Don’t overlook the 5.5 lbs Steves 2-wheel carton. The half-fabric hybrid top design trims down weight while the stiff toboggan style bathtub is very rigid.
Also lightweight (under 6.5 lbs) model lines are turning up at Marshall’s and TJMax, but don’t expect to get travel store or premium outlet grade versions.
Marshall’s and TJMax no longer sell production line over runs and department store overstocks in their luggage corner. All their bags are specially prepared, just for them, different models that you won’t find at travel stores or premium outlets or, in the case if Travelpro, even on those brands websites. Most of them come from the same factory- Marshall’s and TJMax supposedly buy from one supplier that has licensed the brand name usage rights. They are almost all good quality, but the feature sets are seemingly random. The prices are great compared to Target. If you don’t use the telescoping handles to lift them or to bump down stairs they hold up a long time. Of course the spinners are at greater risk of snapped off wheels if you check them, 2 wheel styles with inset skate style wheels at the two corners can handle more abuse.
In terms of the new Euro sized 2-wheeler from Steves, I had the original Steves rectangular 22” carryon and two years ago got the half soft top 20” that replaced it. Steves was brave to stick with 2 wheels but their greater space efficiency means my much less tall carryon holds as much as a 22” spinner style. (though not as much as my outgoing Steves 2-wheeler!). The use of a new toboggan style bathtub shell at the bottom with just fabric for the “top half of the top half” of the carryon seems less protective of contents up there, but in practice it’s always just clothing up there anyway and upper corner baggage handler damage is now a thing of the past. It’s too bad Steves hasn’t come up with a solution for an indestructible trolley handle as well. For about a $50 premium I think the Steves is a great alternative to budget carryons, and I think it’s worth a couple of pounds in weight compared to the occasional ultralight.
