Luggage

Where in Italy will you be going with this spinner? Will you be pulling it along cobblestones? Along rough brick pavements? Along the rough train platforms (where they insert lots of rubbery bumpy mats to keep you from slipping)? If you are doing much more than getting in and out of taxis and hotel lobbies, you might want to rethink spinner vs. two-wheeled suitcase....Those spinners get quite caught up in cobblestones, etc...

Sorry I can't help with an answer, but why do you need to charge a suitcase?

@Nigel feature that charges your phone

I personally would not use a spinner in Italy. But Amazon has several options with a USB port, like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Bluesmart-One-International-Carry-TSA-Approved/dp/B00X5OUC1U

Instead of looking for a bag that has a built in power bank, consider buying a separate one you can carry with you. While roaming around museums or strolling the streets, you can slip it in your pocket to recharge on the go. What happens when your bag isn't with you?

I'm not a fan of spinners because the wheels are small and make the bag inconvenient on cobbles or going up or down a curb.

I suggest the RS Convertible Carry-On Backpack. We bought 2 in 2002 for a 10 day trip to Scotland. We've used them frequently since then and plan to use them on an upcoming trip to London and Paris. Add some packing cubes for organization and you're good to go.

I agree with others about wheeled luggage, especially spinners. I'd rather wear the backpack especially if traveling to small towns with cobbled streets. They also work better in train stations. My wife and I are in our mid '60s and don't find carrying them that way too strenuous.

I'm not sure why you want to have a USB port (and assuming a battery charger). Anywhere you'd take a wheeled bag you should be able to use a small plug in USB charger. That's what we use.

I agree that a small usb charger would be better than a suitcase with built-in usb port. It is far easier to charge a small device that can go in your tote/daybag than a built-in charger. I have taken a spinner suitcase to France with no problems and will be taking it to Italy next month. Just my 2 cents!

Not a fan of spinners for a few reasons. This is not a spinner but you might try this one ... https://barracuda.co/ we have one. It is smaller than a "normal" carry on but does come with some nice extras - it does have a USB port

Mophie makes good chargers. Available at Best Buy, Verizon or online. I use mine all the time at home when my phone gets low and I want access while it's charging.

The barracuda carryon linked above really triggered my luggage-buying impulse. It's sleek, gorgeous and very cool. It would have been fantastic for my last six months of constant domestic business travel. But I'm done with that now, and that bag is not ideal for international leisure travel. It's too big at 22" and much too heavy at 8 lb 7 oz. The empty bag alone is half the allowed weight on carriers such as Lufthansa (8 kg/17 lbs), never mind the budget carriers where the size exceeds the maximum allowed.

I'm with the rest of the posters in preferring a smaller, separate portable power pack and a lighter bag. My favorite carryon bags are Eagle Creek. They have a number of international sized (20") carryon models to choose from. They are light and very well organized, especially with the addition of some ultralight packing cubes from ebags. This size is perfect for European travel for any length of time.

how much do you want to spend? so one will recommend one you can afford.

Most of the USB models are being marketed towards U.S. business people who fly on airlines with no weight restrictions.

The more "doodads" luggage has, the more it will weigh. Since you said you are looking for lightweight luggage, you will find that most of the bags with built in USB ports will be heavy.

As for spinners, that's a personal choice. For a long time I thought spinners were a bad idea in much of Europe until I met a Rick Steves tour guide in Italy who has been using one for years. Just be aware that at times, especially over rough terrain and carpeting, you will have to pull it like a two wheeled roller. Make sure the wheels are sturdy--something that is becoming more common.

Built in organization also adds weight. Consider using a very lightweight packing cube system to make your own organization. That way you can play Tetris and organize your bag the way you want rather than the way the manufacturer wants. Eagle Creek Specter line is one of the lightest. They have a new Specter Tech line that has better designs but in some cases they weigh more than the original Eagle Creek cubes. However, there are now dozens of companies making cubes.

I also agree with using a stand alone battery charger. You'll have more flexibility with it than one that is built in.

Check the airline you plan to use to see if they have weight restrictions. And remember, just because the flight says "Airline A" it may be operated by another airline. And it will the operating airline's rules you have to go by.

One last thing..spinners have less packing space than rollers because the wheels take up more room.

And check the "packing" section on this forum for tips on how to pack for a week -- or a month or two -- in a carry-on bag.

While traveling in Italy, I've used a Sharper Image spinner suitcase that doubles as a roller and it has worked fine on all surfaces. It's sturdy but pretty lightweight, and I had no problem meeting carry-on size requirements for Alitalia domestic flights. It doesn't have a USB port, but getting a portable one solves that problem. I found the suitcase at Marshall's for a fraction of its original retail price - I believe around $70 versus $250 retail.

Away luggage started by some of the folks from Warby Parker.

I have the Delsey Hyperlite "20 inch" bag, and love it. It's actually bigger than 20 inches, but it does meet Aer Lingus's and Easyjet's carry-on requirements. It is indeed very light - so light, in fact, that it flew up when I picked it up in the store, as I was expecting a heavier bag.

While mine is the non-spinner, two wheel version, it also comes as a spinner. I agree with everyone else about the USB - just get a separate external charger pack, since that gives you much more flexibility, and less weight.

The actual Hyperlite line is billed as a Macy's exclusive; Delsey makes some other very light bags that are similar and sold by other retailers. If you are interested in the Macy's one, note that it often goes on sale for about half the list price. Here's the link for Macy's: https://www.macys.com/shop/product/delsey-hyperlite-2.0-20-carry-on-expandable-spinner-suitcase-created-for-macys?ID=2575176&CategoryID=25691

Hello. I also second looking at away bags. Several flight attendants I have seen have been using these. I also second looking at packing cubes. I have a set and they are wonderful for keeping track of all of your belongings.

I have found good quality luggage with a variety of styles and good prices at Ebags.com. I liked the covertible Mother Lode so much that I ended up going back and buying another.

I think a portable power bank makes so much more sense.

So many people say do not take spinner or even wheeled bags to Europe. My husband and I are...well, older and we have taken our 25" Samsonite spinner bags (and a backpack each) on all our Europe trips. We have walked miles over cobblestone and even dirt streets to get from train station to our hotel with no problem. We have traveled on trains - no problem. I broke an ankle in Germany one time and that spinner bag kept me going. There is no way I could have carried a suitcase. We've never been accosted by thieves and have frequently been drawn into great conversations with friendly locals who want to assist.

The only thing we would change is to go down to a 23" or a 21". That size would be easier to haul up and down stairs. But we will never give up our 4 wheel spinners as they make hauling luggage from place to place so much easier. And we either walk or take public transportation everywhere. That's just our opinion and our experience.

And ditto on the packing cubes! We use them on ALL our travel. We even used them in our travel trailer to keep clothes organized and neat.

I also believe new TSA regulations in the US will only allow suitcases with batteries to be carried on vs checked