Where are all the good bags?

It is no easier for those of us wanting bags without wheels. In fact, it is nearly impossible to buy a suitcase that does not have wheels anymore.

Yup, and many visits to Canada and some to Mexico don't even involve airplanes (It's people driving across the border)

Frank II, it seems to me that most US travelers will buy anything that is described by the seller as "carryon-size" without knowing or caring about actual limits, and gravitate towards the bigger bags. It would be interesting to hear from the folks in Europe what their popular brands/models are.

I always enjoy Frank II's comments and appreciate the help this forum has given me over the last 10 years of travel. It would certainly be helpful if the airlines would come up with a standard international dimensions and weight for carry on baggage, it's difficult trying to figure out each company's current requirements! I have refined my packing so that I've always been able to get my carry-on accepted but I always wonder about the next trip I take and will everything be okay.

Let's take it one step further and see how few two wheeled bags are available versus four wheel spinners.

Frank, you've identified my biggest annoyance with the luggage industry today. It took me forever to find a replacement for my 15-year-old TravelPro when it finally died, because I wanted 2 wheels and truly carry-on size (US) compliant dimensions. (If I travel internationally with a wheeled bag, I check it, so the European dimension limits are not a big concern to me.) The bag I settled on, a Eagle Creek Flat Bed Duffle, is fine, and I love that it's so light, but it's really not what I wanted in other respects.

To be honest, I didn't even think to look at luggage while traveling, but that might have gotten me a much better solution!

It is no easier for those of us wanting bags without wheels. In fact, it is nearly impossible to buy a suitcase that does not have wheels anymore.

Mark, are you trying for something in the style of the classic Samsonite or American Tourister hard cases from the 1960s? T. Anthony definitely make wheel-less suitcases, but they are costly. If you want to do this the budget way, maybe hit estate sales? I imagine that there are many people out there like my grandmother who bought a matching Samsonite set for her honeymoon and then tucked it away in the closet for 50+ years. Resurrecting the style won't bring back the porters to convey it for you though. ;-)

If you're just looking for luggage without wheels, I have to question where you're shopping, as wheel-less travel bags in many sizes, styles, and shapes abound.

Briggs and Riley markets acceptable carry-ons in their "international" line and it looks like the dimensions are appropriate. Given how expensive their bags are, I sure hope they can be trusted to conform to European airline requirements. Do you have any experience with their luggage? I have no doubt that it's good quality (I've looked at them in person many times), but it's super pricey. I don't like or use spinners (I do drag my bags over cobblestones), but I'm including a link for both spinner and wheeled bags.

https://www.briggs-riley.com/baseline-international-carry-on-expandable-wide-body-spinner-u121cxspw
https://www.briggs-riley.com/baseline-international-carry-on-expandable-wide-body-upright-u121cxw

The fiction is that in a market economy, consumers get what they want. The reality is that they get what the market wants.

Briggs & Riley is one of the best bag makers. In terms of quality and warranty they can't be beat. However, they tend to be very heavy and the international width is 15". Should you try to use it on a U.S. airline that is checking size, it could be rejected. But then how often do U.S. airlines actually check? And....let's face it, they aren't cheap.

Interesting point about driving.....Only 30% of trips between U.S. and Mexico were by air. 32% for Canada.

Another way to purchase some of the European bags is through Canada. If there is a bag you like that isn't sold in the U.S., you can find out if any Canadian retailers carry it. (Contact the manufacturer and ask.) If they do, see if the retailer will ship it to the U.S. Costs would be less than shipping from Europe. I almost did this a few years ago but decided against buying the bag.

Frank II
I understand some of your annoyances with the luggage industry. There are definite trends. Right now, it seems hard-case, 4 wheel spinners are the trend. Many people are travel novices and don't know what they need in a case. So, the industry lures their dollars with colors and gizmos and marketing. I am sure there is a fair amount of market research that has little to do with function and durability.
One time, I sent an email to LLbean. Most LLBean carry-ons bend the dimensions allowed to the larger size - adding an inch here or there or a half inch. I don't know why LLBean doesn't just follow the industry standards. That's why I don't buy Luggage from LLBean and I would like to. Even eagle creek lately has changed many of its cases and has larger bags and new colors.
I guess the mentality is "bigger is better" for many shoppers.
I understand some folks do indeed need larger cases for various reasons - like kids, medical stuff, sport gear, business clothes and supplies, etc...

