Coleman vs Travelpro for checked

Brooke, we have given you our best advice and you just want to argue with it. Any bag will be ok for six flights. If you would have difficulty affording a smaller bag, though, how are you to afford overweight charges on a huge bag?

I'm sorry, I don't mean to argue! I'm a worrier by nature, and I admit I was already pretty wed to the idea of a larger-than-carry-on bag. My grandparents, excited to have me, have agreed to pay any overage charges (they are huge overpackers and think nothing of bringing four giant suitcases for two months, so they probably think my one bag will be insufficient!), but I'm the one buying the bag, hence my willingness to buy a bigger bag for less money. I honestly hoped just to know if these were reliable brands, as I've always used the set of Eddie Bauer rolling duffels (which were really, really big!) my mother purchased about a decade ago. I'm a bit overwhelmed by the options, and it seems all reviews are either glowing or telling you your bag will explode the moment you're abroad.

I am grateful for the advice, I really am. I know you're all trying to help me :)

Brooke....you're worried about three pounds of extra weight empty, when you have the potential to stuff that bag with 70 pounds of stuff??
Frankly, if you're not going to fill it full, then it's too big for your needs. A couple of bottles of port aren't going to require a lot of extra space. Visit a couple of luggage stores to see their 24 and 27 inchers...you can find lots of luggage that will last as long as the TravelPro stuff without the high price tag.
The colour may help you identify your bag easier, but it's no theft deterrent. Most bags go missing behind the scenes...before they even make it onto the luggage conveyor belt.
And before you make a decision, go to your local gym with an old suitcase, load it up with 70 pounds of weight, and try hoisting it up and down a flight of stairs.....

My packing list IS whittled! It actually meets the suggested packing list for women on this site. I wouldn't have looked at the 35" very seriously unless it was so heavily discounted (the smaller sizes are more expensive). I am tickled by the thought of a thief trying to be subtle about nabbing a giant bright green bag, though. I'd almost have to applaud if they succeeded!

Have you had to check a TravelPro bag before? Since they are so oriented to carry-on and my bag will inevitably be over the limits (really, my messenger bag I use each day is about half the limit!), I want to make sure it can take a beating.

Travelpro is an excellent bag, but I would agree with Steve here that it's WAY too big (that's why they are discounted - no one wants them). The largest bag I have ever taken anywhere (on a three week trip to China where we needed two seasons of clothes) was 25", and it had plenty of room for souvenirs along the way. You also need to consider the empty weight of the bags. Some name brands of bags can be unbelieveable heavy even before you put anything in it. "The option of easily lifting and carrying the bag" is not going to happen with a 35", no matter what. I would suggest actually going to a luggage or department store to try out different sizes of bags for weight and handling before making a decision.

I have a few Travelpro bags and they are very durable. I do have a suggestion for you though, to minimize the size bag you take. The ones you are looking at are HUGE! I have a 22" wheeled Travelpro (but any brand will do) that is expandable. I carry on going to my destination, but don't mind checking on the way home. I also take a RS fold up tote bag (purchased on this site) with me. If I need it, I fill it with dirty clothes and check it on the way home. If you buy something large you can mail it home.

Even though you will not be moving very often, you will have to deal with your bags a few times. Trying to navigate stairs with a very large bag will not be easy.

You know, I just took a yard stick and measured out how big the 35" bag is and... my past bags have been bigger! Yipes. I always shared a bag with other people (and often traveled for long stays in the winter, so I'd have a bulky robe in there). But that does reassure me that I can maneuver a bag of this size. Alas, I can only afford TravelPro bags on deep discount, and the smaller rolling duffels are out of the discounted (I believe they've been discontinued) colors, which are also the ones that stand out. I really dislike having plain black luggage. My colorful yarn ties have often been ripped off, so I'd like something that stands out on the carousel without decoration.

If the smaller TravelPro bags are beyond my means, does anyone have suggestions for slightly bigger bags (than regular carry-ons, or else an expandable) able to withstand checking?

Try looking at www.ebags.com. Lots of brands and color choices. My orange Weekender bag has now been on 10 flights without any sign of wear, just some dirt.

Brooke, buy the 35" rolling bag. It's obvious you want it because it's on sale. You're not going to find much for that price for a bag that size.

Since price is the big issue, and you see more "value" with the 35" TravelPro over the 30" Travelpro, get it.

But remember one thing....the airlines not only have size limits on checked bags but weight limits as well. You'd better check with airline you plan to travel with because excess weight fees can be very high.

Honestly, the weight isn't a concern for me because it will only be heavy on the way home. I've already thoroughly looked into both airlines' requirements. My biggest concerns are that the bag I use be durable enough to withstand six flights and fit my budget. I do want something larger than the carry-on limit for my flights (which isn't hard for one of them!), but I certainly don't think I need a huge bag.

I'm also considering this bag now: http://www.ebags.com/product/tommy-hilfiger-luggage/global-sport-26-upright/145667

I like that it's bright, but will Tommy Hilfiger scream "wealthy American tourist?" And is it going to last?

Brooke...if you pack that 35" duffle full, it'll be heavy BOTH ways! The bag you're looking at has 8400 cubic inches of storage space. Even a large 24" regular suitcase only has about 4000 cubic inches, so you're talking about more than twice as much clothing! My wife checked a VERY full 24 incher last weekend at 42 pounds...10 of that was the suitcase, so 32 was clothing, souvenirs, wine, etc. The duffle you're looking at, after you subtract the 10 pounds of the bag, could then hold about at least 60 pounts of clothing....total weight, 70 pounds!!!

Ah, but who said I will pack it full? :) It will be pretty hefty on the way back home, But until I get to that winery in Porto, I think it'll remain light.

I'm a little disappointed that it's lighter in weight than a lot of the carry-on size bags I've looked at. I don't want a carry-on that weighs 13 pounds empty!

Brooke - You have been given good advice and if price is your main motivation you should go to Ross and see what they have. Prior to buying my Travelpro luggage 4 years ago I had bought a 22" roller bag at Ross. Now my husband uses it and it has been on many trips and is going strong. Their prices are great. I don't know where you are in the Bay Area, but I'm sure you won't have any problem finding a store.

FYI - in addition to my 22" Travelpro, which has been used on at least 15 trips both foreign and domestic, I bought a 25" bag that matched. I have only used it a few times. I took it to Florida and it was pretty heavy on my way home. Not only did I have to pay extra because it was overweight (I collected a lot of seashells and sand there), but it was so full that it ripped. You can have problems with any bag, even a Travelpro.

Be careful getting a bigger bag then you'll need. Even if you say you won't fill it, you will. Its what everybody does, I could find enough stuff to fill any bag. Liimiting myself to my 22" bag keeps me from overpackIng.You have to assume you will fill it when trying to figure out if you can carry it, move it up and down stairs etc.