🥇 My Top Recommended Bags 🥇 - Best Harsided Carry On (MONOS): bit.ly/classiccarryon - Value Hardsided Carry On (LEVEL8): bit.ly/level8carryon - Best Softsided Carry On (TravelPro Platinum Elite): bit.ly/travelprocarryon - Best Lightweight Carry On (TravelPro Maxlite5): bit.ly/maxlite5 - No Zipper Luggage (Solgaard Carry On): go.shopmy.us/p-4801625
Agree with everything, but I would include a bottom handle as a must. Picking up suitcases to load into the car, train, or whatever it is nice to have two handles on opposite sides. Just find a suitcase with a bottom handle and you will see and feel the lifting difference. We bought a clamshell with all those "nice built-in" compartments, my wife after one trip hates it and reaches for her old trusty bag instead.
I splurged and bought Briggs and Riley’s baseline global carry-ons. And I don’t regret it one bit. I love that the handle is on the outside and I have a flat surface to pack with. They have all the +features you mentioned. Lifetime warranty too. We have taken multiple trips over the last few years and they have held up beautifully. Worth the extra cost
Our family went on a 38-day trip to London, Paris, Venice, Florence, Rome, Barcelona, Lisbon, and Porto with four Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside carry on luggage and never had one hickup on the five flights in Europe. We certainly saw many others having their bags unwillingly checked at the gate. Our bags were put through the cobble stones and rough bricks of Europe. I do not regret this purchase one bit. Thanks for the video.
Don’t have to worry about cobblestones, muddy roads, rough bricks, and stairs or broken parts and extra weight if you carry a backpack instead and pack minimalist taking only what you really need, instead of things you want for “just in case.” I’m 72 and carry a 21 litre convertible backpack/duffel bag, and a 1.5 litre Tomtoc Bean Fanny pack. My 21 litre Minaal Daily 3.0 weighs only 0.98kg / 2.16lb. Much much less than wheelie luggage.
Well, try that with a family of four that include 11 and 12 year old daughters along with two backpacks for misc and tech. It was great putting the backpacks on the luggage to wheel around saving our backs. Age is just a number.@robertwilliamson922
I've used a travel pro while working as a fa on an airline and now retired, perk for flying and fly into once a month. Copenhagen,Oslo Bergen in 2 weeks. 21" travel pro. I don't go over cobblestone,muddy streets. Take a taxi.
I once officiated a wedding and had a whole joke about the groom (my now brother in law) being the only other guy joining the family that's less than 6 foot (we're both like 5'8"). Mixed reviews. Only the bride's side laughed because his whole family is from Argentina. Between that and constant comments about using the metric system in these reviews I guess I've learned my lesson haha
I have a 35 year old Tumi carry on with over half a million miles of planes, trains and automobile travel. Tumi just a month ago warrantied (for the first time in 35 years) some repairs on it for $25. All my travel bags are Tumi, a carry on, a backpack and a computer bag, they all fit together for a convenient walking to and fro the plane. The carry on bag is equipped with soft quiet rubber wheels, yes, they are expensive, but you need to buy a Tumi only once in a lifetime.
@@smileychess I understand, but how much would you estimate luggage would cost you over 35 years? Especially if you travel a lot? Sometimes 100,000 miles a year. I think Tumi is cheap considering how long they last and the manufacturer’s backing up to its product. But again, I get your view.
@@theallon1 I also get smileychess' point but I 100% agree with you. Although right now, I own a very cheap carry on luggage I got from Jeonju (SK) that still serves me everything I need for luggage (only when I fly with a luggage) & costed me only 60USD, I agree on investing for something that lasts loooonng. Lowkey expected my cheap luggage would only serve me once or twice but turns out I also got to bring it with me to different places. 😅 My backpack costed me more than 300USD but been using it for long trips & it withstood some rough airport treatments. I know I will keep it for more than a decade or if I have the chance not to change it. 😅 If my cheap luggage's turn is over, I'd surely invest on something that wont make me change for at least a decade or two.
Tumi 35 years ago was high quality and made in America. These days it’s all made in China and the quality isn’t a shadow of what it used to be. Still decent bags with a good warranty but the physical product today isn’t the same as it was when you bought your bag.
@@dand5829 You may be right, quality items and craftsmanship are disappearing from the world, especially when the words " Made in China" are involved. I just hope that my beloved Tumi travel buddies will last me for the rest of my life, especially because the old 2-wheel system (My prefered system) is vanishing.
My Travelpro has every feature you mentioned except four wheels, just two-very compact, reliable ones. It’s been with me for 25 years. All over the US, and business on four other continents. I typically don’t check, and carry just one bag. I quit checking when Delta held my bag in Atlanta for one week. This carryon and a brief case was all I needed for two weeks in India.
I am a cabin crew i have been using an aluminum carry on for 15+ years, yes its true it looks beat up, but all its scratches, dings, dents are souvenirs from the adventures lived. If using a clamshell case I would always recommend another bag to be attached with it as its a pain to open and close it whilst going through security or needing to grab something during the flight.
The problem with hard shell carryons with outer pockets is that it eats up far too much interior space on that side, reducing interior space by a third sometimes, and with carryons interior space is a precious commodity. Soft side carryon, imo , do not seem to eat into the inside space as much ....i have both soft snd hard carryons and use one or the other depending on my travel needs for a particular trip.
I have one where the outer pocket is divided from the inside space by fabric only. It's great because on trips where I won't need the outer pocket (or know I won't put anything large inside) I can pack the inside fully and not worry. When I do need to pack something larger in the outer pocket I do need to account for that when packing the main parts though.
Recently moved from a “professional” targeted travel pro to a monos normal carry on. I was amazed at how much space was wasted by the front pouches of the travel pro. The wheels only last 2 years and the bag was super tippy when packed with a weeks worth of clothing. The monos had none of these issues and I actually gained space. One thing that also stood out was the front pouches on the travel pro became unusable at a normal pack because the interior would push extremely hard what the exterior loosing 4-5 inches of premium space!
We love our TravelPro Maxlite 5 21" two-wheel carry-ons. They performed beautifully during a full month of wintry travel through Scandinavia on planes, trains, ferries, trams, boats, as well as subways and streets of NYC in steamy August. We also have the larger 24" ones (also two-wheeled) for when our travel plans call for checked baggage (like a 5 week cruise to and through the South Pacific with very few port calls, so we needed to bring with us a lot of toiletries, especially sunscreen).
we bought travelpro 2-wheel cases as well. totally happy. since my wife has foot problems and I handle all the luggage, I bought straps with fastex buckles, and train them together to get into and out of the airport. I can move over a hundred pounds of luggage with a finger.
You missed the biggest absolute number one feature to avoid: wheels that stick out from the bottom of the suitcase. The number one thing I look for first to filter out carry on bags is that the suitcase extends below the wheel tops. With the highly restricted international carry on limits (which are now being adopted by some American Airlines as well) it is really annoying to see all of these carry on bags that waste 10% of the available space because the wheels stick out way below the bottom of the suitcase. I wish someone would make a two wheeled carry on that has the wheels on the short side instead of the long side so you don't have to struggle trying to wheel it down the aisle.
