By Julianne Lowell | Smarter Travel – Wed, May 22, 2013 6:20 PM EDT
(Left photo: Antler Luggage USA; right photo: Briggs & Riley)The forever suitcase: defined as the one bag that will last a lifetime, be your constant companion on trips of all kinds, and meet your particular travel needs, all without disintegrating into a pile of cheap materials before you even make it home. This is no carry-on bag, folks. This is a suitcase that has it all and fits it all.
MORE FROM SMARTER TRAVEL
Note: Prices quoted are manufacturers' list prices. Most suitcases are on sale for lower prices online.
Delsey Helium Ultimate Expandable Spinner Suiter
Perfect For: The Overpacker
(Photo: Delsey)The
built-in overweight indicator in Delsey's Helium Ultimate 25"
Expandable Spinner Suiter Trolley is a godsend for the traveler who
tends to pack everything but the kitchen sink. While the scale won't
exactly help break your habit, it will at least prevent you from
throwing in that one last item (or seventh pair of shoes) that would
otherwise have taken your bag from pleasantly plump to totally
overweight. The 25" Helium Ultimate comes pre-programmed to indicate
when it's overstuffed and weighing in at more than 50 lb.In addition to this much-appreciated cost-saving measure, Delsey has thoughtfully included a number of useful interior and exterior pockets so you can keep organized all the extras you just had to pack. The ergonomics of the bag could use a bit of work, as the handle was a bit difficult for me to pop up and the spinner wheels were a bit tippy.
List Price: $350
Briggs & Riley BRX Explore Upright
Perfect For: The Adventure Traveler
(Photo: Briggs & Riley)Whoever
thought the grown-up version of a backpack would be this much fun? With
myriad pockets, bright-orange interior detailing, and a
super-lightweight design, Briggs & Riley's BRX Explore 25" Upright
is the perfect bag for adventurous types. It has extra handles in
convenient places, an external buckle system that allows you to connect
it to another bag in the BRX line, and details like moisture-wicking
mesh lining. This rugged suitcase wouldn't look out of place on the
hiking trail—but all zipped up, it would fit right in at a fancy hotel,
too.And this bag has pockets galore. Add Briggs & Riley's lifetime warranty, and this innovative bag adds up to a great deal.
List Price: $335
Travelpro Platinum 7 Expandable Rollaboard Suiter
Perfect For: The Frequent Flyer
(Photo: Travelpro)The
year was 1987, and Northwest Airlines pilot Bob Plath was fed up with
the two luggage options currently on the market: a heavy suitcase
carried by a top handle or a horizontal model with four wheels pulled by
a strap. So he designed a small suitcase, standing it upright,
attaching just two wheels, and creating a long, extendable handle for
the top. And thus was born the Travelpro Rollaboard.You know you can trust a luggage company that was founded by a pilot. Travelpro's Platinum 7 26" Expandable Rollaboard Suiter has a timeless look, with ballistic-nylon fabric, nickel accents, and herringbone trim. Like the exterior of the bag, the interior is classic and offers no superfluous components: simply a compartmentalized lid (including a detachable garment bag) and a hidden mesh bottom pocket.
List Price: $560
Tumi Vapor Medium Trip Packing Case
Perfect For: The Fashionista
(Photo: Tumi)Tumi's
eye-catching Vapor Medium Trip Packing Case is bold, beautiful, and
filled with surprises. The Vapor line is focused on innovation, from the
smartly designed interiors to the molded bumpers that protect the
outside from damage. Patented zipper technology even ensures that, if
caught on something, the zipper's pull—and not the entire zipper—will
break away, so you'll be left with a still-functioning zipper and only
have to replace the pull. Plus, the triple-layered polycarbonate shell
looks and feels like it could withstand even the most careless airline
baggage handler. And in the unlucky event that your bag goes missing,
the Tumi Tracer hotline will work to find it for you.If there is a fault in this suitcase, it's the warranty that comes with it. Lasting for only five years—four of which feature coverage in only a limited capacity—Tumi's protection is less than ideal.
List Price: $595
No comments:
Post a Comment