Luggage: Reviews

Updated September 2009

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Best rolling luggage

*Est. $230 Compare Prices

The Eagle Creek Tarmac 22 offers the best of all worlds, reviewers say. This luggage is well made, weighs a full pound less than competing wheeled luggage, and unlike most luggage brands, Eagle Creek's lifetime warranty… even covers airline damage. The Tarmac 22 lacks a garment hanger but most people don't use this feature anyway. It also exceeds typical airline carry-on size limits by half an inch, although owners don't report being forced to check it. A smaller 20-inch Tarmac carry-on is available, as well as three larger check-in bags.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

CNNMoney.com: The Eagle Creek Tarmac 25 wins this comparison test against bags from Delsey, Samsonite, Travelpro and Tumi. It's well designed ...

Wired.com: The Eagle Creek Tarmac 22 earns a rating of seven (out of 10), but this short review mentions only a couple of flaws. It compares ...

USA Today Magazine: The Eagle Creek Tarmac 22 is one of five lightweight bags recommended here. The review notes a few pros and cons, but doesn't ...

EBags.com: More than 20 owners have rated the Eagle Creek Tarmac 22 at this retail site, and all say they'd buy it again. Users especially ...

Luggage Online: The Eagle Creek brand earns an average of four stars (out of five) in 760 consumer reviews at LuggageOnline.com. The Eagle Creek ...

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Budget wheeled bag

Delsey Helium Fusion Carry-on Expandable Suiter Trolley

*Est. $75 Compare Prices

Travel experts recommend budget rolling luggage for infrequent travelers. The 9-pound Delsey Helium Fusion carry-on bag is made with polyester instead of better Cordura nylon, and the warranty doesn't cover accidental… damage. However, it's quite light and the Delsey carry-on bag includes a garment hanger for suits. You can also expand the 8.5-inch depth by another 2.5 inches if you're willing to check it as baggage. A full line of Delsey Helium luggage is available.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Good Housekeeping: Testing larger bags that need to be checked, Good Housekeeping recommends the Delsey Helium Fusion bag as one of the five best ...

ConsumerReports.org: Editors at ConsumerReports.org test the Delsey Helium Fusion carry-on bag for durability and maneuverability, comparing it with ...

CNNMoney.com: Charles Passy ranks the Delsey Helium Fusion Carry-on Expandable Suiter Trolley second only to the much more expensive Eagle ...

SmartMoney.com: SmartMoney editors and the former CEO of JetBlue airlines evaluate five models of carry-on luggage for maneuverability, packing ...

EBags.com: More than 400 owners review and rate the Delsey Helium Fusion Carry-on Expandable Suiter Trolley here, with especially high ...

Luggage Online: More than 80 owners rate the Delsey Helium Fusion carry-on bag here, noting that the handle adjusts to different heights, and ...

Amazon.com: Sixteen owners review the Delsey Helium Fusion Carry-on Expandable Suiter Trolley here, with some reports of broken zipper pulls ...

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Amazon Marketplace

for $71.95

Luxury rolling luggage

Tumi Alpha Frequent Traveler 22-inch Framed Expandable Carry-on

*Est. $595 Compare Prices

This Tumi Alpha carry-on outclasses all others in one top test, justifying its huge price tag. It's roomy, rugged and loaded with thoughtful conveniences. One reviewer throws it down a flight of stairs, and the… ballistic-nylon Tumi survives without a scratch or smudge. However, Tumi's warranty (one year for damage, five for defects) is paltry for this price range. Other luggage lines offer unlimited lifetime warranties, including the less expensive Eagle Creek Tarmac 22 (*Est. $230). A full line of Tumi Alpha luggage is available.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: ConsumerReports.org tests the Tumi Alpha Frequent Traveler 22-inch Framed Expandable Carry-on, comparing it with other rolling ...

SmartMoney.com: A 28-inch rolling suitcase in the Tumi Alpha line wins this test of big luggage conducted by Travel Channel host Samantha Brown. ...

Wired.com: The non-wheeled Tumi Alpha garment bag gets the best score (nine out of 10) among several carry-ons tested. Reviewer Mark ...

Real Simple: This undated article recommends a 22-inch wheeled Tumi carry-on, but it doesn't specify which model. However, several of the ...

