Advice on choosing luggage

5 replies

euroboy1977

Member since 13 Aug 2013

Total posts 92

I'd love some advice on Luggage. For my Birthday I got $100 Coles Myer Voucher and $200 cash. I need both a Large Check in Luggage piece and a smaller carry on piece. I am a bit partial to hard cases. What are the pro's and con's of either soft or hard cases?

So far the following must haves:

1) Luggage Weighing Device

2 ) USB Power Storage thingie that can charge laptops/mobiles/cameras several times!

What other invaluable items would you need for a long haul flight and for regular short flights around Europe?

Noise Cancelling Headphones?

Any suggestions would be great

watson374

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 17 Aug 2012

Total posts 1,285

My honest advice is to get a solid cabin-sized roller bag. Get a good one to last you years. I'm still using a Samsonite roller (two-wheel, black canvas) bought in the late nineties!

If you're flying regularly short flights around Europe, you'll quickly tire of large luggage and checking them in.

euroboy1977

Member since 13 Aug 2013

Total posts 92

The large luggage is only being brought once as I am making a permanent move to london. Otherwise ill be using a Smaller carry on for most trips

watson374

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 17 Aug 2012

Total posts 1,285

Then buy the cheapest thing you can find for the large luggage. Look for old cases, ask relatives for old cases, or just buy a cheap monster at your local discount luggage store.

The smaller carry-on, however, requires a lot more deliberation. I recommend you get a solid, cabin-sized roller. Canvas or hard plastic doesn't matter much - just get a strong, light case that you like that you are confident will last you for at least half a decade.

Soft, canvas-y cases are alright. They tend to be built with a frame, so can be more solid around the corners but they can be vulnerable to liquid and piercing damage. I've stuck with such cases my entire life, though, and they've always pulled through (mind the pun!). Samsonite and Tumi seem to be the best for this - I'm a loyal Samsonite customer, and stubbornly insist on black.

Hard-shell cases work well, but they are vulnerable to crush and scratch damage (god, this sounds like an RPG!). They do look a lot sleeker, and they are often lighter because they are structurally based on a monocoque shell rather than a frame. Rimowa produce some excellent examples.

Whatever you do, stick with a two-wheel case for the carry-on.

AMR

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 21 Mar 2014

Total posts 3

  Yes spend on good quality small roller - many sites online (luggagedirect.com.au I've used with good results, especially clearance items).

As only using once (or infrequently) then consider buying a collapsible large bag.  Occasionally Big W get them in (where I bought one about 7 years back).  Cost $15 and has soft non-tear material sides with 3/4 zip like hard side bags.  No wheels but empty it goes to 1 cm thick (or less) so takes no room to store.  Weighs 300 grams.

   We use it as 'purchases bag' - rather than try and crush everything into other bags this one fits flat inside another bag to be used if needed.

  Have used it for INN-LGW-SYD, LHR-SYD, MUC-SYD with no issues (or breakages).  BUT I always put a good quality luggage strap around it to ensure zip does not open and small padlock to keep zips together.

AMR

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 21 Mar 2014

Total posts 3

One other thing, you can use your Coles/Myer card (effectively convert to cash) for buying petrol for car etc.

In other words you're can substitute cash for it instead of forcing yourself to buy some travel luggage (nearly always over-priced) from a ColessMyer affiliate.  That said you may be able to get Myer to price match if they have identical item as online web site (save yourself the P&H cost if any).

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