High Sierra Luggage Recommendations

Those are ENORMOUS bags! If you purchased bags like those you wouldn't have a choice about checking them -- they are way too big to be carried on. Regardless of their size, keep in mind that there are still weight limitations for checked luggage. And even if you won't be roaming around much with it, you still have to be able to get it to the hotel, whether by taxi or on public transport. Have you looked at this size of bag at a store so you have some real idea of the size and how it might handle? I don't know how long you plan to travel, but I can't imagine needing that much space. In all honesty, though they are nice-looking bags, I think you'd end up happier with something smaller.

I have been looking all over for an image of the large High Sierra bag we have. It is a drop bottom either 26in (or larger) with 2 zippers on either end and a big U shaped opening on the top. The only problem we had with ours is that the drop bottom's zipper doesn't have a clamp on it and it has opened from the wrong direction. I put a wire around it to keep it shut but we have 4 high sierra bags and this one is the only one with a problem.

As I said in another post, I love my High Sierra carry on. So far, I would not trade it for any other bag.

Thanks for the responses! Yes, we did check out the bags in person at our local Dillards. I actually now have the 26" wheeled rolling backpack, and think it will be perfect for our trip! My fiance loves the 30' duffel, and is 6'4, so can carry a bigger bag (and also has size 13 shoes that need to fit into something!)

I am most curious with those of you who own High Sierra- which bags do you own, what do you think of them, which ones do you highly recommend?

Thanks again!

I think I posted my carry on a few weeks ago. I got my dad one also for fathers day. I have lived out of mine for almost 3 weeks and am going to be living out of it for another 3 in Europe next month.

http://www.luggage.com/High-Sierra-AT356-UV1017.html

I have that 26" rolling backpack from Dillard's and I love it. It holds a ton and I have flown with it twice (domestically) and it still looks brand new. They are very durable. I had the smaller version of it last summer and took that to Europe, also looks new still. That one was black. The bigger one I got this year is green. I ended up getting the smaller green one as well so I could give the black one to hubby. I love them. Hubby also has the rolling duffel but not the biggest one. It holds quite a bit including his size 12 shoes. I adore this luggage!

Julene, Are you planning on using the train, bus, or metro?? Remember in London not all of the tube stations have an elevator. You may be hauling your luggage up 60+ narrow steps (in a crowded tube station) before you even reach an escalator.

In my last trip to London, I had a 20" duffel. The lift was broken and I carried my bag over 70+ steps. My husband is a big guy and he carried his own 22" bag. We thanked ourselves that we carried a small bag (and I'm guessing it was 40lbs)

Even if you took a taxi to your destination, you might get hit with a surcharge if your stuff doesn't fit in the cab. In London your stuff must all fit in the boot (trunk).

I'd SUGGEST doing a dry run of packing your stuff, and hauling it around your town for at least 1/2 hour. Get on the bus and travel to some popular part of Austin.

If you're not huffing an puffing, then go for it and bring the luggage. If you're dead tired after 1/2 hour, I'd say travel much lighter, and keep it to a much smaller roller and a backpack (per person).

Quite honestly if you're hauling that much stuff now, imagine how much you're going to haul home with souvenirs

Michelle,

Thanks for your suggestions! We will take the tube in London- but have private cars taking us to/from our hotels in the other 2 cities. I think my 26" wheeled backpack will work- I like that I can put in on as a pack or wheel it, depending on where we are. We are planning to do a 'dry run' with packing (great idea!)... and I plan to pack VERY light within the luggage, leaving plenty of room for bringing things home.

From numerous years of experience, I can tell you that what you pack tends to fill up the suitcase, whatever its size. You might plan to pack light in a big bag, but chances are you'll decide that you have room for this or that and pretty soon it's full. Even when I traveled to China I only took a 24" and I had to have some "dress" clothes on that trip that I normally wouldn't have included.

Just remember that if you are taking luggage in the tube, not to expect an elevator. So during your "dry run" climb at least 60-100 steps, preferably right after work, as people are leaving!! LOL!!!

