Which type of luggage would be most useful?

[zoltanspawn]

The last couple times I've traveled I've taken "adult" luggage and missed the backpack of my youth.

Next big trip, it's a backpack.

The last video of the guy wheeling his case up the steps:

 

[Latimer]

I used one of the padlocks which the TSA can enter, but going to Italy someone just cut it of with a bolt cutter.

I once flew out of Catania (this was before 9/11 and noted at the time as a Cosa Nostra stronghold) and the airport had a concession that shrink-wrapped luggage to "protect" it from being broken into. I figured--as did, it seemed, most other travelers--that this was an implicit threat, and that if one didn't pay for the shrink-wrap, the luggage was guaranteed to be broken into.

Flying in the US, my partner has had TSA locks cut off twice; I've never had a problem.

 

[SaskGuy]

I want something that I'd recognize as mine from a distance, that is well built, and also lightweight. Also, not too expensive, in case it gets broken during processing.
Hey, speaking as someone who's been on planes, I'm being realistic!
Mine fits the bill, and I like how it looks too. Even though it's a dark colour, it's got bright coloured piping, so I don't look like a clown or like I stole some woman's case, but it's still very recognizable. In fact, besides the bright piping, the seemingly ordinary colour also made it recognizable. Everyone had brightly coloured bags, some with bold patterns, and I saw several that were neon blue, that looked so identical even the owners would have to check the tag.

As for carry-on luggage, you really don't need a whole lot. I used my laptop carrying case because it was small and practical, and what few things I wanted to keep with me fit nicely. You don't want a whole bunch of crap to bring on the plane because you have to empty it all out when you go through security.
So many people took those mini hard suitcases with the wheels and handles, trying to jam them into the overhead compartment and taking up way more room than they should have, leaving other people no room to put their carry-ons. On one flight I had to keep my carry-on under the seat because of one of those inconsiderate douchenozzles.

 

[rareboy]

The lightest and cheapest I can find.

 

[medic1]

The first one, Risegear, is neat and handy, which is what you want luggage to be. The Shelfpak might be harder to set up than it looks, like a deckchair or a clothes horse. After the novelty has worn off I think most people would go back to putting their clothes in the wardrobe. The collapsible suitcase is the stupidest thing I've seen today (mind you, it's only 11 am). Why would you want to save about 3 cubic feet of space in a hotel room? It's a complicated solution to a nonexistent problem. As for the last one, that's plain crazy. You might want bluetooth speakers and solar battery chargers when you travel but why do they have to be built in to your luggage? Why not add a chemical toilet and a solar powered sandwich toaster?

This is my idea of luggage:

When i travel, i too prefer this style of carry-on, both very easy to carry around, and to Kallipolis point, very unobtrusive.

 

[star-warrior]

Travel by economy and you're restricted to one suitcase plus a carry on and prolly a laptop sized bag. By other classes of air ticket you probably get two suitcases etc.

If you're travelling light with just the carryon, there ain't that much need to worry about snoopers, since it'll be in the overhead locker rather than intransit with luggage handlers. So, my choice of hand luggage is basically a wheely cabin sized suitcase, plus a satchel or messenger bag if I travel alone. That way, I don't need to waste time dropping off and picking up luggage, especially if you just need a few days worth of clothes to change in, and staying at a place with laundry facilities.

 

[TickTockMan]

You guys are no fun.

 

[seioussuction69]

If it's car travel, any luggage will do as long as it's in good shape. As for flying, it must be a hard case with compartments. Wheels are an absolute must, locks that are secure & gps is a big help if it gets lost. I fly to Australia & Sweden because I have relatives there, and I live in California, so those are just LONG flights from hell. So I want to open my luggage when I get there and find everything like I packed it, nothing spilled torn or broken. Investing in expensive designer luggage is not worth it (unless it's for car trips) because they just get tossed and abused by the airlines.

 

[Paws]

I've only travelled by train so far and have a softshell trolley. Should I ever use an airplane, I would get a cheap hardshell trolley because the employees there might throw it around.

Forget about TSA locks though, they were "hacked" a few years ago, plans for the keys were leaked and you can easily mold them with a 3D printer now. Cameras, laptops, smartphones, any other things of value... always carry them with you. They busted a bunch of airport employees in France, they were part of an organized crime group that opened luggage and stole the contents.

 

[Latimer]

For a number of years I used luggage from Crouch & Fitzgerald, a Manhattan company that had been around since the 1830's. Black canvas with tan leather trim, it was extraordinarily simple and distinctive. Classic. My first pieces were purchased for me by my parents when I was a kid, but the line wasn't so expensive that I couldn't later easily add or replace cases when they were damaged. This happened regularly, but I so admired the design that I found it worth the expense and effort. No wheels, of course.

C&F closed its doors more than a few years ago, so I moved on to Tumi, which is more money, neither distinctive nor classic, but durable and, with wheels, easy.

C&F looked expensive even if it wasn't, Tumi is known to be moderately so. I travel a fair amount: by the end of this year I will have been on 18 flights, to destinations as far flung and diverse as Osaka, Savannah and Palermo. I've never had any problem with lost luggage or theft. I've read that the contention that good- and expensive-looking luggage is more likely to be broken into or stolen is not supported by the evidence, and studies have been done that showed the opposite.

 

[dpnice]

I have just bought new luggage, both Samsonite, one cabin and one larger version. The main reason was weight; I wanted the lightest possible as I have to carry it up three flights of stairs when I get home.

I can get 7 days of clothes in the cabin baggage so it is perfect for all short stay holidays. For longer stays I am still experimenting with the larger case to see if it is actually worthwhile.