I need to purchase a new suitcase

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We have Ebag brand cases and highly recommend looking into them.

My wife recently got a nice American Tourister on sale at Kohls

Do you have a TJMaxx near you? I'd take a tape measure and if you have it small portable luggage scales and see what's there. The measurements on the tags often don't exactly match the bags as some exclude the handles and wheels. I also like to weigh the bag unless it's from a major manufacturer. I've seen TravelPro 4 wheelers at my TJ Maxx so you might stumble on to an actual bargain!

TJ Maxx and Marshalls have almost nothing except spinners these days, so check to see what they have if there are stores near you.

If you're having trouble finding the Search function on this website, you're not the only one.

If you're looking on a desktop or laptop computer and your browser window is in landscape format, find the dark blue Rick Steves Europe logo, then look to the right of that. The box says "Search" in the faintest possible type, next to a magnifying glass. If you're on a phone or tablet or if your browser window is in portrait format, on the extreme upper left of the screen you will see a bunch of horizontal bars. Click that, and at the very top is the Search box.

As for your luggage question, I'm very happy with my Delsey Hyperlite bag. It's a Macy's exclusive, but they often have sales, or you can look at similar Delsey lines sold through other luggage stores or Amazon. Note that Macy's stores will match online sales, but once the online sale disappears, so does the sale on that item at a store.

Here's a link to the Delsey Hyperlite carry-on size; the same model is also available in larger bags that have to be checked. I see it's now a "closeout" - maybe they're getting ready to carry verson 3.0 (mine is several years old and so is version 1.0): hhttps://www.macys.com/shop/product/closeout-delsey-hyperlite-2.0-20-carry-on-expandable-spinner-suitcase-created-for-macys?ID=2575176&CategoryID=25691&cm_kws=2575176

I agree that if you're not near a Macy's and prefer to see bags in person before buying, Marshall's and TJ Maxx have large selections of inexpensive spinners (the name for 4 wheeled luggage).

If you want to go higher end, meaning more durable, more expensive, heavier, but with a lifetime guarantee, you can look at Briggs and Riley or Victorinox.

Budget will drive your decision. We love our spinners. You’ll hear about problems with cobblestones but we’ve dragged ours all over Europe without a problem. When the going gets rough you use two wheels. But, if you do a lot of that, that is where the price point comes in. The vulnerable parts of a spinner are the wheels. The good (read expensive) ones like Briggs & Riley are built to last and have a lifetime warranty. We gave up on the discount store brands a long time ago. I’d rather have one $450 bag then four $100 bags that break when you don’t want that-like in the middle of your European vacation. Another brand we like is Travel Pro but only the top end. We’ve had quality issues with their less expensive lines.

Suitcases have changed over the years. I prefer the 2 wheelers. Good brands include ebags, eagle creek, samsonite, briggs & Riley, Rick Steves, Maxlite by Travelpro, travelon, etc.. Decide what features you want and budget first. Or else, your head will spin. There is nothing wrong with budget luggage at Marshall's or Ross.

Things I like - 3 handles - top, side, bottom. Easier to put into overhead bin. Size. Exterior zip pocket for papers and 3-1-1 bag. A flip-up lid with a 3 sided zipper. Compression straps on inside and outside. Sturdy extension pull handle. Semi-Soft-sided lid for expansion/compression. One main compartment with a mesh pocket in the lid. 5-7 lb.s weight. A color other than black or gray.
Things I don't like - book opening where main zipper is located 1/2 way between base and lid. (Harder to open on a luggage stand). Heavy weight. Too many features. Black or gray color - looks too much like all the other bags on plane.
Have fun! If you are doing carry-on - size is very important.

We have noticed throughout the years that so many travelers are using Travel Pro bags. We ordered our super light 21" rollers at Amazon priced reasonably. And the swivel wheels are so good rolling down airplane aisles.