I was worried about this before I got my BR baseline spinner. Honestly, even though it's smaller than my old bag, it fits so much more because of the better layout that I have 0 issues packing for 2+ weeks (no laundry) in it.
I have one with two wheels on the narrow side. It is nice and compact as far as carry-on size, however it tends to be unstable when you are pulling it and it tips over sideways when hitting imperfections, especially when one wheel hits a bump first, like a door threshhold, elevator or escalator. In theory it's great for wheeling down the airplane aisle, but I usually end up just carrying it anyway.
but you travel a LOT more than the average person. i've had the same Travelpro for 10 years, without problems, but only travel about a month out of the year.
Thank you for sharing! I love my soft suitcase (no wheels, impractical on cobbled european streets, and mountains roads) that can be used as a backpack or cross-body. It is made of a sturdy synthetic cloth. It has 3 handles, top, side and face bottom so it is confortable to hold it up when heavy. Has pockets for pc, straps, a large outside pocket with various pockets. I got rid of my hard suitcases. This bag can flaten and take much less space when not in use.
I dont like spinners because i do carry on only, and you lose luggage space. Cases with just 2 built in wheels have significantly more space inside for the same external dimensions.
My husband and I argue about 4 vs 2 wheel luggage every time (he prefers the 2 wheels). 2 wheels is great until you have to wheel 3 carryons and a duffel through the airport by yourself (child having meltdown or one parent having to step away, or when your husband accidentally leaves you with all the luggage after security, etc) which you can only do with 4-wheeled luggage (two back to back and duffel balanced on top of third).
The two wheels can also be much more integrated with the case, making them less subject to damage from the inevitable knocks of travelling. You can also wheel the case in an almost horizontal position, making it easier to push the luggage under a seat on a train or similar.
Yes! What you all said! And a two-wheeler doesn't need brakes to keep it from rolling away. Also, more wheels means more bag weight. And more to break; two wheels recessed are very protected from damage. Also: I want to be pulling my bag behind me, not pushing it in front of me; much more natural.
I was 2 wheel only for years. I find the way lower hassle of a 4 wheel in the airport (especialy if you have a bag in top of it) well well worth the lost space tbh
I am an Eagle Creek fan, lifetime warranty. I have had a carry on for over 15 yrs, they have replaced the zipper AND wheels. Over 200 trips. They did change ownership recently and their new bags have had some zipper issues - but they have replaced them no questions asked.
Away Travel bags hard shell bags (all sizes, including carry on) now have both top and side handles… AND they now have a notch on the underside, near the wheels where you can grab the bag too. It makes getting your bag off a carousel easier. It doesn’t matter which way the bag is on the carousel. You will have access to two ‘handles’ either way.
One great piece of advice I got was to give handles a good hard pull when checking the bag to make sure they won't rip off when the bad is loaded or grabbed suddenly. This often happens with cheaper bags. Ideally the handles are riveted or solidly stitched to the body of the bag.
Super baggage tips!! I'm 60+/5" tall, 🧓ladies if u can't lift your bag to overhead bin, pack🧳 lighter!!! Nice, if men offer to help- DO Not depend on it😮
Great video, Nik! I have an older Victorinox soft sided carry on. I purchased it because of the front pockets, not realizing it would be unbalanced. Plus the wheels are terrible. Even on smooth surfaces it feels like driving a car that has a bad wheel alignment. Also, the handle does wobble. The only good feature, which now has been eliminated, is the bottom handle you cup with your hand. I use that a lot. Now that I’m at a certain age bending over that far isn’t as easy as it once was.
We've been using the same soft sided luggage we got as a set from Costco for basically 20 years, works great. Don't be prudish and turn your nose up at used luggage for sale, it could be just as good if not better than modern made stuff.
When I buy a carry-on I look for (a) Continental Carry-on which will be slightly wider (b) Expandable which is useful to accommodate purchases during the trip (c) Strong wheels and support mechanisms. The most expensive bags I’ve ever owned were the ones I bought on the cheap. Spent the last 15 years of my career traveling internationally 200+ days per year and eventually decided to only buy Tumi soft-sided bags … both for check-in and carry-on. They took a beating and kept on working. And understand that no lock will deter a competent thief. Carry your valuables in a separate bag such as a backpack.
Hi Nick!, I watch your videos all the time. My husband and I went to Italy as well as a cruise lately, and we listened to your advice and we each got a Monos Carry on plus for our trip. These luggage are really amazing. They are sturdy and very functional. the wheels were great in Rome and Naples cobblestones streets. Unfortunately, 1 on the wheel got pushed in during the travel and was wonky. We contacted Monos when we arrived and they sent us a brand new luggage right away. I am very impressed with this company. Thanks for your review.
Bring on the wheel brakes!! Definitely had some comical moments with a run away bag 😂, oh and the tip over face plant bag due to poor balance Lessons learnt so I think your advice is spot on.
I'm going to attempt to pack a 13 day cruise to Europe in my Solgaard 22" carry on closet. I'll have to take the "hanging closet" out because it takes up a lot of space and I can't use both sides of the suitcase with it. Thanks for all the travel tips!
I don't work at an airport or anything, but I can guarantee that baggage handlers LOVE hard-sided suitcases. They are easier to stack, and they are always the ones at the bottom of the pile with dozens of other suitcases on top.
For a carry-on, I like a backpack. I can smoosh it into spaces that a more structured bag can't fit well or at all. It lets me move around hands-free. It isn't pretty but it gets the job done. I actually brought a tape measure with me and measured bags when I was picking one out. I've never had a problem with it as my carry-on.
Some carry-on cases have not only 8 wheels, but also spring suspension. It makes a ton of difference when pulling your luggage through cobblestone streets and as a bonus, it's so much more silent. Locals will thank you for that.
I use an Ebag. No wheels so it’s very lightweight. It has 2 shoulder straps to I use as a backpack. I’m able to walk a lot faster with it on my back. Great access outside and it can be expanded should I need to check it for a longer trip.
Here is my two cents worth. I don't travel as much as you, but I don't stay home 24x7x365 either, and I have a few 14+ day international trips documented on my camera. One, I don't like the spinner wheels. My bag just has two wheels built in on the bottom. It is perfectly fine and stable trailing along behind me. My wife has 4 spinners on hers. It doesn't track as well, it sometimes wanders off on tilted surfaces, and the wheels take up more space than my simple two. She sometimes gets grief for bringing her bag on the plane (which is why I watched this video, to see about getting her a new one). I never have. Two fixed wheels are simpler, easier to deal with, and take up less space than 4 spinners. Two, I wear a vest when on the move. It has 6 pockets on the outside, all sealed with either Velcro or zippers, plus a few others. It is perfect for gum, airpods, earbuds, charging cables, small charging bricks, passport, boarding pass, cell phone, etc., etc. Everything is easily accessible while sitting down, and when going through security I just take the vest off, send it through the machine, and put it back on at the other end. There is lot less time spent emptying and refilling pockets, finding something, worrying about forgetting something, and no need to access my carryon during a flight. My kids call it my ‘travel vest', and love to see pictures of me in transit wearing it. It is a sign that i am off on another adventure. Thanks for the video. I learned a few things that I will consider when my luggage finally wears out.
