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Suitcases for flying Anonymous
This topic is about our beloved friend, the suitcase. What do you bring along when flying to a distant country for a longer period of time?

I am in the market for a suitcase, because I am going abroad for a year. I need the bring lots of clothing (preferably one suit and matching shoes as well) and such, so my usual approach of just using my large backpack and a smaller day-pack won't suffice.

Should I go for a hard shell or a softer suitcase? New or should I have a look at second hand stores as well?
>> Anonymous
I looked at some suitcases today, and the hard shell ones seem to be pretty solid, but the weigh more than the soft shell ones (about 5kg versus 3kg), which matters when your suitcase is allowed to weigh 20kg if you check it in at the airport.
>> Anonymous
I once read that hard suitcases are a generally bad idea. When they get damaged, they crack. and when they crack, they're next to useless.

Soft suitcases can usually take a lot more damage and wear before they become completely useless. And they can potentially be stitched up as a repair.

Another tip I heard is NOT to buy expensive luggage. It WILL get destroyed. You might as well buy something middle-of-the-road pricewise (but not dirt cheap because then the wheels will fall off in the middle of LAX like mine did) and use it until it wears out.
>> Anonymous
>>7984

This Anon knows what they are talking about. I've had the same 'middle-of-the-road' luggage for like 8-10 years now! And I do quite a bit of traveling.
>> Anonymous
I have a green Samsonite rolling suitcase that's small enough to carry on, but big enough to fit most everything I need. I took it to Europe for a month of intense traveling, and it's still in great shape. I now have a larger red bag, but I don't like it as much because it's too heavy for lots of travel.
>> Anonymous
>>7984
Since I'll be using it mainly for clothes, I suppose a soft suitcase might be best. Anything that can't take a beating inside of a suitcase will be in my carry-on luggage anyway.

>>7998
I like the idea of not having to check your luggage in at all, but since I'll be abroad for study I need to bring a laptop along as well, so my carry-on bag will fill up pretty quickly. Besides, I would have to buy my toiletries anew upon arrival due to the ludicrous safety laws for carry-on luggage.

I haven't flown that often, but I really hate having to wait for my luggage to appear on the belt. I don't like losing track of my belongings for such a long time when travelling.
>> Anonymous
I prefer canvas bags to suitcases except they don't protect as well.