We're getting married next year, and we're setting up our registry. Neither one of us has good luggage so we want to add it to the list.

We both want carry-ons with wheels and good medium sized bags for check in. What brands would you recommend? From what I've seen, I think I like Tumi, but I have a friend who has a Mandarina duck messenger bag that looks really good. She says they make luggage too. But, I have no idea where I could get that line.

I would recommend that you buy a good brand of light weight luggage. We bought new Roberto of Beverly Hills luggage for our 25th anniversary trip to Italy in 2004 and really liked the style, then last year when I went to Paris with my daughter, I bought the same brand only the light weight version, because we would be managing the luggage without a guy. The carry on was almost 6 lbs ligher and the 24" was almost 11 lbs lighter. Delsy makes a good brand too.


Ginger

I think Ginger is right - get something lightweight. We've been delighted with the Skyway No-Weight collection. The 26" weighs 8.4 lb. and the 22" only 7.7, and yet the bags are sturdy and have held up well. And the best thing is that we got them at Ross' and Marshall's for way below list. Of course I don't believe in spending a fortune on luggage which is destined to be destroyed - or at least pretty badly beaten up -- by the airlines.

I love our Briggs and Riley luggage. If anything breaks, it is replaced for LIFE! We have 2 of the wheeled duffles and carryons. And you should SEE what I can fit in there!

I second the Briggs and Riley recommendation. I used to use Tumi, but switched a few years ago to B&R. We each have a 25" rolling suitcase and a 22" duffle that fits on top. Plus the backpack for carrying the computers on the plane.

Mandarina Duck make lovely purses - you can find them in shops in Italy and France. I have not found them in the US (but if anyone knows how to get them online or in the US, please let me know).

I searched the web thoroughly a little over a year ago for Mandarina Duck online and found NOTHING. Someone may have started importing the line recently, but I doubt it. I bought Mandarina Duck in Germany several years ago and saw lots of it in Paris last fall, but I've never seen it in this country.

I searched for Mandarina Duck also and found only a store in NYC that is described as selling it, but apparently has no website. The shop is Peter Hermann on Sullivan Street. One of you mods is a wonderful googler; maybe you will have better luck.

M

Don't laugh:

I am feeling "luggage lust" (that's because there are no more guide books for me to buy) and I am wondering about the advantage of a wheeled duffle vs a wheeled upright (26" size). I bring this up because Palma-the-packer says she uses a wheeled duffle.

Any opinions? Especially valuable are those backed up by experience.

M

I sent you a PM

I gave into "luggage lust" and bought some Briggs and Riley.

M

Those pieces will be great. You'll love them!

Flight 001 has a line of Mandarina Duck on-line. Flight 001 also has stores in four major US cities (NY, LA, SF, Chi). They also have several other lines to help satisfy the "luggage lust".

I also found Unica in Las Vegas which has a few pieces.

I have to come out to luggage envy here. Unfortunately in country australia good luggage is the stuff of online drooling only - and with no really good online shops in this country drooling is as far as it goes.

I have considered taking everything in a garbage bag next time and buying my new luggage in Italia - this could work. But I do love reading about all these brands and finding out more about them.

Cheers Jax

Okay what's so hot about Mandarin Ducks?? Is it light weight? What's it like on the inside?


Ginger

Mandarina Duck is just really good looking. Unfortunately, super expensive. I would love to have a Mandarina Duck messenger bag, but not in the fabric shown on that company's website.

M

Ok, Marian, now look what you did. I went to our luggage store and bought another piece of Briggs and Riley yesterday. I got the 22" wheeled carry-on (which will hook right on to my big bag). Now I'm re-distributing all my stuff. I also bought 2 Eagle Creek "Pack it"s to stack all my tops, and a jewelery holder. I LOVE the name of it:Baggallini! I wasn't supposed to shop any more UNTIL I get to Italy!

Now, now Palma ----

You mean "look what you made me do?"

Yes, isn't it cool the way the small one locks on to the larger one? And saw all that Baggalini stuff --- but somehow didn't buy any as I got discouraged choosing.

I suppose it's a bit off topic from the OP since you can't register at Costco but I've been using their store brand lugguage (small size) for years and everyone in my family wants to borrow it (hey, get your own). Even my Louis-Vuitton carrying mother wants one now.

Reviving this thread to express frustration with UPS. The store where I bought my lovely Briggs and Riley luggage ordered it for me to be drop-shipped from the luggage company in California. So I called the store today, they checked with UPS and told me that it had been delivered yesterday to my front porch, as directed. Well, it hadn't.

Turns out the UPS driver had trouble reading the street name so he delivered it to the closest name he could come up with. Left it without a signature. I figured out the name of these people, called them, even drove by, but they are not home. The store guy (it's a locally owned store in Summit, NJ) said he will keep calling them later today. I hope they come home soon and that they do in fact have my luggage.


BTW: The store guy says that UPS refuses to do anything to correct their mistake!

M

How infuriating. Not the mistake, although I suppose the driver could have more diligent, but the fact that you are S.O.L. and U.P.S. is being, well "brown", about it. I hope you get your precious new luggage A.S.A.P.

Ginger

Thanks Ginger --- AND ---- --- I have my luggage. The guy from the store spoke with the people who received it in error, and they dropped it off at my front door. So I came home about a half-hour ago, and there it was! (I called all to thank them.)

And so it goes.


M

Marian -- glad your new luggage arrived in time. I'll be out of town next week, so will take this opportunity to wish you a bon voyage. Have a grand time, and we look forward to a great trip report.

Judy