1. Eastpak Godfather L
pro: size, weight, handles, 105 l
con: doubledecker, requires more space to open (flipping to the side), ~ 190,- EUR

2. Eagle Creek QRV Super Trunk
pro: incredible size (145 l), durability, handles on every side, QRV = OffRoadVacation wheels
con: weight (5,3kg), ~ 260,- EUR

3. Eagle Creek QRV Trunk
pro: size, handles, 115 l, QRV = OffRoadVacation wheels
con: ~240,- EUR

All three wheeled bags come with the most important feature that – for some strange reason – many other models do not have: plastic covers on all 4 corners + handles on more than one side which make these bags perfect for airport luggage handlers…

There are several different polycarbonate luggage series from Rimowa, Salsa, Limbo, Samba and Tango and Tango Light are the current ones.

Both Limbo and Samba are made with either black or aluminum “corners” so that they retain the look of the Aluminum Rimowa cases. Since both Limbo and Samba use the metal frame and locks from the aluminum series they retained the corners.

Salsa, Tango and Tango Light do not have corner patches and you could not really patch the corners on them anyway as the molds for the Samba/Limbo series are different then the ones for the Salsa/Tango/Tango Light series.

@Dave: you should write an insight article on the airline business / working as a pilot and post it here one day :-)

Now that I’m spending my entire working-time either onboard aircraft or within a hotel room, I needed something else. Usually, I don’t carry that much heavy stuff with me, but I need a suitcase which is strong and light and fits into the trunk of an average rent-a-car.
So I’m back to the Samsonite (not Sampsonite this time, despite I’m living in China).

So first of all, I bought one in a PRAKTIKER – D.I.Y.-mart in Germany. They had them on sale there; three different sizes, starting from 9,99 for the basic overnight-size, 16,99 for the type of size you need for a couple of days’ trip, and a huge one for 34,99 which is good for a whole family.
I decided for the small and the large one, figuring that I still needed to move a lot of my stuff around at that time.
What happened? Well, what you’d expect from cheap shit like that. Firt of all, the big one: it was wrecked after the first trip! Didn’t keep it’s shape, but looked like a shopping-bag, with it’s formerly tidy cargo in the shape of a pile of stuff. The plastic hinges were coming loose, and the carrying-handle broken off. Fortunately, I still had the receipt, and claimed my money back for that stupid thing. Guess what, they didn’t even ask any questions at the cashier, but refunded me without hesitation.

The small one was a bit more durable, after I screwed a wheel back one which had fallen off while walking through the airport. And the retractable handle sometimes jammed when you pulled it out. The case was small enough to go through as cabin baggage, so maybe that contributed to the fact that it lasted for more journeys. The problem was, that for ome reason you couldn’t walk properly with it. If you pulled it behind yourself, it was swaying to the left and right with each step you made, and toppled over whenever the floor was uneven. Really annoying. So annoying, that it was more convenient to either carry it, or put it onto a trolley. And then, why use it in the first place. Finally, I threw it into the rubbish, tired and pissed off with it.

So finally, I decided to cut out being cheap. If you’re going to use your suitcase often, then it’s like getting a pair of shoes: Buy cheap, and all you get is gonna be cheap.
So I invested US$220 in a Samsonite (not Sampsonite this time). That got me something in the medium price-range of what they offered.

The thing has a really great design. Inside the lid, you can put your shirts and jacket, without them getting in contact with the rest of your stuff (e.g. shoes); you have some ccoat-hangers and a box for a tie. The rest of the interior can be divided in two sides if you like; otherwise, you have a cool design of straps to hold everything in place. The wheels allow you to roll the thing upright or sideways, with retractable handles that won’t get smashed off anymore when some loaders throw it ontothe conveyor-belt next time. And the space inside is great; much better design than any previous model I had, where the wheels or some re-inforcements extended inwards and were in the way.
The two combination-locks are quite strong (at least, they won’t open accidentally like other suitcase-locks usually do), and the warranty entitles me to a free new one if this case gets broken.

I’ve been using it for at least 100 flights now within the last few months, and so far it’s still perfect. Apart from inevitable signs of wear, like scratches and dust, the wheels are still turning. The handle is a bit loose by now, but still serves its function very well.
And as far as the weight is concerned: Yes, it is a little bit heavier than those nylon-boxes, but the difference is just around two or three kilos. My suitcase weighs around 25kg when I go somewhere for a week. When I’m on a business trip, the weight is no object, I can take as much as I want.

Otherwise, “big” airlines usually allow that much tolerance at the check-in. Just smile at that gay who sits behind the counter, or flirt with the 56-year old lady. They can do a lot for you, if they want. Don’t line up at the counter with the beautiful 25-year old plastic doll; the chance is too high that she’s an arrogant bitch!
When you travel with one of those low-cost carriers: Well, yes, you’re gonna pay. But what do you expect for a 49-Euro-Ticket? Forget Ryanair, but Easyjet, AirBerlin, Germanwings and most others won’t kill you. Just give them the extra fifty Euros, and consider it as the TRUE price for your ticket. It’s still less than what Lufthansa would have charged.
Last option: Fly Business Class on any airline, and you’re entitled to 30kg. Then take twice that with you, and if they say something, yell at them!

I am just happy to buy a cheap bag when I’m going to Kenya, knowing that if anything happens to it, my loss is minimised.