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Original poster

Suitcases have a max 2 trip usage limit!

238 replies

StopRainingNow · 03/08/2025 09:41

I am starting to think there is no such thing as a suitcase that is not in essence disposable. I've never had one survive more than two trips without being broken, normally the wheels. So sick of keep buying new suitcases.

Does anyone know of any where the wheels don't snap, or become unusable?

OP posts:
Digdongdoo · 03/08/2025 11:47

That must be an issue specific to whatever suitcases you're buying. I'm assuming cheap hard shells?
We've got cheapos from Sports Direct that are in their 10th year, and ancient ones from various brands acquired from charity shops. Only one ever suffered significant damage is a carry on sized case that has been used to death, and that's still usable with it's dodgy wheel.

faffadoodledo · 03/08/2025 11:46

ours are lightweight hard shell

cupfinalchaos · 03/08/2025 11:46

Totally agree, which is why I refuse to buy expensive luggage apart from carry on’s. If I use my cases more than twice it’s a bonus.

faffadoodledo · 03/08/2025 11:45

Have super spenny lightweight Samsonites in a variety of sizes. Years old. Had one issue with wheels and Samsonite repaired
think we got what we paid for and they’ll last a lifetime

Original poster
StopRainingNow · 03/08/2025 11:45

DeliciouslyBaked · 03/08/2025 10:43

Are you using hard shell? We have a combination of samsonite and tripp which have done loads of trips over the years. But they are all soft shell and ive always felt that it has a bit more give if the airlines are chucking them about. I just keep anything breakable in my hand luggage / backpack.

Yes hardshell. I've had about 10 over the last 5 years. All different models/brands. It is so frustrating as they just seem to be destroyed at the airport.

OP posts:
Comtesse · 03/08/2025 11:45

I bought some from Argos (It is the brand I think) that we’ve used for 5-6 years. I had a proper Samsonite that lasted for more than 10 years.

sandrapinchedmysandwich · 03/08/2025 11:43

StopRainingNow · 03/08/2025 10:25

It's not what I'm doing to them, it's the airlines. They go on working perfectly and come back broken!!!

You haven't answered which brand/type of suitcase you are buying

Leilaandtheloggerheads · 03/08/2025 11:43

My Tripp case must be 16 years old now and has flown around the world. It’s absolutely fine.

WearyAuldWumman · 03/08/2025 11:42

I'm just back from a trip where I used the same case that was bought for my honeymoon in 1994. I think that the old-fashioned non-trolley type possibly last longer. (My case does have wheels, but only two at one end. It looks like an old-fashioned case, but you tilt it from one end and pull out a handle.)

Abra1t · 03/08/2025 11:41

I'm using some my parents bought 25 years ago. They've been to Australia, NZ, Canada, Malaysia, etc.

Original poster
StopRainingNow · 03/08/2025 11:41

snoopyfanaccountant · 03/08/2025 10:13

Buy cases with big wheels that are built into the frame rather than ones with little wheels that are external to the case. We have Eastpak ones.

This is helpful, I shall start looking for ones like that

OP posts:
Londontown12 · 03/08/2025 11:40

I have a huge timberland case I’ve had it since 2002 ! And I go on lots of trips and it still in tact ! 🤞

Velmy · 03/08/2025 11:38

StopRainingNow · 03/08/2025 10:25

It's not what I'm doing to them, it's the airlines. They go on working perfectly and come back broken!!!

Nonsense. I make on average two trips a month (so at least four flights) for work plus multiple holidays a year and I've never had a case come off with more than a few scratches.

If it's happening to every case you buy, you must be buying some incredibly cheap cases.

Dandeliontea123 · 03/08/2025 11:37

PerpetualStudent · 03/08/2025 11:35

It’s the wheels that go on mine (John Lewis) I’ve been searching for ways to replace them but doesn’t seem obvious. I think from reading this thread it’s probably because they get carted around city streets/public transport a lot - I can see how if they just go from car to airport interior and back again how there’s much less impact…

Well yes, if you have a car, the suitcase wheels are going to last a lot longer. Totally different from walking to the coach or bus stop/station in all weathers then taking public transport every time.

SnugglyJumpersMakeItBetter · 03/08/2025 11:37

I have one 'Animal' hand luggage one, around 20 years old, and a larger Kipling one that's around 10. I love them both! The material on the bottom corner of the Kipling one is starting to wear through which I'm gutted about because it's a gorgeous colour and not one they do any more. They've both had pretty heavy use. The Kipling one in particular I'm amazed is still going because I stuff it to absolute capacity. The zips are damn good not to have given way under the strain!

At the risk of sounding old though, things generally speaking don't 'last' anymore. When I was a kid one iron and one microwave lasted throughout my childhood. I'm now needing to replace these items for the second time in 2 years!

RaraRachael · 03/08/2025 11:37

We've had suitcases for 10+ years with an average 2-4 flights per year. They were Tripp from Debenhams and never had an issue with them.

irregularegular · 03/08/2025 11:36

Ours last for years and we do multiple trips a year. We have mostly Osprey these days.

PerpetualStudent · 03/08/2025 11:35

It’s the wheels that go on mine (John Lewis) I’ve been searching for ways to replace them but doesn’t seem obvious. I think from reading this thread it’s probably because they get carted around city streets/public transport a lot - I can see how if they just go from car to airport interior and back again how there’s much less impact…

SilkCottonTree · 03/08/2025 11:31

I’ve got Eastpak full size and cabin bags which I have had since 2007 and they are still going strong with heavy use.

Secularbeaver · 03/08/2025 11:31

Other than being a bit scrapped and not looking Instagram worthy ours (Dunelm) have lasted maybe ten years and multiple long haul flights - looking for a couple of newer bigger ones now because we have more kids ha

soupyspoon · 03/08/2025 11:31

Im going off the idea of hard shell now. Thats what we have for most of our cases and I find it difficult to get things in and out easily.

Didntask · 03/08/2025 11:27

I've got Antler and Samsonite (both fabric, NOT hardshell). The Antler one is about 25 years old. The Samsonite ones are now 12 years old. I was expat for 7 years and flew home at least 4 times a year (so 8 flights), plus other flights for holidays etc. All suitcases are absolutely fine! What suitcases are you buying?

Busybee818 · 03/08/2025 11:24

I've had a second hand one for at least 13 years that survived many a trip from when I worked abroad. Also, another suitcase that must be 8 years old now. I'm using it today in fact and it's still like new!

Wallywobbles · 03/08/2025 11:20

Our big Samsonite was expensive and is probably in year 9. The material is not doing well but the wheels are fab.
I consider it to have been insufficient value for money. The decathlon of the same capacity did 16 years for a quarter of the price.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 03/08/2025 11:20

I have big (70L) and small (40L) North Face Duffle bags. 25 and 24 years old respectively. They have both done a lot of travelling, and are completely bomb proof. They both have rucsac type straps as well as handles, as i prefer having my hands free.