No one has ever said, “I enjoy waiting for my luggage to (hopefully!) come out at baggage carousel.” Although checking luggage can be cumbersome, expensive, and stressful, it is possible to have a bag that you check on your trip.
With an exorbitant retail price of $949, the hellaciously expensive Briggs & Riley Extra Large Expandable Spinner suitcase costs nearly as much as an entry-level MacBook. This is what we learned about the luggage after traveling on three different flights. Note that TPG was provided with a free suitcase to test its claims.
Here are some things you need to consider when buying a suitcase.
I spent about a month traveling earlier this year in Singapore, London, New York, and Washington, D.C. I am not one of those people who will carry a bag around, but this particular trip was quite long and required me to have a big suitcase. My criteria at that time was to find the most reliable bag for the least price and the smallest weight.
For the 32.75-inch Samsonite Theorym Large Spunner, I spent around $250 Samsonite bags have been reliable. I was able to pack all I needed in my bag. However, I didn’t realize what features I was missing out on until I reviewed the Briggs & Riley suitcase, which is roughly four times the price of the Samsonite bag — but more on that later.
This is what you should look out for when shopping for a checked bag.
Maximum storage
You should make sure it’s worth checking your bag. This is why you should choose a bag that has the maximum storage. You can filter your search to find bags that are at least 30 inches tall. You can immediately eliminate bags manufactured by Away.
A bag should be at least 21 inches in length. Although they are more practical to transport, many luggage companies offer smaller duffle bags that won’t hold as much weight and volume.
Lightweight yet durable
Even empty, big suitcases can be heavy. When I checked my Samsonite and Briggs & Riley suitcases, they were routinely more than 50 pounds, the threshold of an overweight bag. That meant I needed to pay a $75 overweight checked bag fee on Southwest Airlines — ouch.
United Airlines has a different policy regarding overweight bags. Premier members are allowed to check 70-pound checked bags instead of 50. Premier Silver and Premier Gold members are allowed to check one bag weighing up to 70 pounds, while Premier Gold members may check two bags that weight no more than 70 pounds.
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Check the empty weights of your suitcases when comparing them. It is essential to have a light bag, but it doesn’t mean you should sacrifice the wheels and corners protection on your luggage to reduce the weight.
All around Handles
Although it is a standard feature in most checked bags it should not be overlooked. For those who can use both their hands, they will be able to lift and move the bag from the baggage carousel. You’ll need to have at least three handles so you can get your hands on them.
Lifetime warranty
Because checked bags are expensive, it is important to ensure that your purchase is protected. When possible, I suggest purchasing a bag with an unlimited warranty. For the warranty to activate, nearly all bags require online registration.
Similar Articles: TPG employees carry the following checked bags
Briggs & Riley features
I’ve grown to appreciate some of the features of the Briggs & Riley Extra Large Expandable Spinner suitcase.
Amazing storage
The bag is large enough to store a lot of stuff. It measures 31.5 inches by 22.2 inches by 13.8 inch.
The retractable telescoping handle, unlike any other suitcase that I have seen, is found on the luggage’s back. It doesn’t fall into its interior like most others. That means the main storage compartment of the Briggs & Riley suitcase is completely flat, so you don’t have to navigate around the indentations where the handle would normally rest.
Patent-pending CX expansion adds depth and style to the bag. Simply click a button to expand the suitcase a few inches so you can pack in all your clothing. You can either press down to snap the suitcase back in place or you can extend it.
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All of these clever storage options add weight. It weighs in at 15.6 pounds empty. This bag is not heavy enough to cause excess weight for checked luggage (which generally exceeds 50 pounds).
Organization
Two exterior pockets are included in the bag. One can hold an Apple AirTag and extra face masks while the second is big enough to keep larger items. My case was different because I took the suitcase with me when I went to warmer places. I used the large pocket in my jacket for storage once I reached my destination and I retrieved the bag.
The main compartment has a mesh garment belt to support your clothes. Because the main compartment is large, it’s important to keep your clothes in place.
The tri-fold garment organizer was also a good option. It has a foam rollbar that kept my button-down shirt pressed and unwrinkled.
YKK self-repairing zippers
I was able to travel with confidence knowing that the self-repairing zippers from YKK were available, despite never having to use them.
When too much pressure or fabric is placed on the zipper, they can get misaligned. You’ve likely seen broken zippers with openings on each side before. To get around this issue, Briggs & Riley added special YKK zippers that can fix themselves should they ever deviate from their tracks. To return the zipper to its original position, simply pull it over the protrusion.
Built to Perform
Four 360-degree double spinner wheels feel right at home when passing through airports. Although the wheel glided smoothly over the floors and was very smooth to use, it didn’t cushion the trip well when rolling the luggage across the gravel. Every wheel has a splash guard that protects everything inside.
The sturdy grab handles on the left, right and bottom were also appreciated. It was much easier to move this huge bag.
The bottom line
The Briggs & Riley Extra Large Expandable Spinner suitcase is the creme de la creme of checked luggage. It’s still a shock to me that I would have to pay almost $1000 for one piece luggage.
Samsonite Theorym Large Spinner, a fantastic checked luggage for almost everyone at half the cost of comparable products, is an excellent choice. It offers similar storage, though not quite as much as the Briggs & Riley option. It does not have the most advanced features. This cheaper alternative doesn’t offer details such as the CX click style expansion system or self-repairing zips.
If you have the money, frequently travel with clothes that need to stay pressed and treasure the Briggs & Riley badge (plus the upgraded features the brand provides), this bag could be worth adding to your holiday wishlist. This bag is sold at Nordstrom and Amazon.
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