The SQTalk Luggage Discussion Thread

[inix]

I still like Samsonite cases, but I decided that its quite pointless to get the more expensive equivalent when its sister brand, American Tourister isn't really that bad at more than 1/2 the price.

They have been trust worthy, reliable, and extremely cost effective. Besides, at that price, I would throw it away if something goes wrong, than to go through the hassle that is repairs...

[CarbonMan]

I used to buy bag after bag from Samsonite because of their trade-in policy but while in Munich for a holiday (over-indulged in kitchenware ), bought a set of polycarbonate Rimowa suitcases. Am now a convert. Unfortunately a tad expensive in Singapore and hard to find.

[kapitan]

I used to buy bag after bag from Samsonite because of their trade-in policy but while in Munich for a holiday (over-indulged in kitchenware ), bought a set of polycarbonate Rimowa suitcases. Am now a convert. Unfortunately a tad expensive in Singapore and hard to find.

Welcome to the Rimowa club.... for any servicing to be done, just call up the local showrooms, two actually....

I was in the train to BKK airport once and a group of Taiwanese girls started talking to because Iam using the Rimowa.... hahhahahaaaa.....

[CarbonMan]

I was in the train to BKK airport once and a group of Taiwanese girls started talking to because Iam using the Rimowa.... hahhahahaaaa.....

Oooo ... I didn't think the bags came with fringe benefits.

[9V-JKL]

Welcome to SQT Richard. Sorry to hear of your misery with Samsonite.

I was in the train to BKK airport once and a group of Taiwanese girls started talking to because Iam using the Rimowa.... hahhahahaaaa.....

And........ come on, spill the beans...

[HUGE AL]

My previous garment bag was a Samsonite...and it served me well for many many years. But when the zipper failed due to the absurd amount of travel and overuse, they blamed me for using it too much. The repair place in Arizona ended up eating the cost. I sold it on eBay, moved up to B&R, and never looked back.

[9V-SIA]

My previous garment bag was a Samsonite...and it served me well for many many years. But when the zipper failed due to the absurd amount of travel and overuse, they blamed me for using it too much. The repair place in Arizona ended up eating the cost. I sold it on eBay, moved up to B&R, and never looked back.

Looking to buy B&R for 1st time. Love the quality feel which seems to be absent in latest Samsonites. Indeed all major luggage brands. Like the feel of 18" (USD299) or 21" (USD379) cabin bag. Shop willing to give 10% off.

Used my wife's Rimowa this trip. Nice and light but you can't use it on luggage rack hotels provide. So need to unpack everytime. Attracted wrong kind of attention too. 1st time TSA has opened my checked in bag!

[benlee]

I like Samsonite bags. I got 4 actually, including a recently purchased large luggage bag with 4 wheels that made carrying around way easier. They are well made, looks good and reasonably priced. Tumi is also nice but I find their styling too repetitive and boring. Generally when come to luggage bags, I've learned that paying peanuts gets you poor quality ( not durable ). Pay more gets better quality. Pay a lot and you might just be buying a status symbol, like those logo-filled LV bags.

[9V-SIA]

I like Samsonite bags. I got 4 actually, including a recently purchased large luggage bag with 4 wheels that made carrying around way easier. They are well made, looks good and reasonably priced. Tumi is also nice but I find their styling too repetitive and boring. Generally when come to luggage bags, I've learned that paying peanuts gets you poor quality ( not durable ). Pay more gets better quality. Pay a lot and you might just be buying a status symbol, like those logo-filled LV bags.

I have bought many Samsonite through the years. Still ok but compared to my old Samsonite not so good. Change is subtle. The zippers are more flimsy and slide less smoothly.

But hard to compare because I just looked at a suitcase I've been thinking of buying since I saw in Selfridges 2 years ago. Singapore has the model now.

But today I see the New York version. Same design. But fabric different! Ballistic nylon here.

American luggage heavier than Asia or European equivalent. With exception of Tumi and B&R. I'm talking about soft luggage. Polycarbonate similar weight worldwide.

[HUGE AL]

Looking to buy B&R for 1st time. Love the quality feel which seems to be absent in latest Samsonites. Indeed all major luggage brands. Like the feel of 18" (USD299) or 21" (USD379) cabin bag. Shop willing to give 10% off.

Used my wife's Rimowa this trip. Nice and light but you can't use it on luggage rack hotels provide. So need to unpack everytime. Attracted wrong kind of attention too. 1st time TSA has opened my checked in bag!

If you read through this entire thread, you'll see how much a B&R advocate I am. Roller Blade wheels, the same ballistic nylon used in bulletproof vests, heavy duty zippers, and THE best guarantee in the business: they repair ANY damage from ANYBODY (you, the airline, the truck that ran over it, etc.) FOR LIFE -- no questions! This, because they want to insure that they consistently make the most durable bags in the world.

