Suitcase recommendations for long haul

youth_leader

Happy New Year everyone!

I've just booked a solo tour to NZ with Riviera Travel in October.  I've got to fly with BA from Newcastle to Heathrow, then Heathrow to Singapore.  We have a night in Singapore, then fly Singapore to Auckland.  Return flight will only be one change in Singapore.

I'm packing light and just want one large tough 8 wheeler that I can depend on.  Suggestions please?

gwynlas

A lot depends on your budget TK Max and others often have a good selection of expensive brands reduced particularly during the summer holiday season with listed weights and you can check ease of use of pulling handle etc before purchase.

DullGreyGuy

gwynlas said:

A lot depends on your budget TK Max and others often have a good selection of expensive brands reduced particularly during the summer holiday season with listed weights and you can check ease of use of pulling handle etc before purchase.

Obviously be aware that many of these will not really be reduced but be made explicitly for sale in TK Maxx or other Outlets with different materials/features than the full price versions who's price they quote... its amazing TK Maxx's (and others) practices have never been stopped.

Not sure I would be too bothered demanding 8 wheels... certainly 4 sets of wheels but 4 high quality wheels are going to be better than 8 flimsy wheels. Our Samsonite suitcases are 4 wheels and are still in good nick after 14 years and over 200 flights whereas a budget 8 wheeler lost two wheels on its first flight. 

Dont know what your baggage allowance will be but personally prefer 2 medium cases than 1 extra large one. Appreciate this is a solo trip but for a similar reason when travelling with the Mrs we split our belongings between cases so if one goes missing or is delayed we still have some clothes etc to wear until its resolved. With just one case its all or nothing. 

youth_leader

Thank you both, I will have a look at TK Maxx and the Samsonite range and great point that 4 quality wheels are better.  On a previous tour with my late husband we had to wheel our cases for what seemed miles down hotel corridors.  

Baggage allowance is 32 kg but I am a light packer, a lesson learnt when the escalators at King's Cross were shut down on our arrival during a bomb scare  

I agree it is better to split packing across cases - when we arrived in Sydney only our young son's case arrived, Quantas lost ours for three days.  Having travelled from the UK in a fleece and velvet trousers, I couldn't wait to buy a summery dress in the tourist shop! 

youth_leader

Thanks all - a Samsonite spinner from the HOF sale on its way to me! HOF offer a 'which size would fit' service where you give your height/weight/age - looks like the 79 cm is my limit.

I've chosen a single sided case this time in fabric, I didn't like having to lay the double sided flat to see my clothes. 

Unbelievable we went to India with bags I bought in the charity shop - but they survived, unfortunately went when I downsized. 

heatherw_01

Kipling are pretty good

daveyjp

We recently swapped our very well worn soft Delsey suitcase and bag with part concealed and protected wheels, which had been on dozens of flights all over the world, thrown on top of Indian buses etc etc but the seams and zips were failing so we needed new.

We chose two hard cases with four wheels and after a single trip (four flights in total) one was dented on a corner and I'm not sure how much longer the wheels will last on either.

youth_leader

Thank you heatherw_01 I might treat myself to a new Kipling bag now I have the suitcase.  I saw someone with a lovely backpack at the airport recently.

Sorry your wheels let you down daveyjp - unfortunately I do have eight on this new bag, but having paid a huge sum for insurance today because of my 'raised cholesterol' I had to buy on budget.

I've spent the evening battling to book flights, I want to fly NCL to LHR the day before, I'm worried about further train strikes.  Decided on Flybe - but could only take a 15 kg bag with the flights offered.  Went to BA instead and found a suitable return with 1 x 23 kg bag included, got to the payment page  - 'we cannot process your booking'.  Tried again and got the same message.  An hour later I came back on to try again - and had TWO confirmation booking emails.  Luckily was able to cancel second option immediately.  I'm not good enough on the computer and the site was tooo clunky for me, in future I'll phone my booking through even if it does cost a bit more.

seanfos

We have a selection of Antler hard shell cases we bought after having a number of cheap soft cases damaged during flights. We've been very happy with them and have also found their warranty department excellent, replacing without question two cases that had minor damage (Chinese airports seem to be extremely rough with cases!). Hope you enjoy your Samsonite case

Sean

Skiddaw1

@youth_leader just wanted to say I'm so glad you've booked yourself a holiday! From what I've read from your posts, you've had a right difficult time over the past few years. You really deserve a break. Hope you have a fantastic time when it comes to it.

youth_leader

How nice of you Skiddaw1, thank you, it will be my last long haul.  It was between Japan and NZ.   I can only go because my beloved cat and dog have died - I miss them terribly but am determined to travel now.  My oldest friend is coming too, but as a solo trip, we are free to be as independent of each other as we wish.