Travelpro Platinum Magna 2 25 Spinner vs Eagle Creek

For me the T-bar on the Load Warrior kills it for me, which is too bad because I really like that bag overall.

Although 26 inches is still pretty big to be dragging around with you for six weeks . . . 28, even tougher.

I got an Ebags TLS 25" Expandable Upright for summer grad residencies, to carry a full-size pillow, seminar manuscripts, and mission-critical fan. The bag has few frills (which I preferred), and performed well over 4 years. It is a heavy bag. I cannot imagine dragging a bag that bulky up the steps of a train station, or onto a train itself.

if I were traveling for that long, I would opt for my 21" roller carryon and good-sized backpack for a personal item. I have an older expandable 22" carryon that is 8 lbs, and I'd upgrade to that only if I had to. I'm not able to schlep large bags any more--I'd rather take less and make the most of that. My goal is to travel indefinitely in any season with an RS 21" Rolling carryon and a Tom Bihn Pilot or S19 backpack. YMMV

Wife and I use a Travelpro carry on size... One is an older generation Platinum Magna and the other is a Maxlite

Been happy with both. Neither has been subjected to being checked luggage, so have no firsthand experience in that regard.

I believe those are all better-quality bags than the 23" bargain I picked up for $50 or $60 at Marshalls. My experience with spinner wheels and sidewalks was not good. How do you plan to get to and from bus stations, train stations, and airports? If you contemplate walking (not all the way to the airport, obviously) vs. using taxis, I don't know what condition those spinner wheels will be in by the end of your trip. Long before my summer-long trip ended, I could tell that the bag wasn't gliding well even on smooth surfaces. On Day 1 of my second trip, one of the wheels stopped rolling. I moved wheels around and used it as a two-wheel bag until a second wheel failed on about Day 31. No more canibalizing was possible because of differences in the wheel mounts. It is very disruptive when that sort of thing happens in Europe. You can't get on the phone and order replacement wheels if you're moving around.

As other responses have hinted, you are contemplating a bag that is too large for easy movememt. Even if you taxi everywhere, moving a large bag onto and off of trains is a challenge. If a 25-inch bag is fully packed, it is also going to be quite heavy.

21 inch + mix and match wardrobe (including a merino wool cardigan) and laundry. Plenty of posts about hand washing. Whether packing for 1 week or 6 weeks, you can pack the same with a few additions for weather changes.

If at all possible, find a 2 wheeled back with double bar handle and roller blade type wheels.

My wife and I are both using Travel Pro 21" carry on bags with swivel wheels. We were after the low weight especially. Love'em.

See no reason to go larger.
We've dragged them all over Europe 3 times, and had no wheel problems. We especially like the swivels when navigating airplane aisles.

I have a 25 inch Eagle Creek spinner. I really like it. It has gone on several trips and works welll.

The wheels are inline skate wheels. When I pulled it over uneven ground I just tipped it onto two wheels. I like the fact that I can easily move it over surfaces. I also like the internal structure. What I also really like is that it has a bungee like system that allows you to place a bag on top of the suitcase and secure it. I love that the bag does not shift or fall off.

What I would change. This bag can be expanded but the expansion zipper does not go around the whole bag. When not on level surfaces, the bag tends to wander off on its own.

But overall I really like this bag. I also love the spinner. Probably will never go back to two wheels. Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

I really liked the EC Flatbed 20 but I was never going to get my wife to just use carry on size. I then found a 21" Loadwarrior on sale for $100 and bought that. I really like it but you do lose a little space with the rounded top. My wife and I have been to Europe 5 times, once was a 3 week trip, and always use 14" x 21" roller bags and never needed anything bigger. I use packing cubes and like the Flatbed as it has no frills, just the open compartment. I concur with the others that there is really no need for a bag larger that 21"-22".

I would echo prior posters-try to get a size you can carry on. Both brands you've mentioned have good reputations. We have several Travel Pro, Crew 9 and Platinum. They are spinners and I'd never go back to 2 wheels. I have a bad back and found the torque involved in pulling a loaded bag on 2 wheels was too much. The spinner solved that. But I would worry about even the best wheels becoming damaged if you check the bags. There is always a mention of the risk of wheel damage, or the difficulty pulling a spinner on 2 wheels when the road surface is uneven. If you buy a cheap spinner expect the wheels will fail and, of course, they will fail when the bag is in heavy use-in the middle of your trip. Better bags will cost more and perform better. We just returned from Portugal, which is all cobblestones everywhere. No problem with our Travel Pro's or the new Briggs and Riley expandable international spinner (which is a great bag but costly).

I recommend a 4 wheeler. Packing cubes are great to get as much as needed and not have to shuffle through your luggage to find any piece of clothing.

Eagle Creek hands-down. Only two brands offer complete warranties, Eagle Creek and Briggs & Riley. EC is a bit more affordable, while B&R is more premium and generally geared for business travelers.

I prefer the Tarmac series which is a very popular collection, at one time was the most copied luggage design around. The Load Warrior design I don't like the T-handle. Flatbed is a lighter weight, more simplified version of the Tarmac. No Matter What is the entry-level price-point collection.