Suitcase advice

My 2-wheeled Travelpro maxlite rollaboard goes under the bus on every tour and has never been smashed. I also check my suitcase on flights. It isn’t hard-sided. I think just about any standard wheeled bag would be fine.

I would suggest thinking about how you pack your things in the existing suitcase, e.g buy a container for fragile goods inside your suitecase vs. buying a new one. It's more eco-friendly but also allows you to continue to use a suitcase that you are used to (and likely more durable) than something from TJ Maxx. Hard luggages are definitely more protective, but they are also heavier meaning you can carry less as well.
Separately, this might be a splurge for some people. But actually Germany is a great place to buy a suitcase. I bought a Rinowa that was nearly 70% off online shipped to my Airbnb a few years ago. You can also get VAT deducted if you are a non-EU tourist also.

Away hard carryon size, going on a decade of intl and domestic travel, no complaints. I picked a color that I’ve never seen anyone else using, which is nice as I wait for it at baggage claim or on small flights where it is gate-checked.

I definitely don’t want to use either of my current bags where items inside would get smashed.

How is a bag in the storage hold of a bus in greater risk of damage than as checked baggage on a flight? Have you seen how high luggage is stacked in the carts going to and from the plane? Not to mention the mechanized path to the baggage carousel.

I agree with markcw. On my two recent tours in a big bus with a huge underside storage area they were loaded in a single layer. You could, however, get a backpack cover for your Cotopaxi to protect it? Unless you plan on more trips like this in the future it seems an unnecessary expense- and I am a luggage-aholic:)
I know from previous posts you are a very savvy minimalist packer- with the trip only a week long (although are you staying on in Vermont?) and not-yet-winter you likely don't need much?

Laura & Valadelphia, thanks! I will look at those.

Markcw, I never check luggage since 2003. The only time I used that option was when I brought some boxes home after my mom died.

Everyone, my two current bags are off of my list of options for the reasons I mentioned. This new bag will likely be donated afterwards with a stuffed animal tucked inside to give to the Women’s Shelter or Safe Passages. I would just appreciate input from you on what type of bag to consider - positives or negatives.

I have the Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Expandable Luggage with Spinner Wheels, both a carry-on and a checked. They brought back a full-sized tagine from Morocco as well as some lovely Tamegroute pottery in perfect shape. The Kenneth Cole checked bag hardside that I have is equally reliable having brought back treasures from Europe and Costa Rica without any damage to the inside and outside of my luggage.
My son went to college in Vermont and we loved it! I hope the foliage is lovely when you visit.
To add: The Samsonite from Marrakesh with the tagine and potteery flew from there to Barcelona on RyanAir, then from Barcelona to London on British Air and, finally, from London to JFK on American Airlines--lots of handling and on different carriers.

Hi Jean, I know you pack very light so I’ll throw a couple ideas out there.

Last time I was at TJ MAXX, I saw kid-size hard sided roller suitcases, but you’d have to ignore the cartoon prints. Checking their web sight, none are shown right now. They also had several London Fog 15” underwear bags but those are soft sided.

Did you look at Amazon for kid’s luggage? A quick look showed me a couple soft side so may not be as much protection as you want.

More costly is RS Riga Carry On, the replacement for the hard side roller. I saw it at the Phoenix Travel Show but wasn’t impressed (useless small front exterior pockets) and for one trip it’s way more than I would want to pay, but on sale now.
https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/riga-rolling-carry-on-luggage

Good luck with your search.
Kathy

PS I’m sure you thought of this, but how about a couple mid-size plastic containers to pack breakables in?

TJ Maxx usually has an extensive selection of roller bags. I have purchased a couple of Samsonite hard sided bags there. I would look for four solid spinner wheels. I know that some people prefer eight wheels, but in my opinion, four is better, especially if they are the heavier-duty rubber wheels.

Although I try to be carry on only, I have checked the Samsonite bags several times and they still look good as new and the contents have been well protected. I don't think that you will run into any issues with them stored in the underneath storage of a bus.

At TJ Maxx, you will probably find that carry on sized bags to range from about $79.99 - $99.99.

We have Level 8 “ Hardside Luminous Textured Luggage” in carry-on 20 inch and checked 24-inch. While I have not seen these at TJ Maxx, you could see if Amazon puts them on sale in July (prime day). You should also check the color as price varies based on color.

In terms of “potential abuse” last fall the 24” made the checked bag rounds from the Gulf Coast to Atlanta, to Athens Greece, then Rome Italy, to NYC and back to the Gulf Coast. The flight from Rome to NYC included a declared bottle of wine wrapped in multiple layers of socks, and another glass jar of something (I obviously cannot recall - capers maybe?), without any damage.

The suitcases and their contents handled cobblestone streets, sidewalks, stairs and train stations completely intact - including wheels and handles. Many of us have concerns about how suitcases are handled by the airlines; however, I have more concern watching my husband dole out his own brand of abuse. The Level 8 suitcases are still in service.

We also have soft-side, 2 wheel Travel Pro Maxlite carry-ons that have served us well; we still have them, However, we prefer the hardside - I feel it gives better protection both in terms of being bumped against each and every step or curb, and better protection if it is raining - including whilst being loaded on the plane.

I have the larger 22” 2-wheeled soft version, but saw this listed at Nordstrom rack at a big discount:
https://www.nordstromrack.com/s/max-lite-5-20-inch-international-carry-on-hardside-spinner-luggage/8635079?origin=coordinating-8635079-0-1-ProductPage1-recbot-vertex_ymal_rack_v3_dedicated&recs_placement=ProductPage1&recs_strategy=vertex_ymal_rack_v3_dedicated&recs_source=recbot&recs_page_type=product&recs_seed=7976449&color=BLUE

I would not invest in the Away if you’ll be giving it away. It has stood the test of time and I expect to use it ten more years. A cheaper hard side would be my choice if I just wanted to use it once. I definitely feel safer with my stuff protected from rain and abuse, even though I rarely check it.

