Gadling

Briggs & Riley has as close to an unconditional repair/replace guarantee as you can get. I just purchased a new one yesterday (Transcend 22" rolling carry-on). I fly between 150K - 200K annually , often several times a week, so I need sturdy, reliable, durable luggage. A bag I have to send out frequently for repair because it can't take the hits is useless to me - but my needs may be different than yours. I used to use a Travelpro Crew 22", which is the largest rolling bag you can put wheels-in on a domestic US flight, but I kept having problems with the wheels. I loved the bag, but the wheels kept going bad on me - even on the newest Crew (the "6"). The plastic upright bracing on the bottom was also completely destroyed by the end of my 4th week with it - just torn off the bag in large pieces every time I flew so now it won't stand up. I also literally have to drag it around with rubbing wheels as well - and they start to smell like burnt plastic after about 200 yards or so. I am having the wheels and support repaired, and it will be my backup if I ever have to send in the Briggs for repair. The Briggs & Riley was about $279, but considering that I have already gone through 3 Travelpros in 5 years it will pay for itself if I never have to replace it. It is expandable, lightweight, has solid ball-bearing wheels, and does not feel flimsy (especially the pull-out handle). The 21" x 14" x 8" unexpanded (21 x 14 x 11 expanded) size will readily fit wheels-in into domestic overhead compartments on full-size planes. Many local carriers in Asia require a 20" maximum size for overhead bins, so if I go back to China and Japan and fly domestic carriers I may pick up a smaller one for clothes and items I want to carry on. If I was traveling to a tourist destination where luggage security was questionable, I would bring the repaired Travelpro out (it is a very common-looking scruffy black bag), but on my domestic business trips where the bulk of my traveling is done I will go with the new bag for reliability, speed, and ease of my aching back and shoulder (the wheels are superb!). I also chose a dark red bag instead of black so it will be easier to identify both on the baggage claim AND behind the scenes if an airline ever has to search and locate my bag - did you ever notice how many variations of black rollaboards there are?

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