How can I get old-fashioned suitcases or something similar?

May 3, 2012 1:03 AM

Every time we travel as a family we have a pile of suitcases. I think I need some old fashioned hard-sided rectangular suitcases which

1. are light;
2. stack nicely;
3. have a handle;
4. won't come open in flight or be destroyed by TSA guys.

Are these still made? If not, can anyone suggest an alternative? Bonus points if I can buy them in Australia.
posted by Joe in Australia to Travel & Transportation (10 answers total)

Samsonite has a whole line of them. The link is to their listing of hard luggage on their Australia site -- you could contact them to find which stores sell them. In the States, I bought one from a department store.
posted by Houstonian at 2:26 AM on May 3, 2012

Response by poster: Houstonian: it's hard to tell from the pictures, but it looks like those have curved sides that won't stack. It's impossible to transport more than a couple of suitcases securely unless they're flat.
posted by Joe in Australia at 2:58 AM on May 3, 2012

You're right, the Samsonite ones are slightly rounded. Do you mean, more like this cabin trunk (designed to look old, but it's new), or one of the Norazza Ape Cases?
posted by Houstonian at 3:29 AM on May 3, 2012

Response by poster: Yes, like those but (a) light; and (b) not as expensive as I suspect the French ones are. Rectangular suitcases used to be the default. I'm astonished that I can't find a supplier.
posted by Joe in Australia at 4:23 AM on May 3, 2012

I have heard good things about Rimowa as well, and they are rectangular. Don't think they're cheap, though. I think it's one of those situations where out of "Light, Durable, and Cheap" you can only pick two of the three.
posted by Grither at 4:42 AM on May 3, 2012 [2 favorites]

Are you thinking of something like a thinner steamer trunk? Honestly, I think that the old style chipboard cases would probably get destroyed by a modern baggage handler. They throw those things around on the tarmac.
posted by smackfu at 6:57 AM on May 3, 2012

Have you tried eBAY? I'd go for the old fashioned cases. They are pretty great. You might be able to get them at thrift stores. This could be a rather fun enterprise, spending weekends looking for suitcases.

If they smell funky, use Lysol first, leave them open to air out. When you pack use a scented dryer sheet. (or use plastic bags for your stuff, with a dryer sheet inside).

Here's some on Overstock. And they have wheels!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 7:29 AM on May 3, 2012

These look pretty flat.
Search terms that will help you are "polycarbonate" and "hard case," ""hard side," "hard shell"
posted by rmless at 8:50 AM on May 3, 2012

How about Pelican cases? A bit pricey, but definitely indestructible and stackable. There are a ton of options to sort through, but there's a search feature to find what's closest to the size you need.

And there's a list of Australian dealers.
posted by Freon at 12:35 PM on May 3, 2012

If you have money to burn and can forgo the weight requirement, Saddleback Leather has a line of traveling suitcases made from durable leather and look like something straight off of a set depicting the Orient Express from the late 1800s. I purchased a satchel from them a few years ago, and can attest the quality of the workmanship. Again, they are bit on the heavy side and VERY pricey, but definitely very durable.
posted by vnvlain at 12:10 AM on May 4, 2012