I've got some work travel coming up again, and find myself without a suitcase of any kind. I have some crappy ones on the opposite coast, but nothing I'd buy again. So what is worth buying? It's go to fit in the overhead on international flights, as I hate checking anything. I don't know, maybe getting one of those plastic tank like suitcases the flightcrews use isn't the worst way to go, but if it ends up in Madrid and I'm in Frankfurt, then it will suck. I doubt the flight crews have to check their stuff.
Rick Steves has a nice Euro size carry on. I have their US sized carry on and it has held up well for several years now.
I like heavy-duty zippers, large, heavy-duty wheels that have minimal exposed bits, and overall dimensions that maximize the limited space that you are allowed-- particularly if you're looking to avoid check-in on int'l flights, imo, one of your priorities is maximizing your volume. The int'l carry-on standard is the most size-constrained, and fitting more than a few days worth of stuff (or accommodating anything more than "breathing, crapping, and not being naked") in is tough...particularly if you're bringing over stuff for both work *and* leisure. I find that my carry-on crap doesn't have to be nearly as bomb-proof as my check-in luggage, since I have no intention of handling my luggage like an ape. My check-in luggage looks a bit worn (not worn out, but certainly worn). My carry-on is really in damn good shape, considering that it had been used weekly for 4 yrs straight. That being said, on the occasional times where I'm on a puddle-jumper, that ran out of overhead room for 20" roll-aboards, there's definitely chances for crap to happen, and the majority of scuffs and damage have happened in these scenarios, where you have to gate check things, and you get off the plane to find a giant grease mark doing down the front of your bag. Nice. :huh On that note: dark colors are better than light colors. Brands? Mine are Tumi's Alpha line (mostly because I could burn amex points on them to get them for free)...not their 4-wheeled stuff...their 2-wheeled stuff. I'm sure there're others that fit the bill, but it'll be years and years before I buy another set of luggage, so I'll never know.
I used a Pelican for a while when I was working in Alaska. Anywhere else it's overkill. And HEAVY. When I put my computer and a bunch of other stuff in, my shoulder hated me. I would avoid it. I use a small duffel most of the time. I have one by Briggs and Riley that I've probably carried 3-400,000 miles. It's getting tired. I could send it for replacement, but I think I got my moneys worth. For rollaboards my wife and I have Eagle Creek Tarmac 20s. They have a 22, that is supposed to be 'legal' but I think the 20 just fits easier in most places. They are spendy, but they are light, have some nice internal storage features, and have a no questions asked lifetime warranty. I don't use it for work travel, so I expect it to last decades. Decently large wheels too. Looking at their website, they now call it the Tarmac 20 Widebody. Not sure what dimensions changed. I would check it out in a store, not buy online.
I have an Osprey non-wheel that I love, can easily fit a week's worth in, and still fit in the overhead. They now offer that same bag with wheels. I forget which model it is, but here's the website.
edit: IATA says I was dead wrong... you're right, 22"s are allowed I've gotten away with my 24" on flights to the UK. I've also had to check it on flights to the UK. It's rare that they're actually looking or giving a damn.
I see people coming onto planes with full blown hiking backpacks- the huge framed kind. What are they, 36" Then you have the twats with multiple bags spread across multiple bins.
I use a roller for work http://www.luggageworks.com/browse-products/stealth-series/stealth-22-bag.html But it's heavy and the frame and wheels take up a lot of room that could be used for stuff. When I'm not driving the plane I ditch the wheels and use a http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/mlc-maximum-legal-carry-on-bag?p=48107-0-015 Non wheeled bags fit in more places - if you really don't want to end up checking a bag, they are the way to go. I'll +1 the Osprey bags as well.
Yeah, that shit pisses me off. I've seen people getting on planes with ridiculous stuff. One guy had this dried bush that was about half the size of a christmas tree. As a carryon. Yeah, I'm sure it would get messed up checked, but wtf are you bringing it on a plane. Yeah, same with backpacks and stuff. I know that if I bring something too large though, it'll be that one day I get someone actually following the guidelines.
I might have to actually make my annual trip to a shopping mall and look at some. What I'm not seeing on most of these sites is how tall it is with the handle out. I'm 6'5", and I've used these in the past where I was hunched over trying to walk with it. Not fun in the larger airports.
look at the Mountain hardware Rolling dufffels at Sierra Trading Post. with their discount they aren't obscenely priced. I have the Juggarnaut 85, it's not a carry on size but it is heavy waterproof material, has great wheels and handle and has straps to cinch it to a smaller size. Here's a link to the carry on size http://www.sierratradingpost.com/mo...~69/Mountain-Hardwear~b~13530/&colorFamily=01
Check out Briggs and Riley, lifetime warranty. I plan on getting one of these myself. Pricey, but we had two suitcases blow out in the middle of our trip in Italy, it was a pain. http://www.briggs-riley.com/?gclid=CJ6C8ZC_8bcCFUVyQgod6CIACg
Be very careful with carry-on bags. For example Itihad airlines allows exactly one carry-on bag. It can only weigh 7 kilos, and must be a very defined size. Soft bags fit the sizers best, but unless you travel very lights, 15 pounds is not much. Jim PS I don't play around on international travel, I always check a half empty large bag in case I do some shopping for friends and family.
Good point about non-wheeled bags. There's alot more chances of them gate-checking you w/ any bag that sports a chassis/wheels. And it definitely consumes alot of internal space. And wheels aren't always great. Rolling luggage is great for short stints between the cab 'n the airplane. But it sucks for long stretches of sidewalk, ...even annoying in carpet, and useless in dirt. It's really hard on the wheels, and doesn't go over bumps/curbs/stairs well. I go wheel-less if I know I'm going to be hoofing it alot. It gets heavy, though, depending on what you're packing. I tend to go for a legitimate backpack with suspension, ergonomics, meant to fit *me*, and a waist belt to keep the weight off my shoulders. And I tend to go for LARGE packs, so I can throw my underseat bag in there too. I'm that guy with the backpack. But by the time I'm on the plane, it's cinched down, with half its contents below my seat.
I agree with this. The Osprey I have has the backpack stuff built in, but can also be hidden in the back. I generally keep it all hidden but for one shoulder strap and carry it as a duffle. I wanna say it is the Porter 46. It has two compression straps, so I can make it pretty small to easily fit an overhead. Wheeled is great if you have a lot of airport to cover, but once on the ground and outside, a backpack is much better.
X2 on the Patagonia MLC if you carry on. Even on the little 50 seat jets you can get them in the overhead, all the wheeled bags go in the cargo bay.
Can you really use adventure when talking wheelie bags? For a carry on, I use a frameless day pack which fits in overhead or under seat as needed and keeps my hands free, which I prefer.