Recommendations needed for luggage/travel bags

[calvin1719]

I'm looking to buy some luggage, carry on or medium sized checked luggage, and had some questions since I know nothing about this.

Which type do you all prefer, hard shell or soft shell, and what advantages do you see in your preferred choice over the other?
Any particular features you look for?
Any brand preferences? I'd prefer something that's sturdy and reliable, but not a "lifestyle" brand like Tumi that seems to charge insane amounts, and seem to rely on buzzword filled marketing material. Safari seems to be decent, does anyone have any experience with them or the other common brands like VIP/Skybags/Carlton/American Tourister/etc.?

I'm willing to spend a little more if it's justified, but I just don't see the justification in, for example, a Victorinox bag for 7x the cost of a Safari bag.

 

[Kilroyquasar]

have been using vip bags since a long long time. i prefer the soft shell ones esp as cabin/carry-on baggage (with exterior pockets); can stuff in more things in that. have been using safari's medium-sized hard shell check-in baggage too since a couple of years. no complaints. and recently started using the now-prevalent hard shell type carry-on bag (from carlton). good space inside though i miss the exterior pockets which're there in soft shell types (very useful when you want to keep something quickly without having to open the bag). earlier as my main check-in bag i used a big rucksack for many years that had zipped-openings & buckled straps at the mid-section too that you rarely see in rucksacks now. it was custom-made/designed and has lasted me since 16 years and still strong. though i have now mainly started using a big, soft shell (again) strolley bag as my main check-in bag since past sometime.

you should be good with any of those well-established brands which you mentioned. no need to unnecessarily splurge on the expensive ones.

 

[calvin1719]

have been using vip bags since a long long time. i prefer the soft shell ones esp as cabin/carry-on baggage (with exterior pockets); can stuff in more things in that. have been using safari's medium-sized hard shell check-in baggage too since a couple of years. no complaints. and recently started using the now-prevalent hard shell type carry-on bag (from carlton). good space inside though i miss the exterior pockets which're there in soft shell types (very useful when you want to keep something quickly without having to open the bag). earlier as my main check-in bag i used a big rucksack for many years that had zipped-openings & buckled straps at the mid-section too that you rarely see in rucksacks now. it was custom-made/designed and has lasted me since 16 years and still strong. though i have now mainly started using a big, soft shell (again) strolley bag as my main check-in bag since past sometime.

you should be good with any of those well-established brands which you mentioned. no need to unnecessarily splurge on the expensive ones.

Thanks. Do you see a marked difference in Carlton vs. let's say, the regular VIP line? Those 2 have a 2x price difference for similar bags, and when I asked the sales guy couldn't tell me anything apart from a vague "build materials are different".

Also, which brand is the soft shell you're currently using?

 

[burntwingzZz]

duffle bags with wheels ,skybags /american tourister ,and one hardshell to sit on if you dont get vaccant seats in waiting area

Wheel Duffle Bags - Buy duffle bag with trolley Online at American Tou

Upgrade your travel gear with reliable and stylish wheeled duffle bags Online in India from American Tourister. Explore our collection for seamless journeys.

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Duffle Bags

Buy from our wide collection of duffle bags for men & women online in India. Shop now at Safari Bags for free shipping & easy returns.

safaribags.com

 

[NarwhalBacon]

For checked luggage, I prefer the hard shell ones since once they're out of sight, suitcases go through a lot. Plus airport ground crews aren't exactly known for being gentle.

Brandwise my family had at least one VIP suitcase that lasted for 30 years at least. Finally gave up the ghost just 5 or so years ago. They're quite sturdy and reliable. Safari is another brand I like and have been using for the past few years with no trouble. And with the recent-ish rebrand, they have some pretty cool designs as well.

Honestly though I don't think materials wise there's much difference between most of the reputable brands at least. Just the guarantee/warranty terms and how likely the brands are to honour them.
No-name brands I would not trust the quality. And the more expensive 'lifestyle' brands are just whitelabelled goods, which also I would avoid. Or at the very least just buy directly from the Chinese seller on Aliexpress or its current equivalent, for prolly a third of the price.

For carrry-on luggage I have my trusty Nike bagpack that I got as a gift 20-odd years ago now. It's been through a lot and looks it. Now that I think about it, it prolly needs to be replaced. And if I were to buy something now, I would prolly go for some sort of large-capacity (but not the giant trekking packs), waterproof bagpack rather than a suitcase or other kind of bag, since it keeps the hands free. Plus, having it on my back means less chance of forgetting it somewhere or worse, getting robbed. Waterproof or at least resistant because stuff happens. And I don't mean rain cover but that the outer material itself shouldn't get wet easily. If it has a rain cover with built in storage for the cover, all the better.

For bagpacks I don't think I would really look at brands since, again most of them are prolly made in different floors of the same sweatshop factory in Bangladesh or wherever.

As always when ordering online, check the return policy before paying for it, so you don't get stuck with a something unsuitable.

