Favourite lightweight yet durable suitcase / luggage
Thread Starter
Rainbow Chaser
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 608
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From: At home, mostly!
Favourite lightweight yet durable suitcase / luggage
Hi all - Just wondering what is the current favourite lightweight/durable suitcase for checked baggage?
I bought my trusty hard-shell Samsonite case probably a decade ago now and while it is still serviceable - despite looking much-travelled - it weighs quite a bit even before I start packing and when I have finished its upwards of 25kg!! I am sure the market these days, must have new/lighter materials providing similar protection so ... what case would you recommend?
Thanks
I bought my trusty hard-shell Samsonite case probably a decade ago now and while it is still serviceable - despite looking much-travelled - it weighs quite a bit even before I start packing and when I have finished its upwards of 25kg!! I am sure the market these days, must have new/lighter materials providing similar protection so ... what case would you recommend?
Thanks
Thread Starter
Rainbow Chaser
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 608
Likes: 0
From: At home, mostly!
Hi PP thanks! Unfortunately there is something amiss with my proon-mail/PM set up as my usage is always <1.0%. I have complied with every suggestion from Admin and yet folks still can't contact me! 
PS I will look at mails/PMs this evening when I get home as I can't access them here in the office grrrrrrrrrr
PS I will look at mails/PMs this evening when I get home as I can't access them here in the office grrrrrrrrrr
Aisle seat, please.
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: here and there (mostly there)
I always use a soft bag of some sort (I've got a variety in different sizes). Anything that needs protection from knocks gets wrapped up inside my bath towel. This seems to work nicely.
I always carry my laptop in a Targus backpack rather than a briefcase type of thing. It's slightly less obvious and it has useful pockets for water bottle and such like.
I always carry my laptop in a Targus backpack rather than a briefcase type of thing. It's slightly less obvious and it has useful pockets for water bottle and such like.
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Virginia, USA
I have a great, very durable, metal framed roll-aboard that I bought at LuggageWorksOnline. A lot of airline pilots in the U.S. use the same bag.
Not the lightest, but can take a real beating. Plus the company will refurbish the bag when it needs it (for a fee, of course).
The website is:
LuggageWorksOnline
Don't know about shipping to the U.K.
Not the lightest, but can take a real beating. Plus the company will refurbish the bag when it needs it (for a fee, of course).
The website is:
LuggageWorksOnline
Don't know about shipping to the U.K.
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,842
Likes: 328
From: Hertfordshire, UK.
I was a confirmed fan of Delsey for many years but, in the last five, I have moved over to Samsonite. This is both for my largest, the mid-size and overnighter that is cabin legal even in Y and is also a roller.
The largest case is of a very light construction that appears too flimsy when open but has a clever interlocking lid and base that makes it very strong when closed.
Trying to find one case that meets all requirements (and is reasonably priced!) is very difficult. I have spent many hours working through luggage departments and finding nothing that suits.
The largest case is of a very light construction that appears too flimsy when open but has a clever interlocking lid and base that makes it very strong when closed.
Trying to find one case that meets all requirements (and is reasonably priced!) is very difficult. I have spent many hours working through luggage departments and finding nothing that suits.
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 642
Likes: 0
From: Location, Location
I've nothing but praise for my Samsonites. One is over 20 years old and still serviceable. I remember watching it being offloaded from a train in China by the simple expedient of lifting above the head (must have been a helluva strong porter!) and dropping it 3 metres onto the platform - not a scratch!
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: UK
Hmmm, spent many hours in pursuit of the perfect piece of luggage, currently use a variety of bags according to length of trip.
Samsonite hard shell with built-in suit carrier - Long Haul or > 4 nights
Samsonite soft-sided carry-on for up to 4 nights, laptop bag slips over handle
Travel Gear combined carry-on with laptop pouch for over-nighting
Still looking, for us luggage-istas, there's always a better bag out there
Samsonite hard shell with built-in suit carrier - Long Haul or > 4 nights
Samsonite soft-sided carry-on for up to 4 nights, laptop bag slips over handle
Travel Gear combined carry-on with laptop pouch for over-nighting
Still looking, for us luggage-istas, there's always a better bag out there
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 0
From: London,Bucharest...wherever...
Argos 'Argo' - Carlton solid shell suitcase around £55 from memory - mine is now 8 years old, used average 2 x a month and no problems at all - bear in mind I use it to carry aircraft docs/manuals way over 25kg (40kg +) and also bring my shopping home from Spain in it I think thats pretty good
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,842
Likes: 328
From: Hertfordshire, UK.
"for us luggage-istas, there's always a better bag out there" Ahh, SLF, purple prose indeed. I have never thought of myself as a luggage-ista but, having seen the word, now realise the truth. 
Yes, I can never walk past a luggage shop without pausing to see if someone has finally invented the ultimate suitcase. You know, the one that will have the answer to the big question of Life, the Universe and Everything. Or am I mixing this up with something less important than luggage?
--------------------
"I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you any different." Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
Yes, I can never walk past a luggage shop without pausing to see if someone has finally invented the ultimate suitcase. You know, the one that will have the answer to the big question of Life, the Universe and Everything. Or am I mixing this up with something less important than luggage?
--------------------
"I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you any different." Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
PPRuNe Handmaiden
Joined: Feb 1997
Posts: 4,910
Likes: 184
From: Duit On Mon Dei
I use a Tripp Hard shell case for my sojourns. It's capable of being put in the overhead locker and isn't too heavy.
It's very strong (needs to be) and is lockable by both key and number code.
It's been kicked around the back of Sheds (SD360's), chucked into the holds of A320's, B737's and now dumped in the back of a Hawker.
I also shove a fairly heavy nav bag on top and the extender arms are still functioning.
I got it at Debenhams, I think it was about 55 quid. Money well spent.
It's very strong (needs to be) and is lockable by both key and number code.
It's been kicked around the back of Sheds (SD360's), chucked into the holds of A320's, B737's and now dumped in the back of a Hawker.
I also shove a fairly heavy nav bag on top and the extender arms are still functioning.
I got it at Debenhams, I think it was about 55 quid. Money well spent.