Hey, we got to recommend the obvious: https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/rolling-carry-on

Does anyone have suggestions for a good bag that's intended to be checked? Something that will carry up to that 50 lbs weight limit, but is lightweight spinner? I'm going to grad school in London, and need to bring (medically) necessary stuff for a year plus.
I've watched all the packing light videos and do agree with that, it's just this is a whole other situation. :)
Thanks,
-Alison

I can also recommend Ebag, I simply love it

Our favorite are the Pacsafe Travelsafe 21, only two wheels but the features of the bag are perfect for a frequent overseas traveler.

The same brands mentioned for a carry on spinner will work for check in size spinner. Would you please tell us your budget for the checked bag.

Alison,
You may want to post your question separate from this thread or get overlooked. You are doing a different kind of travel - basically, relocation.
Here's a tip. Get a 25-26" bag. No larger. You can get 50lb.s into this size bag. A larger bag - you may go over weight limit. By all means, trial pack and weigh your luggage before heading to the airport. Weight and volume are not the same thing. Small items can be heavy and large items can be light.
There are lots of good brands already mentioned. Also, Eddie Bauer, LLBean, REI.

Love the Costco spinner I got this year. Functional and sturdy.

Judy, I like Ricks Ravenna rolling case
Allison, since you are in New England.... 'll bean used to have real bargains at the outlets, I still use a day pack that came with a big smear on the front

I also saw a lightweight 21" Travelpro at TJMaxx today. I also like the IT bag I bought there several years ago.
I'm going smaller these days, so found a 19" Lucas bag that is under 5lbs., also at TJMaxx.
I've had no problems with spinner wheels on cobblestones, simply use 2 wheels when necessary.

Happy hunting! :)

Alison -- So this is for a one-time move ? (Or there-and-back ?) Drop by thrift stores, where big suitcases go when people look for smaller/ lighter/ newer/ trendier ones. For $20 you may be able to pick up something serviceable that you won't mind getting scuffed by the airlines. Then re-donate it when you're done, or use it for storage.

Back to Judy.

These are my go-to bags. I do carry-on only.

Spinner: Lipault Plume. Soft-sided. Wheels and handle included in measurements. Weighs about 5 lbs empty. Mine is the Duck blue and is about 6 years old. These bags are sold by many online vendors. Be sure to read the description and specs.

Eagle Creek Spinner: My EC bag is a bright green, has only 2 wheels and is lighter than this because of that, but it is very much like this one.

One thing I like about both these bags is that the bottom lining has a zipper. I assume that's for potential repairs. I like to put things on both sides of and between the shaft cover for the handle. It's amazing how much odd stuff you can pack in those areas without going higher than the depth of the shaft. That flattens out the bottom of the bag and provides a more efficient platform for my beloved compression cubes. I have them in bright blue, green and red.

I have an embarrassing number of Baggalini personal item bags with sleeves that slip over the U-shaped handles of the wheeled bags. This Hobo style is probably my favorite, but there are many others.

There are lots of bags and lots of colors to choose from. Although I do carry-on 99.9% of the time, I still like having a brightly colored bag for fun and security.

I have seen the Lipault bags and they look great. Obviously, a 6 year old bag has done it’s job. But, they only warranty their products for 3 years. Briggs & Riley, TravelPro have a lifetime warranty. I had a wheel start to catch on a 12 year old Briggs & Riley. Sent it in, comes back with all new wheels.

We got new Eagle Creek convertible suitcases. I went to Dillard's and checked out the bags and then bought them cheaper on Amazon.
I love Eagle Creek because they stand behind their product.
These bags have a LIFETIME guarantee, no matter if damage is your fault or not.

We got new Eagle Creek convertible suitcases. I went to Dillard's and checked out the bags and then bought them cheaper on Amazon.
I love Eagle Creek because they stand behind their product.
These bags have a LIFETIME guarantee, no matter if damage is your fault or not.

Love our Travel Pros....light weight but sturdy construction