Just bought a new suitcase today. We had two TravelPro Platinum II rolling garment bags and I found they were great. I also have a Tumi rolling 22" and 2 cheapie 22" rollons. I have also discarded my softsided Samsonite and American Tourister rolling garment bags due to broken zippers.

Here is my opinion and I travel a lot. Tumi is well made, heavy and very expensive. I received mine as a gift and do not find it superior in quality to the Travelpro luggage I purchased. I find rolling horizontal garment bags quite difficult to pull through trains and narrow spaces and that it doesn't hold sweaters and jeans without bulging uncomfortably.

I found that I was able to get a lot more loose things into my 22 inch rollalongs and that I loved my expandable models. The cheapies have held up VERY well for over 7 years.

I was very dissatisfied with the high priced Samsonite and American Tourister because the zipper systems broke very easily and neither company would stand behind the repairs. My equivalent Travelpros have taken tremendous abuse and is still holding up well after 3 years of heavy use.

I purchased a Travelpro Flightpro3 due to its upright shape, nifty pockets (dirty laundry bag, removable toiletries bag, around the neck ticket/passport bag, removable garment bag, waterproof lining, large zippers, high density balistic material and lightweight construction. The Tumi is terribly heavy, even empty! I noticed that the large uprights are what the Europeans use on trains and that they are easy to move about in crowded places. Also, with the new weight requirements, a lightweight bag allows some more clothes.

BTW, I paid $161 for a 26 incher and find this seems fair. I don't think you need to spend a lot or get anything fancy for your roll-along carryons.

Just a few thoughts to help those looking for luggage.

Andi:

I'm about to replace some damaged pieces. Thanks for your review. The proof is in the usage. Sounds like you've given yours a good test.

Andi - one of our no-name (at least, not a well known name) suitcases "exploded" while in transit home on Saturday. The airline (AA) had taped it up - but I vowed to replace it ASAP. While there were many President's Day sales going on...I went instead to Marshall's and got a pretty blue Travel Pro (I'm guessing it's a 26" er) for $119. It says it retails for $225. Seems like a really well made bag.

I'm really happy with my Travelpros. Just some additional info.

Platinum series is the best...ergo handle that feels wonderful to push and pull, but it is heavy to lift. The top is the 3 series. One without the special handle is the 2 (I have that). The three is about $100 more than the Crew4.

Next is the Crew4..heavy duty .. what the airline folks use.

Then there's the Traveflight3 (the 2 is being phased out). It is lighter than the Crew 4, but the ballistic material is a higher density.

Then there's the walkabout.

Bobbi, sounds like you got a good deal.

I don't even remember which I got. But I'm going to check tonight!

Andi, we looked at Consumer Reports review of the high end luggage and it gave TravelPro Plat the better overall rating. I think we'll go with that rather than Tumi. I think you pay more for the name. I was in Marshall's & TJMaxx, found TravelPro, but not the Plat series. I hope the zippers are similiar to those on Tumi, since ours are completely broken :mad: on BOTH large suitcases. And, that's in addition to the rips and bent pull-out handle :mad: :mad:
What a waste, it really annoys me that they get away with ruining your luggage now.

I've been happy with the Zipper systems in the Platinum series. They have taken much abuse and continue to work.