Please sign in to post.

Need to buy a spinner suitcase in carry-on size

Hi, everyone. I know many on this forum have said not to buy spinner suitcases because they don't work well on cobblestone streets, but I have back problems and was advised by my physical therapist to buy a spinner so that I could roll it alongside me instead of dragging it behind me (that twists my back.) I realize that may not be possible on cobblestones but at least in the airport I can save my back. Can anyone recommend a brand in a carry-on size? Thanks for any input.

Posted by
4407 posts

To my surprise, most 'spinners' actually have started incorporating regular inline skate/rolling bag-type wheels as the back two. My m-i-l told me she bought a new spinner bag for our European trip in the fall, and I nearly passed out LOL! Then, she sent me a link to a photo - whew! I don't know what kind of money you want to spend - she likes nice things (but not stupid expensive) and she went through several at her local JC Penney store...before finally settling on one. Don't forget to take your tape measure with you to accurately measure them ;-) Sorry; that's about the extent of my input on the subject!

Posted by
528 posts

I have a Docker's brand carryon, which I like. I have taken it on numerous trips. It is most useful in tight places, like subway/train platforms, airports, elevators, and at the top of stairways. It has inline skate type wheels and I have not had problems with cobblestone streets.

Posted by
14 posts

2 years ago I bought a samsonite 22" spinner about 8 1/2 lbs wt. and I love it. It has 2 small wheels in each leg (8 total). Before that I have the RS roll on bag. It's great on those long walks in transferring gates at airports. It walks by itself. If I cannot avoid the cobble stones route I tilt it to use just the 2 wheels. So far I have traveled to Germany and Turkey with it. Will be taking it to Scotland and Ireland next month. I don't think I can go back to the 2 wheel bags.

Posted by
833 posts

I just wanted to note that suitcases with 4 wheels (or just wheels on each corner in general) can be very helpful on trains because you can turn it sideways and push it down the aisle.

Posted by
973 posts

May I suggest going to a discount chain such as Ross, TJMaxx, or Marshalls, and lifting the suitcases there? The stores near me have the sizes arranged so you can find carryon immediately. You'll see which ones advertise themselves as 'featherweight' , and be able to try the wheels right away. Two of our family have Samsonite spinners in 2 sizes with which they are very pleased; the brand is the same but some bags are lighter. Tuesday Morning has good sales. If I were rich I'd buy a Rimowa for the colors!

Posted by
383 posts

Thank you all for your input. I have been scouring the internet for info on all the different bags. Looks like JCPenney may carry the brands that interest me so I will go and test them out. I am noticing, though, that they are all slightly different in dimension and that the different airlines have slightly different dimensions as to what they will allow as carry-on. How maddening! How closely do they inspect hand baggage for the correct dimensions and are approximate dimensions good enough? Thanks again.

Posted by
1265 posts

Kathy - You might want to go check out spinners on ebags.com