Luggage Online: This retail site ranks luggage brands according to their average rating by customers. Tumi gets one of the highest ratings -- 4.5 ...

Flyertalk.com: Frequent flyers here often recommend luggage pieces or brands, and Tumi is a name that keeps popping up. The forum is searchable, ...

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Big rolling duffel

REI Wheely Beast 28-inch

*Est. $150 Compare Prices

If you just need one huge rolling bag, reviews recommend this 6,000-cubic-inch duffel as an excellent value (there's also a monster 7,200-cubic-inch version). Packing is easy with one big main compartment, a place for… dirty gear and plenty of zippered pockets. The Wheely Beast is made with tear-resistant ballistic nylon, and REI offers lifetime unlimited returns/exchanges. Unlike the other Best Reviewed picks, there is no carry-on version; you'll have to check this big bag.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Outside Magazine: The REI Wheely Beast is "a high value/low-price rig that just might outlast you," tester Ted Alan Stedman says after taking it on ...

REI.com: More than 30 owners have reviewed the 35-inch version of the REI Wheely Beast (the newer 28-inch version gets fewer reviews). It ...

TravelGearBlog.com: Daved Brosche says the REI Wheely Beast is tough and a great value, and he says the wide-mouth opening makes it easy to pack ...

Chicago Sun Times: In this fun-to-read article, technology columnist Andy Ihnatko names five pieces of luggage that he finds particularly useful. ...

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Budget carry-on backpack

Rick Steves Convertible Carry-on

*Est. $85 Compare Prices

Non-wheeled bags are lighter than rolling luggage, and are easier to fit in overhead compartments. This 3-pound polyester bag has two handles and, for heavier loads, it converts to a backpack with tuck-away straps.… Experts say the hip belt on this travel pack makes a big difference in comfort. Plenty of pockets plus compression straps make it easy to organize contents. Unlike the sturdier Red Oxx Air Boss (*Est. $225) shoulder bag, the Rick Steves limited lifetime warranty doesn't cover accidental damage.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

San Francisco Chronicle: Travel editor John Flinn recommends the Rick Steves Convertible bag as the easiest to pack among his favorite type, carry-on bags ...

Amazon.com: Nearly 30 owners review the Rick Steves Convertible Carry-on here, giving it a 4.5-star average rating (out of five) and saying ...

LuggagePoint.com: About 10 owners reviewing the Rick Steves Convertible Carry-on here give it the highest possible rating, saying it holds a lot ...

About.com: James Martin, About.com's guide to European travel, recommends the rolling version, but praises Rick Steves luggage in general ...

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Carry-on shoulder bag

Red Oxx Air Boss

*Est. $225 Compare Prices

The rugged Red Oxx Air Boss is expensive but extremely durable, made of urethane-coated Cordura nylon. It's ideal for business travelers, since it accommodates several days' worth of clothing plus a laptop in its three… compartments. The 4-pound bag opens on the wide side for convenience on luggage stands, and it carries a full lifetime warranty with free repairs. Testers say the Air Boss is easy to carry by its single shoulder strap, but some prefer a backpack like the Rick Steves Convertible Carry-on (*Est. $85).

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Expert & User Review Sources:

OneBag.com: Business travel expert Doug Dyment helped design the Red Oxx Air Boss. He recommends it as the best carry-on bag for frequent ...

PracticalHacks.com: One of this blogger's specialties is one-bag travel. He prefers non-wheeled carry-ons for their lighter weight -- and especially ...

TravelGearReview.com: This illustrated single-product review covers the Air Boss in detail, based primarily on testing it on a week-long trip. The ...

One Bag, One World (blog): James B. Isbell gives the Red Oxx Air Boss a perfect five-star rating, calling it a top pick. Photos show the bag being worn, ...

Flyertalk.com: Seasoned travelers on this frequent-flyer forum often recommend the Red Oxx Air Boss specifically, as well as Red Oxx products in ...

Fodors.com: Doug Stallings gives top ranking to a similar Red Oxx bag, the Sky Train, which lacks the separate compartments of the Air Boss ...

TheTravelInsider.info: This review covers another carry-on bag by Red Oxx, but much of the praise also applies to the Air Boss. Editors like the light ...

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