Spinners in Europe

I took a 23" spinner (that's counting wheels and handle) on a 3-month trip to Spain this summer. It was a new suitcase, an inexpensive brand (It? Something like that) picked up at either TJ Maxx or Marshalls for perhaps $50. Weighs less than 5 lb. empty. I bought a spinner only because I couldn't find a light-weight, inexpensive two-wheel model in the stores I checked.

I stayed in almost 20 hotels, so there was a lot of suitcase-rolling going on. I think I walked between my hotel and the train or bus station in every city, a distance that ranged up to about one mile or perhaps a bit more. There are, as is often pointed out, a lot of not-smooth surfaces in the historic areas of European cities. When I came to those, I tilted the suitcase onto two wheels. I had the vague impression that it wasn't rolling quite as smoothly in two-wheel mode as my older 2-wheeled models, but I didn't make a side-by-side comparison. I always lifted it down curbs and steps, because not doing that has damaged the fabric on the leading bottom edge of previous suitcases.

The suitcase survived the trip. The wheels still roll. However, as a result of all the bouncing around on irregular surfaces, it no longer rolls straight-as-an-arrow on ultra-smooth surfaces like spinners are supposed to do. It takes some hand pressure to control it when I roll it beside me even on an airport concourse. Doing that is more uncomfortable than pulling a two-wheeler behind me.

I have never used one and never will. Fine for getting through airports, but that is all.

Wow, this topic engenders a lot of passion! Folks, it's a suitcase! We all know the pluses and minuses, but to each his/her own. I have both a few conventional two wheeled bags and spinners. The two wheeled are Briggs & Riley. Bullet proof, although my 8 year old one needed wheel work last year. Done for free, that lifetime warranty is honored. We have Travelpro spinners. My wife's is a little better, newer model. Mine has been to Europe three times and on countless trips in the US. The Briggs & Riley gives you more room inside as the handle rails are on the outside. The spinners are easy, rough surface or not. I do as others, tilt onto two wheels when the going is rough. And we had much of that last summer in Spain. The thing rolls like it has since i got it, but my wife's newer one is smoother-the wheels on hers are double. My main reason for using a spinner is my bad low back. When I'm dragging the two wheeled version on those long walks, think big airports, my back kills me. I've had three herniated discs so I know back pain. With the spinner, no pain. For this reason, I will stick with a spinner. When my current one is shot I may try the Briggs & Riley spinner, but that is an expensive proposition.

Frank, my wife uses a 22 inch Samantha Brown spinner, and most of the time its fine - she won't change. She likes it because she can push or pull with it. But I do see her bag get caught and stumble and fall over at least once, usually more, every time she is pulling it along the street, and stairs are a challenge. I think they slow you down, anywhere that is not on smooth hard floors.

Hi Frank:

I bought a Eagle Creek 22 and 25 inch spinner. I love them. The wheels are substantial and if I end up on cobblestones or uneven surfaces, I just pull it on two wheels. I have not had any issues them I probably will not go back to a two wheel again. I also like the Eagle Creek because it has a system built into the bag to secure another bag on the top of it and the additional bag won't slide around, slip off, or drag on the ground. I like that because carrying a back pack makes my back ache after a while.

The only thing that is a pain is that if you are in a on a surface that is not flat the thing has a tendency to take off without you. :-)

Not sure why Frank II is running this question since in earlier posts he claims to be a luggage tester/blogger/? It is fairly simply engineering, bigger wheels roll over bumps easier than smaller wheels. Rigid wheels will always roll in a straight line while swivel wheels do not. Our experience with both is that a swivel wheel works great on smooth, relatively level surfaces. And two wheels far better on rough services. Even tipping a swivel bag onto two wheels I find that the wheels can still get stuck or redirected by small bumps and holes. Obviously that works "better" that trying to drag four wheels across rough surface. The dual, small wheels is an improvement over the single, small swivel wheel. It gives some performance characteristics as the large single wheel. However, the question is becoming mute since the number of two wheel bags on the market is min.

In US we use spinner bags because we tend to rent cars at airports and travel mostly on smooth surfaces. In Europe we prefer the two wheel bags, IF we take one. Normally we are using the backpack style bags and sometimes an additional two wheel bag. It is getting long in the tooth so it may have to be replaced in the next few years.

The reason I'm asking this Frank is because I want real world experiences from others before I take a spinner on a two month trek.

I've only used a spinner on an airport to rental car to hotel and return type of trip.

As you stated, spinners are taking over for two wheeled bags and the one I'm looking at is made very well and fairly sturdy. I think it will do fine but will give it a short test prior to any long journey planned.

