Where to Order Luggage

Whether checked or not, 25" suitcases are heavy to lug around. If traveling in Europe, there are many hotels that don't have elevators and you might have to haul your suitcase up and down several flights of stairs. If taking the train, it is difficult to lift a 25" suitcase on and off the train. Stick with a 22" suitcase! Your daughters won't regret packing lighter. You don't have to pack for every contingency. Clothes can be worn several times before needing to be washed. And try not to get a suitcase that weighs more than 8 lbs EMPTY. I'd suggest that you check out TJ Maxx, Ross or Marshall's. They all carry major luggage brands and usually have a decent selection. I prefer to see what I am buying before I commit. You can also check to see if the luggage is well constructed and how much it weighs empty.

hi, I agree w/Betty. you have to remember that some parts of Europe still dont have elevators. Theres still alot of cobblestone over there too. The Subways in Paris and London didnt have elevators handy. Some have escalators and some are getting them, but most of the time its easier to carry them up and down. Also, you may want to check the flights youre gong to take with respect to luggage and weights. you can try COSTCO for luggage. just one comment. If those girls arent going to be using the luggage alot, then you could go cheap. But if they are going to use them alot, i wouldnt skimp. happy trails.

I have a 24" suitcase, and it works for me, but I agree that I wouldn't want a larger one. When mine is full, it can be hard to heft into an overhead luggage rack on a train; any heavier, and I'd be in trouble. I buy my luggage from Altman Luggage http://www.altmanluggage.com/ in person, but they also do mail order. My mother has had good service from eBags http://www.ebags.com/. Both can have substantial discounts, if you know what you want. You can also get good deals at a department store when they're having a sale, and this way you can try the bag out in person (very important, as there's all sorts of differences between them)

Thanks for your replies. I appreciate the suggestions of places where we might look for luggage. We have been to Europe many times and realize that there are no elevators in a lot of locations and also the problems that can come from having heavy luggage. My husband and I in our first trip using the trains in France had a very hard time with that. We each have a 25" Rick Steves' bag that we purchased quite a while ago, and we have his smaller bag that we take sometimes. On this trip we have one hotel in London that has an elevator and the rest of our stops have no stairs and we will not be pulling our bags long distances. So my question was not on the size of the luggage to take but suggestions on brands/where to purchase. Thanks.

Sharon, You might also have a look at Osprey Packs, as they have a fairly extensive line of luggage (both Wheeled and Backpacks). I've always found the quality to be good. There will be a link on their website somewhere with a list of stores.

I'm a fan of L.L. Bean's rolling adventure duffels. The large size is about the largest you can go without chancing oversize luggage fees.

If you want a Rick Steves bag, they have a 24" at luggageonline.com for $151.96. You could also google 'Rick Steves luggage' for other sources. He only sells carry-on size at his website, but larger bags elsewhere.

Check REi Outlet.com. They have Eagle Creek and other top brands at close out prices.

Thank you! Just the information I was hoping to receive.

Ebags.com

Sharon, Another thought just occurred to me. You could check websites for REI, EBags, Amazon or other stores, as they may have some of the older Eagle Creek 25" bags left in stock. You may have to compromise on your colour choices, but it may still be possible to buy them. I just checked the Amazon website, and they have some Eagle Creek 2011 Tarmac 25 Wheeled Luggage listed ($310 with free shipping). Cheers!

Thanks again for all these great suggestions! It's so very nice of you to take the time to reply.

Check out groupon, too. I got a 3-piece luggage set for $125. They might still have them - and if not, I've seen them come around a few times lately. They are great quality.

ebags is good as already mentioned. Costco also has some unbelievable deals on luggage sets. Target has some decent luggage as well. You might check your local REI for brands like Osprey (although they don't have the capacity if you look inside the bag) and Eagle Creek. REI has a sale going on right now for members, and their "outlet" site sometimes has luggage pieces from different companies. You could also look at High Sierra (recently bought by Samsonite) it seems they are DUMPING product at amazing prices, but it's pretty good stuff. http://www.highsierra.com/High-Sierra-Evolution-25%22-Upright/dp/B00A8RBKCW

Sharon - I would also recommend Ebags.com. My wife purchased a 25" wheeled duffle from there several years ago and it's still going strong. They also have an excellent return/guarante policy.