I made the mistake of buying a hard side luggage that is large (checking only) and I have never used it—I store out of season clothing in it!

Your idea of going to store like TJ Maxx is a good one. You don't need to spend a lot of money on a bag especially since you will be giving it away when you get back.

Don't worry too much about brand either for the same reason. Find a bag you feel comfortable handling and can fit what you want to take.

As for the bus, the large tour buses can handle many bags without having to pile them on top of each other. Drivers mostly load the bags on their sides with the top handles facing out. This makes it easier to load in and out. (As a former tour director, I spent a lot of time looking into the luggage hold of larger coaches.) And remember, most coaches have loading doors on both sides so that's two single rows. A hard sided or soft sided bag will work just as well. In fact, since most people on your tour will have full size bags, your carry on might actually ride on top of one of them. (Even if they have to put other bags on top of other bags, they will be sideways and the frame or either type of bag will be able to help protect the bags contents.)

As for two or four wheels, it doesn't matter. You're not going on a Rick Steves tour so you won't have to walk your bag from a bus parked far away to your hotel. I'll bet bellman service is included or the bus will be able to drop you near your hotel.

While I usually never suggest people see what's available at Walmart or Target since they probably won't last forever, but for a one week trip, I think you'll be okay.

I left Maine yesterday. I was there for two weeks. It snowed three times. Even in the fall, it will be chilly. Keep that in mind.

I would not invest in the Away if you’ll be giving it away. It has stood the test of time and I expect to use it ten more years. A cheaper hard side would be my choice if I just wanted to use it once.

I agree.

And, like Frank, I think heading to TJ Maxx is your best bet. Or to Goodwill or somewhere for something used !

If you have some good second-hand stores in your area, you might check there first, and the TJ Maxx/Sierra/Ross/Burlington/Marshalls suggestions are good as well. And if you have a Costco close by, check there. They usually have decent luggage choices at good prices, although many are "sets" - a larger checked bag and a carry on or similar combo. There is also their, uh...generous return policy to consider ;)

You're overthinking this. 6 years ago I found an IT carry-on spinner at my local TJ Maxx for $35 to replace a heavier bag. The measurements were good, it weighs less than 5 lbs. and is soft sided.

My hope was it would survive one trip to Europe and then I would replace it with something more durable, but even lighter.

That bag has been checked on multiple return flights (even connections), thrown into trunks, tossed under buses, dragged through streets, crammed into baggage racks on trains and still looks new except for a bit of wear on the wheels. No broken jars of pate, jams, oils, Xmas ornaments or coffee mug.

I haven't given up my search for a lighter bag, but I'm quite pleased with my IT bag's performance.

Thanks everyone for your replies! My daughter’s family is coming to visit next week, so we will check out the options at Sierra, TJMaxx, etc. i’ve looked up some of your recommendations, and some reviews are so scattered. One was scary with the handle breaking as they left for the airport with the first trip, or the zipper breaking - ugh!

I shop Costco but don’t need that quality/price for this 1-trip bag.

Frank II, I appreciated hearing how the bags are stacked for these large bus tours. Maybe I am overthinking it.

You might also see if you have any friends or neighbors who would be willing to loan you a bag for the one trip. We have both borrowed and loaned out luggage to friends for different use cases. A great way to get utility out of something only used occasionally.

You might also see if you have any friends or neighbors who would be
willing to loan you a bag for the one trip. We have both borrowed and
loaned out luggage to friends for different use cases. A great way to
get utility out of something only used occasionally.

I was just going to suggest this. I've loaned out my carry on backpacks a couple of times to people who were going on a RS tour that necessitated packing lighter than they usually do. So my luggage has been around the world a lot more than me!

FWIW, I am an avid thrifter/estate sale shopper and regularly find reasonably priced luggage. I recently found a Travelpro Maxlite soft side spinner for $12. You might also try Facebook marketplace.

Let’s be honest. I appreciate deciding to not use your tried and true and beloved suitcases for this one-time trip, for whatever reason. But yes, you are most likely overthinking.

There’s no way a bus tour of Vermont is going to be harder on your suitcase than checking a bag for a flight (other than perhaps a bus crash, in which case the kind of suitcase probably won’t matter). I realize this isn’t something you do; but lots of us do it all the time. Occasionally luggage gets a bit dented or smashed - it happens. But most of the time not.

I can’t imagine anything you could buy that wouldn’t survive one trip on a bus tour just fine, so I suggest you buy whatever is cheap, the right size for you, and the right shape for how you want to pack. I did the same in Japan when I decided it was ok to over-shop in Japan on my last day. Check TJMaxx, as you mention, or Goodwill, or thrift stores, or Facebook Marketplace.

I just learned about Amazon Warehouse. You might have a look there.

One was scary with the handle breaking as they left for the airport with the first trip, or the zipper breaking - ugh!

But you are only going to Vermont and you won’t be carting your luggage over cobblestones. If the suitcase completely falls apart, you could put everything in a heavy duty trashbag and buy a duffle bag at a local store or overnight something from amazon.

You may consider Amazon Hardside Carry-On, it is inexpensive and good for 4-5 day trip.

That’s it! I’ll take a trashbag - LOL! Thanks again for all of the replies today! We have a great forum. ; )