Ditto. That travel vest (or jacket etc) with pockets is great. As said, just take it off and put in bin when going through security. They don’t care how much you have in there. Then you just put it back on before going by the gate agent-who *does* care how much you have. And I’m another 2-wheel fan.
I purchased a Briggs & Riley ZDX for the features, design, and warranty? Was it more than $300? Yes, but just about everyone I know who has filed a warranty claim ended with a new bag without any hassle. The piece of mind was worth the extra cost.
@@awaytogether if you fly once or twice a year any bag will do, but when you are on a dozen or more flights or find yourself navigating train stations without escalators having a (relatively) lightweight bag that is going to take some unintentional abuse the B&R investment makes sense. This and my new Evergoods CTB20 can easily support a month or more of travel.
@@saygigi I bought the domestic 22" and have never had a problem with it as a carryon after 50+ flights on a dozen airlines including international ones.
A vintage TravelPro Crew 5 is the single hardiest suitcase I have ever owned. I have a modern TravelPro spinner I refuse to take on flights because it is made of beer cans and happy thoughts. Old, burly suitcases for the win, truly.
I am retired airline crew and used travel pro. I travel intl 1 a month . My bag is 21' carry on size.never check my bag.gone 2 weeks at a time.love it😂
Thank you for sharing! I have been using lipault (soft suitcase) and they have lasted me for more than 8 years (excluding. 2 years of covid) and i travel A LOT!
Some cities don't have elevators or escalators so I have to consider the fact that I kick my bags down stairs at times. Some great hardsided bags for that.
We just replaced a suitcase we bought only 2 years ago. The wheels started giving problems and the telescoping handle would get stuck and not go down. I use it under the bed to store things in.
I picked up a Topo Designs Global Travel Bag Roller last year (size meets most European airline carry-on size) and was blown away by how practical it is! It’s a hybrid soft / hard shell with backpack straps that are removable (nice for cobblestone roads, btw) - it has 2 wheels, but that was only an issue getting to and from my seat on the plane - that’s it! it has pockets, great telescoping handle and attachment points for the personal item. Really impressed with all the features and thought process going into it. Now, I have only used it on 3 trips so far, so I can’t speak of the long term durability, but so far, it’s holding up great (I also checkied it in on one leg).
I am divided on my opinion on the front pocket of the Monos Carry-On Pro. It is supposed to fit a laptop…but the size it allows for is rather limited. I do use it, but generally to stuff in items of limited thickness.
Good job discussing. I would’ve thought you would’ve talk about coffee holder that could snag in checked in. Or smart bags that you can’t check in or force to remove batteries.
One thing that’s hard to test before you buy is a handle that gets caught on your stuff as you’re putting the handle up or down. I got a new hardshell that I was excited about and fought with it the whole trip. I recently bought a Level 8 hardshell with a front pocket and it’s been a good experience so far. Two trips in and my next one is a two week trip so hoping it comes through for me.
I have not seen you review Lojel bags. I bought one specifically because it fits in the Air France carryon sizer, and it works great. I have a friend who has the model with clasps, not zippers, and rubber seals, and he says it is rainproof.
This is a very informative video. I have started to look for replacements for my old luggage and this helps me a lot. Just subscribed and will be binge watching your videos.
One thing that I look for in a carry-on is not only the dimensions but the volume in liters. Bags that have the same measure in linear inches can vary greatly in volume. The problem I'm having is not all brands list the liter capacity. It seems that even when the dimensions are the same, the liters may vary.
my personal fav is the solgaard carryon. better than the most hard luggage. i do disagree for the shoe compartment. if not in use just pops in doesnt take up any more space.
This video helps, I wonder if can you do a video with anti theft or double coiled zipper luggage options? Do you think most luggage nowadays are secure for zipper punture? Thanks!
We are looking for carry on luggage for a trip next year. SO many companies list as carry on bags that are larger than 22x14x9. We have 2 old “carry on” bags that are definitely over the size, but no larger than some new ones advertised as usable. Right now some say they’ve checked sizers at the airports. Today they may be able to squeeze in the slightly larger ones. But in a couple years?
Duluth Trading has a fire hose presentation jacket. Heavy fabric that wears well and multiple inside pockets that zip. Looks a little nicer than the vest trick and I can take it off and run it through the TSA machine and put it back on.
Hi. Could anyone please give advice or suggestions for buying luggage that is a blend of ABS and polycarbonate (such as Wenger Legacy DC)? I am a bit unsure about it, but have budget constraints.
Most of these bags are way to heavy for Europe travel. Some airlines have a combined weight limit for the carryon and personal item of 7kg. These bags are often over 2.5kg which is way too heavy.
TBH American Tourister is that bag that never dies, but looks terrible but has good capacity and wheels but has a bad handle but is like 40$ at Walmart….
Super helpful! Nik, can you explain why you prefer the edge to edge seam zippers over recessed? I'm looking to buy my first clamshell and have no context to why this would matter. Specifically, I'm looking at the Quince expandable 20".
Maybe I’m a minority, but I hate having a lot of pockets in any bag. Yes, one outside for quick access, as he showed. Maybe 1-2 inside. But that’s the limit. Lots of pockets means I spend lots of time searching through them all to find whatever I need. I vastly prefer using clear bags of various sizes to keep things together, as needed.
Nik, for vacation I will be traveling to Asia for about 3 month . I have 25L backpacks for carry on. If you were to take 2 luggage what 2 size would you pack with. I am going with Monos brand.
Watched to point 3 Disagree with 2/3 so yeah done I prefer the ones that have handles that are full width, this gives you more space on the inside Also single large compartment always beats predetermined compartments for me.
I bought a really nice Tumi inside the airport, after immigration. The bag was sold as handluggage. 2 wheels. In height the same as my 4 wheel bag, but the 4 wheel has the wheels sticking out making the bag visiual smaller. The Tumi has been rejected as handluggage by many airlines eventhough measuring from the ground up its the same height as the 4 wheel trolley. Spending a few hunderd euro on a bag that i thought i could use for years turned out to be a waste due to airline bending of rules
Real men don’t get the planet to carry their carry on stuff. I’m 72, and still backpack it. My bag is a 21 litre convertible backpack/duffel bag that has some great benefits. It has no wheels or handle mechanism to break or worry about. And it weighs only 0.98kg / 2.16lb. Along with that, I wear a small 1.5 litre Tomtoc Bean sling, waist bag. I never have to worry about wheelie luggage and weight and parts breaking. Never have to check a bag or wait at carousels. ✈️ 🌴 🌴 🌴 🇹🇭 🇰🇭 🙏🏼 ☸️ 🦎 😃
My number one feature is weight it must be light. I like my soft case because its expandable its light has a side handle and has a front pocket to store my passport, important documents. Its two wheeled i dont need four or eight wheels. its cheap enough that if it gets too damaged i will buy another identical case. It cost me £65. Its an Aerolite.
