Toughest luggage, sub £500?

[shirt]

Thanks to Turkish airlines baggage handlers I’ve got a 3 wheeled suitcase with a massive dent in it. I’m fed up with 4 wheeled cases now, they’re just not up to regular travel with the sticky out trolley wheels.

just wondering what people’s opinions are on robust luggage at a reasonable price?

Currently favouring this as it’s massive and I’ve got north face duffles that have done serious mileage and still wearing well.

https://www.thenorthface.ch/shop/fr/tnf-ch/sacs-aq...

Compared to this, which looks great until you get to the wheels. Does anyone do a reasonably priced zipless hard case with either 2 wheels or ones that don’t stick out like Charlie’s ears?

https://www.thenorthface.ch/shop/fr/tnf-ch/sacs-aq...

[wombleh]

Samsonite seem to be the usual recommendation, I picked up a couple of the hard case ones a few years ago but not really given them a good workout to check.

Any make that you can buy spares for is probably worth a look as you could have a spare wheel or two in the luggage incase of issues. Suspect they're all going to be fairly stuck out wheels that a brutal baggage handler could do damage to, limits to how tough they can be really!

[thebraketester]

Ive just bought a samsonite paradiver 2 wheel (I hate 4 wheelers) will let you k ow what it’s like when it. Ones.

[MB140]

I use this

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/trekking-carry-bag-8...

And this

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/trekking-carry-bag-4...

for most of my luggage requirements

Having said that the hardest wearing luggage I own is my military issued burger and black holdall. They are indestructible.

[Countdown]

At the risk of committing PH sacrilege in my experience the more expensive stuff doesn't last longer than the cheaper or mid range stuff. I've bought £50 suitcases from a local shop and they're still going fine. My preferred set are Nautica.

Nautica

I prefer soft shell rather than hard as they seem more damage resistant.

[shirt]

Yeah agree in the most part, as in the more expensive are no more hard wearing. Only I’ve been through 3 £100ish cases already these year. IME it’s usually wheels or zips that go first. Hence started looking at zipless but can’t see any 2 wheeled versions. My limit of £500 was merely to stop suggestions of Rimowa or Peli. Does seem that suitcases attract a type of occasion tax compared to the value they actually offer.

@MB140 I have decent duffles. Great when you’re not carrying your own luggage. I need wheels.

I did have a NF rolling thunder previously which was great, main issue was that if anything it was a bit too big. An ex nicked it when she moved out and I wasn’t that obliged to ask for it back.

[egomeister]

shirt said:

Thanks to Turkish airlines baggage handlers I’ve got a 3 wheeled suitcase with a massive dent in it. I’m fed up with 4 wheeled cases now, they’re just not up to regular travel with the sticky out trolley wheels.

just wondering what people’s opinions are on robust luggage at a reasonable price?

Currently favouring this as it’s massive and I’ve got north face duffles that have done serious mileage and still wearing well.

https://www.thenorthface.ch/shop/fr/tnf-ch/sacs-aq...

Compared to this, which looks great until you get to the wheels. Does anyone do a reasonably priced zipless hard case with either 2 wheels or ones that don’t stick out like Charlie’s ears?

https://www.thenorthface.ch/shop/fr/tnf-ch/sacs-aq...

I've used Eastpak Tranverz for years which are along the lines of your first North Face option. I did eventually damage a wheel (well the mounting actually) on my first one but I think that was self inflicted from launching it down the same hotel stairs every two weeks for years. With slightly more sympathetic use its replacement never gave any bother.

Thule do some decent looking stuff, but have no idea how well they wear.

[The Leaper]

I've had a large Briggs & Riley suitcase for maybe 25 years, goes everywhere, never had any problems with it, and it's guaranteed for life. John Lewis sell them. Expensive though.

R.

[gotoPzero]

Also Briggs and Riley user.

We have 2 medium size trunks. Been all over the world. Other than scuffs here and there they have been great.
Enough space to fit 3 weeks worth of clothes, various shoes, chargers etc etc. Easily get 26-27kg in them and they still wheel like they are full of air.

Worldwide repair service etc. They have a sale from time to time.

[Arrivalist]

Tripp 4 wheeler for me. Cheapish so that if it dies prematurely I’ll get another.

[brickwall]

I used to get through one Samsonite a year; but that was till cheaper than buying a Tumi and it only lasting 5 years.

Am currently on a Eastpak roller; so far quite impressed.

[Arrivalist]

Tripp 4 wheeler for me. Cheapish so that if it dies prematurely I’ll get another.

[gregch]

FWIW, the most durable bit of luggage in my experience is a nasty cheap grey moulded plastic suitcase I purchased from Debenhams for £13. It's the type that has a pair of wheels on one corner and a lift-up handle on the opposite end and bears the brand name 'Equator' which I guess is a made-up brand.

It's been used, hard, multiple times a year for about 25 years now. It's been (multiple times) to Malaysia, Japan, USA and all over Europe and goodness knows where else. It's been used as a seat and a step, and although the textured plastic has been worn to a shine in several places it remains 100% intact and fully functional and in regular service.

So, I'd strongly endorse the comment that cheapo luggage can be just as durable.

[CLK-GTR]

North Face suitcases are rubbish. Not the same standard as the bags.

Another vote for Briggs & Riley here. I did serious mileage pre Covid and they withstood all of it, then if they do go wrong there is a lifetime warranty to fall back on.

[ThingsBehindTheSun]

Samsonite were bought out by a private equity firm and are now made in China and trading on their name.

For hard cases there are three types of material used.

ABS plastic. Used on the cheapest cases, brittle and nasty, will shatter if hit hard.

Polypropylene: tougher than Abs, mid range. Samsonite and American tourister will be most likely made of this.

Polycarbonate: Toughest, you can hit it with a hammer and it will not shatter. Heavier than polypropylene.

We have Antler cases and they are great. They are made of Polycarbonate and feel decently put together.

I did a lot of research into hard cases before buying them.

[cashmax]

https://www.luggagex.com/collections/luggagex

Been around the world many times over a decade and still going strong. Amazing for the price.

[shirt]

gregch said:

It's the type that has a pair of wheels on one corner and a lift-up handle on the opposite end

I know exactly what you mean and find it strange noone makes that type any more. Built to take abuse.

[Swoxy]

Eastpak Transit'R 4 XL.

[cb31]

ThingsBehindTheSun said:

Samsonite were bought out by a private equity firm and are now made in China and trading on their name.

That explains it, bought a soft-shell samsonite with 4 wheels about 25 years ago and I'm sure it was a few hundred £. Looking on John Lewis they currently go for £200-£350, can't be the same quality. Our case is still as good as new after many holidays.

[stevemcs]

Eastpak for us as well, they are tarsi’s like but fold down to nothing when not needed.