Durable Luggage

[General Dread]

Hello all,

I realise this topic has been run before, but most threads resulting from a search have been locked.

I've just landed a new job (not flying) but will require me to travel abroad frequently. Probably once/twice a month for 4-7 nights at a time. Can anybody recommend any durable luggage that can sustain such frequent travel? I ask here as I realise pilots and cabin crew, particularly long-haul, will experience similar travel schedules - and who better to ask than you guys & gals.

All advice appreciated.

[Miraz]

I've been averaging over 200 pax flights a year for the last eight years - I bought some Tumi luggage 7 years ago after my previous stuff fell apart...and it's still going strong.

I've recently had each bag repaired by Tumi - (lost feet, cracks in plastic mouldings) - turnaround was quick and the bags are as good as new again.

Downside...it's eye wateringly expensive

[crj705]

www.luggageworksonline.com

I have used the 22" stealth bag for 3 years and it held up fine. That worked perfectly for a 4 day trip and it even held up being thrown in and out of the back of an RJ 4 times a day. I now have the bigger one (27" I think) and it works great for about 7 days. I did get the ABS plastic framed one, as it is much lighter than the metal frame.

The neat thing about their luggage is that it is all modular. You can buy a small duffel bag or computer bag and they all clip together. I have been very satisfied with all of their bags I have.

[Dream Land]

Doesn't get much stronger than Purdy Neat. http://www.stopoverstore.com/

[Daysleeper]

Samsonite hard plastic. 8 years night freighting still going strong.

Best advice get some paints from a local hobby/model shop type place and paint you name or other obvious mark on it. Solves rows at baggage reclaim when ev eryones bag looks the same.

[redsnail]

I used the hard shell Samsonite case for when you could take 2 items onboard.
Tough as nails but pretty basic inside. Only flaw, couldn't expand.

Now I use the TravelPro Crew 5 22" rollaboard. It goes into the hold when airlining and can still fit into the cupboard on the bizjet. Fits pretty much every thing I need and then some for the 6 day tour and is expandable as well.

It's done 6 months with no problems.

As advised though, put something distinctive on it as one TravelPro looks pretty much like all the others.

[parabellum]

Agree with lots of the above. My Samsonite(s) saw me through, very rugged and able to survive the deliberate drop from the hold at the back of a B747, (just). The strap is imperative and NOT one with a trendy plastic click-in connection, you need something with a very ordinary steel buckle that you can pull very tight.
Baggage thieves are clever. A favourite ploy is a specially sharpened motor cycle wheel spoke with which they will push out the rear hinge of a case, open case from rear just enough to feel inside for hard objects, wallets etc. etc. then re-insert hinge and pass case out, all in all takes about one minute!!! With a strong canvas strap with a buckle fastener they can't be bothered, too much time, plenty of others to go for.

[howflytrg]

Samsonite all the way! and back! 6 years and no snags. Tip for the frquent traveller.......take your new samsonite and scratch it and spray it with some dull looking colour. Reason...........stops thieving loaders/security staff in some of the more interesting places on the globe giving it a closer look. Espcially CDG and MLA. Oh and add FNA to that list! It also help to identify which bag is yours
Frankly luggage is to transport your belongings safely, it's not a fashion item! :}

[scruggs]

I've recently purchased some Paul Smith luggage - the larger version of this infact: http://www.paulsmith.co.uk/shop/luggage/luggage-trolley-bag-a4xa-lugg-58611-b/
If that's advertising, then the mods can delete it.

Yeah OK it aint cheap (£395 for the size I had), but I'm amazed at how strong and sturdy it is. It survived its first few flights/trips without any problem. Whether it will stand the test of time is another matter.

Prior to this I had a Trunk & Co case. Lasted pretty well, around 8 years with plenty of travelling in those 8 years. That was until Baggage handlers in Brisbane got their hands on it during my Ashes trip last December. Snapped not one, but both of the straps :eek: and broke the zip!

A mate of mine has Tumi, can't rate it highly enough.

[scruggs]

Nothing to do with ego. I liked it, so I got it. As simple as that really.

[World of Tweed]

The Samsonite Oyster though no longer produced by them it THE suitcase of choice - no contest. 8 years and going strong, beautifully worn and easily customised to be unique to you.

Top tip: Samsonite recently bought out American Tourister and moved the Oyster range to them because they are the so-called budget brand. The oytser is a classic design and very durable. I wouldn't even bother looking at anything else.

Samsonite replaced the Oyster with the "Flite" series. Both the OYster and the FLite are currently used by KLM as the standard issue Crew luggage - I believe.

[Codger]

Travelpro. 4 years and 5 continents worth of the best that bag handlers can deliver and hasn't popped a zipper yet.

[aeroconejo]

Samsonite gets my vote.....have used their stuff for years and currently do around 8-12 flights a month as pax. It is tough kit and very durable and I get a lot of stuff inside for my 3 weeks away per month.

aero :cool:

[Bushfiva]

Samsonite Oyster. The older ones seem better than the new, or it may just be that the Japanese ones are/were made by the same company that makes every other brand, too. I think a nice fat strap around a case improves the case life remarkably. I had one expensive 4-wheeled case that looked fine on delivery, but when I took the strap off the two halves went "sproing" and deformed never to be closed again. The closest I've seen to an Oyster recently is some Brit thing, I can't remember the name, which has also proved very durable.

But now weights seem to both reduced and enforced, I'm looking for something much lighter. My existing case is nearly 7 kg, which leaves only 11 to 23 kg for the essentials of life.