Depends on what airlines you're flying and what type of packer you are. In general, anything above 7 lbs (3.2kg) is "heavy". For many international carriers, the weight limit is 7-10kg (15-22lbs) so above 7lbs is practically half of your allotted weight for the bag alone. 5lbs (2.3 kg) and under would be considered "lighweight".
I have a red one I’ve been using for the past five years and it’s been solid . I don’t remember what brand it is but it works for me and if it breaks during my next trip to Europe I’ll buy something else .
Can you please explain how the zipper-pen theft process takes less time than just opening two clasps when choosing a thief-deterrent luggage/bag? Thank you.
I'm not sure you touched the issue of wheels that only work on asphalt or smooth concrete floors. The bags with internal wheels, are the absolute sturdiest, but if you just need 1 minute walking on gravel or similar, well,, then you are going to scream in fury with those bags. outboard wheels are the absolute best, as long as they are quality wheels. Second and last; Zippers can be broken with just a pen. Clasps are the absolute best, but seems to have vanished since we left the 90's, and early 2000's. Anyone Anywhere can steal Anything from your case, if you have a zipper. No matter the quality is has.
A lot of good stuff here but if you're going to be dragging that bag over a lot of rough surfaces - think Belgian or French cobbles - then a spinner is hell on earth. Two wheels good, four (or eight) wheels BAD. They're great for airport concourses though! Sometimes cheap CAN be good. My "go to" 40 litre 2 wheeled clam cost about £30 ($40) about 10 years ago. The bag it replaced cost ten times as much and had been lent to my younger daughter who, in turn, lent it to a "friend" who disappeared with it and was never seen again. I discovered this 24 hours before a business trip and panic bought my cheap and cheerful from a bargain store and wouldn't change it for the world. The only downside is no side handle - you're dead right about those - but for $40? Winner! An added bonus is the wheels are the same as on line roller skate ones. Never needed to replace one but, having seen people trying to drag "three wheel" suitcases along, it's nice to know I can get one repaired in any reasonably sized European town.
All this is great, but I seriously see the lack of innovation in all kinds of bags. Like when I saw that wheel lock on the aer, I was quite happy to see it. Something new in the industry. Other than that, it's the same old boring bags. Light, sturdy and bump proof is what everyone advertises, but rarely I;ve seen some innovation. A few days ago, I also saw a nice carry on which had a laptop stand and a cup holder built right into the bag. (it was pleasing to see, though I dont know how practical it is, since these bags do see quite a bit of wear and tear over multiple trips. Most of the times, bags are meant to be tossed around)
Ironically, I like wide handles on my carry-ons. Not on check-in luggage though. Good aesthetic on carry-on is alright but not on check-in luggage since taking care of it is not airport boys priority.
My hard shell, clip locking Lojel large bag to keep business suits and working clothing plus product samples has lasted for almost 9 years traveling to many countries including those long haul, with connecting flights. It came with 12 years warranty when I bought it. Best decisions. Rain and water resistant for such material and locking systems, better security deterring people trying to poke open the zippers. One more thing I observed at luggage damage counter , personal experience., which is a must for durability sake - all lock/zipper, handles are less prone to damage when those are flushed to the bag surface.
Some 25 years ago, I bought a backpack for 1,000 yen. I've been all over South and Southeast Asia, Australia/New Zealand, US/Canada with it plus a hippy bag. Plan to use it my next trip to Vietnam, presupposing WWIII doen't break out. All you need is 6.0kg of luggage. Pick it up with one hand and hold it above your head. Forget all that heavy, expensive luggage, it's unnecessary. Some of these clowns even take pyjamas. Wait till you arrive, if you need it they've got it. So get those made-to-measure suits and shirts and mail them to your ne'er-do-well brother-in-law. Jack, the Japan Alps Brit
Hi Nik and Allie, You show the Maxlite Air Compact on here. Would you recommend it for flying on Air France? I'm having some difficulties finding a carry on (at a reasonable price) that will fit their dimensions of 55 x 35 x 25 cm/21.7 x 13.8 x 9.9 in.
Briggs & Riley ZDX International Expandable Carry-On (21 x 14 x 9-11). Bring your big wallet cause it ain't cheap. I picked up one on sale for travel to Europe. We flew on Air France. My personal item is a Nomad Lane Bento Bag v3. I expect both bags to last 10+ years. I also purchased the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Compact Carry-On Spinner. But I don't use it because the wheels are low quality and it actually holds less than the B&R carry-on.
🥇 My Top Recommended Bags 🥇
- Best Harsided Carry On (MONOS): bit.ly/classiccarryon
- Value Hardsided Carry On (LEVEL8): bit.ly/level8carryon
- Best Softsided Carry On (TravelPro Platinum Elite): bit.ly/travelprocarryon
- Best Lightweight Carry On (TravelPro Maxlite5): bit.ly/maxlite5
- No Zipper Luggage (Solgaard Carry On): go.shopmy.us/p-4801625
Agree with everything, but I would include a bottom handle as a must. Picking up suitcases to load into the car, train, or whatever it is nice to have two handles on opposite sides.
Just find a suitcase with a bottom handle and you will see and feel the lifting difference.
We bought a clamshell with all those "nice built-in" compartments, my wife after one trip hates it and reaches for her old trusty bag instead.
I splurged and bought Briggs and Riley’s baseline global carry-ons. And I don’t regret it one bit. I love that the handle is on the outside and I have a flat surface to pack with. They have all the +features you mentioned. Lifetime warranty too. We have taken multiple trips over the last few years and they have held up beautifully. Worth the extra cost
Our family went on a 38-day trip to London, Paris, Venice, Florence, Rome, Barcelona, Lisbon, and Porto with four Travelpro Maxlite 5 Softside carry on luggage and never had one hickup on the five flights in Europe. We certainly saw many others having their bags unwillingly checked at the gate. Our bags were put through the cobble stones and rough bricks of Europe. I do not regret this purchase one bit. Thanks for the video.
Don’t have to worry about cobblestones, muddy roads, rough bricks, and stairs or broken parts and extra weight if you carry a backpack instead and pack minimalist taking only what you really need, instead of things you want for “just in case.”
I’m 72 and carry a 21 litre convertible backpack/duffel bag, and a 1.5 litre Tomtoc Bean Fanny pack. My 21 litre Minaal Daily 3.0 weighs only 0.98kg / 2.16lb. Much much less than wheelie luggage.
Well, try that with a family of four that include 11 and 12 year old daughters along with two backpacks for misc and tech. It was great putting the backpacks on the luggage to wheel around saving our backs. Age is just a number.@robertwilliamson922
I've used a travel pro while working as a fa on an airline and now retired, perk for flying and fly into once a month. Copenhagen,Oslo Bergen in 2 weeks. 21" travel pro. I don't go over cobblestone,muddy streets. Take a taxi.