On a response to one of my posts, I was corrected on the metric conversion for airlines. Rounding to the nearest 1/2 has had people saying it needs to be 21.5 inches, when it can be that smidge over....
as well as size, weight considerations for European airlines needs to be considered, and when some 4 wheeled luggage weighs over 6 pounds for 'carry on' size, the 11 pound weight limit for Air China or 17 pound limit for Azores Airlines is pretty hard to achieve.
Also, what works today doesn't mean it will work in 3 years.
Here is a guide I refer to every time I have a big flight to book as the dimensions and weight might mean I choose one airline over another. (you need to scroll down to mid page, but there are 170 airlines listed and their dimensions. They do update the list as it has changed from my first printing 3 years ago. The weight allowances for Europe have dropped for a number of airlines.
https://travel-made-simple.com/carry-on-size-chart/
If I wanted a truly European compliant luggage, I would most likely pack in a nylon light weight back pack, then transfer to the luggage after purchase....or do as FrankII suggested and donate....but bear in mind that you are now passing on a suitcase they can't use for European flights either.....

It would certainly be helpful if the airlines would come up with a
standard international dimensions and weight for carry on baggage

Amen to that!

It took me forever to find a replacement for my 15-year-old TravelPro
when it finally died, because I wanted 2 wheels.

We LOVE our 11 year-old, 24", soft-sided Travel Pro two-wheelies (no, we don't overpack them and don't mind checking them). The wheels have held up very well for having been dragged long distances over cobbles and whatnot. I'm freaking out about one of them falling apart as there doesn't seem to be good replacements out there! No interest in spinners as I wouldn't trust them to hold up to the beatings our bags have had to take.

Funny, we saw really large luggage stores in Belgium and Germany last we were there, and wonder why our selections here are so puny.

I, too, check TJMaxx every time I go by there. It's 40 miles away so that is once a month or so. Last time I saw they had several bags that had the long dimension of 17" or 18". I was surprised because these are clearly for the International LCC market.

It would certainly be helpful if the airlines would come up with a
standard international dimensions and weight for carry on baggage

I think an airline association (was it IATA?) tried that a few years ago, but it didn't fly (no pun intended). I can't remember the details - about the size or why it didn't go through. Maybe someone else remembers.

Wouldn't it be nice if the airlines set the carryon size at the total bin space divided by the number of passenger so everyone could bring on their carryons. Maybe even put in dividers in the bin and assign each space in the bin to the seat below it.

Mark, or anyone else looking for an actual suitcase: Check out garage sales and thrift stores. When my parents had a downsizing sale a few years ago, they had about 8 or so suitcases of various sizes. They finally managed to sell one for a dollar. I think the rest went to the Salvation Army.

And ask around amongst your friends, especially those who traveled years ago. I think we still have two or three suitcases in the back of a closet. They're no doubt filled with stuff we thought was important 30+ years ago.

"All the good bags" aren't made anymore.

I can't say for rollers, because I just ignore them, but for convertible backpacks, the OPEC bag isn't made anymore (or at least currently). Same for the eTech 2.0 Weekender Jr. and one called the Trevelwell bag by Goodhope.

There is no need to divide carry on space per passenger because not everyone has a full size carry on. Here are some statistics I found:

Percent of travelers who say “they still check a bag either all or most of the time” 55 %
Percent of passengers who say “they always check a bag” 27 %
Percent of airline passengers who say they “check a bag and use a carry on” 28 %
Percent of travelers who say “they always use a carry on bag when traveling” 19 %

Checked bags fees last year were over $5 billion which made up 27% of airline profits. If airlines did away with fees, there would be less carry on issues. But I doubt that will happen.

The IATA suggestion for size was 55 x 35 x 20cm or 21.65 x 13.8 x 7.87 inches. U.S. airlines complained that the measurements were just so luggage companies could sell more luggage since its passengers--especially the high paying corporate ones--would have to buy new bags.

When a bag is discontinued it usually means it didn't sell well. The OPEC bag went away because it was too expensive to make and keep the price point. It was a good seller.

Luggage stores in the U.S. are disapearring because they can't compete with online stores. eBags is now the largest retailer of travel bags in the U.S.