The 18" is kinda small. Go with the 21". I use the 22" (no longer made).

[CarbonMan]

If you read through this entire thread, you'll see how much a B&R advocate I am. Roller Blade wheels, the same ballistic nylon used in bulletproof vests, heavy duty zippers, and THE best guarantee in the business: they repair ANY damage from ANYBODY (you, the airline, the truck that ran over it, etc.) FOR LIFE -- no questions! This, because they want to insure that they consistently make the most durable bags in the world.

The 18" is kinda small. Go with the 21". I use the 22" (no longer made).

You have certainly got me curious about checking out B&R. Frankly I have never heard of it.

[stargold]

I'm also contemplating my first B&R at the moment... probably a 20" carry-on.

They feel extremely sturdy and the warranty program is reassuring as well.

I don't know if it's just me, but Tumi is somewhat past its prime as far as I'm concerned - they used to be the gold standard in indestructible luggage, but their luggage have lost their focus on quality and durability while the brand has shifted to being too fashion conscious.

[HUGE AL]

You have certainly got me curious about checking out B&R. Frankly I have never heard of it.

Read through the thread. There's LOTS of good info here. Not only on B&R, but many other brands as well.


An example of B&R's CS: UA (as usual) completely shattered one of my larger pieces. The telescoping handle was not functional at all and completely mangled. Three corner supports were crushed. One of the expanding mechanisms failed to stay put. Spent my USD$10 (which UA paid) for shipping to their California Repair Facility (company HQ is South of SF). They sent me a BRAND NEW bag with a note of apology for the previous one failing. No hassle or questions whatsoever.

Now...if we could get SQ to appreciate their customers as much...

[9V-SIA]

If you read through this entire thread, you'll see how much a B&R advocate I am. Roller Blade wheels, the same ballistic nylon used in bulletproof vests, heavy duty zippers, and THE best guarantee in the business: they repair ANY damage from ANYBODY (you, the airline, the truck that ran over it, etc.) FOR LIFE -- no questions! This, because they want to insure that they consistently make the most durable bags in the world.

The 18" is kinda small. Go with the 21". I use the 22" (no longer made).

I only knew about B&R reading this thread!

Checked them out at Selfridges.

I've been put off by the heavy weight even when empty.

Weighs like my bags fully packed!

Same for Tumi.

But the quality feel ... the zips slide so smoothly. Looks great in olive with brown leather trim.

And great ergonomics.

• Exterior handlebars for flat internal surface facilitates packing.
• Pouch between handlebars where my headphones will fit

This time in New York, the carry on doesn't feel as heavy as I remember it

Maybe my gym work is bearing fruit

The other interesting option is I saw 2 versions of the 21" to expand bag.

The traditional zipper expander and a space saving rail system.

Those of you in SIN can go Planet Traveller at Paragon to see what I mean

On another matter, seen a polycarbonate bag with side pockets for the first time here in NYC. My main reservation of polycarbonates solved!

But bags are heavier with these fabric pouches and look like they can be ripped off. Saw the TUMI and RIMOWA versions

Great city to look at bags NYC. Pity I can't get over jet lag and I'm leaving already.....

[jhm]

On another matter, seen a polycarbonate bag with side pockets for the first time here in NYC. My main reservation of polycarbonates solved!

But bags are heavier with these fabric pouches and look like they can be ripped off. Saw the TUMI and RIMOWA versions

I have one of these - the Rimowa Bolero as cabin luggage:

http://www.koffer-direkt.de/rimowa-b...y-schwarz.html

which I used to use a lot. The only downside is that the front fabric pocket is only just big enough to hold a 15" laptop and nothing else. That meant that I had to keep my laptop inside the case but due to its clamshell design, whenever I passed through security it was a pain to get the laptop out.

Nowadays, I don't use it so much because if I'm taking a SLR camera and lenses (albeit there have been some trips where I've lugged all this heavy gear around and not used it!), I use a specialist camera backpack - a Think Tank Airport Ultralight:

http://www.thinktankphoto.com/produc...-backpack.aspx

There's a pocket in the front for my laptop. It's not as big as the Rimowa but unlike the Rimowa, the Ultralight is small enough to fit in the overhead lockers on an ATR etc.

Finally, for quick 1-night trips where I'm not taking a SLR and I don't want to drag around the Rimowa wheelie, I use a Porter Shorthauler bag which fits a laptop, a set of clothes and other odds and ends:

http://shop.monocle.com/bags/the-porter-shorthauler

My check-in luggage consists of a Rimowa Salsa:

http://thebestthings.com/rimowa/rimo..._suitcases.htm

i.e. a big light/strong plastic dustbin on wheels. When travelling around (e.g.) Japan - planes, trains, buses, ropeways, trams, taxis etc - I certainly want to minimise the weight of my luggage.