"For anyone using the metric system, that means really short or really tall" 😂😂😂
That's a good one liner
I once officiated a wedding and had a whole joke about the groom (my now brother in law) being the only other guy joining the family that's less than 6 foot (we're both like 5'8"). Mixed reviews. Only the bride's side laughed because his whole family is from Argentina. Between that and constant comments about using the metric system in these reviews I guess I've learned my lesson haha
I am a retired flight attendant and used travelpro when flying. Now have a smaller travelpro and love it neverv a problem
I have a 35 year old Tumi carry on with over half a million miles of planes, trains and automobile travel. Tumi just a month ago warrantied (for the first time in 35 years) some repairs on it for $25. All my travel bags are Tumi, a carry on, a backpack and a computer bag, they all fit together for a convenient walking to and fro the plane. The carry on bag is equipped with soft quiet rubber wheels, yes, they are expensive, but you need to buy a Tumi only once in a lifetime.
Sounds nice, but I just checked and the cheapest option is $750. I'm glad they offer great service, but there's no way I can justify that.
@@smileychess I understand, but how much would you estimate luggage would cost you over 35 years? Especially if you travel a lot? Sometimes 100,000 miles a year. I think Tumi is cheap considering how long they last and the manufacturer’s backing up to its product. But again, I get your view.
@@theallon1 I also get smileychess' point but I 100% agree with you. Although right now, I own a very cheap carry on luggage I got from Jeonju (SK) that still serves me everything I need for luggage (only when I fly with a luggage) & costed me only 60USD, I agree on investing for something that lasts loooonng.
Lowkey expected my cheap luggage would only serve me once or twice but turns out I also got to bring it with me to different places. 😅
My backpack costed me more than 300USD but been using it for long trips & it withstood some rough airport treatments. I know I will keep it for more than a decade or if I have the chance not to change it. 😅 If my cheap luggage's turn is over, I'd surely invest on something that wont make me change for at least a decade or two.
Tumi 35 years ago was high quality and made in America. These days it’s all made in China and the quality isn’t a shadow of what it used to be. Still decent bags with a good warranty but the physical product today isn’t the same as it was when you bought your bag.
@@dand5829 You may be right, quality items and craftsmanship are disappearing from the world, especially when the words " Made in China" are involved. I just hope that my beloved Tumi travel buddies will last me for the rest of my life, especially because the old 2-wheel system (My prefered system) is vanishing.
My Travelpro has every feature you mentioned except four wheels, just two-very compact, reliable ones. It’s been with me for 25 years. All over the US, and business on four other continents. I typically don’t check, and carry just one bag. I quit checking when Delta held my bag in Atlanta for one week. This carryon and a brief case was all I needed for two weeks in India.
I am a cabin crew i have been using an aluminum carry on for 15+ years, yes its true it looks beat up, but all its scratches, dings, dents are souvenirs from the adventures lived. If using a clamshell case I would always recommend another bag to be attached with it as its a pain to open and close it whilst going through security or needing to grab something during the flight.
The problem with hard shell carryons with outer pockets is that it eats up far too much interior space on that side, reducing interior space by a third sometimes, and with carryons interior space is a precious commodity. Soft side carryon, imo , do not seem to eat into the inside space as much ....i have both soft snd hard carryons and use one or the other depending on my travel needs for a particular trip.
I have one where the outer pocket is divided from the inside space by fabric only. It's great because on trips where I won't need the outer pocket (or know I won't put anything large inside) I can pack the inside fully and not worry. When I do need to pack something larger in the outer pocket I do need to account for that when packing the main parts though.
Recently moved from a “professional” targeted travel pro to a monos normal carry on. I was amazed at how much space was wasted by the front pouches of the travel pro. The wheels only last 2 years and the bag was super tippy when packed with a weeks worth of clothing. The monos had none of these issues and I actually gained space.
One thing that also stood out was the front pouches on the travel pro became unusable at a normal pack because the interior would push extremely hard what the exterior loosing 4-5 inches of premium space!
We love our TravelPro Maxlite 5 21" two-wheel carry-ons. They performed beautifully during a full month of wintry travel through Scandinavia on planes, trains, ferries, trams, boats, as well as subways and streets of NYC in steamy August. We also have the larger 24" ones (also two-wheeled) for when our travel plans call for checked baggage (like a 5 week cruise to and through the South Pacific with very few port calls, so we needed to bring with us a lot of toiletries, especially sunscreen).
we bought travelpro 2-wheel cases as well. totally happy. since my wife has foot problems and I handle all the luggage, I bought straps with fastex buckles, and train them together to get into and out of the airport. I can move over a hundred pounds of luggage with a finger.
I use travel pro.when I worked as a fa used one. Retired now. Carry on size only not checking my bag. Like it too much
You missed the biggest absolute number one feature to avoid: wheels that stick out from the bottom of the suitcase. The number one thing I look for first to filter out carry on bags is that the suitcase extends below the wheel tops. With the highly restricted international carry on limits (which are now being adopted by some American Airlines as well) it is really annoying to see all of these carry on bags that waste 10% of the available space because the wheels stick out way below the bottom of the suitcase. I wish someone would make a two wheeled carry on that has the wheels on the short side instead of the long side so you don't have to struggle trying to wheel it down the aisle.
I had once a bag that had wheels on the shorter side but not on the longer. Terribly inconvenient in general.
I wonder if retractable wheels would be feasible.
2 wheel on the short side does sound nice but it would need wheels on the long side for normal use as well... Or it would be too wobbly at any speed.
I was worried about this before I got my BR baseline spinner. Honestly, even though it's smaller than my old bag, it fits so much more because of the better layout that I have 0 issues packing for 2+ weeks (no laundry) in it.
I have one with two wheels on the narrow side. It is nice and compact as far as carry-on size, however it tends to be unstable when you are pulling it and it tips over sideways when hitting imperfections, especially when one wheel hits a bump first, like a door threshhold, elevator or escalator. In theory it's great for wheeling down the airplane aisle, but I usually end up just carrying it anyway.
As a 25+ year flight attendant, I must have gone through 3 travelpros in five years. Unless they’ve changed drastically I would never buy another one!
Haha. What you suggest we, ordinary people, buy?
but you travel a LOT more than the average person. i've had the same Travelpro for 10 years, without problems, but only travel about a month out of the year.
@@dave928 so true!
So what do you use that is better?
So what luggage do you use?
Thank you for sharing! I love my soft suitcase (no wheels, impractical on cobbled european streets, and mountains roads) that can be used as a backpack or cross-body. It is made of a sturdy synthetic cloth. It has 3 handles, top, side and face bottom so it is confortable to hold it up when heavy. Has pockets for pc, straps, a large outside pocket with various pockets. I got rid of my hard suitcases. This bag can flaten and take much less space when not in use.
