Luggage Ratings: Expert and User Reviews Ratings

Our AssessmentSince 2004, Outside magazine editors have been abusing new luggage and naming the best choices each year. Their top pick for 2011 is the Thule Crossover 60-liter Upright, which earns a Gear of the Year award. Several of their top picks from previous years are still available as well. Editors at this site review close to 60 bags in all, although not all of these have been subjected to hands-on testing.

Our AssessmentTravel expert Doug Dyment runs this site devoted to "the art and science of traveling light." He discusses factors to consider in choosing a bag when that one bag is all you plan to carry. Other articles under the "What to Pack It In" tab recommend specific pieces of luggage for leisure travel and business travel, as well as dual-purpose luggage that serves both needs well. A long article addresses why Dyment believes wheeled bags are a bad idea.

Our AssessmentWired, a site better known for its technology coverage, also reviews other products, including luggage, on occasion. The most recent luggage review is a detailed -- and enthusiastic -- write-up of the Timbuk2 Wingman, a carry-on that converts from a backpack to a messenger bag. The other four are from a 2009 round-up of rolling carry-ons by Tumi, Samsonite, Eagle Creek and Victorinox. Each bag gets a brief evaluation and a list of what's "wired" and what's "tired." The Eagle Creek Tarmac 22 scores second best, with an overall rating of 7 points out of 10. However, the nonwheeled Wingman fares better, with a score of 8 out of 10. We also found a link to a review for another Timbuk2 bag, the Command Messenger, which earns a rating of 7 out of 10.

Our AssessmentThis retail site publishes owner-written reviews and ratings of luggage from many brands. The lists show the average rating and are easy to narrow down to your specifications. The main luggage page also has a tool for finding carry-on bags that meet a specific airline's requirements. Though not all bags have accumulated enough reviews to give their average ratings much weight, the site lists a few bags that get great marks from many reviewers. It also shows the overall rating for an entire brand. Most luggage brands get overall ratings of 4 on a 5-point scale, but some -- including David King Leather Luggage, Tumi, JanSport and Briggs & Riley -- get higher scores based on feedback from hundreds of users.

Our AssessmentThis retailer makes it easy to browse luggage listings, showing not only the overall rating for each bag, but the number of owner-written reviews on which it's based. When you click on a bag to read reviews, the main pros and cons are nicely summarized at the top.

Our AssessmentExperts at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute test 11 bags that are too large to carry on board, but light enough to make it easier to meet new airline weight limits. Tests cover maneuverability, capacity, durability and weight. Recommended are the five bags that pass a handle-strength test; the bags that fail aren't specified. Only one of the top picks, the Briggs & Riley Transcend 24-inch Upright, earns perfect scores for water resistance, durability and fabric abrasion, but its expandable handle sometimes sticks.

Our AssessmentWe'd rank this review much higher if its recommendations were more up-to-date. Most of the top picks are now discontinued, although it's sometimes possible to guess which current models have replaced them. The testing includes measuring the bags – knowing exact dimensions is crucial now that airlines are tightening up on size and weight requirements -- and the reviews are detailed, noting drawbacks as well as strengths.

Our AssessmentThis segment from CBS News' "The Early Show" commemorates the 40th anniversary of the introduction of wheeled luggage. After noting how far rolling bags have come since the original, hefty Samsonite suitcase in 1970, CBS News Travel Editor Peter Greenberg discusses the most important features to look for in a wheeled bag: a good warranty, sturdy wheels and a convenient shape. The six bags covered in this segment range in size from 25 to 42 inches -- too large to carry on, but not too bulky to maneuver through the airport.

Our AssessmentTravel editor John Flinn recommends against buying rolling luggage, instead favoring carry-on bags that can convert into backpacks because they're lighter, hold more, are easier to pack and provide better freedom of movement. He recommends several bags based on his personal experience, including the Patagonia MLC, the Rick Steves Convertible Carry-on and the eBags Weekender eTech Convertible.

Our AssessmentThis frequent-flyer forum has a thread devoted to the best luggage with more than 400 posts. Most of the recommendations here are for lines of luggage rather than specific bags. Seasoned travelers recommend a few brands over and over: Briggs & Riley, Travelpro and Red Oxx. The Red Oxx Safari-Beanos and Air Boss carry-ons are often specifically recommended. Tumi bags have some adherents, but even more detractors. Posters also discuss brands to avoid, including Pierre Cardin.

Our AssessmentYou'll find thousands of pieces of luggage for sale here from many brands, but only a few get enough reviews to be meaningful. However, since quite a bit of luggage gets low ratings, it's worth checking this site after you've narrowed your choices to see if any criticisms are important to you.

Our AssessmentThis article is described as a "road test" of rolling luggage, but there is no description of the testing methods used. Nine cases are recommended as being best for specific uses, such as short trips or business travel. Descriptions are brief, however, and there's no mention of the cases that didn't make the cut.