Luggage recs

My advice for luggage:

Spend more time giving genuine thought to what you need than you do researching what's "the best".

Do you generally fly on tiny regional jets or larger jets with full sized overhead bins? How long are your trips? Do you generally need (really need) to check a bag, or do you carry on? Do you have any other special considerations?

Personally, I combine this underseat: LINK

With this convertible hanging bag as my carry on: LINK

But as I said, what works for me might be utterly irrelevant for you.

Huge fan of rolling duffels but more importantly, I avoid spinners / 4 wheels at all costs.

If I am traveling solo and packing heavy (skiiing for example), I'll have a duffel that carries like a backpack as my carry-on like this



Then I'll use a rolling duffel like the Detour from Samsonite

I love my LOJEL ... solid Japanese brand and affordable.

Floyd is a bit more expensive, but both will give you a much better look and feel than some rolling duffle bag.

Cotopaxi Alpa 28L/35L is the goat personal travel backpack. Lifetime warranty too.

I have a Level8 suitcase that I currently use. Not the biggest fan of it. I am looking for something better though.

TJ Maxx has a large selection of hard and soft sided luggage. While waiting for a bag recently, an airline luggage manager told me they see hard sided bags broken open much more often than soft sided luggage. It doesn’t give as much. I would still use hard side luggage and just put a strap on it. Most bags at TJ Maxx were under $150.

quote:

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Tumi. If there's a better way to do it, I'd love to hear about it

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Don’t buy Tumi?
Never understood expensive luggage.

I have a travel pro 4 wheel spinner carry on, it has held up well for 10 years..

I try to travel exclusively carry-on. I use a Pacsafe 25L backpack with the Away regular sized carry-on.

I bought an overhead sized Monos suitcase 2-3 years ago. I had noticed many international airlines were starting to force me to gate check or check my carry on luggage. The Monos is tight; but, I tend to travel very light. I’m still adjusting to the hard shell luggage. I view them as tools and not fashion symbols; so they get some light abuse. The Monos has held up very well. Not been asked to gate check it a single time. The add-on space saver bags they offer really maximize how much you can clack. Monos is not the cheapest or the most expensive offerings for sure. They do run clearances or other sales often. Their warranty; although I haven’t had to use it, is also very good.