What's the best kind of luggage?

Question

I am pretty rough on luggage and will be taking a trip to New Zealand where I will be staying 9 months. I need something durable that will last. I've looked around on eBay and the only one that comes up the most is luggageguy who has a good track record, but I've researched the luggage he sells and have found that the zipper pulls are basically c**p. I just need some help here. I leave in 2 months, so I'm getting kind of frantic!

Answer 1

If you really want a piece of luggage to last through the beasts that handle luggage for the airlines then take a look at Hartmann. I personally traveled close to 300,000 miles with my 24" Hartmann Tweed Pullman and it had no visible signs of wear. It's a bit pricey (paid $400 for my bag) but it was worth every penny.

Answer 2

Samsonite is excellent quality luggage. If you get a hard case it protects what's inside extremely well and there are no zips. I have used mine on many trips and is still going strong. I have only lost a wheel once so I complained to the airline and they paid for it to be sent to Samsonite and be fixed.

Answer 3

If you're tramping through NZ I would suggest going to a proper camping store and getting a high quality backpack like a Macpac or equivalent, these are designed for rough outdoors conditions, are usually made from tough, waterproof goretex type materials these days and are very convenient and comfortable to travel with. If you're not planning on tramping/camping in NZ then then I would suggest you change your plans to include tramping/camping around a bit as it's the best way to see the place.  Happy Travels.

Answer 4

It depends on what kind of money you are willing to spend.  If you are going International or you travel frequently, invest in a good set of hard sided luggage.  Tumi is expensive as all get out, but is the best.  Delsey is another great brand.  Hartman is another expensive brand, holds up well and is very good at with standing anything the airlines can throw at them.  I worked for an airline for many years and had to serve my time in the Dungeon of Baggage Service.  It was not often that I saw people coming in for damage claims with these brands other than if it was really really old and it was just weathered after normal wear and tear and the passenger was trying to get a replacement for free.  I have listed a link to the website that we refer to for prices when replacing damaged bags as well as the repair company the airline I worked for used.  

If you travel a lot, you need to find a bag that has a good frame inside.  Try to stay away from zippers as they can tear when stretched.  International travel I always recommend hard sided luggage especially.  That way if one of your connection points has bad weather and its raining, your contents will not be damaged.  IT takes A LOT to damage a hard sided piece.  And luggage is not placed gingerly on the belts.  They are literaly "tossed".  After loading and unloading 500 bags at 50lb or more each...and only having 30 min or less to do it, its repeatitive motion and it happens.  

Many of the business travelers that I dealt with that were on the road constantly swore by Hartman and Tumi.  On the website below, they are under the Luxury heading.

Also...when traveling place a copy of your itinerary and contact information at home and at your destination just in case your bag is "Delayed" (i hate the term lost).  If the outer ID tag or destination tag gets removed along the way, which is rare, and the agent has to go inside the bag to find some sort of of ID to who it belongs to, they will easily be able to find you and get the bag sent to you with out delay.  Again, this is rare, but does happen.  

Good luck and enjoy your trip!!  I hope this helps some.

Answer 5

Nylon or Kevlar bags, durable long lasting, and its with you while moving around. The original travel bags or suitcases  can't be picked up while running. Either to or away from.

Answer 6

My mum swears by her Delsey luggage, she travels a lot for her job. No need to get brand new luggage if you have something that will do the job though. Why not just borrow something from a friend. And a handy hint, if you have luggage that looks a little beaten it is far less likely to get stolen on your travels than a shiny new suitcase or pack.

Answer 7

The $30 suit cases I purchased from the Reject Shop have lasted me many years.  

Sometimes, it's just the luck of the draw.

If you must pay out lots of money, then start with samsonite and work your way up to louis vouton.

Good luck and have lots of fun.

Answer 8

I have met a few women who carrry a lot of luggage from their past boyfriends.  If their kids are nice, they can be good luggage.