Ive never had issues on any surface with the Away and find that it's much easier on my arm/shoulder to roll it on all 4 with a heavy backpack on it then rolling it on two with a heavy backpack on it. Your statement about replacing the wheels is false, the wheels are replaceable on the away.
Carry on Luggage Recommendation?
- Thread starter tom slick
- Start date
What about Tough Traveler made in New York?
Out of curiosity, how many days a year would you say you are rolling that bag through an airport?
Go with the Riccardo carry on set from Costco. This is what I've used for years and it has been very durable.
My parents Samsonite was run over by a luggage truck and it left tire marks on the case.
Probably at least a week per month on average, sometimes more, sometimes less. I get you travel a lot, just pointing out a false statement in your post and citing my own personal experience with luggage.
Well, it’s good to know that those spinner wheels are replaceable. On that brand at least. For most brands, they are not.
There’s nothing false about the fact that a larger diameter wheel rolls over obstacles more easily.
I wasn't disagreeing with the diameter part. It's a trade off I accept for not having to have the load on my arm/shoulder with a heavy backpack on my suitcase. Easier to just roll it with all 4 wheels on the ground for me.
Hard case vs soft case - pros and cons?
Soft case is expandable
I prefer two wheels. I roll around a two wheel tool bag all the time.
Soft case is expandable
I prefer two wheels. I roll around a two wheel tool bag all the time.
My personal experience only. Unless I need something with structural integrity to provide protection for inside (fragile glass, not wine bottle those are pretty strong), soft one are more durable and Mine lasted at least 20 flights and 30 years already. The hard one tend to break after about 10 flights and 15 years.
Depends on what you are doing though. These days I travel light and carry duffle bags in expandable carry on so if I need I can carry on duffle bags and check in an expanded "carry on" on the return trip.
The "clamshell" opening style of many of the hard-sided cases may help decide for you.
They basically split into two halves, and require requisite space for both sides when they're opened for access. Do you prefer two separate compartments, or a single large compartment with a simple opening?
On a soft side, the flap isn't much of a hassle to deal with when opened. Plop it on the luggage rack against the wall, prop the flap against the wall, and nothing needs to be moved again during the stay. To me, that's the easier, preferable style.
Most here are probably old enough to recall when hardside luggage was the norm, before it went out of style. Like fashion, things come and go.
I have bags with both types of wheel arrangements. The spinners are more flexible to handle, but not as well suited outside of the charmed life of going from home to car to airport to hotel and back as their only terrain. That said, the ones that have single wheels on each corner can be dragged on two wheels across uneven sidewalks, but that's not something I'd attempt with the ones with dual-wheel trucks with the spindly wheels. The two-wheel bags with rollerblade wheels will shrug all of that off, but are a little harder to maneuver, especially the larger sizes.
It's largely how you intend to use it that will help determine the choice. But I do recommend packing cubes, which help compartmentalize the contents, and permit grabbing things from the bag without having to disturb everything else. Even the cheap ones like Amazon Basics are fine for leisure usage.
Like everything else, the luggage industry is highly consolidated, and most of the recognizable brands are owned by a handful of companies that position each brand and product to a specific good/better/best segment. A road warrior will probably want, and make use of the parts/serviceability that a nicer bag offers, but for everyone else, why buy more than one needs? The luggage handlers will treat them all the same.
Travelpro Maxlite 5 carry-on Rollaboard ordered.
Thank you for all the advice.
Thank you for all the advice.
I have been using a Swissgear Zurich (Target) carry on for about 7 years now on flights and floating between two properties. It’s held up extremely well. 4 wheels seems far superior to me. A lot of good suggestions here and will reference if mine ever gives out.
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