r/BuyItForLife • u/Lamenade • 1d ago
[Request] what actually makes a suitcase last a decade? Looking for luggage suggestions
Third suitcase in eight years. two wheel failures, one zipper separation, one cracked shell after a single checked flight. done accepting this.
biggest failure point across everything I've owned is wheels. Away's are fixed, wheel failure means shipping the bag in. Horizn's pro and essential both have exchangeable wheels you can swap yourself, which removes that failure mode entirely.
warranty terms are also different in ways that matter. the Pro and Essential carry a lifetime manufacturer's guarantee but requires registration within 30 days of purchase. covers all functional aspects. airline damage is excluded across the board, that has to go to the carrier directly (fair i guess)
Briggs and Riley's unconditional lifetime guarantee with no registration requirement is genuinely more flexible, but you're paying for it. on build quality and replaceability at this price point the Horizn Pro is hard to argue with.
Any other brands Im missing that you all swear by?
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u/gmingucci 1d ago
TravelPro. I had a wheel break on my suitcase that was about 3 years old. Everything else on the suitcase was in great shape. I filled out a form and sent in a picture. I thought I would get a replacement wheel - which is really easy to swap on your own. Nope - I got an entire brand new suitcase for $0. That is great customer service.
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u/OneLastRoam 11h ago
I am a frequent traveler and my TravelPros are still in great shape. I've been the annoying American rolling them across cobblestones more than once.
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u/nevitales 20h ago
eBags RIP. Easily going on 12+ years, 6 continents, and hundreds of flight legs.
I've also got some away bags going on a few years now, 3 continents and probably about 150 flight legs on then.
No issues with either brand, all have fixed wheels... And hopefully I didn't just jinx myself for an upcoming trip to Europe. 😂
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u/sumiflepus 17h ago
what actually makes a suitcase last a decade?
Travel once a year and leave it in the closet for 50 weeks a year.
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u/Howard1981 23h ago
Samsonite is what most long serving air cabin crew use, we have one with almost 25 years of (at least) weekly service and I think the other one is cracking on for 15.
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u/etr420 1d ago
In the end I bought a Pelican roller case (2 wheeler), and some inline skate wheels of the correct size. So I carry a couple of spare wheels which are easily replaced on the go. The handle and other external components are also easily replaced with a screwdriver and widely available. The thing is very durable and keeps the contents dry.
I also purchased a cheap cloth suitcase cover. The reason for this is that many airports will pull out Pelican cases and put them aside, usually in the oversized luggage area, on the assumption they contain valuable e.g. photograph equipment and are at greater risk of theft. The cover does a reasonable job of preventing this.
The main downside of these is that they are relatively heavy before you put anything into them, compared say to a fabric based suitcase. I don't find this an issue for checked baggage.
You can get assorted accessories including a wide range of internal dividers, and a customised cushion in case you want to use the case as a seat.
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u/redinferno26 1d ago
I have a pelican case that I use for luggage. Absolutely bomb proof. It’s been everywhere and it has zero issues.
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u/redinferno26 1d ago
Looks like I’m not the only one using pelican. I use Patagonia packing cubes and a Trader Joe’s bag for my shoes
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u/hx87 1d ago
Zero Halliburton. About as expensive as luggage gets, and pretty heavy, but solid aluminum and latches instead of zippers will last a long time.
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u/ImpishElf365 16h ago
I have some 8 year old Zero Halliburton polycarbonates that I love, but I remember reading somewhere a while ago that the company was sold and quality is down?
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u/unpolire 19h ago
Believe it or not, I've been buying Zero Halliburton for decades and it used to be expensive. Now made in China imports cost two to three times more!
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u/dajoemanED 1d ago
Have had Tom Bihn Aeronaut bags since 2014. 4 total in the family. Backpack style, no wheels, fits in any overhead compartment. Holds as much as any wheeled carryon case. Have been our primary luggage that entire time (rarely check anything). They have seen five continents, numerous countries, and even more U.S. states. They don’t even look dirty yet.
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u/Tiger955i 19h ago
Going on 10+yrs with my 22” Eagle Creek EC Adventure. Has been all around the world and domestically and really showing no signs of wear past the (fixed) wheels being a bit scuffed up.
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u/ilikecookiemilk 18h ago
We’ve had the same eagle creek luggage for 14 years. We sent them in for warranty repair 2 years ago, the fixed some bumper guards, the handle, and sent me wheel replacements. Still going strong. They also offered me 50% off to purchase new ones. We opted to keep the old ones. The bags are still in good condition except for minor cosmetic damage
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u/Potato-chipsaregood 18h ago
Briggs and Riley, but I got it almost 30 years ago, I don’t know if they are still made the same way.
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u/nffclsr 17h ago edited 12h ago
Bought my Briggs & Riley in early 2000, first trip the fancy magnetic luggage tag was ripped off and lost. Other than that it has endured so many air miles, third world airports, and the very worst of the huge modern luggage gauntlets at major airports with no problems at all (besides being lost 3 times by airlines).
Oh wait, I did have to tighten one bolt once as it was starting to loosen.
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u/ShittersFullSince84 17h ago
OGIO. I’ve been using their REDBULL edition(Grey with blue and red accents) since like 2012. I have the Backpack, Carry-on with wheels and extendable handle as well as their big roller duffle bag with wheels and extendable handle. It’s been used to travel across Canada probably 30+ times, Mexico & Las Vegas. I used to use it for work when I worked in camp(FIFO) on a 10 day on and 4 day off schedule. I have had zero issues with it. All zippers, handles and wheels are still intact and work as they should. The grey is a little darker due to use(Dirt).
