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?

Buy more expensive suitcases? Mine have lasted years.

What's happening to them?

Wheels, handles, zips, or the shell itself?

We’ve had Samsonite cases that have lasted for 10+ years but I agree cheaper brands fall apart.

Mine are fairly cheap ones, from M&S I think but I’ve had them so long I can’t remember! My large one has flown to China, Canada, Austria, Crete twice and the US three times. I am just about to pack it for another trip to the US. Maybe I’ve just been lucky with the baggage handlers!

I have only just got rid of a hard shell Samsonite one which my parents bought in 1975 just prior to my birth. It has survived all sorts - during the ten years when I was at boarding school each term's return trip from southern Africa to the UK started and ended with a 100km trip on dirt roads in the back of a pickup and almost always involved transit at both Johannesberg and Heathrow (both of which are tough on luggage). As an 11 year old I even sledged down a snow-covered hillside in northern England in it, with a friend in the other half.

Agree they don't make 'em like they used to.

You need to put in a complaint with the airline then.

Our suitcases are years old and have always survived being chucked around by the conveyor belt and handlers at the airport. One is soft and the others are hard shell.

I used to think like that until I had a string of bad luck with my checked luggage. All Samsonite hardside cases that were cracked/corners broken off/wheels broken off after being checked. The bags weren't overloaded (made that mistake once) and just went from the car to the airport to another car.

I now only travel with soft side duffels now and so far so good.

Our American Tourister ones have been absolute shit. Broken wheels, broken handles…DO NOT recommend!

That is my favourite type. They work best when walking around towns - cobbled streets and up and down pavements.

The spinner type wheels work best when moving around airports and other buildings with flat surfaces.

Mines from primark and now 5 years old!!!

it’s done 3 trips a year at least! Not always by car either - we’ve done plane and train.

Ive had my samsonite for maybe 20 years. To be fair, these days I mainly travel with my backpack due to the restrictions.

Never hand a suitcase break. What are you doing with them? 😂 I still have suitcases from when I travelled and lived abroad in my early/mid 20s (so they are at least 20 years old now). Dh and I did an international move with them in early 30s, so packed up all my earthly possessions in them, including my wedding dress (we got married 3 months after moving). They’ve been used in 4 house moves since and one of them is currently storage for unused linens.

They’ve aren’t any fancy brand, just whatever big cheap suitcase I could get from whatever department store 20 years ago.

I mostly use a big rucksack now for travel (Osprey) and that has also gone all over with me, done a Camino, many trekking holidays and 10 years later, still going strong for weekly use for walking or trips to the beach.

My case from 2004 is still going strong, pretty well used

Aerolite have done ok for straightforward trips and are great value and stack inside each other, and we use Osprey wheeled backpacks for our more adventurous trips and they have remained pretty solid for the last 15 years.

Mine is from 2001. It has a few scuffs but survived many trips - long haul, short haul flights.

Mine last years across multiple trips, you need to buy different suitcases. Go for something like Eastpak

Same here.

Where are you buying your luggage @StopRainingNow ?

All of mine are 15-20 years old. Delsey and Samsonite (but buy the more expensive ranges). Used extensively on long haul flights. I like mine to look old and battered as I hope it deters thieves.

My previous suitcase was about 20 years old and must have gone on 30+ trips. Current ones are 5 and 2 years old and had about two trips a year each.

Where are you buying them?! I’ve got a big Tripp hard shell one I’ve just come back from Canada with. It’s been all over, I bought it probably 8-10 years ago and it still looks good as new. I did get black though to avoid visible scuffs!

I've got a Samsonite that I bought about 15 years ago. Apart from the fact that the wheels are looking rather worn, it's in good nick. I have been away with it at least once a year, except for 2020 and 2021. The last few year:, I have used it twice a year.

Sometimes airlines do break suitcases though. I've seen it happen to exDP. He got compensation for it - from British Airways I think.

Are you dragging them down steps or something ?

Then you need to claim for a replacement ! I’ve had two replaced that came off a flight damaged - it’s a straight forward process

@StopRainingNow I use a suitcase which is at least 15 years old. this case has been all over the world!! cheapest of the cheap. cost around £16 from primark!! still using it and the wheels are in perfect condition!! I actually bought one for my sister at the same timeand hers is still going strong too!!

We buy cheap suitcases. We've had to replace one over the last 30 years because the zip broke when dd tried to stuff too much in.
Two of the suitcases came from Woolworths, and still are going fine.