Good hard-sided luggage, any advice?

steveinaz

I'm looking for some hard-sided luggage that is more secure, any advice on good brands? I'm done with this soft-sided/zippered stuff....

thsmith

Costco and or Samsclub has some that even come with TSA approved locks. Cant remeber the name

Syndil

If you travel a lot, just get some cheap stuff. In my experience, NOTHING holds up to the abuse of baggage handling for long. I've had some expensive stuff in the past, but I've determined that's just pissing money away. Now I just Protocol crap from JCPenney. Of the expensive stuff I used to have, I've still got a single Lands End piece that hasn't fallen apart yet--but it will, just like the rest of the set it came from.

halo71

"Mary Swanson.......ohhh Samsonite, that's it.....Mary Samsonite...." :cheesygrin:

steveinaz

LOL! LLoyd Christmas.

Jstas

Stay away from gorillas.

steveinaz

My concern is that I typically fly with a firearm in my checked baggage, and although the firearm is in a locked case, I don't have a lot of confidence in the typical zippered type soft-side bag. I guess I could go with a heavy-duty soft type bag, but it would need very high quality zippers.

thsmith

Steve, my inlaws fly alot and have the the Heys I think it is since that is waht is carried at samsclub or costco. They seem to like them.

Syndil

If someone wants in your luggage, they're going to get in regardless. The TSA will only allow TSA-approved locks, and any would-be thief is guaranteed to have a TSA key. Most of them are easily broken without a key anyway. Really quite pointless. If you really want the thieves to stay out, don't lock it at all. A suitcase not worth locking is a suitcase not worth opening.

obieone

For F/A's, Pelican seems to be top shelf.

steveinaz

I've got the FA locked in a small pelican, which then goes in the baggage (handgun).

steveinaz

Syndil wrote: »

If someone wants in your luggage, they're going to get in regardless. The TSA will only allow TSA-approved locks, and any would-be thief is guaranteed to have a TSA key. Most of them are easily broken without a key anyway. Really quite pointless. If you really want the thieves to stay out, don't lock it at all. A suitcase not worth locking is a suitcase not worth opening.

Theft is not the issue, someone wants to steal it, they will---I don't want the gun to fall out of the bag under rough handling. Most zippers aren't confidence inspiring.

thsmith

Steve, just checked with my father inlaw and it is the Heys hard side bags. Again, they travel extensively.

gdb

I saw a bunch of them at Goodwill for 2 or 3 bucks apiece. I bought a big Am. Tourister with the intention of lining it with dense foam rubber and shipping amps to the Left Coast in it.

gdb

These sumbitches ARE secure !!
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&gs_nf=1&cp=15&gs_id=1m&xhr=t&q=halliburton+case&pf=p&sclient=psy-ab&oq=halliburton+cas&aq=0&aqi=g4&aql=&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=98f6d9d2e4b0df84&biw=1336&bih=672

Syndil

steveinaz wrote: »

Theft is not the issue, someone wants to steal it, they will---I don't want the gun to fall out of the bag under rough handling. Most zippers aren't confidence inspiring.

Oh I gotcha. I've had things like handles and wheels fall off, but I've never had one open up on me accidentally. Actually now that I think back, I have, when I was a kid traveling with my parents. And it was a hard-sided case. Had those flat sliding clasps on it. The problem with it was that if it was handled roughly enough to cause the sides to deform, they would sort of bow outward at the edges, which was more than the clasp could take. It was one like these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Olive-Green-2-piece-set-Luggage-Suitcase-24x18x7-Clean-w-stains-inside-/230692896873

But I would imagine (or hope) that they don't make crap like that any more.

A lot of the hard-sided luggage you see nowadays uses zippers. That Heys brand that thsmith mentioned does. Anyway, good luck with your search.

dorokusai

I've been a long time Samsonite fan and have been very happy with my outlet model Ascella(sp?). It's a rigid, planished cover, roller bladed wheel model that I couldn't be happier with. They make an even more hardcore model but I couldn't justify the price increase. My wife likes the soft sided series since they expand with a zipper but I pack differently, so there you go.

Another heavy traveler I know, Brett22 has recommended a brand I'm not familiar with, so I'll drop him a line or ask him when he comes into town on Friday. I'm with you Steve as I dislike soft-sided luggage for checked gear. I carry small bags with me but want all the protection possible when its getting manhandled underneath.

steveinaz

Cool, thanks Mark.

I'm seeing a number of samsonites that will do the job.

Gadabout

When flying I always travel with hard cases (usually when driving too). They just last longer. Let me agree with Mark about Samsonite. I have 3 Samsonite cases of varying sizes and couldn't be happier. Most of the Samsonite hard cases will have a lifetime guarantee. For discounts on Samsonite try outlet shops. I used to buy mine from the Denver factory outlet store but it is now closed.

Also, the way to get a hard case to last is not to over stuff it. The hinge side takes a lot of force when doing this and will eventually give you problems. Another thing I look for is to make sure the case has rubber feet on the hinge side (or opposite the handle side). This way if you setting it down on it's side, it sits flat and doesn't scuff the case.

Pelican is also the way to go for your traveling hand gun. It's what I put mine in.

If you really want great stuff and price is no option look at Tumi. I have had otheir thier leather computer bags for the last 10 years. I always seem to choke when I lotheir thier luggage and it is around $600 a piece. Zero Haliburton stuff is really good but I have had a lock sheared on one of the cases I used to use for work (very large and used to ship UPS). While you mentioned you didn't want soft side luggage, I will say that TravelPro is a quality brand that will take a lot of abuse.

I used to fly twice a month but now I usually drive most places and only fly 6 or 7 times a year. That being said, I'm traveling well over 6 months out of the year.

Good luck in your search.

Scott

steveinaz

Appreciate the tips Scott.

gdb

Your name is very apropos, Mr. Gadabout !