For suitcases check that it's light-weight, so it adds as less as possible to your checked in weight. Also check the wheel roll on as many different surfaces as you can and the handle extension and how easy that mechanism is to extend and retract.

Bags, put some weight in it and see how it feels on your back; straps should be padded and not bite into your shoulders; it shouldn't flop or bounce around on your back when you're walking with it; the weight distribution should seem more or less even across the back. Most of this might just need adjustment of the straps, though in rare cases its the bag construction.

 

[Kilroyquasar]

Thanks. Do you see a marked difference in Carlton vs. let's say, the regular VIP line? Those 2 have a 2x price difference for similar bags, and when I asked the sales guy couldn't tell me anything apart from a vague "build materials are different".

Also, which brand is the soft shell you're currently using?

the carlton one i have is hard-shelled (new purchase), while the vip one is soft shell; both in cabin bag form. its from vip's 'skybag strolleys' line. the "build material" could likely be a bogey/excuse to ask extra in the name of 'brand value' esp as other brands of repute also now have impressive & seemingly durable lines of luggages. but i must admit that the fabric material on my soft vip skybag INDEED is of really, REALLY TOP-NOTCH quality (as well as the wheels)! has taken a lot of beating in more than a decade without even breaking a sweat thread or any wheel, ever! only its retractable handle had once collapsed (bag out of warranty; its very old) and i had to get a new one fixed through our skilled neighbourhood 'jack-of-all-trades involving bags-umbrellas-zippers & footwear' mochi. has lasted me further till now since then. i have a hard shell vip strolley too but i never use that (carlton has better design & space than that hard-cased vip strolley). so in order of preference for me:
1. vip skybag soft shell strolley
2. carlton hard shell strolley

 

[macha]

I have an American tourister backpack which I bought for my college. It's been 10 years now and I pretty much use this for everything (recently took it to a 45 day road trip). I hope to use this for daily use for rest of my life haha.

That being said I had a safari duffle bag but I'm not sure if it's faulty one in particular but it didn't last longer than an year and half. Since then I haven't bought safari bags. I now use vip and it's serving me well.

 

[ronnie_gogs]

I have a Victorinox hard shell suitcase. After 5 years of international travel the wheels broke. Service was a PITA and its still lying in my storage now. Would not recommend another Victorinox based purely on after service.

My current most used medium sized luggage now has been a Delsey soft shell suitcase. Pretty satisfied it so far. Double zipper seems a bit more secure. Not sure if it is. Price is not crazy and quality is pretty decent. If the bag is more expensive that the contents then you worry about the bag more. . Almost bought a Rimowa once but stopped myself based on this thought.

 

[bssunilreddy]

My wife's company gave her american tourister in 2022 as yearly bonus and now one of it's wheels broke. I won't recommend it now. I think vip or safari is better.

 

[Kilroyquasar]

duffle bags with wheels ,skybags /american tourister ,and one hardshell to sit on if you dont get vaccant seats in waiting area

Wheel Duffle Bags - Buy duffle bag with trolley Online at American Tou

Upgrade your travel gear with reliable and stylish wheeled duffle bags Online in India from American Tourister. Explore our collection for seamless journeys.

www.americantourister.in

Duffle Bags

Buy from our wide collection of duffle bags for men & women online in India. Shop now at Safari Bags for free shipping & easy returns.

safaribags.com

i once got wheels & retractable pulling handle fixed for two of my large duffle bags quickly after getting down at delhi railway station & seeing roaming 'baggage wheel-fixers' there, in time before the railway police swooped-in shouting & chasing them away lol! apparently there're quite a few such there. saw it for the first time. hence on an impulse thought to quickly get it done instead of lugging the heavy bags around.

 

[bssunilreddy]

What are the good brands of suitcases with wheels for elderly couple and what sizes are best for them?
What sizes are best for family of 2 or 3?
Because when we are going to our home town by train my wife & kid stuff clothes & toiletries such that there will be everything needed for a Bollywood photoshoot and in the end it's me who is going to lug those suitcases while they walk before me to the coach in style.
So please suggest such brands which will be easier for me to drag them. While climbing the steps the wheels sometimes hit those steps and break. This is what happened with my american tourister.
Please provide links also if there are any.

 

[burntwingzZz]

What are the good brands of suitcases with wheels for elderly couple and what sizes are best for them?
What sizes are best for family of 2 or 3?
Because when we are going to our home town by train my wife & kid stuff clothes & toiletries such that there will be everything needed for a Bollywood photoshoot and in the end it's me who is going to lug those suitcases while they walk before me to the coach in style.
So please suggest such brands which will be easier for me to drag them. While climbing the steps the wheels sometimes hit those steps and break. This is what happened with my american tourister.
Please provide links also if there are any.

anything maneuverable and not large .my choice / my mothers choice is duffle or a bag which could be squeezed into a spot she likes wheels but not pull rod system like the trolley bags . The handle has to be the normal handle .She then gets adjustable strap stitched on the other end to get trolley like feature.