Best lighweight suitcases with long term durability & TSA Locks

Givemethemoney on 24/04/2013 - 21:48
Last edited 26/04/2013 - 21:29

I am currently trying to determine the most durable and lightweight luggage for transport with Air Asia X and Malaysian airlines.

In terms of carry on luggage, we have yet to decide whether we would be better off taking backpacks or suitcases, but the maximum size is: 56cm x 36cm x 23cm & weighing 7kg. EDIT: The wife has decided we will use backpacks which we already own.

We have determined that we will require check baggage which we are allowed is maximum 20kg and dimensions 158 cm3.

I heard about Antler Cyberlite from Strandbags, but heard that wheels that are embedded are better as they are more durable.

After speaking with my wife, our criteria are:

2 wheeled suitcase
Strength & durability over weight
Ruggered wheels (will be rolled throughout France & later in England, Belgium, Kazakhstan, USA, Germany, Italy at the least)
Water resistant

So what do other travellers recommend especially based on their own experiences.

Would greatly appreciate the guidance

Travel

Comments

  • blitz on 24/04/2013 - 22:44

    I travel a lot and I love my Samsonite Cosmolite.

  • Davros on 24/04/2013 - 23:07

    I travel a lot and like my cheapies.
    Every 2 to 3 years I buy a brand new set when in KL and in 12 years time I will probably still be in front cost wise vs samsonite if they actually had survived that long.

    Not sure if I would consider samsonite lightweight either.

    • blitz on 25/04/2013 - 07:56

      Well, my 85cm Cosmolite weighs 4.4kg. How much does yours weigh?

      Actually one weak point of the Cosmolite is that the rear hinges are made of a rubber compound. Not sure why they didn't use some other material on such a crucial component.

  • Givemethemoney on 24/04/2013 - 23:11

    Oh I forgot, given that this is ozbargain, if anyone knows a great website to get luggage with Australian Warranty, that would be great

  • DealzEddy123 on 24/04/2013 - 23:15

    My friend's suitcase with a TSA lock got broken by the TSA. As in, instead of using the special TSA key they just broke her lock open to check the contents.

  • Davo1111 on 25/04/2013 - 01:58

    Don't get TSA locks, get coloured cable ties.

    The problem with the locks is the keys have been replicated, and you don't know if anyone has actually accessed your bag.

  • chickenchipsgravy on 25/04/2013 - 10:09

    i like my american tourister carry on… 2.9kg empty and slick … of course it was ozbargained :D

  • JediJan on 25/04/2013 - 10:40

    I recently purchased a "Jeep" maroon type of samsonite case, about 3kg, but purchased a combination lock. I don't worry too much about the locks as I know if someone is determined to break any lock they can do so quickly. The best lock I had ever owned(magnetised combination) was destroyed at my son's locker at school! … Have not been able to find anything similar either. I purchased my "Jeep" case at Harris Scarfe at 50% off, and it looked the strongest about at the time. I would not have paid full price though as it was on the too expensive side for me really.

  • meumax on 25/04/2013 - 18:37

    Lightweight and durable normally don't go together especially for wheeled luggage. That's because the wheels and the frame mechanism to hold it all together already weighs so much. So to make the bags lighter they've got to cut corners on the material they surround the frame with.

    That's why I decided to do without wheels. Nowadays I swear by my Tom Bihn Tri Star carry on. It only weighs 1.5kg and is made with ballistic nylon so it will last. I can wear it on my shoulder with a strap or pull out the hidden backpack straps and it converts into a backpack complete with waist strap built in.

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