I got mine from Amazon. Of course I had gift cards so it came in handy. I also really like the Samantha Brown collection from QVC. Super cute! I don't know what size she had. You packed it vertical instead of horizontal. Thought it was a great way to do it. If I hadn't already orderd my ebag from Amazon, I would have ordered the Samantha Brown one.

I've had a Travelpro Maxlite bag for the last several years; I've been happy with it and it has held up well; I've used it a lot for business travel. I'd also recommend the ebags website for comparing bags. They have photos and specs of most of the bags along with lots of reviews. I actually bought my last bag from Amazon though because the price was lower than ebags.

I'd have to second the suggestion for Offsprey. I purchased one of their packs for my trips and couldn't be happier. I prefer carry-on as well and it's been a fantastic bag. Mine was the 45L backpack. The backpack straps are comfortable, there's 2 comfortable handles, and there's straps to tie it all together. As long as it's all strapped in tight I haven't had a problem with it being a carry-on even on the strict budget airlines. Also, there's a pocket on the top of the pack that is great to put your liquids for the plane or just having small things within reach instead of digging through your bag. There is also a "hidden" compartment where you put the backpack straps which is usually where I stash my documents (nothing too small as it can slip through the openings for the straps). Otherwise, yes, I suggest Ross, etc or even REI outlet. I almost bought the REI backpack but the straps and handle were really uncomfortable.

I bought my Delsey suitcase from Macy's, on sale for about $100, so my suggestion is to check out department stores and sales there.

eBags no longer carries Rick Steves products :-( I've found several Rick Steve's 24" & 26" bags simply by 'Googling' Rick Steves 24" (or 26")... Amazon.com is a good source.

Sharon, We now have 3 Eagle Creek bags and found all on line by with google search for Eagle Creek and the bag name and size. Each purchase we saved between 30-40% off retail. At REI the retail price was $220, and I found the first on line for $140, and after I used it once, decided to buy a 2nd for around $160. Both times, they were shipped directly from Eagle Creek, even though purchased from an on line luggage store.
Actually just looked at my emails and the EC bags were purchased from Luggage Pros, Luggage Base, and Luggage pros. Basically, whoever had the best price at the time I was looking for it.

I would think long and hard re: 25" suitcases. They will make cobblestone and train travel difficult. I have enjoyed Rick Steve's Backdoor bags with the backpack straps for Europe. Spaces aren't very big in Europe, and often you are on public transport/trains holding the bag on your lap unless you trust it to be at the end of the car on a luggage rack. A carry-on size will hold all you need, especially if you pack a bit of powdered laundry detergent for light handwashing. Eagle Creek is great, but Rick now has a wheeled backpack bag, and I recently got a High Sierra wheeled pack from Sierra Trading Post that has a zip-off smaller front pack for daytrips/under the airplane seat. I'm only 5'2" and I can carry it well if I have too, but like to roll thru airports. Also check out Travelsmith for lightweight wheeled bags. But I hope she reconsiders 25" bags AND checking them. Both times my daughter checked luggage, it arrived 4 days later. This makes for grumpy traveling, especially with girls. Try Sierra if you must have 25" bags.

When I visited London for the Olympics I used the REI "Beast" - a wheeled duffle bag. I ed this size of the Beast because it was just under the maximum dimensions allowed for checked luggage on international flights. The bag is soft so that you can use web straps (some a built into the bag) to squeeze it down to a manageable size if you are not carrying that much travel gear. REI is having a 20% off sale for members, and I have seen this sell for as low as around $130 during the annual sale in the fall. http://www.rei.com/product/846053/rei-wheely-beast-wheeled-duffel-28

We'll never forget the 25" suitcase we took on vacation to Florida. We rented a Mustang convertible and the suitcase wouldn't fit in the trunk. So we had to put the top down to load it into the back seat. Then put the top up when stopping for a hamburger. Then back down to unload it at the hotel. Then back up..... You get the idea. We gave it away when we returned home. We got our latest luggage at Macy's. They're always having a sale.

Marshall's or TJMaxx I bought my mother a 25" the other day. Weighs 4 pounds. Cost $59. Who cares if it only lives through one trip. And I can fit this and my luggage in the trunk of my convertible. But what Thomas describes is pretty normal for me. I do it all the time to haul stuff in my car :)

the Travelpro Maxlite 2 25 inch Expandable Rolling suitcase. Color : Ocean Blue, or Black.
Price = $ 118.99 at www.Wayfair.com (it formerly was www.luggage.com)