Seriously, I would do a dry run for a minimum of 1/2 hour. On the city bus, through the mall, or pick a hotel and find the hotel from your home to the destination by public transport. Remember to include "bumpy" sidewalks as you're going to encounter cobblestones.

And, even though your hubby is a strong dude, lugging around anything is hard. Light is what you're thinking, but as Nancy said, what you "think" is light ends up feeling like a ton!! The roller w/ removable duffel alone weights 11 lbs empty!

First, congratulations on your upcoming wedding.

As a Texan, I guess your boyfriend thinks "bigger is better." In this case, he's probably wrong.

1) No matter what size you get, you will fill it up.

2) If the bag and its contents weigh more than 50 lbs--easy to do--it will cost you $50 is extra baggage fees.

Here's a suggestion...make a list of everything you want to take. Go over it and with each item ask yourself, do you really need it or it is just a luxury or a "what if" item.

Then, see if it will fit in your 26 inch bag. If it doesnt', you're taking too much.

Then have your fiance do the same. I'll bet he can get his stuff in as well.

Read articles on how to pack and use folders, cubes, etc.

You'll be surprised how much you can get into that 26" bag. An empty bag looks deceiving. You will take way too much.

But, if you don't mind paying the extra money--both ways--go for the big bag.

BTW--for less money, look at the EBags Mother Lode Wheeled Duffels...I have the two smaller sizes and like them. I'm off to a one week music festival, by car, in a few weeks, and I'll take the 25 inch Mother Lode and can easily pack a weeks worth of clothes without having to wash.

Read and read again what Michelle in OC says. She is absolutely correct. I've carried a small 22" case up and down Tube stations stairs while wearing a small backpack. It wasn't fun especially with crowds. I certainly wouldn't want anything bigger.

28-32' is a very big luggage. It will get heavy once you put your stuff in and if it is heavier than 50lbs we will pay for the extra and I don't know if you want to do so.
However the 26" High Sierra luggage come in two qualities, one is the AT206 and the other one is AT106. The AT206 is heavier but seems to hold better, the AT106 is made of a thinner material and when it's full the back straps look like they are going to rip. I ordered both a while ago , but returned them because I decided to pack light.Instead I got the 22" one which has a small daypack. This 22" luggage still seem to be heavy for such a small capacity. I think both weigh about 13 lbs. It is a hussle to carry luggage around, even thru the airport. In my last trip overseas I took, as carry-on, this 22" bag plus an Eddie Bauer day backpack and I was fine because I could wheel both at the same time. The wheeled bags have the avantage of beeing easier to move them from one palce to another, but if you want to use them as a backpack it will very heavy. I just can't imaging carrying a 28" on my back. It's important to take into consideration how you are going to travel: by taxy or use the subway. Subway in Europe can be very crowded.
If you still want to get a larger luggage and don't care about carrying it around, I would get the AT206.

Julene, I am in Paris right now (June 27)... and I THANK MY LUCKY STARS I brought a 19" suitcase and an itty bitty backpack.

We got off the Eurostar from London on June 23 (to Paris) and opted to take the taxi to our apartment, which is 1/2 block from the Notre Dame. The taxi driver could not get too close to the apartment becuase of the narrow street, so we had to walk 1/2 block to the apartment.... cobble stones and the typical uneven pavement.

My apartment does not have an elevator and I am up 4 floors. Not big floors, but still carrying 40 to 50 lbs of luggage, I thought I would pass out... from the heat, from travel lag and from climbing steps. I work out at the gym 4x's a week and I weigh 124 lbs so i am no couch potato!

Seriously if you have not tried hauling your oversized, even lightly packed luggage all over Austin... and I mean "haul" up stairs, crap sidewalks and bus stops, you really will feel the weight when you get to Europe.

Mind you.. my bag is 19 inches, and it fits perfectly in the overhead compartment on Air France.... yet it felt like 2 tons of brick going up stairs.