Need a new suitcase, do I buy a cheap one or invest in a nice one?

[aibucovid]

I need a suitcase for a 5 day trip to France this summer,, so was going to buy a medium suitcase. However, I'm in my 20s and I will soon have to start traveling for work, usually 1-2 nights. I haven't done much traveling so I used to just borrow my parents' suitcases, but now I'm thinking I should buy my own.

I don't know whether to just buy a cheap one (e.g. £30 from Primark), or a decent one (maybe the American Tourister which is around £80ish). I've also seen the Antler suitcases which are lovely but nearly £200, although they come with a 10 year warranty.

If I did invest in one, would a medium size be ok for overnight trips with work or would that be OTT? I don't want to buy an expensive one if I'm barely going to use it. Alternatively, I could buy an expensive small/cabin sized suitcase, but I don't think that will be big enough for 5 days in France.

Does anyone have any recommendations or advice? As you can tell I haven't done much traveling!

Tripp used to be sold at Debenhams but you can buy online now...never bought at full price, good choice and well made

Regardless of cost I hate those clamshell cases that only open down the middle. Always buy a loud colour unless you are happy to search through 200 other black or grey cases.
I would choose a soft expandable case in bright orange.

I agree that Tripp cases are decent value for money. I buy good hand baggage sized cases and cheap checked ones. Kipling do really practical cases, sort and hold loads alhough I had to remove the naff little monkey thing.

Depends what work you do really. DH and I travel for work and generally needs a few days worth of clothes plus laptop and papers/folders/cables etc. We have this which we love. Can get the backpack straps out in busy places (London tubes) to save getting in the way. Cabin Max Manhattan Luggage Trolley on Wheels | Trolley Travel Backpack 55x40x20 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07PNB5GVJ/ref=cmswwrawdooT14EE8XBPK4H89D4S1PM

Tkmaxx
The only time I bought expensive luggage -£180 Kipling hold-all- it was nicked at Manchester airport
Yes they are all thrown about so mid range may be better than cheap possibly? So tkmaxx good prices

I got an American Tourister large case and a cabin sized case for my honeymoon 15 years ago.. they’ve been round the world multiple times Australia 3 times, Canada, Caribbean, Europe (family are always asking to borrow the big case) and are still prefect.. ive replaced other cheaper cabin cases a few times but these cases are indestructible!!

I live overseas, & have three teenagers. We regularly fly at least 8 items of stowed baggage between us.

My take on this is 'never spend good money on stowed luggage'.

It'll get lobbed about with careless abandon by baggage handlers - whether it's from Vuitton or your local Help the Aged, or a cardboard box held together with duct tape is irrelevant at this point.

By all means separate your stuff with packing cubes - they're ace. & if you like having a fancy bag, knock yourself out with the hand luggage.

But if you're checking it in, it all gets battered the same - plus a scruffy enormous Mr Men holdall, for example (acquired for dd for a fiver from a charity shop years ago) is easier to spot on the carousel than a generic rigid case 23kg standard suitcase.

Spend on lovely hand luggage, would be my advice. Buy a really cheap big suitcase with a flamboyant print so you spot it on the carousel...

Eastpak from amazon- cheaper than John Lewis

TkMaxx and get the best secure solid case you can afford at their prices. Your money goes much further in there.

A cheap suitcase will split and catch you out, possibly damaging the contents. Not worth the risk if you are planning using it regularly. It's also not a good look to have to tape up the case!

The hard cases can take a lot of bashing and still perform well.

Ours are Antler cases and 10 years old now and over the years must have been used 150 times for work travel and holidays. I tied a big bright ribbon to the handle so I can spot it a mile off on the carousel.

If you are going to travel frequently for work for 1-2 nights at a time I’d invest in an excellent quality cabin bag as that’s all you will need. If you are going to travel infrequently apart from that and have the option of borrowing from close family (and no drama if it gets lost/broken), I’d go that, or buy a real budget medium sized case for those occasions.

I've never had any suitcases split or otherwise damaged and they've all been cheap ones. Likewise, no contents have eve been damaged and I often bring back bottles of spirits etc.

We've had a very cheap medium suitcase from Matalan/Argos etc. Is over 20 years old and still used occasionally if we take a hold bag.

But when flying, we mostly take cabin wheelie cases plus rucksacks. The best wheelie case we've had is an It light one because the design means there is more space inside, and is small enough for Ryanair dimensions. Outside pocket is useful if you're on an airline that doesn't allow a second handbag.

I also now have a Samsonite 'lots of pockets' rucksack from Costco, and is actually the most expensive piece of luggage I have, but it was still under £50. I can take a laptop, clothes for 2/3 days, toiletries, chargers, kindle, notebook, other bits and pieces in it and it's all well organised and it is good quality and I expect it to last years of regular use.

I don't see the value of expensive suitcases, cheap ones do the job fine and you'd be less upset if it was damaged or lost. Plus if you pay a lot, there's the pressure for it to be exactly right, and if not, you're stuck with it, otherwise you've wasted money.

If you are a fan of traveling, then I strongly recommend that you buy a canvas backpack. In manufacturing the canvas, hybrid technology is used, which allows for the material's strength. For the top layer – the outer layer, polyester, and nylon are used in the 85% and 15% ratio. Synthetics protect the fabric from various weather conditions, and nylon strengthens and prevents rubbing. You can find it using the website woosir.com/collections/waterproof-canvas-backpacks. Good luck to you!

I used to travel for work every week. I have expensive cabin baggage, either Rimowa, Samsonite or Osprey depending on the trip and cheap large hold baggage for holidays. Normally I just send a big tough holdall through because it's least likely to break, but I don't put anything breakable in it! The business trip bags have to look ok parked in the corner of the office and be guaranteed not to fail me when I'm running across a city. I don't have time to be dragging a case with broken wheels or a dodgy zip

Anyone else following this thread avidly and loving all the descriptions ?
Not because they're travelling or need a bag just because they love luggage and bags .