The reviews below are assigned ratings by ConsumerSearch. These ratings are based on credibility in testing, evaluating and
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| 1.
The Travel Insider
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The Best Carry On Bag
Editors of The Travel Insider
Not Dated
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The Travel Insider offers a wealth of information about all things travel-related. Editors review and test a couple of dozen wheeled luggage pieces; this article highlights the editors' favorites. They provide recommendations for each of four types of traveler. If size and weight are most important, the Eagle Creek Pilot EXP is highest rated. The Samsonite Sahora Spinner is the runner up. If you want the most capacity, the Briggs & Riley 21" Expandable Upright and Travelpro Crew5 are rated best. For budget luggage, editors say occasional travelers should just get something cheap, but Costco luggage is a cut above the competition. Overall, editors say the Briggs & Riley free no-questions-asked repair warranty makes it the best value, even though the luggage is initially much more expensive.
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| 2.
Consumer Reports
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Inexpensive Luggage
Editors of Consumer Reports
Aug. 2005
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The great price deals on luggage offered at discount and department stores such as Wal-Mart, Target, Kohl's and Sears may not be so great if the bags don't hold up well, say Consumer Reports editors, who compare luggage ranging from $48 to $110 per set. Several bags were ripped, wheels sheared and frames broken or protruding after being pummeled in a steel drum weighted with 35 pounds of towels. Editors conclude that for air travelers, it is best to invest a bit more in luggage. A ratings chart is included. Six luggage lines are compared. We hope to see Consumer Reports update this article.
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| 3.
Money Magazine
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Five Bags Checked
Charles Passy
May 2007
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Reviewer Charles Passy road tests five suitcases for durability and functionality in a hands-on torture test. Top rated overall is the Eagle Creek Tarmac ES 25. Its nylon never ripped or scuffed during the grueling test and it also features an auto cinch feature that balances loads. He also considers a lifetime warranty essential, and only the Eagle Creek bag offered one. Luggage from Samsonite, Travelpro and Tumi are also tested. Although the scope of this test is limited, the actual testing is practical and balanced.
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| 4.
Budget Travel
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Eat Your Heart Out, ‘Consumer Reports'
Brad Tuttle
Feb. 2007
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Brad Tuttle and editors from Budget Travel test five wheeled bags by dragging them through New York City streets, among other torture tests. The Eagle Creek Velocity 25 ends up highest rated. The bag weathered cornering, bumpy terrain and curb hopping best. The Ogio Terminal 28", REI Stratocruiser 25", Osprey Vector 28" and Tumi T-Tech Pulse Cooper Square 30" are also tested, but the Eagle Creek bag was the easy winner. Although this article's scope is limited to five bags, the practical hands-on methodology is excellent.
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| 5.
The Wall Street Journal
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Luggage with Four-Wheel Drive
Charles Passy
Jan. 2007
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The same reviewer that tests luggage for Money magazine also tests five spinner bags for The Wall Street Journal. Charles Passy found that spinner bags, which come on four wheels rather than two, live up to their hype of greater maneuverability. The Atlantic Graphite Lite is highest rated for its rugged construction, traditional styling and interior space organization. Passy tests each luggage piece by running it through an obstacle course of traffic cones.
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| 6.
Los Angeles Times
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Gear Review: luggage for the well-wheeled crowd
Rosemary McClure
July 27, 2007
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Rosemary McClure field tests three spinner carry-on bags on international trips. All three are hard-sided bags. The Samsonite Silhouette, Rimowa Salsa (a German manufacturer) and the Titan Xenon aren't compared or ranked, but McClure does add that spinner bags are more flexible and easier on your back than two-wheelers. The bags are also pricey, however.
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| 7.
Outside Magazine
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Buyers Guide 2007
Editors of Outside Magazine
Not Dated
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Although it is not compared to other luggage, Outside's editors recommend the REI Stratocruiser 25 for adventure travelers. The editors like its large size, stylish design and materials. This model doubles as a backpack. Unfortunately, we're not told how thoroughly this bag was tested and no other luggage is compared to it.
