|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Luggage Reviews
Updated September 2007
The best review source we found for luggage is the Travel Insider. This website is devoted to all kinds of travel issues, including luggage packing and new airport security guidelines. Consumer Reports reviews luggage, but its most recent report is over two years old and many of the recommended luggage lines are now discontinued. Even so, much of Consumer Reports' buying advice is still valid. We found luggage reviews in a variety of magazines, and though reviews in Budget Travel, Money and The Wall Street Journal cover only a few bags each, the recommendations are based on hands-on torture tests designed to simulate the abuse luggage sees in real life. Other reviews aren't as helpful. Outside Magazine's editors also discuss type of material, zippers and construction, but we can't tell how extensively any of the recommended luggage is tested, and editors don't compare luggage to other bags. In researching the best luggage, we also read traveler reviews at eBags.com, LuggageOnline.com and Amazon.com, all of which allow readers to rate their purchases. In reading luggage reviews for our report, one point came across loud and clear from experienced travelers and professional reviewers alike: Avoid buying luggage that has hard sides unless you're carrying fragile items. Despite the fact that hard-sided luggage is lightweight, frequently under ten pounds, reviewers say that soft-sided luggage offers more flexibility to fit luggage into various-sized spaces and to cram in that last item you want to bring. Soft-sided bags are also a better fit in tight overhead bins. The best luggage is tough enough to withstand abuse and offers more packing flexibility, with more pockets and expandable zippered compartments. You'll also find a larger variety of styles, colors and price ranges among soft-sided luggage. Editors at Consumer Reports magazine say
you should expect to pay about $85 for a durable wheeled backpack or $125
for a wheeled carry-on bag. Depending on your budget, you can find a basic
luggage piece with upgrades such as exterior pockets, suit carriers and waterproof
compartments. Less expensive bags are available, but testers found inexpensive
models to simply be less durable. Big-box discount stores like Wal-Mart and
Target sell inexpensive luggage lines. At Wal-Mart, you can purchase three
and four-piece sets from American Tourister and Skyline for $30 to $90. However,
in luggage torture tests, this inexpensive luggage sometimes falls apart.
The Kirkland Signature Executive 22" rolling carry-on
(*est. $110) is the exception. It receives higher marks from reviewers for
its durability. At the same time, travel experts also say
you should avoid luxury luggage from the likes of Louis Vuitton or ZERO Halliburton.
Thieves are well aware that expensive luggage indicates expensive contents.
If you plan to let your bag out of your sight, skip luxury luggage. Also,
some luxury brands like Tumi perform worse than less expensive brands like
Eagle Creek and Travelpro in tests. In a review for Money magazine of wheeled
luggage, Charles Passy finds that the
Tumi Vista Super Light Wheeled Packing Case
(*est. $400) does not wear well and that the frame poked out after his
torture tests. Rather, reviews say the best deals in luggage are mid-priced
bags -- neither too expensive nor too cheap.
... Continued
Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
We weren't surprised not to find a bit of consensus on individual pieces of luggage simply because few reviewers test the exact same bag. However, some interesting patterns emerge in our research. In two separate torture tests, Eagle Creek luggage comes through with flying colors, although each review tested a different bag. Two Samsonite spinner bags are also recommended; though they aren't subjected to the same torture tests, experts say this type of bag is easier to maneuver. Additionally, we found a large number of general recommendations, which aren't included in the chart above. For example, Travelpro luggage is often recommended in general. Frequent fliers and airline personnel also like Briggs & Riley luggage in general because of its lifetime no-questions-asked, free-repair warranty, which even covers damage caused by airline baggage handling. Reviewers also generally say luggage from Costco's Kirkland line is a cut above other inexpensive luggage from Wal-Mart or Sears. Advertisement
>> Do you know of a review that we've missed? Click here.
>>  Email
>> 
Yahoo!
Digg
Google
Reddit
del.icio.us
(What's this?)
Luggage Reviews |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
© 2008 ConsumerSearch, Inc. A service from 
, a part of The New York Times Company. All Rights Reserved.
ConsumerSearch and ConsumerSearch.com are registered trademarks of ConsumerSearch, Inc. Other trademarks or service marks on this site are the property of their respective owners. ConsumerSearch is not sponsored by any source reviewed, and we accept no consideration or payment for including, excluding, or ranking any reviews, products or services in our reports.
* Pricing information is approximate as of the time this report was written and is based on observed market selling prices and/or list prices. Actual selling prices may differ.
