Suitcases have a max 2 trip usage limit!

[StopRainingNow]

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?

Another vote for Samsonite. Had for years and done many trips and still all good.

IMO you pay for what you get with suitcases. I find cheaper (hard case ones) tend to crack easily.

Obviously in any case, avoid over packing.

IT suitcases are fab.

Funnily enough, I bought a secondhand Antler suitcase yesterday. It looks incredibly sturdy. It only has two wheels so has to be pulled from behind, and I don’t know if that will prove annoying! But it’s incredibly well made.

That's what we have used and in the past year it's been used in New York, Paris and will go to Belgium soon (family member going soon).

It's an it depends.

Bags don't get.much TLC but on a lot of aircraft nowadays the bags get put in small containers (Unit Load Devices, ULDs) in the terminal before going to the aircraft so there's not quite as much scope at some airports for the handlers to hurl them the length of the hold.

The one significant exception to.that might be the 737 which AFAIk is still bulk thrown loaded.

OTOH I worked as.long haul crew our cases were normally individually thrown into a bulk hold, but even so people got hundreds of sectors out of the old style Delseys and Samsonites.

Personally I'd still recommend a hard shell but try and avoid anything with small heels or flimsey handles, if such exists.

.

I used to have this problem with cheap suitcases but samsonite has been great.

Because there have been so many different brands I can't remember then all!! Today's casualty was a Morrison one.

Never fully broken (although one wheel of today's casualty is completely off), but they just don't wheel right after they have been in the hold. They are like shopping trolleys that don't follow in line with each other.

I think people are assuming I mean totally broken apart. What I mean is that they no longer wheel OK and life is far too short to be trying to lug suitcases that don't wheel right across the world.

I’ve seen people online who replace the wheels on their cases with wheels meant for inline skates or even skateboards. The bearings in those wheels are generally very robust. DP replaces the wheels on his roller chairs with skate wheels for the same reason.

If they're not really broken then just keep using them. So wasteful otherwise. They're not designed to be wheeled around loads, if you need portability buy a rucksack. Or at least buy better quality so they stand a chance or can be repaired.

I’ve been using the same case for 20 years, and the same rucksack for 15 years- and I travel often.

Like pps on this thread, have had Antler cases for 15 or so years that have survived multiple round the world trips. One was replaced under warranty when the zip failed but otherwise no problems at all, they’ve been hauled on and off trains, in coaches and car boots as well as extensive air travel

We’ve never paid more than £40 for a suitcase and they’ve all lasted years.
DD’s friends bought her a new one for her 25th birthday as they were sick of the noise of her wheels and her sticky handle. She’d had it since her first school residential age 7. It cost £17.50.