Need *really* robust cabin luggage ASAP.

[OneMoreTime23]

I commute to London for half the week and have just had another wheel fall off my small cabin bag. (It’s an Aerolite one.). Had the same happen with the standard size version as well. They’re cheap cases.

So I’m looking to invest in one suitable for heavy duty use. Anyone got any recommendations?

Ideally need one standard cabin size and one easyJet under seat size.

We have got good Tumi bargains on eBay but our last samsonite was disappointing (flimsy handle)

I think anyone posting Samsung means samsonite and is having a DYAC moment.

They had some hard shell luggage in the sale in Matalan a couple of weeks ago.
I have no idea of the quality as I didn't buy them but the easyjet cabin bag (not under seat) size was only about £38.

I worry about the wheels on budget ones. As shown by this one.

Ha! It was a gift from a client, and I knew it was at the more luxury end, but I'd never looked up the price till now! I really like it, but I'd definitely not pay what it's worth! My other little case is a samsonite from the local outlet centre - not as nice as the Tumi but definitely more affordable!

Eastpak do really good wheels. The xs handluggage case I have taken everywhere, the wheels are like a thick rubber rather than cheap plastic and slightly large than most. Ie our Tripp larger cases have smaller crapper wheels

Which? reviewed luggage recently (or maybe it was just a customer survey rather than review; I forget.)

Eastpak came out on top IIRC with Antler and Samsonite also highly rated.

Two of my colleagues have Travel Hack cabin max bags - our EA who does all the travel bookings says that the rolling version is ok on Easyjet but not on Ryanair, and the backpack non-rolling version is good for both.

Their sizing is a bit odd and what a shame the wheels aren’t spinners. :-/

I’m using it for a weekly commute to London mainly. I have another backpack for my laptop etc so it really needs to be a wheeled suitcase rather than something designed for occasional use.

(I’d walk rather than use Ryanair so only need it to work on easyJet and BA.)

@OneMoreTime23 - I don’t find the lack of spinners a problem tbh with the eastpak as the wheels so good. I have spinner sim larger cases but really prefer this if possible.

Might be worth going to somewhere like John Lewis who usually have a good selection of brands and styles to try

I bought Eastpak after reading the Which? report and it is brilliant. Wish I had invested in the brand years ago rather than buying cheaper ones that fall apart. Has solid rubber wheels rather than plastic. 30 year guarantee IIRC.

I agree with the Eastpak recommendations. I fly a lot with work and have the Tranverz bags in the cabin size and larger check in luggage. They are deceptively roomy but also very hard wearing. If you're not too fussy about colour you can get them on sale either on the website or Amazon.

Sounds good. Might be getting somewhere!

We have eastpak, although we also have a lot of other makes as well.
We normally just use a rucksack for a an under the seat bad though.

I have an underseat backpack as well, but can’t use another backpack for my weekly commute.

I see your issue but I suspect it's because people often don't use very small cases that you don't have much choice.

We got 'American Tourister' brand in Costco for under £50. They have a 4 wheel spinner and seem well made - we've only ever had cheap luggage and it's never broken despite regular use - it's one of those things that I don't understand spending a lot on because even the cheap stuff lasts decades and tbh I wish some of it would break or wear out so I could justify buying something different.

My Samsonite S'Cure - Spinner S Hand Luggage, 55 cm, 34 L is very robust. I make very regular lengthy train and tube journeys (Midlands to near Gatwick) involving several connections (including walking to/from Euston to St Pancras). Also used as hand luggage on flights wherever possible (size permitting). Latest one was purchased in 2020 and still going strong.

Forgot to say that our hand luggage goes in the hold a lot too because we mainly use Jet2 who will often take cabin wheelie cases in the hold for free, which frees you from dragging them around the airport, but obviously then they're at the mercy of the baggage handlers or being crushed under dozens of other bags in the hold.

Tripp used to do a really nice soft shell one which I've found just as good and hardwearing as hard shell ones, but they've discontinued it.

My ex husband traveled a lot, 4-5 times a week and he was hard on his wheelie. Tumi was expensive but indestructible. Get the lighter one though and I purchased at the outlet for a 30-40% discount.

I had other wheelies I picked up at TK Maxx for $40-50 and they were lined up for him to take if he unexpectedly ended up spending overnight somewhere and needed a fresh set of clothes for his next day trip. These cases lasted about 6-9 months on average. The tumi was $450 but has lasted 10 years now, so it’s breakeven time.

Thanks for your help everyone.

XS and S Eastpaks ordered and arriving tomorrow ahead of my next trip to the smoke. Got both for £175 - could have got them a bit cheaper but not until next week and I need one of them on Sunday.

My Lipault cabin case is pretty indestructible, very light and super nice to look at.

I can only say what not to get!

Rimowa - looks great but the wheels have broken off my hold sized case (probably from being chucked around in the hold) maybe 3 or 4 times? No longer use it as there’s no shop near me, so it’s too much of a hassle to get fixed. It’s a liability to take away - I had to drag it around on a two week holiday with one wheel missing.

Tripp - absolutely rubbish. Wheel broke off my cabin sized bag (so just from it being wheeled around to/from the airport - it’s never been in the hold) in the first 6 months of use. I’ve contacted them about 3 times as it should be under warrantee and no response. Wouldn’t recommend!