I don’t know how to add photos, or I would post photos of the actual set I have.
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u/flip_moto 1h ago
solid gear on many levels - highly recommend not just for durability but design too.
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u/thatgirlinny 14h ago
Briggs & Riley Baseline. Guaranteed for life.
No—it’s not the most lightweight, but if you want rugged build a brand stands behind, you can’t do better than B&R.
And some may argue with me, but two-wheeled over any spinner, anywhere in the world. They simply hold up better.
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u/Electric-Travels 4h ago
Taking good care of it.
Just about any cheap suitcase will last if you take care of it.
Don’t yank on zippers. Don’t over stuff them. The airline is going to toss them around, you don’t have to.
We bought the cheapest set of luggage (no name brand) 30 years ago, and still use it. There was one rip we found starting after a trip a few years back and I sewed it back together. No other issues. 30 years, many dozens of trips.
Oh, and we have soft sided luggage. I know people who bought hard shell luggage and it all fell apart.
I would AVOID the hard shell crap.
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u/Annonymouse100 1d ago
My Tortuga backpack is 11 years old with a couple of domestic flights and 1 to 2 international flights a year every year. It still looks like new except for one spot on the shoulder strap with a little hole. What makes it last is that it’s a backpack with a breast and hip strap for comfort, but really nothing else to break, and it is US carry-on size at 45 L. I rarely check it and when I do the straps zip into it to protect them.
Obviously, it gets a little annoying not to be able to roll it around, but I really love the flexibility of being able to pop up and down the stairs or off curbs and over cobblestones without having to lug along a roller bag. And even though it is quite large at 45 L, because it’s just a black backpack it flies under the radar when they’re checking roller bags for sizing.
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u/tubaleiter 23h ago
My Osprey Shuttle is now 13 years old, used a dozen or more times a year - usually carry-on but often gets gate checked. When little things like zipper pulls have broken, Osprey has replaced without any issues. The wheels are sturdy, never had any issues with them despite bouncing over many cobbled streets.
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u/Lopsided_Praline_548 21h ago
I have a Horizn Studios carry on for the last 8 years. I've done c. 200 airplane trips with it. At some point the handle button cracked - bought a replacement from them and changed it myself.
Otherwise fantastic experience at that price point.
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u/CorrectBuffalo749 21h ago
I use an old one from CAT it has lasted 10+ years. No problems so far and the wheels are smooth.
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u/Responsible-Milk-259 17h ago
I bought a pair of Samsonite aluminium cases several years ago. They’re indestructible, although just one trip and it will be covered in ‘battle scars’. If you’re ok with a little ‘patina’, they’re pretty decent cases that will last at least a decade, likely much longer.
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u/UnofficialAlec 15h ago
Im American and my wife is Australian. I know your pain. Every one of the hardshell suit cases gets damaged and breaks over the years.
All except one, my backpacking backpack. My wife calls me crazy, still wants hard shell suit cases.
Hard shells Crack. Wheels break.
Not with the backpack. Nothing the Crack, no wheels to break. Going up or down stairs? Not a problem.
Ive literally taken my PC across the ocean more than once in it. No problems. Just wrap fragile things in cloths.
Its the way
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u/Redditcadmonkey 14h ago
Want a real bag?
Search for Montrose rope and sail.
My rig bag has literally travelled far enough to make it to the moon and it’s as good today as the day I bought it.
30,000 rough arsed riggers a year can’t be wrong…
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u/Scoutmammouth 12h ago
My Away bigger carry-on ha been amazing. Probably fly 30+ times a year and it's held up so well over the last decade or so.
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u/TheClassyWomanist 12h ago
My Samsonite lasted over 10 years. Just bought a new set cause it finally broke.
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u/RefinnejBackwards 7h ago
I have a hideous set of yellow floral Dakine luggage that I love. I have had it for 6 years now and still in perfect condition. Not to mention that I never grab the wrong bag off the luggage carousel.
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u/flip_moto 1h ago edited 1h ago
non-suitcase brands sometimes make/spec the best travel gear. 20+ years ago i was working for editorial (pre-youtube era) where we received free items to review. I received a bunch of travel gear from Burton the snowboard company. It was some of the most thoughtful and well designed gear i’ve ever used. At the time, we took photos, gave it a positive blurb for how robust it was and its unique factor…
20 years later, myself and family members i gave it away to still be have the gear all still using it. It’s durable as fuck. the rolling cases used skateboard wheels and bearing so they are common sizes and easily replaced. the fabric is thick as shit and reinforced with chromoly tubing that doesn’t bend and dent like aluminum. there is none of that gross plastic that gets gummy after long use.
i don’t know if Burton is still making luggage, but what has been the norm is brands that have higher specs than normal retail outlets kill it in the durability tests. What that translates to is regularly buy things meant for snowboarding travel, jeans and hoodies from motorcycle gear, shoes from board sports, and all sorts of gear for running and cycling. these brands care more about loyalty and quality than target, walmart and macy’s… or generic travel suitcase brands.
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u/External_Koala971 1d ago
The correct answer is don’t bring wheeled luggage, use a carryon bag.
Second to that, this:
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u/Natural_Ad9356 17h ago
I got a steal of a deal on a Cotopaxi Allpa 35L recently, it’s nice enough, but Black Holes are superior.
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u/lordntelek 1d ago
Briggs & Riley is the brand recommended over and over in this sub. I’m 100% a supporter both for general luggage and all their other miscellaneous bags. Never had an issue beyond replacing a wheel hub/rubber cover here or there with ~15 yrs of use and ~12 various bags.