candlerman

My .02 cents.

I don't know why you would want to keep a bag for 7 - 10+ years. Constantly being filled with dirty clothes, etc. It's got to get funked out after a while. I'd buy a moderately priced bag every three years or so.

jayray

The weight on the Neat bags is a killer. They need to take a cue from the new age lighter airplanes and work on a light version.

4th Level

Good news - Costco has a new design, I just spotted it last week. That crappy expanding feature is now gone and they have gone back to a zipper to expand it out. They've also gone back to a more traditional luggage strap and longer handle. Crazy thing is, it's cheaper - $98 here in Cali. I am a long time Costco bag fan (previous design notwithstanding) and feel it's a no-brainer. I spent $100 on what I feel is a superior bag almost a decade ago, and haven't had to spend a penny since. I've never had one actually fail, but am guilty of warranty exchange every few years because of (ahem) a squeaky wheel.

plasticpi

I've had the Purdy Neat/Luggage Works/whatever it's called bag for the last couple years now, and it has withstood a beating. I have heard absolutely 0 good things about TravelPros, my wife is a flight attendant and had one for a little while before it fell apart, and that has been the story from several people I know.

I don't find the weight of my luggage works bag to be a problem, after all, the thing has great wheels. If you're bothered by lifting it onto the conveyor belt a few times a week, you probably need the exercise anyway.

The only complaints I do have about my LW bag is that the hook has broken after enough so many "careful" loadings into the back since we don't have a closet. It still works, but I had to re-engineer the way the metal hook fits in the strap. Also, the screws in the exterior metal frame like to come loose. Even putting locktite on them didn't help. Every week or two I find I have to hit them all with a screwdriver to keep them tight. Maybe I can talk a mechanic into safety wiring them or something...

80ktsClamp

FYI all:

Purdy Neat= Luggage Works.

Same awesome bag....new name. They weigh more, but that is because they are hosses. I've seen many Travelpros break but never a PN/LW bag.

captjohndoe

Purdy Neats are great bags as I had one for a few years - but way too heavy. Briggs & Riley is the way to go I think - light, durable, no-questions asked lifetime warranty, very functional, and a more "modern" looking design. Just my 2 cents.

kalyx522

I have this, but the non-expandable one. I'd say it has 3 advantages over the PNT: weight, detachable strap (if that matters to you), and lifetime warranty.

It is a more streamlined and goodlooking suitcase. Very light, and when I bought it from Pilot Pete Supplies or something like that they gave me the option of getting two different kinds of detachable straps (1 click-in strap and 1 hook) for no extra cost. Because you take off the strap it will never be broken by the rampers as they slam your bag around (I've seen this happen to PNTs), but the downside is you have to pay attention not to lose the strap. On the other hand, if you lose the strap you have the spare but if the strap breaks on the PNT I guess you'd have to send the whole bag in for repair.

The thing that convinced me to buy it was the lifetime warranty. Warranty also covers airline damage. All bags will break with enough wear, I've even seen a number of broken PNTs (twisted frame, broken handle, broken strap/hook, ripped canvas, etc) but the difference is that Briggs and Riley have that lifetime warranty. Price is similar.

After 3 years of me and the rampers beating the crap out of it the handle broke but I dropped by one of their repair centers and it was replaced in 30 minutes. The handle was the only thing that was actually broken but they also gave me (without me asking) new zippers, side handle, feet and wheels. Customer service was excellent, I couldn't believe there are companies that still do business like that.

Cycle Pilot

If it's the same one I just got a couple of weeks ago then watch out! If you put a laptop in the new "redesigned" bag, you won't be able to fit it in most overhead bins wheels first. Mine won't even fit in the -88 bins! Yes, they fixed the expandable feature, but they made it too thick for the overheads.

OrionTanker

I have owned PNT (luggageworks.com) for years and they are a great bag. But I am going to try strongbags.com next. Many of my coworkers use this bag and it is lighter in weight than the PNT bag.

candlerman - try "Febreze", works wonders, and passes the sniff test.

sargeanb

Strongbags are good, I've had one for a couple years now, dragged it through many a snow-covered parking lot and Canadian airport curb. The aluminum frame is very tough, and they can send you any parts you need if repairs are needed down the road. Only issue I've had with it is some of the metal tabs on some of the rear zippers came off, but apparently they've fixed that in the new model (Vortex II). The other issue is that it will not fit straight into the carry on space of anything smaller that a 737 (those rollerblade wheels make it roll very smooth, but they also make it about a half inch too tall.)