Have been on the mission to find the perfect luggage, purchased almost every brand including Tumi (love their purses/totes) and NorthFace.

Am most happy with Eagle Creek, reasonable price, great construction and warranty. I use the "tarmac" as my carry on because it fits so much.

http://shop.eaglecreek.com/tarmac-20/d/1382_cl_313

http://www.eaglecreek.com/warranty. Our No Matter What™ Warranty covers the Lifetime Warranty promise plus the added insurance of repair or replacement due to product failure during the product lifetime, regardless of the cause.

Just to throw out a different idea, why not go with a lightweight carry-on and learn to pack more lightly? It makes travel so much easier and pleasant, imho. I can do 3-4 weeks in smaller than carry-on with a bag that typically weighs about 11-150# (depending on weather where I'm going). The bag itself weighs just over 1# of that weight. Clothes designed to wash in the sink and dry overnight means packing less. You basically need one to wear, one drying, and a spare. It's very freeing.

samson is something in between. Looks like a hardshell but is actually soft. Both styles are fine with me. and it depends on what you need to use it for. What I look for is the wheels, the ease in pulling it and lightness. Anything that fits that requirement is fine with me.

One thing though about hardshell types, I do not know if they will fare well if tossed about and I've heard horror stories of luggages being thrown down by baggage handlers. if damaged, would they be hard to repair? That I do not know..

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3039538/Video-shows-baggage-handlers-throwing-passengers-luggage-airport-Riyadh-Saudi-Arabia.html

TravelPro was my gold standard when I did a lot of traveling in the 90's-early 2000's. Since then many others have followed with better construction, including those already mentioned like Tumi and Eagle Creek. We still have a couple of TravelPros and I have a small Eagle Creek I use for short trips. I also have a Tumi rolling computer bag that no longer use, but it was a champ on the road when I had to carry a big computer around.

Also consider Briggs & Riley. Great quality and a lifetime guarantee.

agree with sas, I have a Briggs, just think it is a little overpriced, watch for sales.

@ funky, wow I thought I was doing well doing a week with just a carry-on; you have now challenged me to try harder to pack lighter.

thanks for the information, everyone. I'm never sure whether I can be disciplined enough in my packing to go carry-on size but I very much appreciate the brand recommendations. Had been looking at both travel-pro and eagle creek. I'm intrigued with the compression cubes.

While visiting a luggage store in NYC I overheard the sales clerk tell a customer that they recommended Briggs & Riley and she added that many flight attendants carry them.

I've been using a lightweight Eagle Creek for several years - works just fine for me.

The compression cubes actually work, I did not believe it until I tried it myself. These are the ones I use - http://shop.eaglecreek.com/packit-specter-cube-set/d/1229_cl_892

I have Hartmann, the stuff just lasts for years and years. Quality product.

I have Delsey Helium (hard shell) for a carry-on. If I check a bag, it's Travel Pro. Instead of compression tubes I use ZipLoc bags and push the air out. I put tops in one bag. Bottoms in another and small items in a third.

I recently bought luggage but I am totally a form over function girl. I think of luggage like a handbag, and I want it to look nice. I really like my steamer trunk looking luggage, but it is hard sided and poor value. I get a zillion compliments on it, though.

I got my girls each a set of Heys, but all hardsided; that seems to be in vogue now.

For years I had a T Anthony; that went many miles with me and held up very very well. Plus, they are relatively stylish.

DH has a Tumi and loves it; personally even with their new styles I find Tumi not so appealing.

I prefer ziploc bags as well - especially with things like shampoo which can spill.

For toiletries, I love LOLO bags. They are so fun.

toiletry bags

DH & I have had large size (29"?) Eagle Creek bags for 10 years & they are still going strong. I'm going on a trip that my luggage size is restricted to a 25"-26" checked bag. I ordered the Eagle Creek Tarmac (2 wheeled) & the TravelPro Platinum Magna2 with spinners. They should arrive tomorrow. I'll let you know how they compare. I ordered from LuggageFactory.com & got a great deal on the Travelpro. They have an additional 25% off TP sale. The Magnum series has a lifetime warranty as does Eagle Creek.

I received the 2 bags I ordered & am following up. I think it's going to be difficult to give a real review until I actually use the luggage. The Eagle Creek Tarmac 25" weighs 9 lb, 2 oz & has 94 liters capacity, expanded. Dimensions are 25"x 17" x 12" (14" expanded). The TravelPro Platinum Magna2 25" Expandable Spinner Suiter is 9.9 lbs & has 92..2 liters capacity, expanded. So the Eagle Creek is slightly lighter with a little more capacity. The TP is a spinner & the EC has 2 wheels. The TravelPro was $229.49 & the Eagle Creek was $259.99, both from LuggageFactory.com. Free shipping & no tax. Both suitcases came directly from the manufacturer. Both have lifetime warranties including the spinner wheels on the TP.

I have a set of black and kelly green Victorinox luggage and several pieces of chocolate brown Lipault, which is lighter. Inalso have a German case by Bree, which is gray felted wool. Pleased with all for different reasons, and i choose which to use based on my wardrobe for the trip. I know......i am shallow!