I like mine. I have Victorinox and Lipault luggage sets ( and strays of many other brands) and they are all spinners. I've learned not to overload a spinner though, because pulling it along exerts a weird torque on one's arm when the case is overfull. When it is packed reasonably, a spinner is very easy to pull with a single finger!

The Lipault luggage is the best bargain--- low cost, incredibly lightweight, and comes in a tough, beautiful material in many lovely colors. My set is brown.

I won't use anything but 4 wheeled luggage now, especially for 24" or 26" Pullmans. The greater the weight in the bag, the more advantageous the 4 wheels.

The times I'm standing on a slope...I'll deal with it.

I bought a large spinner that is AWFUL. Maybe it's because it was a not famous brand but it makes me wary now. I wouldn't buy another unless I could load it up and see how it handled with weight in it. Also, it didn't work well tipped on only the back wheels. I'm emotionally scarred for life because of that airport experience. The shuttle bus driver even said here, let me get that I've been watching you struggle. I need to buy another large suitcase and dump the annoying one. I don't know why it's still in the closet, I'll never use it again.

I bought a smaller, carryon size spinner that is very nice but I was told by the guy at SwissAir some European carriers are making the overhead bins shorter. Mine did not quite fit wheels first (and it's small) but luckily my seat-mate didn't have anything to put overhead so I turned it sideways and shut the door. I noticed the overhead bins did not get overstuffed that flight and I think it's because when they don't charge to check a bag people don't feel the need to carry their whole life on with them.

On the way back from Europe, the guy boarding ahead of me had to check his US airline approved sized carryon because the spinner wheels made it a smidgen too big for that plane. I had already checked my carryon on the way home or I probably would have been flagged also. The passenger said but I always carry this on and the airline employee said maybe in the US but here there are stricter size limits.

So. Buy quality. Give it a test run fully loaded with weight to see how it handles. Buy the smallest size you can. If you frequently fly a certain carrier, double check their size requirements.

My frequent flier sister never has trouble with her spinner bags but has had terrible trouble with Delsey brand and does not recommend it. She's had to bring two bags back to Delsey factory approved repair places and was even sent a replacement bag.

We have a couple pieces of the spinner luggage that we got with bonus points thru a program at work and we love it! We've had it for several years and it's held up well. We've never had a problem with it rolling on various flooring or rolling away.

I have T. Anthony luggage with the regular wheels, and it's my favorite luggage. I have had it prob 10 years and it has been through a lot.

I got my girls' luggage for Christmas last year, Heys (for the cool graphics) spinners. They love them. The wheels are very smooth and those things can get up some speed!

To me, spinning isn't the feature that would drive my decision. Good quality closures, lots of space, interior pockets, and exterior pocket for small things, etc, ... those are features I value. I was also very cognizant of international rules for carry on when I bought my luggage. Depends on the type of travel one does.

This time I am flying Lufthansa and hoping (against hope) to pack light. Even if I have to check a carry-on, that's okay. In fact I may do that and then use my ginormous tote bag to carry, along with my small backpack as my personal item. I'd rather have a couple smaller bags than wrestle with one huge one. I did that in Paris and I think more than one personne got annoyed with me blocking stairs and sidewalks.

I really love my old two-wheel Samsonite but it is 28 inches and it's a monster when fully loaded. I have the matching 22 inch carry on but is is not expandable and is kind of tippy when you roll it. Usually it piggy-backs on the larger one. Those two bags got me all over the country for business travel.

TJ Max carries the TravelPro line, which seems pretty good, although I really like Eagle Creek. They are so light. Just not looking to spend $350+ right now.

Guess I'll give the spinners a try.

I have gradually replaced all of our luggage with spinners because I find them so easy to wheel everywhere, usually upright right next to me. I bought most of them at TJ Maxx. I bought one Delsey at Macy's (KOP) and used it twice and returned it. If it was fully loaded it would tip forward, and the zipper pull broke. Luckily, I had saved the tag with the proof of purchase sticker on it, and Macy's gave me a full refund. The Samsonite ones I bought at TJ's have given me no problems.

OOH, OOH where r u going? Did i miss this?

Yes, ded, where are you going? Inquiring minds that like to travel want to know.

You can pack light. We'll help you. You'll be much happier with fewer and lighter things to wheel, carry, keep an eye on.

Italy -- Tuscany, Umbria and Rome. I will be asking more travel related questions, I am sure. In fact, I'll start another thread now.

I really suck at packing light. I want to be prepared for everything and every kind of weather. I already have an arsenal of pharmaceuticals ready to go. I spent the entire morning at REI staring at travel doodads. I'm the worst. Do I dare leave without a three pack of sporks?

