Let's be clear, nearly $300 is a lot to pay for a small box with wheels, but then, like the perfect pair of jeans, or perfect jacket, it can be hard to put a price on the perfect suitcase, especially for someone who uses it a lot.
In brief: There are so many things that *are* great about this suitcase, the things that aren't quite perfect really stand out. (see below for Pros & Cons)
What it is:
a medium-small roll-aboard suitcase with heavy duty aluminium frame. It opens like a locker, and includes smaller zipper pouches that can be stacked inside. it has a standard retractable handle and a pair of large-ish fixed wheels, as well as a slightly unique form factor, being longer than it is wide when you drag it. It's construction also allows you to sit on it. (a feature not to be under estimated!). It's different enough from a regular suitcase it can have a bit of a learning curve, but in a good waylike learning to use an ipad when you're used to a laptop.
Why I bought It:
I travel a lot between the U.S. and Japan, and when I'm not moving somewhere permanently, I'm pretty good at travelling compact (if not always light ;-). I've been a long time user of Travel Pro suitcases. their basic model that so many airline personel use was compact, tough as nails, and stylish in a simple enough way. When my last one finally gave out, I was non-plussed with their newer curvier (fatter looking) models. Hard-shell suitcases are all the rage in Japan, but i'd had more than one give up on me. I wanted a trendy, tough new travel-pro alternative, and Zuca was it.
My experience:
I've had it for about a year now, with several months of active use. It's a beautiful thing to behold, and I often get compliments on it in airports. Upon opening the Zucca, I was disappointed to discover that, even out of its case, my 13" Macbook Pro, would not *quite* fit in flat, and given the shelf system of smaller bags, putting it in vertically wouldn't work. the laptop, in its neoprene case can be tucked in one of the outside pockets of the zuca, which is handy for easy access, and works for moving around, but not secure enough for storing/checking like that. The included cover I use when checking the bag, and offers a bit of weather resistance, but it makes accessing most areas slow, and is a bit bulky to tuck away in the suitcase, if you have it on a trip but decide you don't want to use it.
I like the size (fits easily in most overhead bins, and a miata trunk) and the narrowness is good for going down airplane aisles, but the fact that it's longer than it is wide when being pulled makes it a bit unstable when going over any bumps when power-walking. since it's a bit top heavy, going over say, the edge of a carpet or angled seam in the sidewalk can get it fishtailing out of control if you don't hit the obstacle perfectly perpendicularly. That said, it's *great* for walking with heavy loads. I once had the wheel of another suitcase literally melt when i was huffing across brooklyn one night, but I dragged my zucca for 2+ kilometers in tokyo over a variety of surfaces one night and aside from the occasional fish tail as described above, it was smooth to pull (even for me, at 6'2") and held up perfectly with no signs of wear.
Also i can't overstate the joys of being able to sit on the zuca during what would otherwise be a 2-hour strap-hanging train ride between tokyo and Narita airport. it's ideal for train commuters in this way, or anyone whom has ever wished for a seat where there weren't any in the airport.
It's not the roomiest bag in the world, but if you have a good sense of spacial relations, it can take a lot. even filled with heavy books it has no problem with the weight. I fit a video camera, and all my clothes for 2 months in Japan. All i needed was the clothes on my back, a small shoulder-bag for my laptop, and the zuca for everything else. I could sofa hop between friends apts. no problem, and the shelf system of mini bags helped me from exploding all over the room every time i opened the thing to get a fresh t-shirt (like i've been known to do with traditional suitcases).
When the suitcase is fully loaded (which, given its size, it always will be), the top handle can be hard to grab, as the inner liner of the Zucca presses up agains the metal fram the handle is cut into, denying your fingers any space to get under/ around the handle. having some kind of hard plastic shell underneath the top to reserve a little finger room is one of those little things that for nearly $300 you wish they would have thought to include. Also, while it's not proved to be a problem yet, the feet opposite the wheels are not as sturdy ad i'd have expected, joining the main body of the suitcase with only one tab of aluminium. My last pet peve, besides these and the laptop not fitting is that the shelf system bags are not double zipper, requiring you to fully remove them to open the zipper form the back corner, even if you just wanted to tuck something in/ slip something out (except for the toiletries bag which is double-zip).
the plastic stinky laundry compartment in the door is a nice idea, but doesn't have space for much, and is weirdly on display every time you have to open the bag.