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Luggage Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.
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| 8.
Outside Magazine
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Buyers Guide 2006
Editors of Outside Magazine
Not Dated
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Outside Magazine recognizes the Osprey Meridian 22 in its 2006 Gear of the Year list. This bag also has a detachable backpack. Editors say the suitcase endured a 3,000-mile trip with no sign of stress, but fail to compare luggage or rate any other bags.
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| 9.
Luggage Online
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Luggage Reviews
Contributors to Luggage Online
As of Sept. 2007
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Contributors rate and relay personal experiences on luggage on this retail site. Nearly all luggage pieces received some good marks, but Samsonite and Travelpro are the most commonly reviewed. This is a good place to find comments on nearly every brand and luggage line. Not many contributors compare luggage to other brands, however.
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| 10.
EBags.com
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Luggage Reviews
Contributors to EBags
As of Sept. 2007
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Like many other retail websites, Ebags allows luggage owners to rate their own luggage. Samsonite, Travelpro and Skyway are frequently reviewed, but frankly, most bags get high ratings from owners. Sites like Ebags are an interesting place to look for reviews on specific luggage, but since most of the bags receive high marks, it's difficult to get an accurate idea of which models are overall favorites.
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| 11.
Fodor's Travel Forum
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Message Boards
Contributors to Fodor's Travel Forum
As of Sept. 2007
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There are a few posts about luggage on these message boards, but there is no section specifically dedicated to luggage comments, so you must search. One reader posts a question asking about forum users' favorite bags. Many people report they like Briggs & Riley, as well as Travelpro, Eagle Creek and Victorinox luggage.
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| 12.
Flyertalk.com
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Message Boards
Contributors to Flyertalk.com
As of Sept. 2007
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A few posts here discuss luggage, although there's no special section dedicated to this purpose. One reader recently posted a question asking which luggage is "dependable, durable, and most importantly, light." Three readers said they like Travelpro; three others also recommend Briggs & Riley for its exceptional quality and lifetime repair policy. Others also mention Hartmann, Red Oxx, Tumi and Eddie Bauer.
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Luggage Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.
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| 13.
Amazon.com
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Luggage
Contributors to Amazon.com
As of Sept. 2007
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Amazon.com invites owners to review their own luggage, but there are very few reviews to be found here. Comments are mainly confined to Samsonite, High Sierra, Skyway and a few other brands. There is no ratings chart or a list of reviews. You have to click on an individual bag to see if there are any reviews for it.
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| 14.
Epinions
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Luggage Reviews
Contributors to Epinions
As of Sept. 2007
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Epinions is not very helpful when it comes to luggage. Dozens of models receive only a single writeup, and almost all of these owner-written reviews hand out the same five-star rating. Many other luggage models receive no rating at all. Unless more readers contribute reviews on the same luggage, Epinions is not very helpful when trying to determine which luggage might be best.
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| 15.
Time magazine
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How Tough Is Your Luggage?
Lisa McLaughlin
Oct. 15, 2007
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This article briefly discusses luggage that can withstand rough handling. McLaughlin suggests opting for durable materials like Ballistic or Cordura nylon. The REI Tech Beast uses this material. She also recommends looking for handles that are made of webbing, such as that used on Travelpro Crew luggage. However, no luggage is tested or recommended and we're not sure why these bags were mentioned.
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| 16.
Forbes
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Luxe Luggage
Shivani Vora
May 3, 2007
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This short feature on luxury luggage includes a mention of upscale, patterned offerings like the Black Label Fashionaire from Samsonite. The Tumi T3 Ducati Total Transporter 26 in orange fabric with a silver edging, the Louis Vuitton Vernis Pegase 50 and the Burberry Brit check duffel bag are also mentioned. This luggage isn't tested or rated, however.
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