Rick’s Spinner Carry-on review please

Personally I don't care for spinners but do like the two wheel case that he has. Over the years we had used a number of his suitcase products and have been pleased with durability and function.

Sue, you are right. I couldn't fine any reviews. I did find reviews on the rolling carryon (2 wheel) and they were not spectacular. Not a good sign. Especially when you are spending that sort of money.

I used a something called IFLY that i bought at Target about 10 years and 36 trips to Europe ago. Cost about $45 and still looks new. In appearance and features it is almost identical to the RS spinner.

My issue with that bag is the same issue I would have with the RS Spinner is those pockets on the front. They serve no purpose for me and take up valuable storage space inside the main compartment .......... and hang up on other luggage when trying to put the bag in the overhead.

After 10 years of not using the pockets and not being able to bring home things that might break I finally this year upgraded to a Bric's B|Y Ulisse https://www.amazon.com/Brics-Expandable-Suitcase-Exterior-Multiple/dp/B07PGR95TM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3F037PTDQ1JGF&keywords=ULISSE+21%E2%80%B3+SPINNER&qid=1644944486&sprefix=ulisse+21+spinner+%2Caps%2C329&sr=8-1 LOVE IT. So freaking easy. And I love the clamshell design with half my stuff on each side and have the digging to find anything.

Yes, it weights nearly a pound more, but I run out of room inside before I reach the weight limit because I put the heavy stuff in a "Personal Item". I joke about the super light weight bags, because in the end result they all weigh the same when packed. And the personal item is also where I put all the things you might be tempted to put in a carryon zipper pocket. For me the spinner for a lot of reasons. Mostly just easier especially when i check a bag. Have you ever tried to pull two bags behind you?

The Rick Steves bags are excellent travel tools. My only complaint is wheeled bags are heavy compared to a backpack. My wife who is 65 y/o and has had both knees replaced, switched from a wheeled bag at 7lbs. to the Classic Back door RS bag at 2 lbs just to get the extra 5lbs for clothes and other things and still stay below a 18lb. weight limit imposed by one of the airlines we were taking. She actually liked the back pack better once she got use to carrying it on her back.

Best to try out a 4-wheeler in a store. I have a Swiss Army 4-wheeler, don't use it much, as it rolls away if the floor is not perfectly flat.

I have a RS 2 wheeler and a 4 wheeled spinner. The 2 wheeler has traveled many times, mostly as a carryon. It has been checked for the return home a couple of times. It’s in perfect shape if you ignore the stain from the banana I put in the front pocket, then forgot about it. It got a bit smooshed. I have only used the spinner domestically, but I like it. My husband has always used the RS Convertible Carry On for European trips, but since I got the spinner he has been using my 2 wheeled bag for domestic travel. We leave for Europe next month for a 6 week trip and we haven’t discussed which bag he’ll use. I have been happy with all of our RS luggage including day bags.

This being President's Day weekend, luggage is going to be on sale at department stores. Go and test drive some. Don't think of it as a lifetime investment, it's just a tool you use until it breaks.

My problem with the RS roller bags is that all of them except the rolling backpack weigh 6.5 pounds or more empty.

My "big" 2 wheeled carry-on weighs 5.5 pounds and both my smaller "international" ones each weigh 4.5 pounds. It doesn't sound like much difference until your airline has weight limits. Or you have to lift your bag over your head into bins on planes or racks on trains. Or you have to carry it up and down stairs.

I'm also not a fan of lots of exterior pockets.

Lo, not arguing with you, just my observation on weight and maybe I am the exception.

Many years ago I used the RS Backdoor Bag. Excellent lightweight bag. Loved it. But I realized that if I packed it to my 8kg limit that it became so distorted that it was thicker than the 10" limit.

Later I went to a cheap spinner with worthless pockets. At about 4.5 pounds, if I complete filled it with nothing but clothing, again I busted out of the 8kg limit. If I went for 10kg it would bulge beyond the 10" limit because of the worthless pockets.

Now I am at a 5.7 pound hard sided spinner. Filled to capacity with clothes I can still bust the 8kg limit if I overpack a bit. But it never expands beyond 10".

My point is, I guess, doesn't matter what the bag weighs, once packed it always weighs 8kg and its always enough clothing. But if I do come up short the personal item is about the equivalent capacity of half a carry on and has no weight limit.

With that in mind I went for what is, for me, the easiest bag to manage and the most flexible in use.

I am considering Rick's spinner carry on, and have never used a 4 wheeled bag before. I went on line to ask if a spinner can also be dragged on two wheels, like the two wheeler I am replacing. There was one article comparing 2 vs. 4 wheeled bags. The person writing it made the statement that you can always drag a spinner by tilting it onto 2 wheels. Has anyone actually done this? I have observed the 4 wheel spinners in airports and, if in a hurry, it would seem easier to run with a bag on two wheels. Can you comment on the reality of this idea? Thanks.

I was told in a luggage store not to drag a spinner on two wheels.

I just bought another two-wheel roll-aboard, a Travelpro, because I dislike my spinner except on smooth surfaces like airports and train stations. Walking in my own neighborhood in France to catch the shuttle to the airport was a challenge. I don't know what I'll do with this spinner taking up space in the closet. My husband doesn't want to use it.

The person writing it made the statement that you can always drag a
spinner by tilting it onto 2 wheels. Has anyone actually done this?

Yes, from time to time it is easier, but rarely. And I don't run in airports.

I have a spinner and when necessary I drag it on two wheels. But I also don't run over rough pavement with it.

As long as the wheels are of good quality, dragging the bag on two wheels is fine.

Thanks all. Lots of comments and opinions on two wheel vs spinner, but still not many reviews on Rick’s carry on spinner.

We currently each have spinners and have pulled them many times on two wheels with no problems. The brand we have was purchased at Costco many years ago. The wheels have started wearing out on one of them, so looking for a replacement. Unfortunately the brand we have is no longer available anywhere. That is why I am considering Rick’s.

Thanks again.

Rick's Spinner is on sale this week. But before you buy it, if you have a Marshalls, TJ Maxx, or Ross Dress for Less near you, they usually have a good selection of bags. Why not go there and see what is available. Mostly major brands. Just bring a tape measure with you.

What brand do you have now?

and just a reminder about dept. store sales this weekend

Found the brand I have now, Skyway Luggage Company, on sale for $69.99 at JC Penney. I did a search a while back and couldn’t find the right size. Thanks for suggesting the department store sales. Great deals out there.