Traveling questions...

[MamaKath]

I will be traveling alone on business in a little over a month. I am needing a new carry on suitcase for the trip (dh took mine on a trip and it stinks like smoke ever since). I will only be able to bring the carry on and a purse/messenger bag/backpack for under the seat, no checked luggage. Any suggestions?

I saw the Zuca frame suitcase which looks neat but pricey. I guess I can always hit TJ Maxx to get something at the last minute, but fgured I'd ask here first. :) http://www.ebags.com/product/zuca/sport-frame-frame-only/112645?productid=1297233&rlid=detail&rcode=res11032011494388932126755

Also any other tips??? I am excited and nervous all at once. I hate to fly (serious anxiety over it) and being away from dh and dc will be sooooo strange. I am looking forward to it also though. Thanks in advance for any tips!!!

[geochick]

I love reading Consumer Search's reviews. They summarize all the major review sites like Consumer Reports...and they don't charge you.

http://www.consumersearch.com/luggage-reviews

That being said, I really LOVE my Rick Steves carry on. It's lightweight, so much easier to heft into the overhead bins. It's rugged too. I got it on Amazon.

[MamaKath]

I love reading Consumer Search's reviews. They summarize all the major review sites like Consumer Reports...and they don't charge you.

http://www.consumersearch.com/luggage-reviews

That being said, I really LOVE my Rick Steves carry on. It's lightweight, so much easier to heft into the overhead bins. It's rugged too. I got it on Amazon.
Oh great site! Dh has a consumer reports sub, maybe I'll need to check there also. I hadn't even thought of it, I trust you guys more.

[mikala]

I used to travel a lot for work and quickly learned to buy lightweight luggage that wasn't too expensive.

The lightweight aspect is great for hefting it over your head or carrying it up stairs into the airport from itty-bitty commuter planes at airports without enough jet-bridges. O'Hare, I'm talking to you.

The inexpensive aspect is helpful when despite your best intentions all the overhead bins are full and the airline gate checks your luggage. It sits by the plane in a snowy pile for a few minutes and comes back to you much dirtier than when you left it.

It's also helpful to have a color other than black so you can easily identify your bag in a sea of black luggage.

I'd recommend something like this:
http://www.ebags.com/product/delsey/helium-fusion-lite-20-21-co-exp-suiter-trolley/153379?productid=10026521

TJ Maxx also has good deals on luggage.

[hillview]

You can bring a roller board on a plane and it will fit in the overhead (unless you are on say American Air regional jet or the like in which case they will let you gate check it and return it to you immediately after you get off the plane -- like a stroller). You want to get something 22" or under. After re-reading your post I think you know this :)

I don't really get the frame you linked to -- how would you think about using it?

Unless you are going to be doing a lot of travel, I'd get a lightweight roller board like mikala linked to. If you lived near me you could have one of mine ;)

Here are the carry on roller bags:
http://www.ebags.com/category/carry-on-luggage/2007786

Honestly we have Tumis, Brigs and Riley and samsonite as well as ones from costco and TJ Maxx and they are all more or less the same. So I'd get a cheap one unless you plan to travel a LOT.
/hillary

[MamaKath]

I don't really get the frame you linked to -- how would you think about using it?

Unless you are going to be doing a lot of travel, I'd get a lightweight roller board like mikala linked to. If you lived near me you could have one of mine ;)

The frame looked neat with the bag in it, lol. I don't know in reality if it would work as a suitcase. I think it struck me since often when we go places as a family we have to wait and dh (or the kids) could sit on it (he was injured). And thank you for the offer, too bad I don't live closer. ;) I was just thinking though I have a small wheeled duffle. I wonder if it would be big enough even. Hmmm.

And I need to stop searching online I think. I just found more bedbug scare stuff. Icky! Anxiety at work already!

[BayGirl2]

I always find nice suitcases for a good price at Nordstrom rack. I prefer to get a nice looking one from a decent brand, but not spend a lot because they all inevitably wear out.

Not sure what that frame is in your link - it doesn't look very practical for business travel. I agree that a small rolling bag will work fine and you can carry that on with a laptop bag (or purse). There's a reason that is the standard business traveler combo, its simple and effective. Make sure to put your liquids in a small bag toward the top of your roll-aboard so they are easy to pull out/put away at security.

My most recent bag has the spinner-type wheels where all four corners roll and you can push/pull it upright instead of tilting. I was amazed how much easier this is to deal with and I can put my laptop bag on top.

ETA: Here's the one I got recently. http://www.ebags.com/product/kenneth-cole-reaction-business-and-luggage/curve-your-appetite-21-carry-on-spinner/151894?productid=10022818 It was at Nordstrom Rack for under $100. Big enough for a short trip, too small for 5+ nights for me.
I'd suggest NOT looking online for suitcases. Much easier to just go out and try them in person. That's the only way to get a good feel for the pull/comfort/size and they are bulky to ship.

[hillview]

I might get this bag if I wanted one with multiple uses (eg won't travel a lot so might as well get something that can be used for something else).
http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/63915?feat=904-GN1

[Smillow]

I always buy luggage at TJMaxx/Marshalls/Ross. And mostly on clearance. I have been very happy with it & we are very hard on luggage!