Travel Luggage

[addohm]

Man, totally disappointed in my 6y old Mares Cruise system. The handle just fell apart today when I extended it. I'm guessing sun exposure and baggage handler abuse accelerated the degradation of the plastic. Anyway, in the market for a new travel setup. Any suggestions? I'm looking at pelican air right now so anything else purpose built is welcomed.

 

[waxrash]

Man, totally disappointed in my 6y old Mares Cruise system. The handle just fell apart today when I extended it. I'm guessing sun exposure and baggage handler abuse accelerated the degradation of the plastic. Anyway, in the market for a new travel setup. Any suggestions? I'm looking at pelican air right now so anything else purpose built is welcomed.

I used pelican boxes for years until the airlines went to 62" and 50# enforcement. The cases are heavy. After that I changed to LL Bean duffels. There are four divers in our family and all four have used the LL Bean Adventure Rolling Duffles (X-Large, 95L) to put their SCUBA gear in. I also have a 135L Duffle, but it's too big, by the time you fill it, it's going to be over 50#. After 15 years the rubber wheels gave out. The bags are still fantastic. I've never had any gear broken in them. I recently bought an Akona duffel to replace one with broken wheels. I can tell you the Akona quality is substantially less that the LL bag in my side by side opinion. However, I never check a regulator or dive computer. My carry-on is Swimsuit, Mask, Computer, Regulator. Check everything else. I've learned that if I can arrive with those 4 things, I can dive right away if my bags are delayed. Ask me how I know LOL.

Plus my wife pays the $8 and get's our name monogrammed on them, easy to spot.

Note they have restyled the bags so they stand on end. I have the old style and one of the new style. Slight differences but basically the same for my purposes.

 

[mbs]

I used pelican boxes for years until the airlines went to 62" and 50# enforcement. The cases are heavy. After that I changed to LL Bean duffels. There are four divers in our family and all four have used the LL Bean Adventure Rolling Duffles (X-Large, 95L) to put their SCUBA gear in. I also have a 135L Duffle, but it's too big, by the time you fill it, it's going to be over 50#. After 15 years the rubber wheels gave out. The bags are still fantastic. I've never had any gear broken in them. I recently bought an Akona duffel to replace one with broken wheels. I can tell you the Akona quality is substantially less that the LL bag in my side by side opinion. However, I never check a regulator or dive computer. My carry-on is Swimsuit, Mask, Computer, Regulator. Check everything else. I've learned that if I can arrive with those 4 things, I can dive right away if my bags are delayed. Ask me how I know LOL.

Plus my wife pays the $8 and get's our name monogrammed on them, easy to spot.

Note they have restyled the bags so they stand on end. I have the old style and one of the new style. Slight differences but basically the same for my purposes.

I replace the wheels with inline skate wheels on my bean duffles. Our first bags were really easy to replace. The 2 "newer" ones took a little more work to get the axle out and I hit it with a little caulk to make sure no leakage. I'm disappointed that the newest version of the bag doesn't have the separate bottom section. But with the new wheels I should be good for a bunch more years. Here's the link to the wheels I used:

 

[waxrash]

I replace the wheels with inline skate wheels on my bean duffles. Our first bags were really easy to replace. The 2 "newer" ones took a little more work to get the axle out and I hit it with a little caulk to make sure no leakage. I'm disappointed that the newest version of the bag doesn't have the separate bottom section. But with the new wheels I should be good for a bunch more years. Here's the link to the wheels I used:

Thanks, I tore one apart and couldn't figure out how to change. Let me look again.

 

[mbs]

Thanks, I tore one apart and couldn't figure out how to change. Let me look again.

The version I have now grab a pair of needle nose pliers and you will see a small metal plate about the size of a fingernail. Pull it straight up and out. That exposes the end of the axel. Mine has a philips head that you can unscrew and pull out allowing the wheel to drop out. The problem I had with this version is there is a bead of material keeping you from pulling it straight out. So I kinda yanked some of it out and continued to pull on it until it came all of the way out. I reused the same axel with the new wheel. The first time I did this I had called Bean thinking they would offer repair. Instead they just wanted to replace the whole bag! Nice support, but I couldn't see throwing away a perfectly good bag.

 

[passedoutwookie]

I use a generic, hard sided, max size roller bag. Easy to lug around, cheap, and blends in with all the other bags. In my opinion pelican or scuba branded bags just let everyone know I am carrying something expensive and I prefer to not advertise that.

 

[waxrash]

I replace the wheels with inline skate wheels on my bean duffles. Our first bags were really easy to replace. The 2 "newer" ones took a little more work to get the axle out and I hit it with a little caulk to make sure no leakage. I'm disappointed that the newest version of the bag doesn't have the separate bottom section. But with the new wheels I should be good for a bunch more years. Here's the link to the wheels I used:

For whatever reason I can't see the wheels.

 

[waxrash]

The version I have now grab a pair of needle nose pliers and you will see a small metal plate about the size of a fingernail. Pull it straight up and out. That exposes the end of the axel. Mine has a philips head that you can unscrew and pull out allowing the wheel to drop out. The problem I had with this version is there is a bead of material keeping you from pulling it straight out. So I kinda yanked some of it out and continued to pull on it until it came all of the way out. I reused the same axel with the new wheel. The first time I did this I had called Bean thinking they would offer repair. Instead they just wanted to replace the whole bag! Nice support, but I couldn't see throwing away a perfectly good bag.

Unfortunately the wheels on mine are all riveted. Riveted to the bag and riveted to the wheel mount. The axle is riveted as well. No clips or screws. However I was able to drill out the rivets and replace the wheels. I wouldn’t do it again as it’s a good :45 per wheel and lots of drilling into metal held on by plastic which melts easy. Wheels worked great.

 

[also_anon_dc]

I use the Eagle Creek Migrate 130L rolling duffle which I learned about from another thread on here. It's huge and will carry everything so it's easy to exceed the 50lb weight limit. I also usually travel with a smaller hand carry duffle from them too. I also like the loud colors- always easy to spot my bag on the baggage claim.

Migrate Wheeled Duffel Bag 130L | Shop Eagle Creek

Our updated Migrate Duffel 130L features 100% recycled, heavy-duty and easy to clean material, that can undertake any adventure rolling by your side or strapped to your back. This mammoth-sized wheeled bag is made with durable fabrics and trim and covered by the No Matter What™ Warranty.

www.eaglecreek.com

Migrate Duffel Bag 60L | Shop Eagle Creek

This eco-friendly wonder is now made of 100% recycled materials, helping you make a difference when you travel. The ultra-durable duffel bag features a wide, easy-access opening and water-resistant construction, so you can bring all your essentials with you wherever you go. Don't miss the...

www.eaglecreek.com

 

[mbs]

Unfortunately the wheels on mine are all riveted. Riveted to the bag and riveted to the wheel mount. The axle is riveted as well. No clips or screws. However I was able to drill out the rivets and replace the wheels. I wouldn’t do it again as it’s a good :45 per wheel and lots of drilling into metal held on by plastic which melts easy. Wheels worked great.

Damn, they really don't want you to be able to replace those wheels! Shame!