Would I buy it again?
abso-friggin-lutely. especially if the above grievances were to be addressed. even so, it's a fine bag, that in most ways, outperforms the competition. whether or not it's right for you, and whether it's worth $300 is a call you'll have to make, but for me, it was a great choice.
Pros/Features:
strong
smooth/ strong wheels
looks great, unique
can sit on it!
shelf system
nice size for cary-on/ short trip (or long trip with laundry facility)
Cons/Flaws:
can fishtail when going over a bump due to top-heaviness
can't easily take a 13" laptop inside
top handle hard to grasp when full
zipper bags for shel system are not double zip
feet opposite wheels seem a bit flimsy (though so far so good)
I bought this for my husband for business travel, but we first tested it out on a personal trip and it was wonderful! It's light, easily fits down the plane aisle, pockets for all kinds of convenient access and easy to lift overhead with the extra handles. Obviously, some serious thought went into the design of this. We were away for a wedding and I was able to pack all of the clothing and shoes for my 15 month old daughter and my husband in the one case using the roll packing method this included his suit and dress shoes. I also bought him the backpack and it was equally well-designed. Especially easy to access compartments to remove a laptop and go through security and organize lots of baby snacks and toys.
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Not perfect, but a really great bag.
The good:
* Tough as hell. I don't care that it gets tossed around a bit, and I love that I can sit on it.
* Great dimensions. Yes, a bit odd, but seems to fit nicely both in overheads and in trunks.
* The giant wheels are awesome. Silently moves over smooth floors.
The bad:
* The inserts are fine, but really, it ends up not being particularly useful much of the time. I use a couple of the bigger ones, and the liquids bag, but that's about it.
* The handle broke under heavy duress. (Someone, not me, fell on it down an escalator.) Since it's modular, should be easy to repair. Unfortunately, no one at the manufacturer has bothered to reply to the form I filled out on their site. I'll call them, but that sucks.
* A bit heavier and smaller than most of the other rollaboards I've had. it generally works well for how I use it, but my wife isn't sold on it because it doesn't fit as much stuff as others in its class.
* Rolls great, but the top handle is rough on large hands.
That's a lot of negatives, but I am overall very happy with the bag, and it's a worthwhile purchase.
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I have now used this bag for at least a dozen flights and I am happy with it. The reason why four stars instead of five is that the pulling handle feels a little shaky and should be wider with respect to the frame. If you are moving quickly it will often want to wobble and can easily flip because the handle doesn't spread widely enough to allow you to stabilize the bag. The other problem is that the top of the bag is glued to the aluminum near where the hand hole is cut, so sticking your hand in there to pick up the bag is difficult once the bag is fully packed and after light use the aluminum separates from the cloth bag exposing the glue.
Over-Packers beware the interior space of this bag is small. Its great because your bag can always fit overhead, but for me (size 13) only one pair of shoes gets to come on vacation.
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This is a really well made suitcase. The materials and design are quality. Very light weight. Lots of pockets to complement the organizer/packing bags. I'm a big guy with big clothes and was able to pack for a week long Florida vacation with some room to spare. More than ample for short business trips. The handle extends to a very comfortable/ergonomic height for me, I'm 6'3" tall, when I want to pull the suitcase on its wheels. The carry handle is also very comfortable to grip. The seat is sturdy and surprisingly comfortable. The seat also makes a great desk for airport laptop use. I thought it was a little expensive at first, but now that I have used it I think it's worth the price. Zuca delivers a nice product.
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Big backpack, but not too big. really like it. got it in true blue, the color is nice, though this color is more expensive, recommend for college student
