Ottakee Posted October 6, 2012 Share Posted October 6, 2012 We are thinking of getting our kids each a good quality suitcase on wheels for Christmas. We don't travel much and if we do it is mostly for 1-3 days. We have only flown twice and that was to each girls' Make A Wish Trip. I was thinking about a nice carry on size but didn't they just change the sizes of carryons to make them much smaller? Is that size even practical for general use and only very occ. airline use? We are trying each year to buy the kids something bigger that will last them for years.....things like a portable DVD player (6 years and still running strong), good quality sleeping bags, MP3 players, etc. If not suitcases, any other ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted October 6, 2012 Share Posted October 6, 2012 I'm not sure what size to suggest, but when you start looking, don't forget places like Marshalls and TJ Maxx. Sometimes their luggage is junky, but they also get some nice stuff, too. The last time I was in TJ Maxx, the selection looked pretty nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corraleno Posted October 6, 2012 Share Posted October 6, 2012 The kids and I spent 2.5 weeks in Europe last summer, and we all used the largest size of wheeled carry-on (21" I think), because we were told we'd be hauling them around ourselves quite a lot, so not to bring large suitcases. It's amazing how much those will hold, if you pack carefully! I bought the kids' luggage at Target (DS chose the Swiss Gear brand, which is very well made, and DD chose a cheapie pink & purple case with a matching backpack), and I bought myself some very pretty Sherpani luggage (from Amazon). For the first half of the trip, we were in a different hotel almost every night, so all of our luggage was dragged up and down stairs, across cobbled streets, thrown on and off buses, thrown around at airports, etc. We also went to FL for a week in July. All of the luggage has held up extremely well, even DD's inexpensive stuff. I think your boys would appreciate a wheeled carry-on that also has backpack straps on it, which are usually hidden under a flap on the back. DS's Swiss Gear carry-on had this, and it makes the case really versatile — he can use it as a roll-on, with a separate "personal item" (smaller backback or briefcase), or he can wear it as a backpack if he's also traveling with a larger suitcase, or just has other things to carry. There are also lots of pretty luggage sets now, in nice colors and patterns, if your DD would like a nice matching set of carry-on, tote bag, travel blanket or pillow, etc. Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted October 6, 2012 Share Posted October 6, 2012 We've bought cheap from Walmart and Target and bought some expensive name brand stuff. After 10+ years, all of it is still holding up well. When we travel we each bring our own carry on size and can fit a week's worth of clothes in it. If we stay anywhere longer, we wash what we bring. It's all held up well to being manhandled by airport workers, cab drivers, hotel staff, and our own less than careful kids. If you travel infrequently, you're probably fine going with whatever you find that you like. Youngest dd chose a cheap pink suitcase when she was about 7 and it's held up fine even though she's traveled a lot since then. It's much easier to spot her pink suitcase in a pile of luggage than it is our black ones! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwjx2khsmj Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 The largest size of wheeled carry-on is perfect for long weekends, summer camp and airplane travel. My dd8 asked for a purple suitcase last year for Christmas. It was a wonderful gift choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 We also use the largest carry on. This worked for 2 weeks in Northern Ireland and for 2 day weekend trips in the car. Everyone gets a bag or backpack ,if they want one, for their misc stuff. Dd is still a Tinkerbell fan and I found her a Tinkerbell suitcase on sale on the Disney website a couple of years ago. Suitcases make great presents. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb_ Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 The kids and I spent 2.5 weeks in Europe last summer, and we all used the largest size of wheeled carry-on (21" I think), because we were told we'd be hauling them around ourselves quite a lot, so not to bring large suitcases. It's amazing how much those will hold, if you pack carefully!Jackie :iagree: Fold clothes the long way and then roll them. You can fit half again as much that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb_ Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 I really love this American Tourister: http://www.amazon.com/American-Tourister-Luggage-Suitcase-Turquoise/dp/B007UNSI0O/ref=sr_1_3?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1349574224&sr=1-3 It comes in Black and 2 other girly colors, is well made, and moderately priced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VeganCupcake Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 Costco's Kirkland Signature luggage is fantastic quality, plus you get the Costco return policy with it. Mine has been around the world several times and is still in almost-perfect shape. They have giant suitcases and the carry on size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LBS Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 I, too, got family luggage for everybody a few years ago. Tuesday Morning had some very good quality, not too expensive stuff....each kid got a medium/large suitcase with extendable pull and wheels, and a shoulder carry on (big enough to handle a weekend of stuff) that would sit on top of the wheeled suitcase to tow along....matching. We've enjoyed our travel so much more. If it is a long trip, everybody takes an additional backpack of stuff. The small case, has everything for one night, in case of a quick stop. Makes travel so nice to not have to unload everything, every time. Mine is all car travel, though, not by airlines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 we purchased rolling back[acks for my sons years ago. They get used all the time for traveling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted October 8, 2012 Author Share Posted October 8, 2012 Thanks for the link. I just ordered these. They had 3 colors and I have 3 kids so one color per kid :-) Free shipping was great too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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