Best Brand of Luggage?

I'd add that you must make absolutely sure that the suitcase, if it is a roller, has very very very good wheels! I've had a couple suitcases die on trips to Europe due to "cobblestoneitis" where the rumbling over thousands of cobblestone or cut stone sidewalks and streets has done them in.

My current Samsonite has great wheels.

Thanks Steve and Randall for the replies. I know I'm being the typical female, and honestly I need a larger size not for going over, but for everything I buy in Europe! I'm pretty good handling luggage myself - I don't own a car and live almost a mile from my closest subway station. Wheels are definitely an important consideration and it looks like the Eagle Creek's wheel are more sturdy than teh set I ordered from LL Bean. I just didn't know anyone who owned Eagle Creek and was curious about their reputation. Thanks again!

Good for you for looking for the lifetime warranty. I paid a bit for a roll-a-board ten years ago and it is still going strong. I had a problem with the handle one trip and they replaced it! And I travel a lot....

I'm going to encourage you to grab the smaller of the larger bags, or go with one that expands. I used what I would call a medium sized bag one year because I just couldn't seem to get my stuff down. That suitcase was a pain even with it's wheels. The airline wasn't the issue. It was going up 4 flights of stairs with it or trying to drag it through gravel drive way, or hefting it aboard the train. Since then, I've gone with an expandable bag that can make it as a carry on when it's not expanded and a larger pack. That way, I am better able to manhandle the bags while I'm traveling. I buy souvenirs at the end of the trip and expand that bag to hold them and check it on the way home.

Pam

You should check out the new line from High Sierra. ELEVATE. That stuff is LIGHT weight! I just bought the carry on 22" piece for my and my hubby for travel. They offer a larger piece that you are looking for.

Find it on www.ebags.com

Good luck. I highly recommend the High Sierra brand. Life time warranty, good styling and great colors!

Eagle Creek makes excellent luggage. That said, I've never seen an elevator in Europe. Others may have but I haven't. Last June, I carried my daughter's suitcase up to the fourth floor, stairs only. She carried my Outdoor Products Essential Carryon. This year, if you bring it, you carry it.

If your issue is the souvenirs you buy, I have a suggestion. I use a 22" expandable roller bag (mine is a Travelpro) that I carry on when I leave for a trip. I also take a foldaway tote bag (sold on this website) so I can bring extra things home. I fill the tote with dirty clothes and can use the original bag with other things. Doing it that way you will not have a huge heavy bag to carry up stairs, etc. Even my 22" bag is too heavy for comfort for me at times. My next trip I am taking the RS convertible carry on. I road tested it last week for my trip to NYC and I'm glad I did. It convinced me I will need to pack even lighter!

Last year I did much investigating on the subject of luggage and ended up buying Travel Pro at macy's 50% off sale! My daughter was going to study in Spain and we were palnning a 3 week trip throught out Europe prior to her study program. We bought a large 26" (for her extended stay) and she and I both took a 20" as our main luggage (we needed it to be 20" as we had several filghts within Europe, Ryan air, etc that required carry on to be 20" or less)and an additional small carry on that fit snug on top pf the 20". They were perfect and we have lent them out numerous time to friends tarveling.

Now, my husband and I are scheduled to leave May 31st and will only be flying on Continental (they allow 22" as carry on). So onece again, we head to Macy's wonderful 50% off sale and I just purchased two 22" Travel Pro Crew 7's....50% off, an add'l 10% off and NOW another 25% off! It was 206. with the 50% and 10% and then we recieved another 25% of the current sale that is going on!

Love the TRavel Pro luggage and this new 22" piece has a small padded bar that pants and skirts tuck nicely on. And it has a nice outside pocket that the 20" did not have.

Good Luck!

I have been using RS carry-on sized with wheels in Europe every summer since they introduced them. Never had a problem with the wheels and I have drug it over rocks. Only problem I have ever had with my RS bag was with the collapsable handle and RS store replaced the whole bag at no cost. Andrea's post about taking a foldaway tote is right on. Do not take a big suitcase just to haul back stuff. Get a tote that folds up small and flat and use that later. I fill mine with dirty clothes and put new stuff in my RS carry on just as she mentions.

I use and prefer Rick Steves' 21" Roll Aboard as I've used it as a carry on. It has lockable outside pockets. I have had no problems on the cobble stone streets and sidewalks in Europe.