I dont like spinners because i do carry on only, and you lose luggage space. Cases with just 2 built in wheels have significantly more space inside for the same external dimensions.
Bingo. Unless you wheel across loose gravel, two-wheel bags are great for capacity and live for years.
My husband and I argue about 4 vs 2 wheel luggage every time (he prefers the 2 wheels). 2 wheels is great until you have to wheel 3 carryons and a duffel through the airport by yourself (child having meltdown or one parent having to step away, or when your husband accidentally leaves you with all the luggage after security, etc) which you can only do with 4-wheeled luggage (two back to back and duffel balanced on top of third).
The two wheels can also be much more integrated with the case, making them less subject to damage from the inevitable knocks of travelling. You can also wheel the case in an almost horizontal position, making it easier to push the luggage under a seat on a train or similar.
Yes! What you all said! And a two-wheeler doesn't need brakes to keep it from rolling away. Also, more wheels means more bag weight. And more to break; two wheels recessed are very protected from damage. Also: I want to be pulling my bag behind me, not pushing it in front of me; much more natural.
I was 2 wheel only for years. I find the way lower hassle of a 4 wheel in the airport (especialy if you have a bag in top of it) well well worth the lost space tbh
I am an Eagle Creek fan, lifetime warranty. I have had a carry on for over 15 yrs, they have replaced the zipper AND wheels. Over 200 trips. They did change ownership recently and their new bags have had some zipper issues - but they have replaced them no questions asked.
Away Travel bags hard shell bags (all sizes, including carry on) now have both top and side handles… AND they now have a notch on the underside, near the wheels where you can grab the bag too. It makes getting your bag off a carousel easier. It doesn’t matter which way the bag is on the carousel. You will have access to two ‘handles’ either way.
One great piece of advice I got was to give handles a good hard pull when checking the bag to make sure they won't rip off when the bad is loaded or grabbed suddenly. This often happens with cheaper bags. Ideally the handles are riveted or solidly stitched to the body of the bag.
Super baggage tips!! I'm 60+/5" tall, 🧓ladies if u can't lift your bag to overhead bin, pack🧳 lighter!!! Nice, if men offer to help- DO Not depend on it😮
As a man who (like most men) gets a thrill from helping people lift stuff, feel free to depend on it. But still don't make it too heavy, please! :)
I've got a Pelican Air 1535; if it doesn't fit, it doesn't go! Bulletproof.
Hard shell carry-ons drive me crazy!!! Heavy, can crack, no expansion, ding quickly, loud, no quick pockets or water holder. Ick!
Great video, Nik! I have an older Victorinox soft sided carry on. I purchased it because of the front pockets, not realizing it would be unbalanced. Plus the wheels are terrible. Even on smooth surfaces it feels like driving a car that has a bad wheel alignment. Also, the handle does wobble. The only good feature, which now has been eliminated, is the bottom handle you cup with your hand. I use that a lot. Now that I’m at a certain age bending over that far isn’t as easy as it once was.
We've been using the same soft sided luggage we got as a set from Costco for basically 20 years, works great. Don't be prudish and turn your nose up at used luggage for sale, it could be just as good if not better than modern made stuff.
As an airport employee, thank you
When I buy a carry-on I look for (a) Continental Carry-on which will be slightly wider (b) Expandable which is useful to accommodate purchases during the trip (c) Strong wheels and support mechanisms. The most expensive bags I’ve ever owned were the ones I bought on the cheap. Spent the last 15 years of my career traveling internationally 200+ days per year and eventually decided to only buy Tumi soft-sided bags … both for check-in and carry-on. They took a beating and kept on working. And understand that no lock will deter a competent thief. Carry your valuables in a separate bag such as a backpack.
Hi Nick!, I watch your videos all the time. My husband and I went to Italy as well as a cruise lately, and we listened to your advice and we each got a Monos Carry on plus for our trip. These luggage are really amazing. They are sturdy and very functional. the wheels were great in Rome and Naples cobblestones streets. Unfortunately, 1 on the wheel got pushed in during the travel and was wonky. We contacted Monos when we arrived and they sent us a brand new luggage right away. I am very impressed with this company. Thanks for your review.
Bring on the wheel brakes!!
Definitely had some comical moments with a run away bag 😂, oh and the tip over face plant bag due to poor balance
Lessons learnt so I think your advice is spot on.
I'm going to attempt to pack a 13 day cruise to Europe in my Solgaard 22" carry on closet. I'll have to take the "hanging closet" out because it takes up a lot of space and I can't use both sides of the suitcase with it. Thanks for all the travel tips!
We are planning a cruise to northern Europe in a carryon also
I don't work at an airport or anything, but I can guarantee that baggage handlers LOVE hard-sided suitcases. They are easier to stack, and they are always the ones at the bottom of the pile with dozens of other suitcases on top.
For a carry-on, I like a backpack. I can smoosh it into spaces that a more structured bag can't fit well or at all. It lets me move around hands-free. It isn't pretty but it gets the job done. I actually brought a tape measure with me and measured bags when I was picking one out. I've never had a problem with it as my carry-on.
Some carry-on cases have not only 8 wheels, but also spring suspension. It makes a ton of difference when pulling your luggage through cobblestone streets and as a bonus, it's so much more silent. Locals will thank you for that.
I use an Ebag. No wheels so it’s very lightweight. It has 2 shoulder straps to I use as a backpack. I’m able to walk a lot faster with it on my back. Great access outside and it can be expanded should I need to check it for a longer trip.
Here is my two cents worth. I don't travel as much as you, but I don't stay home 24x7x365 either, and I have a few 14+ day international trips documented on my camera.
One, I don't like the spinner wheels. My bag just has two wheels built in on the bottom. It is perfectly fine and stable trailing along behind me. My wife has 4 spinners on hers. It doesn't track as well, it sometimes wanders off on tilted surfaces, and the wheels take up more space than my simple two. She sometimes gets grief for bringing her bag on the plane (which is why I watched this video, to see about getting her a new one). I never have. Two fixed wheels are simpler, easier to deal with, and take up less space than 4 spinners.
Two, I wear a vest when on the move. It has 6 pockets on the outside, all sealed with either Velcro or zippers, plus a few others. It is perfect for gum, airpods, earbuds, charging cables, small charging bricks, passport, boarding pass, cell phone, etc., etc. Everything is easily accessible while sitting down, and when going through security I just take the vest off, send it through the machine, and put it back on at the other end. There is lot less time spent emptying and refilling pockets, finding something, worrying about forgetting something, and no need to access my carryon during a flight. My kids call it my ‘travel vest', and love to see pictures of me in transit wearing it. It is a sign that i am off on another adventure.
Thanks for the video. I learned a few things that I will consider when my luggage finally wears out.
Good tips. !! I like my two wheel case ,,also!!😊
Ditto. That travel vest (or jacket etc) with pockets is great. As said, just take it off and put in bin when going through security. They don’t care how much you have in there. Then you just put it back on before going by the gate agent-who *does* care how much you have.
And I’m another 2-wheel fan.
