Budget wheeled bags

Less expensive luggage for infrequent travelers

Budget luggage is usually made with polyester fabric instead of more durable Cordura or ballistic nylon. Experts say budget bags won't last as long as pricier luggage and their warranties usually cover only manufacturing defects -- not damage. However, experts point out that even an inexpensive carry-on is less likely to fall apart than a checked bag, which will get battered by baggage handlers.

Last year's top-rated budget bag, the Delsey Helium Fusion Carry-on Expandable Suiter Trolley, has been discontinued. However, the Delsey Helium Fusion Lite 2.0 Expandable Suiter Trolley (*Est. $65) is in the same price range and has many of the same features as the older Delsey bag. This rolling carry-on weighs just 9.5 pounds, thanks to a lightweight graphite frame (the same material used in golf clubs and tennis rackets). That's two pounds less than the high-end Alpha Frequent Traveler 22-inch Framed Expandable Carry-on (*Est. $595) -- so you can pack more and still stay under the airlines' weight limits.

Users are favorably impressed with the Delsey Helium Fusion Lite 2.0: it gets high marks in roughly 40 reviews at LuggageOnline.com, eBags.com and Amazon.com. This brand is also recommended by frequent travelers on FlyerTalk.com. At SmartMoney magazine, former JetBlue CEO David Neeleman chooses the Delsey Helium Fusion Lite 2.0 as the best of the five carry-on bags presented for his consideration. He says it's roomy, rugged and reasonably priced, and its simple design isn't cluttered with too many exterior pockets. The bag is also one of three suitcases recommended by Good Housekeeping out of the 24 carry-ons they tested. Testers found its interior compartments spacious and easy to access, while its rolling action was smooth and stable. However, its durability left something to be desired: abrasion tests caused severe wear and tear to the polyester fabric. All Delsey cases come with a minimum five-year warranty, but it applies to manufacturer defects only, not damage caused by use.

The L.L.Bean Rolling Adventure Duffle, medium (*Est. $80), is made of water-resistant nylon and is available in a rainbow of color choices. It also comes in three print fabrics, which are made of polyester. This sturdy bag weighs less than 6.5 pounds, yet it has a capacity of 2,000 cubic inches. It also includes a telescoping handle and padded shoulder strap. This bag is the top-rated duffle, as recommended by Wired and by a Real Simple magazine editor in a segment on CBS's "The Early Show." In more than 300 user reviews on L.L.Bean's website, this bag earns a 4-star rating (out of a possible 5), with 85 percent of users saying they would recommend it. This bag's one major drawback is its 23-inch height, which exceeds carry-on rules at many airlines. The Adventure Duffle is backed by L.L.Bean's unconditional lifetime guarantee.

The Rick Steves 21-inch Roll-Aboard (*Est. $95) falls toward the pricey end of the budget category. James Martin, the About.com guide to European travel -- who is not normally a fan of rolling bags -- really likes this carry-on's light weight and abundance of pockets, including "a couple of mesh bags for your dainties." User reviews at Amazon.com and LuggageOnline.com are mostly positive. However, we did find some complaints about durability (specifically, the handle and zippers, which are the weak points of most bags). Also, many users warn that this bag's advertised 21-inch size refers to the inside length; while its total outside length of 22 inches is still within most airlines' limits, some users say that the bag will not fit in many overhead bins. The bag comes with a lifetime warranty, but it covers defects only.