Lee,
I really like my Etech Junior bag and hope it lasts. I was disappointed that it isn't made any more by ebags. I noticed most bags now are designed with a laptop computer compartment which I do not need. That means extra cost for an extra zipper and fabric.

My personal experience is that you have to go to the Internet to get the best bag. It doesn’t matter if it has wheels or no wheels.

At home, I am always on the look out for the largest 2 wheel suitcase that complies with European carry on rules. It never occurred to me to shop in Europe !

If we could bring back the porters then we would be able to use steamer trunks again, like this Louis Vuitton antique:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_btyRQyxFc

Note that this clip has a little history lesson about the luggage industry ...

each time this thread pops up, I sing its title to the sad tune "where have all the flowers gone" (1960s, post Kennedys and MLK, for you international readers who don't have the same songs stuck in yr head that I do)

There is no 'standard' size carry size as the low cost airlines, ( especially) use baggage restrictions as a revenue generator. The major carriers have limitations and fees as well, but to my observation, not to the extent that the low cost carriers use it.

The 737 that Ryanair uses can carry as much luggage and the same sized dimension as a 737 Alaska Air uses. Ryanair and other like it, choose to advertise low fares and then make it up on a near endless list of 'additional' fees.

How can the luggage makers keep up that kind of moving target.

If one flies to/from Europe and not within Europe, then the issue does not exist. If one needs or chooses to fly within Europe, then luggage sizes takes on a greater significance.

For US based folks who car trip or fly domestically, the Europe sizing limits may be relevant on only rare occasion.

Luggage makers have a wide varied market to serve and many folks show for 'looks' rather than practicality, so there are lots of choices, but for some very little choice that fits their particular needs.

Happy hunting luggage shoppers!

Seconding Jane's suggestion to check charity thrift shops and garage sales -- I have found several nice bags (2- and 4-wheel styles) in 22" domestic-carry-on size for under $20 each. We always check bags on flights, just need them small enough to handle easily on trains.

I also wander through baggage stores in Europe and covet the small, light bags sold there. On the last stop of our most recent trip I got seduced by a pretty yellow 24" spinner at a sale price -- repacked it with the stuff that had been in my 22" bag plus heavy purchases, checked the new bag and took the older one (now fairly light) as a carry-on for the trip home on Lufthansa. (Obviously, this only worked because we had no other train/plane rides to haul an extra suitcase.)

I went through this rigmarole last year before a 2 week trip to Helsinki, Tallinn and SPb. My wife still isn't a believer in packing light so we put two in the hold (26" Eagle Creek spinner for me and an older Eagle Creek 26" 2-wheel for her), and we each took a 21.5" Travelpro MaxLite spinner onboard, she her purse and me my briefcase. That 26" was an Eagle Creek that we bought online and for what it is it's not bad. I don't love it, though, and I doubt I'll ever use it for anything unless I'm going somewhere cold and need a lot of thick, heavy clothing.

My main bag that I use on solo trips is a Travelpro Crew 11 two-wheeler. Love, love LOVE this bag and I worry about the day it ever up and dies on me. The new 21.5 TravelPro Max-Lite bags were our European Carry-on purchases. OK for what they are, I guess, but I actively dislike the main zipper placement. The older TravelPros are just so much better in that regard. The magnetic spinner wheels are good and you can both drag it like a 2-wheeler or spin it on smooth surfaces. That'll be a keeper if I'm ever likely to be hopping on LCCs in Europe. But honestly, when I fly over it's usually on AA or UA so the 22x14x9 is the better choice—and it also has a ton of individual pockets that the new ones don't have, or that aren't overly convenient. It's heavier, but I pack light so I'm still under 25-26 pounds (less if going somewhere warm).

I don't get the hard sided spinners. Ugly, less functional and appear to be quite fragile, but they seem to be "all the rage." I look at what luggage people are bringing through airports or picking up at baggage reclaim and most of the bags I see look poorly designed or cheap, and you can usually tell who's the seasoned traveler and who's the novice by what they're bringing.