The current bag I'm using, a Lipault roller, has done well during nearly six months of travel and locations varying from Iceland to Israel and points in between. But those long treks through airports, where it sometimes feels as if I'm walking half way to my destination, is doing a number to my wrist and shoulder.

Many of you know that we've switched over to spinners but I sometimes still use my 25 yo Jandd backpack. We switched the year my husband's sister traveled with us for the first time in 2008. My sister in law has back problems and I wanted her to get a piece of luggage that could be used almost like an assistive device at her side. My husband got his first spinner for this trip too. When the effort got too challenging I managed her suitcase because I used my backpack.

Since that trip we both use spinners a lot. We don't have a 2 wheeled cabin bag any more. We typically are in Europe for 4-5 weeks every summer primarily traveling by train where we really see the advantage to having a bag that will glide up the narrow aisles.

The only place that I think 2 wheeled bags might be more sturdy than spinners are along gravel surfaces but our spinners have rolled right along. We have Samsonite (2012) and Swiss (2008), inexpensive bags purchased at a remainder store.

We don't tend to bounce our luggage up and down stairs. From early on, we found those little conveyor belts at train stations helpful or we packed so light that we could just grab our bag by the handle and negotiate stairs.

Since my husband broke his back 3 years ago, he has appreciated even more having a spinner in Europe, no more twisting and pulling a bag awkwardly behind you. My 2¢ worth...

I love my spinner. I have the Tumi Alpha 2 international carry on. It is the most expensive luggage I have ever purchased by a long shot. But I will probably not need to buy any other luggage for a very long time. The wheels are sturdy and the bag doesn't tip. I love how I can attach my personal item on top and wheel it with fairly minimal effort- or even use it as a makeshift table in a pinch. I have made 4 trips to Europe as well as numerous domestic trips and the bag looks brand new. There have only been a few times where I encountered a type of street where I had to pull it like a two wheeler. And that was for a very short period of time.

The biggest downside is the weight. The bag weighs close to 9 pounds. I carry on most of the time now (this forum has converted me). My bag usually weights around 22 pounds but I usually fly AA or British Airways so it's not an issue. And it's a weight I can easily manage. But this summer I am flying FinnAir (frequent flier miles) who has a much stricter weight limit for carry ons. So with great sadness, I am switching to my backpack for this trip. Otherwise, I always pick my spinner.

Beware of securing a second bag on top or your wheeled bag, since that makes it difficult to pick up when you come to a curb or stairs. Picking up the bag by the long, pull handle is not recommended and is how I broke the pull handle on my mom's two-wheeled bag at the start of our recent trip. Therefore we replaced it with a spinner bag (all that was available at Marks & Spencer) and it survived several transfers between bus and tour hotels, including cobble stones. But it was not an adequate test to feel confident about bringing that bag everywhere.

I love my spinner; I appreciate the ability to roll it by my side with next to no effort in train stations and airports and on smooth streets. On cobbles, pulling it on two wheels has worked fine. I would never go back to a two-wheeler. But from what others have said, I guess that's not a universal experience. I have a feeling the wheels on mine might be smaller than usual because it's an ultralight suitcase (though not an expensive one).

I have gone to Europe for 14 of the last 15 years and have always used a RS 21" roller bag. I have never had a problem with that suitcase but I have seen some folks with the spinner bags having difficulties getting over curbs or up stairs without picking them up.

I think the biggest benefit to a small spinner is on the trains. Much easier to move in the aisle than a two wheeler, especially when meeting someone coming in the opposite direction. I currently use a 22 or 23" (not sure which) Travelpro spinner. I have not had any problems with the spinner on cobblestones, uneven surfaces, or curbs. If it doesn't roll well on 4 wheels, it does on two. I am too old to carry anything on my back but can manage carrying the bag up and down stairs (by the straps, not the handle). I have used the bag in Italy for travel by train between Venice, Florence, Lake Como and Milan. On foot between train stations and hotels. My only suggestion, if you are planning to use the bag frequently, would be to invest in a case that has some kind of guarantee on construction.

Frank,

I've taken my 22" (includes handle & wheels) Swiss Army spinner on 3 trips thus far (Italy, Spain, UK & France) & have not had any issues with it. I travel via public transportation, so I'm used to lugging my roller, and on/off trains & buses.

On 2 separate trips I was wheeling 2 of the same type of spinners (my mom is 80+) everywhere.
At the airport, I actually used a couple of small bungee cords & attached the handles together, so I could wheel them next to me.
I always pull them on 2 wheels when on cobble stones, and also pick them up when going up or down stairs.