My softside Tumi bags look nice after a hundred flights, and I find Rimowa offers the best wheels. Happy with them all.
I purchased a Briggs & Riley ZDX for the features, design, and warranty? Was it more than $300? Yes, but just about everyone I know who has filed a warranty claim ended with a new bag without any hassle. The piece of mind was worth the extra cost.
That bag is INCREDIBLE - it's one of the few I'd say worth breaking the $150 - $300 rule for. Probably not right for everyone but I'm also a big fan.
@@awaytogether if you fly once or twice a year any bag will do, but when you are on a dozen or more flights or find yourself navigating train stations without escalators having a (relatively) lightweight bag that is going to take some unintentional abuse the B&R investment makes sense. This and my new Evergoods CTB20 can easily support a month or more of travel.
Some of the Briggs & Riley bags, that I still use, are now two decades old. I have also used their warranty service with excellent results.
@tkozikow Which ZDX size did you buy?
@@saygigi I bought the domestic 22" and have never had a problem with it as a carryon after 50+ flights on a dozen airlines including international ones.
A vintage TravelPro Crew 5 is the single hardiest suitcase I have ever owned. I have a modern TravelPro spinner I refuse to take on flights because it is made of beer cans and happy thoughts. Old, burly suitcases for the win, truly.
I am retired airline crew and used travel pro. I travel intl 1 a month . My bag is 21' carry on size.never check my bag.gone 2 weeks at a time.love it😂
Thank you for sharing! I have been using lipault (soft suitcase) and they have lasted me for more than 8 years (excluding. 2 years of covid) and i travel A LOT!
I use a backpack. Designed to be maximum carry on size
Samsonite is notorious for terrible wheels and telescoping handles
I just pay to check my luggage. Carry-on has become a royal pain.
Can always find individual pieces of luggage at thrift stores, for pennies on the dollar.
Some cities don't have elevators or escalators so I have to consider the fact that I kick my bags down stairs at times. Some great hardsided bags for that.
😂
I agree. I finally got a Level 8 checked bad and an Away carry on❤
We just replaced a suitcase we bought only 2 years ago. The wheels started giving problems and the telescoping handle would get stuck and not go down. I use it under the bed to store things in.
I picked up a Topo Designs Global Travel Bag Roller last year (size meets most European airline carry-on size) and was blown away by how practical it is! It’s a hybrid soft / hard shell with backpack straps that are removable (nice for cobblestone roads, btw) - it has 2 wheels, but that was only an issue getting to and from my seat on the plane - that’s it! it has pockets, great telescoping handle and attachment points for the personal item. Really impressed with all the features and thought process going into it. Now, I have only used it on 3 trips so far, so I can’t speak of the long term durability, but so far, it’s holding up great (I also checkied it in on one leg).
I am divided on my opinion on the front pocket of the Monos Carry-On Pro. It is supposed to fit a laptop…but the size it allows for is rather limited. I do use it, but generally to stuff in items of limited thickness.
HEY kislux !! I have been watching you for years and im so proud of where you have made it! I love you so much! Also thanks for making my day
Good job discussing. I would’ve thought you would’ve talk about coffee holder that could snag in checked in. Or smart bags that you can’t check in or force to remove batteries.
Im curious on your thoughts about the 7kg limit. Trolley bags are usually 2.5+kg
One thing that’s hard to test before you buy is a handle that gets caught on your stuff as you’re putting the handle up or down. I got a new hardshell that I was excited about and fought with it the whole trip. I recently bought a Level 8 hardshell with a front pocket and it’s been a good experience so far. Two trips in and my next one is a two week trip so hoping it comes through for me.
I love my Solgaard! Your video on it was actually the deciding factor for getting one.
I have not seen you review Lojel bags. I bought one specifically because it fits in the Air France carryon sizer, and it works great. I have a friend who has the model with clasps, not zippers, and rubber seals, and he says it is rainproof.
One of your better videos
I swear by Antler Sycamora Cliffton. Such an amazing versatile piece.
This is a very informative video. I have started to look for replacements for my old luggage and this helps me a lot. Just subscribed and will be binge watching your videos.
Hope you purchased softsided!
Standard issue military duffel bag is low cost and high in reliability
One thing that I look for in a carry-on is not only the dimensions but the volume in liters. Bags that have the same measure in linear inches can vary greatly in volume. The problem I'm having is not all brands list the liter capacity. It seems that even when the dimensions are the same, the liters may vary.
my personal fav is the solgaard carryon. better than the most hard luggage. i do disagree for the shoe compartment. if not in use just pops in doesnt take up any more space.
This video helps, I wonder if can you do a video with anti theft or double coiled zipper luggage options? Do you think most luggage nowadays are secure for zipper punture? Thanks!
We are looking for carry on luggage for a trip next year. SO many companies list as carry on bags that are larger than 22x14x9. We have 2 old “carry on” bags that are definitely over the size, but no larger than some new ones advertised as usable.
Right now some say they’ve checked sizers at the airports. Today they may be able to squeeze in the slightly larger ones. But in a couple years?
You know what I want? It costs about $24 at Ross
Yes! And at that price I can just get a new, good-looking bag every trip!
Hard to beat Ross from something quick and cheap that will probably last you a few years of travel and do the job.
And the wheels will fall off on your first trip.
Very interesting. Thank you!!
Duluth Trading has a fire hose presentation jacket. Heavy fabric that wears well and multiple inside pockets that zip. Looks a little nicer than the vest trick and I can take it off and run it through the TSA machine and put it back on.
Hi. Could anyone please give advice or suggestions for buying luggage that is a blend of ABS and polycarbonate (such as Wenger Legacy DC)?
I am a bit unsure about it, but have budget constraints.
Most of these bags are way to heavy for Europe travel. Some airlines have a combined weight limit for the carryon and personal item of 7kg. These bags are often over 2.5kg which is way too heavy.
TBH American Tourister is that bag that never dies, but looks terrible but has good capacity and wheels but has a bad handle but is like 40$ at Walmart….
👏👏 good content
Super helpful! Nik, can you explain why you prefer the edge to edge seam zippers over recessed? I'm looking to buy my first clamshell and have no context to why this would matter. Specifically, I'm looking at the Quince expandable 20".
we are in the market for new luggage, do you find wheels that protrude get damaged more than recessed?
Maybe I’m a minority, but I hate having a lot of pockets in any bag. Yes, one outside for quick access, as he showed. Maybe 1-2 inside. But that’s the limit.
Lots of pockets means I spend lots of time searching through them all to find whatever I need.
I vastly prefer using clear bags of various sizes to keep things together, as needed.
Nik, for vacation I will be traveling to Asia for about 3 month .
I have 25L backpacks for carry on. If you were to take 2 luggage what 2 size would you pack with. I am going with Monos brand.
PLEASE review the new Monos expandable carry-on versus the carry-on plus.
You have such an amazing bag collection! Dreaming!
Watched to point 3
Disagree with 2/3 so yeah done
I prefer the ones that have handles that are full width, this gives you more space on the inside
Also single large compartment always beats predetermined compartments for me.