My big search right now is for the perfect gentleman's "personal item" bag. Has to fit my Bose ANR headset, neck pillow, 3-1-1 bag, and 13" laptop with its sleeve and charger, AND have a strap to go over the handle of my rollaboard. I have an old TravelPro overnight tote that's just too small for the laptop but is otherwise fine. I've used a nice well-worn leather briefcase in the past but it's a tad on the heavy side and doesn't have the slot to go over the handle. That feature is just SO convenient when walking through a huge terminal like DFW or JFK T8, and invariably my plane always seems to end up at a gate the furthest-possible from security!

A recommendation for pjdougherty for a “personal item”:

https://shop.eaglecreek.com/straight-up-business-brief-rfid/d/1481C1243?CategoryId=1411

This is a convertible briefcase/backpack that’s roomy but not so huge as to make it unwieldy as an accompaniment to your other bags. It’s lightweight, accommodates any tech stuff you want to bring on and has enough room for a change of clothes and toiletries. I bought one a year ago and it’s been a great companion to the wheeled carryon I usually take on a flight. It fits (horizontally) over a wheeled bag handle, so you don’t need to carry it as a backpack; it also has a decent shoulder strap.

I’ve been pretty impressed with Eagle Creek’s stuff, though at first I thought they were a tad overpriced. But this bag was worth the money for a business/casual traveler. I wouldn’t hike the Himalayas with it, but it’s a well made bag with a solid warranty. Might want to try it.

(Aside to Frank II: Sadly, there’s no “Jessica from Eagle Creek” video accompanying the ad for the RFID Brief. Disappointing:))

I went into my local chain luggage store today and had a nice long chat with the manager. She said she tries to find out what her customers will use their bags for so she can suggest something that fits their needs.

Granted, they carry the expensive lines--Briggs & Riley, Tumi, Rimowa, Victorinox as well as a few Samsonites. She said they will soon carry Eagle Creek.

So I asked about her customers. She said the majority of her customers going to Europe buy check in size bags. Up and coming millenials like Tumi. While we were there a college girl came in and bought a Rimowa ($900).

There was one other thing that I thought was great. Briggs & Riley are now making their spinners with two different sized wheels. When as a spinner, you can't tell the difference. But when you tip it to only use two wheels, those are slightly larger and stronger. They know people tip these pieces so they made the back wheels bigger and firmer.

So, Frank, do the back wheels on this new model spin?

Re: Garage sale luggage:

I had what at the time was a really nice set of soft-side Samsonite luggage, which I'd purchased a piece at a time in the '90s. Not sure what the fabric was, but some kind of really sturdy blend in a deep forest green color. The larger bag had four wheels, but this was before spinners, so whenever I'd pull it along by its strap, it would invariably wander back and forth and ultimately tip over several times. But it was really well made and I thought it was beautiful as I collected a briefcase, carry-on, large suitcase and garment bag.

The tipping-over thing finally did me in about five years ago and I moved on to other bags. Last year, I put all the green Samsonite bags out in a garage sale. Can't remember what price I put on them, but no one paid any attention at all. They ended up going to Goodwill, and for all I know they haven't sold yet.

Moral of story: Times change.

Edit: Woo-hoo! This is my 500th post, FWIW.

The OPEC bag went away because it was too expensive to make and keep the price point. It was a good seller.

Look at it's competitors. They could have doubled the price and it still would have been the least expensive bag in it's class.

Woot, stoutfella!! Congratulations to you and the ghost of Forrest green luggage past.

So, Frank, do the back wheels on this new model spin?

Yes. It's a regular spinner. The back wheels are bigger but not by a huge amount.

Hi Frank,

If you really want one of the bags that is not sold here, you could pick one up while traveling. What do you do with the bag you go over with.....well......buy a real cheap one and then donate it to someone there.

This is a great idea... However, how can I be certain that I will actually find a "good bag" when I arrive to my destination?

Do you know where I would shop for a good bag in Milan?

Edited to add...
Hmmm... I wonder how the warranty works if one buys a bag (in Europe) that is not sold in the U.S.?

Priscilla, I think warrantee is null and void. Canadians run into this all the time with cross boarder shopping.
But, I could be wrong. It might take some research. Google Milan luggage store and see if there is a website listing brands. Then research brand...and if need be, email for varification of warrantee. Given Schengen Zone, it might differ in Europe.
You wouldn't want to be shipping faulty luggage back to Italy for repair, so perhaps buy without thought of warrantee.

I researched bags online so I knew what I was looking for. I eventually bought the bag online and had it delivered to my hotel in London.