REAL DEALS
Seattle Air/Hotel, From $340
This bargain three-night getaway checks you in to a stylish hotel at Pike Place Market. So what if it's a little rainy?
TEST LAB
The Best Wheelie Bags
There have been big advances in wheelie-bag technology (particularly the wheels). Since it's hard to test a bag before you buy it, we did the dirty work for you.
It might be time to buy a new wheelie bag. But the question is, which one? We asked manufacturers to let us test out medium-size models with the newest, most durable, smoothest-riding wheels. We considered testing carry-ons, but good wheels seem more important on larger bags.
The perfect bag needs wheels large enough to roll easily over uneven terrain like cobblestones and sidewalk cracks, yet not so big that they're obtrusive. They have to be soft, to lessen vibration and noise, and at the same time durable enough to survive dozens of vacations. Ideally, the bag will be able to zigzag quickly through crowds and corner like a Corvette--and yet be stable enough to avoid wobbling around on one wheel or tipping over entirely.
(Morgan & Owens)
[enlarge photo]
|
Before testing these five models, we loaded each with 40 pounds of clothes, so that they'd total about 50 pounds apiece, the maximum for free checked bags on airlines. As for the lab coats--we couldn't resist.
Rating system
Excellent *****
Good ****
Average ***
Fair **
Poor *
The contenders
Tumi T-Tech Pulse Cooper Square 30" tumi.com, $450
Ogio Terminal 28" ogio.com, $170
REI Strato Cruiser 25" rei.com, $230
Osprey Vector 28" ospreypacks.com, $189
Eagle Creek Velocity 25" eaglecreek.com,$340
Test 1: The slalom
The closest we could get to a mad dash through a crowded airport.
It immediately became clear how much better these bags are than what rolled around airports 10 years ago. We felt like Bode Miller on a good day: All the wheels were remarkably quiet and cruised smoothly across the pavement. The Osprey, with its big 3.5-inch wheels, was the smoothest of all, while the REI's 16-inch wheelbase (the widest of the bunch) kept it especially stable. None of the bags came close to tipping during turns, and switching directions was a breeze. The Tumi got a slight demerit because it felt a little heavier and clunkier.
The slalom
Eagle Creek *****
Ogio ****½
Osprey *****
REI *****
Tumi ****
Note: This story was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
|
|
SUBSCRIBE to BUDGET TRAVEL
The world's most useful travel magazine costs just $12 for 10 issues--or $20 for 20 issues!
|
|
MOST POPULAR
Tuscany has no shortage of authentic restaurants. But the best? We turned to local villa owners, who would only leave their own kitchens for just the right spot. More…
|
