What is the ‘skinny’ on Spinner Luggage, and what size should you buy?
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This is a very important question, and I will provide information that should help you make this decision. As you can imagine, this category of luggage is the fastest growing segment in recent years, primarily because of the ease of maneuverability. Spinner Luggage is the classification of upright luggage with telescoping pull handles and four wheels on the bottom of the case, when the case is positioned vertically. However, some of the manufacturer’s have used the dual-caster wheel. Either version maneuvers quite easily providing the wheels are good quality and have not been worn-down with travel or missing ball bearings. Spinner luggage is available in Soft-Sided, Hard-Sided, or Hybrid. The Hybrid is generally a hard-sided suitcase with a soft pocket or the suitcase can be a combination of hard and soft composition. Additionally, Spinner Luggage is now available in Garment Bags, Tote Bags, Business Cases and Backpacks.
Please keep in mind that the Airlines have all become exceptionally strict on enforcing the standards of what is considered carry-on compliant. If you plan on taking a trip, and you are flying a regional jet (smaller plane) the bottom line is that most, if not all, wheeled bags do not fit in the small overhead bins. In fact, some of the larger business cases are actually too large in depth to comfortably fit. Most airlines will allow the passenger to ‘gate-check’ the bag upon boarding, which also will allow you to reclaim your bag as you exit the plane. The process of reclaiming your bag can take approximately 10 minutes, depending on which airport you fly into and how long it takes for the baggage handlers to get your bags to the Jet-Way or specified reclaiming area.
If you are flying on a full-size airplane, the standard carry-on regulations allow carry-on luggage up to 45 linear inches. This measurement includes height + width + depth. Furthermore, some of the airlines have sizer boxes outside the boarding area which only allow for a maximum of 22”H x 14”W x 9”D. Today many of the luggage suppliers also offer a wide-body or ‘continental’ carry-on. These are commonly 2-3” shorter 19-21” in height and 2-3” wider (16-17”). The wide-body carry-on are also 45 linear inches or smaller. Most importantly, this measurement considers all extremities, inclusive of wheels and handles. I apologize for the long history lesson, yet the reason this information is so important, is the fact that Spinner Luggage has the wheels mounted on the underside of the bag, consequently some of these wheels can elevate the suitcase by approximately 2”.
Considering the carry-on can’t be more that 22” in height that generally means that you sacrifice 2” of packing space in a Spinner Carry-On Suitcase. Essentially, you are purchasing a 20” suitcase for all intents-and-purposes. Is it worth losing the 2” of packing space, the answer has been defined by our customers. Many business travelers prefer to opt for the 22” 2-Wheel Trolley style Carry-On. Most of these have 2 flush-mounted in-line skate wheels that recess modestly into the suitcase. In general, the 2-wheel trolley doesn’t take up much real estate inside your suitcase. Hence two more inches of packing! Are you still wishing you could switch over to a 4 or 8-wheel Spinner Carry-On. The temptation is quite understandable, as you can literally wheel these spinners on the short or long side, making it a breeze to wheel down the aisle of a plane, even if you are seated in the very back row. However, don’t forget you can’t exceed the 22” in height, so if it is airline carry-on compliant…you will be forced to sacrifice some packing space.
I happen to be a proponent of Spinner Luggage, and I think it is worth it. However, I did keep my favorite 2-wheel Trolley Carry-On just for those trips that require a bit more. Please keep in mind that the Airline boarding agent or flight crew has the unilateral authority to deny your carry-on. In fact, this can happen even if your suitcase meets airline carry-on compliant standards. The most common reason is that the overhead bin space is already filled to capacity at the time of your boarding. I wouldn’t recommend taking this personal, as it will only raise your blood pressure, and possibly delay your departure. Consequently, it is always a great idea to have a smaller non-wheeled carry-on that fits under any seat. This is an absolute essential for anybody who must travel with medication or is traveling with expensive electronic equipment (cameras, laptop computer, tablets, etc.).
What about Spinner Luggage in larger (checked baggage) sizes. The decision becomes much easier, as you can purchase the size that best suits your packing requirements.
Spinner Luggage, even the checked baggage sizes listed above, should be measured from the bottom of the wheels to the top of the handle. Once the wheels are taken into consideration, you are losing roughly 2” of packing space, which is precisely why you might consider sizing up on your Spinner Case. The general rule of thumb, is buy one size larger in a Spinner Suitcase for comparable packing space to that of your former 2-Wheel Trolley. In fact, the most popular sizes in 4-Wheel Spinner (Checked Baggage Sizes) are 29-32”. Today, the Airlines (Domestic and Foreign) weigh your suitcase, and will charge excess fees for exceeding 50 lbs. per checked suitcase. The weight threshold is generally higher on international trips, yet it is prudent to check with your airline carrier before you travel.
In theory, buying luggage seems pretty straightforward. You want a purchase that's practical, that can hold up against rough handling, and that can last you a long time. The reality gets more complicated when you realize just how many options are out there and all the factors you need to take into consideration. For example, do you want a hard shell or soft shell? A four-wheel spinner or two wheels? The best way to start is to brush up on the basics of luggage and then make a checklist of what you actually want. This will prevent you from having buyer's remorse and falling for any fancy frills you don't actually need.
