Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Travel

Rolling Luggage for the Long Haul

Clay Abney
By

Rolling Luggage
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Whether you are planning to cruise through the Chilean fjords or hike the Inca Trail, having the right equipment when traveling can be essential to getting all of your gear to your final destination more effectively. We have traveled both domestically and abroad to put a handful of bags to the test and here are a few that you should consider before your 2017 adventures.

Traditional

Eagle Creek Gear Warrior 91.5L/32” ($289)

eagle creek rolling luggage
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Eagle Creek prides itself in being innovators seeking to improve the travel experience. This is evident with the Gear Warrior. This bag contains a large secondary compartment that makes it easy for travelers to separate their gear from their clothing. This bag contains large internal pockets along with a top external pocket for keeping organized on the road. While this is the second largest bag in our review, it also the lightest and giving you more weight for the things you really need.

Convertible

Osprey Sojourn 80L/28” ($340)

osprey convertible luggage
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Don’t limit your next adventure to where your bag can take you but rather expand your horizon with where you can take your bag. With its deployable backpack suspension system, including harness, hip belt and back panel, this already great roller is is perfect for the long haul. When not in use or not needed, the system is easily stored or removed for increased packing capacity. With its four internal zippered pockets and large main compartment, gear will remain secure and organized. When the rolling conditions improve, just stash the suspension system and extend the dual tube handle for easy hauling to your next destination.

Deuter Helion 80L ($289)

deuter helion convertible rolling luggage
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Hit the road for adventure with the Helion. And, when the road runs out, the bag converts to a pack allowing you go the extra mile to reach your destination. Internal dividers keep your gear organized and secure. Also, find your gear easier with a lightly colored interior.  A top center outside pocket keeps your travel essentials within reach.

Behemoth

The North Face Rolling Thunder 155L/36” ($319)

the north face rolling luggage
Image used with permission by copyright holder

This bag is the leviathan of the field. With a volume greater than 150L, this bag will swallow anything you could possibly need on your adventure. While the newer design still weighs in at over ten pounds empty, this is by far the most durable rolling bag in the lineup. For those familiar with the Base Camp Duffle, this bag is made of the same material, 1000d polyester laminate. The bag contains a large ‘D’ opening that allows you load the bag to the rim. Inside the bag’s lid, there are two zippered mesh pockets for organizing those loose items that you might need to locate quickly upon reaching your destination. This bag contains a large outside compartment accessible by a zipper for stashing or retrieving a jacket or other items that you might need to access quickly. Also, there is a small zippered pocket on the outside of the bag for stashing smaller items or travel documents. The larger than average wheels make for transporting the bag easily across uneven surfaces.

And, One for the Future

Thule Subterra 75L/28” (available in February)

thule rolling luggage
Image used with permission by copyright holder

A relative newcomer to the luggage game, Thule has been embedded in the outdoor industry since 1942. They launched their first luggage line in 2011 and are again expanding their offerings for 2017. The new Subterra collection is sleek enough for the modern business traveler yet rugged enough for the adventurer. This bag features a wide-mouth access and divided main compartment make this rolling duffel easy to pack and stay organized. Additionally, the telescoping handles and oversized wheels make transporting this bag easy regardless of whether you are navigating paved sidewalks or cobblestone streets.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Clay Abney
Clay Abney
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Clay Abney is a PR guru and freelance writer living in the wild and wonderful state of West Virginia, where he spends his…
Luggage 101: How to clean and store hard shell and soft sided luggage
Your luggage wheels are absolutely disgusting
luggage cleaning and storage hardshellluggage

From your bedroom to the street, the airport floors, and the belly of the plane, your luggage has seen it all. Both the inside and the outside of your baggage take quite a beating as you travel from place to place. Many people choose to replace their luggage as soon as it starts to show signs of wear. However, good-quality luggage can last over a decade if cared for properly. These are the steps you need to take to get your suitcases looking as good as new (and make them stay that way).

Cleaning hard shell luggage
Cleaning your hard shell luggage is a fairly straightforward process, and you will only need a few simple materials.
Supplies
The supplies you will need are:

Read more
The story behind that viral, terrifying ski lift malfunction video you’ll see posted across social media all winter long
Everything you need to know about a video you're going to see a lot of
People on ski lift

Your first ski lift ride is usually a chilled experience — for skiers, at least; it's a different beast for beginner snowboarders. It's also usually your first chance to leave the bunny slopes behind you and get your head into the clouds, riding high and looking down over the entire ski resort. But not everyone's ski lift experiences are that positive.

If you've never ridden a ski lift and want your first experience completely untainted, then now is probably a good time to skip over to some of our other ski and snowboard-related content. Ski lift malfunctions are not commonplace, but the terrifying viral video below shows that they can be chaotic and highly dangerous when they go wrong. But just what happened for this chair to go out of control in the first place?

Read more
Southwest Airlines copies Delta and makes a checked luggage change you’re really going to like
Air travel is hard enough without lost luggage
A Southwest Airplane takes off on the tarmac

 

When trying to find the best bang for your buck in an airline ticket, piecing together baggage fees, seat fees, ticket levels, hidden fees, and departure/arrival times leaves many people flustered by the time a ticket is actually purchased. Southwest Airlines has been popular for years thanks to its dedication to making flying both simple and affordable. 

Read more