Happy with the Briggs & Riley 2 wheeled Baseline. Quality bag with a lifetime warranty…
What's the best month for sales on bags?
I bought a really nice Tumi inside the airport, after immigration.
The bag was sold as handluggage.
2 wheels.
In height the same as my 4 wheel bag, but the 4 wheel has the wheels sticking out making the bag visiual smaller.
The Tumi has been rejected as handluggage by many airlines eventhough measuring from the ground up its the same height as the 4 wheel trolley.
Spending a few hunderd euro on a bag that i thought i could use for years turned out to be a waste due to airline bending of rules
kay, I’ve always scratched my head about the obsession around the kislux book totes and their practicality, but this one is adorable!! Congratulations
Great video! What do you think about foldable bags like Biaggi?
Real men don’t get the planet to carry their carry on stuff. I’m 72, and still backpack it. My bag is a 21 litre convertible backpack/duffel bag that has some great benefits. It has no wheels or handle mechanism to break or worry about.
And it weighs only 0.98kg / 2.16lb.
Along with that, I wear a small 1.5 litre Tomtoc Bean sling, waist bag.
I never have to worry about wheelie luggage and weight and parts breaking. Never have to check a bag or wait at carousels.
✈️ 🌴 🌴 🌴 🇹🇭 🇰🇭 🙏🏼 ☸️ 🦎 😃
What average size/ weight is for hand luggage in the USA? I ask as they always seem large.
I like my Samsonite but it's missing the side handle, and I agree, it's annoying to not have it, esp when I store it.
My number one feature is weight it must be light. I like my soft case because its expandable its light has a side handle and has a front pocket to store my passport, important documents. Its two wheeled i dont need four or eight wheels. its cheap enough that if it gets too damaged i will buy another identical case. It cost me £65. Its an Aerolite.
Just what is a good but reasonable weight for a full-size carry-on bag?
Depends on what airlines you're flying and what type of packer you are. In general, anything above 7 lbs (3.2kg) is "heavy". For many international carriers, the weight limit is 7-10kg (15-22lbs) so above 7lbs is practically half of your allotted weight for the bag alone. 5lbs (2.3 kg) and under would be considered "lighweight".
I have a red one I’ve been using for the past five years and it’s been solid . I don’t remember what brand it is but it works for me and if it breaks during my next trip to Europe I’ll buy something else .
Can you please explain how the zipper-pen theft process takes less time than just opening two clasps when choosing a thief-deterrent luggage/bag? Thank you.
Under the theory the zippers are somehow secured to each other
I'm not sure you touched the issue of wheels that only work on asphalt or smooth concrete floors. The bags with internal wheels, are the absolute sturdiest, but if you just need 1 minute walking on gravel or similar, well,, then you are going to scream in fury with those bags. outboard wheels are the absolute best, as long as they are quality wheels. Second and last; Zippers can be broken with just a pen. Clasps are the absolute best, but seems to have vanished since we left the 90's, and early 2000's. Anyone Anywhere can steal Anything from your case, if you have a zipper. No matter the quality is has.
So this is basically a Monos infomercial......and i was thinking it was actual content.
A lot of good stuff here but if you're going to be dragging that bag over a lot of rough surfaces - think Belgian or French cobbles - then a spinner is hell on earth. Two wheels good, four (or eight) wheels BAD. They're great for airport concourses though!
Sometimes cheap CAN be good. My "go to" 40 litre 2 wheeled clam cost about £30 ($40) about 10 years ago. The bag it replaced cost ten times as much and had been lent to my younger daughter who, in turn, lent it to a "friend" who disappeared with it and was never seen again.
I discovered this 24 hours before a business trip and panic bought my cheap and cheerful from a bargain store and wouldn't change it for the world. The only downside is no side handle - you're dead right about those - but for $40? Winner!
An added bonus is the wheels are the same as on line roller skate ones. Never needed to replace one but, having seen people trying to drag "three wheel" suitcases along, it's nice to know I can get one repaired in any reasonably sized European town.
Burton Flight Deck
Has worked well for me for over 10 years
All this is great, but I seriously see the lack of innovation in all kinds of bags. Like when I saw that wheel lock on the aer, I was quite happy to see it. Something new in the industry. Other than that, it's the same old boring bags. Light, sturdy and bump proof is what everyone advertises, but rarely I;ve seen some innovation. A few days ago, I also saw a nice carry on which had a laptop stand and a cup holder built right into the bag. (it was pleasing to see, though I dont know how practical it is, since these bags do see quite a bit of wear and tear over multiple trips. Most of the times, bags are meant to be tossed around)
Ironically, I like wide handles on my carry-ons. Not on check-in luggage though. Good aesthetic on carry-on is alright but not on check-in luggage since taking care of it is not airport boys priority.
"...for anyone using the metric system..."
😂😂😂😂😂😂
We use the SI system, and we are fully aware of what feet are. 😂😂😂
My hard shell, clip locking Lojel large bag to keep business suits and working clothing plus product samples has lasted for almost 9 years traveling to many countries including those long haul, with connecting flights.
It came with 12 years warranty when I bought it.
Best decisions.
Rain and water resistant for such material and locking systems, better security deterring people trying to poke open the zippers.
One more thing I observed at luggage damage counter , personal experience., which is a must for durability sake - all lock/zipper, handles are less prone to damage when those are flushed to the bag surface.
Some 25 years ago, I bought a backpack for 1,000 yen. I've been all over South and Southeast Asia, Australia/New Zealand, US/Canada with it plus a hippy bag. Plan to use it my next trip to Vietnam, presupposing WWIII doen't break out. All you need is 6.0kg of luggage. Pick it up with one hand and hold it above your head. Forget all that heavy, expensive luggage, it's unnecessary. Some of these clowns even take pyjamas. Wait till you arrive, if you need it they've got it. So get those made-to-measure suits and shirts and mail them to your ne'er-do-well brother-in-law.
Jack, the Japan Alps Brit
BOTTOM handles on a hardside, especially in checked luggage sizes are invaluable.
You call it "quick access pocket," I use it as my luggage junk drawer!!
Hi Nik and Allie, You show the Maxlite Air Compact on here. Would you recommend it for flying on Air France? I'm having some difficulties finding a carry on (at a reasonable price) that will fit their dimensions of 55 x 35 x 25 cm/21.7 x 13.8 x 9.9 in.
Briggs & Riley ZDX International Expandable Carry-On (21 x 14 x 9-11). Bring your big wallet cause it ain't cheap. I picked up one on sale for travel to Europe. We flew on Air France. My personal item is a Nomad Lane Bento Bag v3. I expect both bags to last 10+ years. I also purchased the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Compact Carry-On Spinner. But I don't use it because the wheels are low quality and it actually holds less than the B&R carry-on.
@@DaveM-FFB Thanks for the info! much appreciated
I love my monos!
You have a *yutulu* stunning collection!! Truly inspirational-found your channel recently, lots of love