Before you shell out on your next suitcase, here's what you should take into consideration.
Exterior motives
The exterior of your luggage really depends on personal preference. You can choose between soft shell — usually made out of fabric like nylon or canvas — or hard shell, which can be made from plastic, aluminum or polycarbonate (the latter is the most popular of the bunch for being lightweight and impact resistant). There are pros and cons to both. Soft shell can easily rip or stain and isn't weather-proof, but it's much lighter than its hard shell counterpart and can fit into tighter spaces like overhead bins. Meanwhile, hard shell luggage protects your belongings better, but it also tends to dent easily and increase the overall weight of your packed suitcase.
Wheels down
You can either opt for luggage with two wheels or four. Four-wheel spinners turn 360-degrees and can roll in any direction. They're your best bet if you want to make sure your luggage can stand upright without aid and won't tip over easily. Four-wheels are also easy to maneuver in an airport. Two wheels, on the other hand, won't roll away from you on an incline and they're better suited for uneven terrain (like cobblestones).
Size matters
The size of your luggage depends on your traveling style. Do you travel light and prefer the convenience of carry-ons or are you a serial overpacker who finds satisfaction in a roomier, checked luggage? Do you primarily fly short-haul domestic or international long-haul? If you're all about that carry-on life, make sure to check with the airline with which you're traveling because there's no standard carry-on allowance.
Ready to make a decision? Here are a few options for all your traveling needs.
Carry-on luggage
Founders Jen Rubio and Steph Korey used crowdsourcing to create the ultimate carry-on that checked off all the boxes for traveling well and in style. The Instagram-favourite features a TSA-approved ejectable battery that lasts through five full charges. It also comes with a compression pad to make additional space for your items when you vastly underestimated how much shopping you were going to do, and a waterproof laundry bag to discreetly stow away dirty clothes. Bonus: you can add another stylish flourish to your carry-on by getting it monogrammed.
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The Carry-On Luggage, $325, Away
Brought to you by the former alums of Tumi and Louis Vuitton, this brand positions itself as luggage for the design-obsessed. You won't find a zipper on the outside — instead, there are two TSA-approved combination locks to keep your items secure. The polycarbonate luggage is lightweight with a sleek aluminum trim for additional durability. The thoughtful design extends right down to what the company calls its "whisper-quiet" wheels. It also boasts a removable battery so you can stay plugged in while you're on the move.
The Polycarbonate Carry-On, approx. $598, Arlo Skye
Weekender bags
Made with premium neoprene, this sophisticated weekender looks stylish on the outside and is surprisingly spacious inside. Features include a padded laptop sleeve, an air mesh pouch, stretch key leash, and shoe duster. There are also discreet pockets on the outside so you can quickly stash items while you're on the go. You can even get more mileage out of it by letting it do double-duty as a chic gym bag.
Landon Carryall, $185, Dagne Dover
Long beloved for its iconic canvas bags, the extra-large Boxford is roomy enough to accommodate any last-minute, haphazard packing (the kind where you stuff things to the brim). The canvas material makes it easy to clean, while small design details like the leather trims make it elegant and sophisticated. The bag also has a removable strap, making it easy to throw over your shoulder.
Boxford Travel Bag XL, $410, Longchamp
Outdoor adventure-ready
With the help of customer feedback, the latest iteration of MEC's duffle bag was tested to survive rough handling. Made with high-tenacity polyester and a water-resistant polyurethane coating, this bag holds up in the toughest of elements. You can wear it as a backpack or sport the detachable shoulder strap. The duffle can also be neatly folded into its own mesh pocket until needed.
Duffle Bag, $44.95 - $89.95, MEC
Burton may be best known as a snowboarding specialist, but the company also happens to make excellent luggage that's a favourite for its durability. The versatile Multipath Travel Path can be carried on a plane or on a camping trip. Thoughtful features include a removable waist belt and vented airmesh straps. There are also multiple external pockets for stowing away travel essentials like your passport, sunglasses and water bottle.
Multipath 27L Travel Pack, $189.99, Burton
Checked luggage
Combining function and a chic design, this scratch-resistant hard shell features a customized mesh texture for additional protection. Navigate easily through airports with its push-button locking handle and multi-directional wheels. The luggage also maximizes packing capacity and comes with an integrated TSA-lock to safeguard your belongings.
Samsonite Ziplite 4.0 Expandable 28-Inch Spinner, $525 ($210 on sale), Hudson's Bay
For two-wheel luggage purists, this suitcase is equipped with in-line skate wheels for easy maneuverability. Meanwhile, the soft shell fabric is both stain-resistant and water-repellant, thanks to a special coating. Another useful feature is its ability to expand up to 2" while still retaining its shape and remaining sturdy so there are no accidental thuds or tipping.
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Expandable Rollaboard Luggage 26-Inch, $158.99, Amazon
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