Suitcases

[whattodo87]

Wasn't sure to post this here, or in general.

I am needing to buy a set of cases; large, medium and a carry on, and I would like them to be all matching. The range of sizes are needed as I have children which will be using them for school trips, and also for weekends away.

I'm happy to pay up-to £400 but can increase the budget as I only intend on buying them once, in the lifetime I have left :-)

Can anyone recommend any brands and whether hard or soft shell are best ?

I've started a spreadsheet with my research (sad I know) but I thought I'd ask the Q here 🙏

Samsonite are good and we have remained loyal to the soft shell ones despite the adjustments to dimensions, unnecessary extra zippy inserts (usually left at home) and expansion zip that is inner rather than outer zip (causes confusion).

For train or car travel I recommend IT luggage. Super simple, capacious, budget, no fuss. They are ok for flying but I imagine they would not last ages.

Thank you all so much for the welcome suggestions.

There are a few outlets nearby so I'll check if they have any luggage shops, and also research the brands which have been suggested.

Resurrecting this as I need new luggage.

I’ve done loads of research & I’d like hard shell. I’ve had Samsonite in the past which was spendy but good. Recent reviews absolutely slate them. Specifically the zips and wheels - so I’m not keen.

I’ve looked at Monos. £620 for a carry on and a large. Ouch. It’s £340 if I buy them in Canada which is a distinct possibility. Why are we so ripped off here?? AGH!!

Taking on board (ha) what people say about hard shell large suitcases I may opt for a medium. Has anyone used Monos at all?

@AgathaMystery do you plan on using a large case and handluggage both hard shell on the same trip? I personally wouldn’t want to have to drag two cases as that’s awkward having no spare hand.

Maybe a medium hard shell for check in ( that’s still 20+kg will fit), and then get a carry bag that has strap at back to attach to suitcase handle? That way you can drag both around with one hand

I know you want matching, but I actually wouldn't bother. Suitcase needs change with time, and even the best aren't immortal. I trashed some very expensive suitcases at university because I put too many books in them. After that my parents have me blue ikea bags. I've always had Samsonite ones, in a variety of styles, and they've never lasted more than 15 years, but we travel a lot. Airports and streets aren't kind to them, so they won't see you out unless your travelling always involves taxis and cars. I don't think €400 would buy you 3 cases that would even last that long, so buy what you like instead.

I echo buying bright colours, not only are they less likely to get confused on the baggage carousel, but I always thought that any bad guys looking to steal luggage from a train are less likely to take my pillar box red pull along bag, then the more usual black ones as they would be more noticeable.
( Watched a lot of Brum when DC were small and now anticipate bad guys everywhere)

Good point. I do tend to check my bag immediately so the wheeling of 2 suitcases is minimal. Also I have 2 wheeled cases right now and they really wrench my shoulders. I feel like a 4 wheel will feel so upgraded I won’t mind!!

Tripp. They are less than £100 for medium case.

Ours are old and been everywhere and cost us about £50 at the time from Debenhams when it existed. Still going strong. They have 4 wheels and hard shell, light weight also.

I've got a hard-shell M&S case, very light-weight but strong, 10 year guarantee.

It's been through nearly 100 airports, no damage, just a few dirty marks

Another vote for Eastpak! I have the tranverse 4 wheeler and it's brilliant

We’ve had them all over the years, soft and hard case varieties, cheapos up to Tumi ones. The most durable by far have been the Travelpro soft shell cases. Never had any dampness issues and you can overstuff them if needs be. The keys to their durability are the really high quality zips and the fact that the telescopic handles don’t break or wobble. Wheels are very sturdy too.

Don’t need to be brightly coloured - just get a big bright paracord braid from amazon and attach it to the zip like a key ring.

I’ve got an Antler hard shell case which has survived several long haul and short haul trips and still looks fine. Quick wipe down with antibacterial spray before it gets put away seems to remove any scuff marks. I manage to get enough for a week away in the cabin size one although I check it in the hold each time.

I have 2 sets of Longchamp cases and they have been brilliant.
1 set of hard shell, 4 wheels, but not too heavy.
Soft shell 2 wheels and therefore haven't been used much since the hard wheels have been purchased.

I'm now after a very small Ryanair/ Easyjet size softshell with 2 front zipped pockets and would love a pocket on the side or back too but struggling to find anything. My shoulders can no longer cope with the tote bag I use that I've been using.

FIL has a bit of bundling twine he proudly uses to identify his on the carousel. We just bought luggage bands in dayglo pink and wrote our surname in large letters on them (and DD1's mysteriously now has rainbows and stars as well and half my Sharpies are missing).

As for case-brand - half ours were being given away by a neighbour moving out and left outside the house with a "take me" sign on, and the others are Primark cheapies but do the job. We don't travel enough to justify expensive ones.