I travel every week for business, so I need a suitcase that is roomy, lightweight, and that is small enough that I never have to check luggage. I replaced a 15 year old suitcase with this and am thrilled! It seems durable (I've been using for two months), has a great look, is easy to maneuver (spinning wheels help), and also has ample room in the main pocket and useful outside pockets the perfect size for your laptop, book, boarding pass, and whatever else you need to take quickly from your suitcase before boarding the plane. I would definitely purchase this again.
I've done a lot of traveling, and have gone through a lot of luggage since the early 80's. And I miss the days of no baggage fees, and having to be so careful of the size of the luggage to not get nailed with another fee when they say "Sorry, that won't fit." Since this one is specifically the size allowed for carryon for most carrier airframes (other than the little prop hoppers probably) that problem should be minimized.
This unit is VERY well constructed. No loose threads hanging out, zippers all feel nice and solid, and the pulls work well and the teeth mesh perfectly. Looks great, and the expandable/collapsable handle works well, lock and all, and feels quite solid when extended. The wheels pivot well and roll well when you're pulling it behind you, but the thing I don't like about them is that it doesn't roll well when tilted and PUSHED rather than pulled. Sometimes as I'm going it's easier to push a piece of luggage in front of me depending on traffic flow, and this one just doesn't do that at all. One of the wheels will stay in the right position to be pushed, but the other won't line up in that direction, and points off, making this thing roll in random directions. So while the wheels work quite well, it's only when pulled behind as designed...
Other than that this is one of the better pieces of luggage I've had as far as sturdiness and flexibility. the carry handle is very thick and well made, the metal bands thicker than most I've seen in this size, and double riveted to the bag itself.
I took this on a trip this week, and had no problems with it fitting in the compartments on a Delta jet, it fit both ways, shoved in wheels first so it was "longest" way to protrude, as well as pushing in sideways when there were not many people on the return flight. Held up great, no scuffs, and the little plastic bag that it comes with for toothpaste and such was enormously helpful going through customs. As was the front zippered section, which is where I carried both my iPad and my son's iPad, so they were quickly and easily removed for the security checkpoints.
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So, I recently purchased this bag because I was taking a trip to Vegas and wanted a little additional space than the backpack that I normally use. The reviews for this bag were great and that was what really propelled me to get this bag.
First, about the bag. The bag is wonderful. Extra compartments, plenty of pockets, wheels/handles/zippers all work great.
However, each and every time I went to get on a plane (I had two a connecting flight both ways, for a total of 4 planes), I was asked to check my bag since it didn't fit in the airline approved compartment. The stewardess' on each flight made me place my bag (which was not opened that additional two inches and not "stuffed" by any means) in that mental sizer before boarding the plane. Of COURSE it's not going to fit. (But then again, whose carry-on bag actually fits in there?)
Either way, on 2 of the 4 flights (all Frontier), they took my bag and made me check it. On the remaining two, I was stopped by a stewardess who told me that it was too big. I told her that the bag was sized by American Airlines to fit in the overhead compartment and that it was a carry-on. Admittedly, I was getting a little annoyed by being harassed by this bag since I had purchased it with the intent of carrying on. Seeing much bigger bags be let on is also completely frustrating.
Either way, the bag DOES fit just fine in the overhead bin. Slips right in. However, as the flight attendant rudely told me, "the bag MAY fit in the overhead bin, but it doesn't mean the airline standards of size."
So....I don't know if this is an issue with Frontier or if this is something that will be encountered with other airlines. I will be flying home to Chicago using both Southwest and American Airlines (now if THEY make me check this bag I will have to laugh) so I can update this review when I have experience with other airlines.
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The main for buying this carry on was to get a four-wheeled one and the correct size for American Airlines. Unfortunately, the four wheels don't roll as they should. First time in a airport, it did just fine; I was able to have it roll on my side. But after my first flight, it wouldn't roll well on the aircraft aisle. I thought it was the flooring, but the wheels kept wobbling making it impossible to roll it on my side. It looks like the wheels just can't get aligned on the right direction. The only way to roll it was to push it on front of me or drag it from the back. I could understand after many flights this happening, but not before I even got off the plane on my first flight with it! I even tried it again at home, now totally empty, to no avail.
Otherwise, the size is good. There's plenty of room and an additional 2" expansion if you need it. I measured this bag and it measures exactly as advertised. 22" x 14" x 9" (with 2" expansion). I didn't weigh it. It's listed as weighing 9 lbs empty. It didn't feel as heavy though. Even though not designed for it, the front pocket can hold a 13-14" laptop easily (but not a 15"). The quality of the fabric looks good and durable. The side water bottle holder is useful.
Price would be excellent if this rolling bag would roll as it should. (I paid around $63 with Prime delivery included.
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I was hesitant to buy a new bag after having a few cheap-ies die on me (usually its the wheels that go first in my experience, especially if you have to do some walking with your bag, to get cabs, and so on).
This was my first amazon luggage purchase, and I was a bit hesitant as there weren't many photos of this particular item (you can look now, I did add a bunch!) and I wasn't familiar with the quality of the product being offered. However once the bag came, I was extremely pleased.
The bag is made of durable material, and has large secure zippers (didn't get anything caught in them, and they are easy to work with). The wheels are very smooth, when walking through the airport, this thing works well being pulled, riding beside you (all 4 wheels down) and even pushed (all 4 wheels, as 2 wheels makes it go wonky -wheels are swivel motion based, so not really for pushing, they will rotate at any slight turns).
So far I have used the bag on 2 flights and it has worked really well, both comfortable to go through security checks with, works well as a carry-on (obvious selling point for me). Not sure why someone complained that this bag was too big for carry-on? I didn't have any issues on Delta flights, even tho one plane was specifically valet, which resulted in my bag being put under the plan as opposed to above my head.
Overall, great luggage, easy to travel with, strong construction (when waiting for your flight, use it as a foot rest while reading, doesn't sag / squish down at all).
I had this backpack in my "Shopping Bag" for a long time. I loved it as soon as I came across it on Amazon, but it was always something I wanted more than needed. I finally had some extra money and decided that since it was such a good price, and I still loved it , I would just go ahead and make the purchase. I am glad I did! I love love love the color and the fact that it is so different from every other bag I see out there. Here are some pro's and con's about this bag...
