isn't running.

I'm sure plenty will disagree with me.

Of course, some people want high end just so they can say its high end, whether it's as fucntional or not. (I've been there and done that too. )

I swear by Kirkland. I really do not see any difference between it and other higher-priced bags.

You could always just go the safe route and just buy something from Louis Vuitton. It seems pretty high end, albeit tired and predictable.

www.louisvuitton.com
Pegase 70
US$1760

Of course there's plenty of good quality stuff. I personally really like North Face; their stuff seems to last forever.

I give TUMI high marks. I have a couple pieces and am very satisfied. Hartman is also very good, but side-by-side TUMI seems to be better made in my observations and I have looked a lot at pieces of both.

You can find a lot of TUMI on ebay for good prices. (It just happens I have a TUMI garment bag I could sell you). But, selection could be a little limited. From time to time TUMI has sales on their website.

TUMI also makes/made a second line called Dakota. But, I am not sure they are still making or selling it. It is very close in quality to regular TUMI and somewhat cheaper.

Well, I have to stand by my TravelPros. I have 2 rollaboards, both with more than 200K miles on them. A few nicks, yes, but no tears or zipper breaks.

After many years of buying Tumi and Hartman, I've switched to Briggs & Reilly. It is well designed and has a life time "no questions asked" guarantee. I haven't had to send any back for repairs yet, but the tag says that they will repair any damage, even if the airline causes it.

My favorite Briggs and Riley carry-on is a small garment bag that is shaped like an ordinary 21" carryon because the fold is on the side, rather than on the top, like most garment bags. I travel on business and I can fit in all the clothes and other stuff that I need for a two day business trip with no problem. (That may not seem like a big deal, but for a woman, believe me, it is.)

I picked up the 20" Samsonite Pro-DLX rolling carry-on a couple months ago. I love the thing. It's just very well designed - fits in even smaller overheads - and the compartments on it make sense. The mono-tube handle is a bit flimsy seeming, but as it's got a lifetime warranty - and I've beat the hell out of it so far and it's still ok - I'm not overly worried

http://us.samsonite.com/webapp/us/se...ngId=-1&pc=C10

As a related note - the website says it's 23.5" tall. It's not. The website is wrong.

How about Rimowa very nice luggage and long lasting, but a bit heavy.

www.rimowa.com

My rollaboard was $25 and it works just fine.

If you never check your bag, I don't see how it could wear out very quickly or why you would need something particularly sturdy? Checked luggage is another story.

The Louis Vuitton (www.eluxury.com) rolling bags are very nice. They look nice in the Daimere pattern, although the classic Monogram is nice. The P�gase 60 is $1,850
(http://www.eluxury.com/browse/produc...SectionID=6000)
In monogram it is also $1,850
(http://www.eluxury.com/browse/produc...SectionID=6000)



On a more practicle note , I like the LL Bean bags (www.llbean.com). The are garunteed for life. If the bag breaks, LL Bean will replace it at no cost to you for life. LL Bean has a wide range of bags
(http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/sto...d=-1&feat=dp50)

I'd vote for samsonite and Kirkland(Costco)
excellent products.

A carryon luggage is good if:

- Its light
- survives the rain well
- strong enough to survive
sharp corners (if checked in for any reasons)
- not overloaded with million pockets and compartments.
It should be space efficient.

I think above two are excellent choices.
For past couple of years, I've dumped the roller bags
and adopted simple duffle bag. (no compartments
no wheels and has an excellent padded shoulder strap.)

I got this one from ebags.

never had to check it in.. even in the ERJs or CRJs.

I have had Tumi, Briggs & Riley, Travelpro. We also have Kirkland and High Sierra (or something like that) in the family. I thought the Tumi designs were not as intelligent from a user standpoint, though that has changed somewhat. I prefer the Travelpro. In my opinion, the Briggs & Riley suiter that was described above is pretty small and is awkward to roll and use relative to the Travelpro.

I have a Pathfinder small rolling garment bag, which is not carry-on size but fits overhead and when I am flying business class or first class overseas (almost always the case), they let me take it on. I've got it with me in Kuala Lumpur today. Briggs & Riley also has one, but their design is weak. It doesn't fit my suits length-wise, so I would have to fold the last bit of the suit. Bring your suit to the store to try it on (I'm only 6'1").

David Rowell reviewed a bunch of rolling bags. His website is: http://www.thetravelinsider.info/current.htm.