I purchased my identical Swiss Army spinners at, 'Ross Dress for Less', for about $50 each.

I resisted trying a spinner for a long time, and told myself lots of things about them that didn't turn out to be true once I tried it. After two trips, now (neither out of the country), I am a convert. I absolutely loved how easy it was to maneuver, particularly in the aisle of the airplane, and how easy it was to pull along in the airport. With my two-wheeled bag, on long hauls between gates, pulling the weight with one hand, my shoulder would often bother me. The spinner is so much lighter, too (just over four pounds). It will be going with me to Spain in May. Everyone talks about how spinners handle on cobblestones, etc., but really - how many times do you haul it around with you in historic city centers? We all used to actually carry suitcases with handles, so I don't see it as a huge problem to occasionally have to lift it over a rough patch rather than risk messing up the wheels.

I don't see many spinner bags in snow country. For winter travel, my rolling bag needs to be capable of being dragged over snow covered walkways and iced sidewalks that have been graveled. My LL Bean Rolling Adventure Duffle bag (checked luggage) can toboggan snow drifts and its roller blade type wheels handle graveled walkways without jamming.

I bought a 21" Travelpro spinner in 2015 specifically for a ladies' trip to France. I checked it on the flight over, then we traveled by train within France. It performed beautifully, I was able to manage it on my own, and I love it. I too resisted the spinner movement initially. I am a huge fan of the Travelpro rollaboard and thought the exposed spinner wheels would be vulnerable. I have taken other trips with it and have checked it and the wheels are fine. When necessary, I just retract the pull handle and use the upper handle to carry it up stairs & curbs.

I heard they were barred in Venice. 😉

I used my new spinner bag (carryon size, I think 21 inches) for the first time on our 24 day trip to Italy and London. I wanted to love it because it seems so easy, but I just didn't. I found it harder to pull and less stable than the two wheel versions, even when I used it on 2 wheels over bumpy terrain. Like another poster, mine doesn't seem to glide effortlessly and caused some discomfort to my hand even when pushing it on smooth surfaces, as I had to apply quite a bit of pressure to keep it straight. I also forgot about the wheels once and had to chase my bag down a hill in Varenna after a couple kindly told me that it had taken off on me when we stopped to look at a map! Ha! That was funny. I do like that it stays upright when you aren't using it better than the 2 wheel version, but I think I will go back to my 2 wheel bag.

Thanks. I already have the bag. It's an Eagle Creek Gear Warrior AWD International Carry-On.

So far, I'm impressed with he construction of the bag and the wheels seem very sturdy. It rolls easily on carpet and smooth pavement.

I'll pack it up in a few days and give it a test.

I've just had another experience with a spinner, this time a family members. I can see what some of you are saying about spinners not tracking well even being pushed along by your side. I pushed my son's inexpensive Atlantic brand spinner down a long hardwood hallway and it just wouldn't track straight. It was like pushing a bad shopping cart. It's really important when you are shopping for a spinner to put something in it and glide it along on a smooth surface to make sure glides properly from the beginning.

its a tradeoff - the bigger the wheels, the better it tracks. But bigger wheels robs you of space and add weight.

I also think smaller bags (carry on size) wheel more easily than the larger bags. I think having a smaller base and lighter bag makes it move easier.

Please report back Frank II. I'm curious to hear your thoughts after your trip. I didn't realize spinners were so controversial until I joined this forum.

Sorry Frank, that some of those answering your question failed to read it first, that part that says if you haven't used one to please not answer. That you want to hear back from users only. :-)

I bought a spinner 2 years ago when I was in the US so I could bring a bunch of stuff back to Germany. Have used it on 2 trans-Atlantic trips so far. My neighborhood has only either cobblestones or those pseudo stones that all fit together in patterns. It rolls just fine. Tip it on to 2 wheels for curbs. Frankly, it makes less noise than my 2 wheeled suitcases do when walking down the street early in the morning.

For airports it is nice too, so easy and yes, you can put your little bag on top while rolling. Yes, I have carried it up and down steps as we don't have an elevator in our apt. Thankfully, we have moved from the 4 flights of steps to 1 flight. The escalators are often broken at the airport or train station too. One should always be prepared to carry a suitcase if needed.

I've stated before that our Sansonite Lift2 spinners, 21" size, have worked fine in Europe, from Paris down to southern Italy. Airports--check. Train aisles--check. Flat surfaces--check. Inclines/declines--hang on. Cobblestone--switch to two wheels and pull behind you. The base is wide enough to slip a second smaller bag on top and through the handle securely. However, the wide base also precludes this bag from being a carry-on for air travel, but that's OK.