Tumi backpack for carry on (love it, first one I used for 13 years, it’s still great, but I upgraded to a bigger version so I can easily accommodate 2 headphones and iPads, since I’m usually schlepping for the minor).
Tumi for carry-on suitcase - been over 10 years, still going strong
Large Patagonia duffel for checked baggage - have the two largest sizes, very handy, especially if you will need more or less space on one leg of the trip (i.e. bringing stuff back from Europe)
Large Samsonite roller suitcase (wife has had it for over 20 years) - also handy for long trips. The outer shell of the wheels disintegrated on the cobblestones of Monaco, but it still works.
Rarely check a bag, I have had a 2 wheel Delsey carry on for almost 20 years. It has travelled a fair bit, ridden in the bed of my truck plenty of times and has held up just fine and I do not baby it. My wife bought a 4 wheel Delsey before we went to Portugal and it has held up really well.
Ha, exactly what I’m using right now through Japan and (now) Canada. The expander zips have been getting a workout after jamming a new pair of Asics bought the day of flying out of Tokyo. I did give it a wash before flying as it was looking a bit grotty.
JAL seemed really good with our checked bags. The moment we get to Canada you could see the difference. Big hole and protruding wire in one of the checked bags once it appeared at YYZ carousel. Thank you Air Canada and/or ground staff.
A Gregory hard sided roller - 4 swiveling ball wheels, expandable, solid zipper closure, interior zip pouch for nasty gear, combo lock which i don’t use, retractable handle works well. Been solid.
And a North Face backpack that has seen some shit in its 30ish year life.
Eagle Creek, rolling duffle as my checked bag. We have two different sizes and they can swallow an amazing amount of stuff. This is especially important for ski trips where a bunch of equipment needs to be brought to account for all weather possibilities.
My carry-on is the IM backpack given to me at IMAZ, 2012. It is just the perfect travel backpack. Lots of compartments. Tons of room.
I almost always check a bag… I flew last week and just took a small carry on. It was very liberating. I might try to do that more often. It feels like whenever I travel, 90% of what I pack is crap that I don’t need.
I’ve got a Briggs & Riley that was originally my dad’s and is still going strong ~30 years later. I’ve considered getting a new one (my wife has one that is now about 10 years old) as they’re lighter and have some nice upgrades (the handle release on mine is in the suitcase body itself instead of the handle), but they’re not cheap and it’s tough to justify when mine still works. If this one does ever totally bite the dust, I’ll probably still consider getting another as a replacement given how long they last.
I admit that I have spent far too long and far too much selecting a range of options for carry on bags. That said I used to be travelling with work and away 3-4 nights a week on average, with that being either a mix of 1 and 2 night trips with 3+ flights a week.
So for cabin baggage then Thule backpacks are my general go to - I’ve two of them, although I have a North Face roll along that I use for long haul or if I am going straight to the hotel and straight from the hotel (ie not via the office). That’s 16 years old now and whilst slightly worn still working perfectly. I’ve size 13 feet and always take my running shoes for an overnight stay, and so that is straight away a challenge for a lot of carry on bags. So one is a very very light trip bag that has a sleeve for my laptop (Surface Pro) and then enough space for shoes, washbag, spare shirt and running kit. The other is a bigger rucksack that zips open but has a sleeve for a separate laptop shoulder bag - so in this case the laptop bag is my carry around for the time I’m away, just slides into the bag for purposes of being ‘one bag’. That can carry a week’s worth of gym kit, shirts and spare trousers/pants. Do need to iron once at the hotel though, and keep up the strength training so as you make it look sub 7kg with all that in there…
For checked baggage then I’ve a 25year old ‘Tri-UK’ kit bag that has been round the world a dozen times, and goodness knows how many flights. Soft sided and collapses under beds, is pretty much max dimensions and when full pretty easy to roll on the end. That’s backed up with an ‘animal’ trunk style bag with wheels on the end that’s from 2010 and done almost as much travelling. Works as well but does look a bit better when checking into the better hotels, not that I let that sort of thing bother me in the slightest.
I probably haven’t checked a bag for myself since 2010 - other than a bike
Cabin bag from 2010 to 2024 was arc teryx smart back pack.
I had two, small 25 or 30 for work and 45 for travel.
Now I use a stubble holdall style backpack
The AT probably did 15 long haul trips a year plus daily gym bag and still looks relatively new. Not sure quality is the same today as when I got it.
Hold luggage for family are all eastpack roller bags. All been used heavily for air / road travel since 2010, look faded and tired but no zips have failed. The material is wearing before and other part
I bought this about 10 years ago when the luggage belt at BNA ripped a large canvas duffle that I’d checked. I did get about $500 to replace ripped clothes and some new Vuori workout pants that Vuori sent me after hearing about it. This has worked well, and the yellow color makes it easy to spot on the baggage carousel. The carry on is a nice size.
Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like the Nobl’s are marketed more to women. Half if not more of the travel/luggage market are men. We could use cup holders and charger too.
have you see the reddit reviews? nothing says scam item like 67% off, then you spin a wheel for another 100 dollar discount that has “reached use limit” when you enter it.
on the Gregory