Luggage I couldn't travel without
When I first began my travels at 18, I did so with two very old, huge suitcases that were literally falling apart and had an old, small leather handle. Being in the petite side, trying to navigate turnstiles at the tube, running to catch trains, and checking in at the airport with such big, unmanageable cases was a nightmare.
It took me years of trying different types of luggage from backpacks to weekenders to suitcases to find the perfect set. Now, I literally couldn't imagine leaving home without them.
The first peice of luggage I love and recommend to everyone is the Victorinox Mobilizer NXT 4.0 22" Expandable Wheeled Upright Suiter ($399). For the past 3 years, this has been my carry on bag on over 300 trips. It has never let me down and still looks brand new despite all the banging it might incur.
Why I love this is because it meets carry on requirements (22" x 14" x 9.5")which means that I can get a couple weeks' worth of things inside and still be allowed to take it on the plane. This is a lfie saver to me.
The 80mm inline skate wheels and 3" aircraft-grade aluminum, comfort grip handle (which locks in various heights to accommodate the small to the tall) on this are top notch. I tried several different handles/wheel combinations but this was the most comfortable and sturdy. It handles rough terrain without flinching, never falls over even with other bags stacked (and it does have the Interlok Attach-a-Bag system which easily stores and secures an additional bag on the front). The front pocket is the perfect size for my 15" laptop and protective sleeve. Made with ballistic nylon and self-healing zippers, the construction is top-notch and relatively light. And the fact that it can expand an additional 2.5" (or 30% more space) is brilliant (although when extended, it doesn't fit carry-on requirements).
For some, this might seem on the pricier side but once you buy this, you will never have to buy another suitcase because the construction will literally last a lifetime. If it doesn't? Don't worry, there's a lifetime guarantee.
I picked up an additional bag because I was taking a two month trip and needed more space but didn't just want to expand the rolling bag and put it under the plane. I always like to have a large carry-on so that I never have to worry of losing things I couldn't do without (clothes, toiletries, camera/computer gear). So I needed a second bag that would be easy for me to carry along side my rolling bag but also stand up to the wear and tare of being put under the plane (or in a crunch, be a great carry on bag, too). Since I already owned a great wheeling bag, I didn't want another as pulling two wheelers can often be tricky. I needed something with straps, something sturdy, something with space yet not as large as my wheeler.
