apexncgeek t1_iutsxwg wrote on November 2, 2022 at 11:32 PM

Samsonite is no longer bifl?

I've never found high end luggage to be worth the price. I was a road (air) warrior for decades, and had the best luck buying moderately priced stuff and replacing it every 10-15 years.

The way luggage is designed these days, anything that lasts longer than a decade: when something breaks it's usually a wheel attachment piece and it's no longer available. Plus almost every piece of luggage is expandable and the zipper is the next thing to go.

Plus, luggage weight limits aren't what they used to be. Get a 60s/70s style case and you will have used up half the allowable weight before you put anything in it.

Things to look for: Fully rotating wheels (case spins 360 degrees). Standard roller skate bearings and hopefully skate wheels. Wheel mount mechanism should be external so it can be 3d printed if no longer available.

I'm a fan of the flimsy plastic lightweight hardsides... When they get really dirty, just bring them to the car wash.

Edit: for carry on use also look at the roller backpacks. Some of them are really nice.

PeteyNice t1_iuu18q0 wrote on November 3, 2022 at 12:31 AM

In 2007 Samsonite was bought out by a private equity firm. They have not been BIFL since.

OP, why not a Briggs & Riley carry on?

apexncgeek t1_iuu247l wrote on November 3, 2022 at 12:37 AM

That's a shame. I have one in my closet that for sure was my grandpa's. Might have even been my great grandpa's.

mildOrWILD65 t1_iutwgm7 wrote on November 2, 2022 at 11:57 PM

Fwiw, I work at an airport and common FOD items are broken-off roller wheels, name tag/labels, and "locks". Oh, and sippy cup holders from checked baby strollers.

Basically, if it sticks out from the item, there's a damned good chance it'll be broken off, sooner or later.

And the only "blown" luggage I've ever seen is the kind that has the wrap-around zipper that opens an expansion panel. Those zippers pop open easily compared to ones that just close the two halves together.