Budget wheeled bags

Less expensive luggage for less frequent travelers

Budget luggage is usually made with polyester fabric instead of the more durable Cordura or ballistic nylon, and the Delsey Helium Fusion Carry-on Expandable Suiter Trolley (*Est. $75) is no exception. Experts say budget luggage won't last as long as pricier bags, and their warranties usually cover only defects -- not damage. But Delsey does have one great asset: Its rolling carry-on weighs just 9 pounds, thanks to a fiberglass graphite frame (the same material used in golf clubs and tennis rackets). That's a full 2.5 pounds less than the top-rated Tumi Alpha Frequent Traveler 22-inch Framed Expandable Carry-on (*Est. $595) -- so you can pack more and still stay under the airlines' weight limits.

Delsey offers a full line of its lightweight rolling Helium Fusion luggage, including big suitcases. One of them passes the handle-strength tests at Good Housekeeping, but not at CNNMoney.com. However, experts and owners say the carry-on is a great buy -- an inexpensive carry-on is less likely to fall apart than a checked bag, which will get battered by baggage handlers. However, beware that airlines may force you to check your carry-on bag if space runs out in the overhead bin. A few owners do report that the fabric ripped or the zipper pulls fell off, even on the carry-on Delsey.

A more durable choice is the Rick Steves 21-inch Roll-Aboard (*Est. $140). It falls at the pricey end of the budget category, but several frequent fliers rave about its strength and roominess. At 7 pounds, it weighs even less than the Delsey bag. The polyester L.L.Bean Rolling Adventure Duffle, medium (*Est. $80) weighs less than 6.5 pounds, but is the top-rated in reviews at Real Simple and at Wired. However, the 23-inch height exceeds carry-on rules at many airlines.

EBags.com, a retail site, markets its own line of budget-priced luggage. It doesn't get many expert reviews, but many customers swear by it. The eBags Mother Lode eTech Mini 21-inch Wheeled Duffel (*Est. $135) earns a Best of the Best award, with a mammoth 1,650 consumer reviews -- 97 percent of whom say they'd buy the bag again. Unlike most budget bags, this carry-on is made of strong ballistic nylon. It weighs just under 7.5 pounds and carries a lifetime warranty (with some exclusions), but at 21.5 inches by 14.5 inches by 9.5 inches, it slightly exceeds typical 14-inch carry-on limits.