Part if my problem is that I can't stand the way most tourists look -- practical clothes, chunky shoes, dumb hats and big backpacks. I don't want to look like that. I like to look tres chic (or however you say that in Italian).

Ded, Ded, Ded...
You don't need to be prepared for every possible situation. It's not the Third World, you can buy something if you really need it. And then you have the thing as a memento and reminder of your lovely trip.

Start a new thread asking for packing ideas. We'll need an idea about what activities you'll be doing (hiking? opera? running with the bulls?), time of year (winter coat & boots? swim suit?), and lodging (camping? 5 star hotel? staying with friends or family?).

I think many of us love to travel vicariously and will help you pack.

Fall. It's with a tour group and there is some hiking, some rafting, some tromping around Florence and Rome, cooking lesson and i don't know what else. That's why it's hard to pack. If it was just cathedrals and art museums, I'd be okay. Yes, I guess they have drug stores in Italy. They did in Brazil and France! I remember trying to buy bandaids in Rio. It is a really hard thing to "mime".

Practical doesn't mean ugly. Obviously you aren't going to be wearing heels and a party dress, but there's something in between that and frumpy 'tourist' clothes.

Check out the packing tips on tpThe Vivienne Files blog, she explains it much better than I could :-)

Here is a link that might be useful: The Vivienne Files

Dedtired,

That sounds like a fabulous trip, and how pleasant to go after the hordes have receded!

I think the packing light vs bringing everything you might needs depends on a lot of factors.

For example, if you are carrying your own luggage most of the time, packing and unpacking and in and out of hotels (eg multiple destinations), if you are flexible about toiletries, and if you are easy to shop for (clothing sizes and styles, footwear), then I'd pack light. Will you have any opportunity to do laundry?

If I am going to one destination, and not doing a lot of schlepping, I'd pack for every eventuality. Especially if you are hard to buy for (I lived in fear that one of us would leave a vital pair of footwear somewhere, and be unable to find a "glass slipper" in all of Asia ... even my 11yo is almost a size 10.) Also, if one does not have access to laundry, hotel laundry is silly pricey. I think I've mentioned before a hotel in Zurich that charged $50 to press my skirt (luckily a business expense). Lastly, I can use just about anyone's shampoo, but I have to use my own conditioner. If I am really tight on space, I pack my toiletries directly into a ziploc snack size bag (eg pour my conditioner into the bag, estimating how much i need for the trip). May sound odd but works well.

I do agree that you'd rather not scream "American tourist". If you stay away from big fat white sneakers, you are half way there! Wear a cotton or silk lightweight black turtleneck and some good jeans with a big belt, and just buy a new wrap or scarf every day!

Sounds like a great trip but, yes, hard to pack for with a rafting component. I've been to Europe every year for the past 10 years and you see everything style-wise so don't worry too much about how you're dressed. Some will look better but plenty will look worse than anything you do.

I don't like to pack anything that only has one use, except my bathing suit. Even my bathing suit cover-up clothes, a black knit skirt and white Columbia brand sun protection shirt, can be worn other times with other things.

I bring Merrill brand hiking shoes that look fine with jeans when not hiking.

I think Mtn's suggestion of a solid colored knit top/tee, good jeans, and a scarf will see you through everything but the rafting. For the rafting - a quick drying fabric, pants by outdoor company maybe?, that could also be worn hiking.

I have some suggestion for travel clothing that worked great for my last trip to Europe (just returned yesterday).

These pants from Lucy are fantastic. You can dress them up or down. They do not wrinkle or bag at the knee. I wore them over and over again and they always looked great. I have them in black and grey.
http://www.lucy.com/Everyday-Pant/214338,default,pd.html?cgid=Everyday

These shirts from Eddie Bauer travel very well. They do not wrinkle and are very light weight.
http://www.eddiebauer.com/product/infinity-button-down-shirt/23150292/_/A-ebSku_0310462122000070__23150292_catalog10002_en__US?showProducts=&backToCat=Tops&previousPage=GNAV&tab=travex&dcolor=720

I also have a few of these JudyP tops in the v-neck, relaxed fit. They are VERY comfortable.
http://www.judypapparel.com/product.html?item=RELAXED%20FIT%20V-Neck%203/4%20Sleeve

And the most comfortable shoes I've ever had. They have traveled with me to Italy and to Germany, Austria and Switzerland. I have them in black. My girlfriend has them in grey. In the link, it's the shoe on the model. It's the Naot Kirei.
http://www.naot.com/departments/DepartmentListing/1000

Forgot to mention a few recommendations for the areas you are traveling to. I know you said you are on a tour, but I thought I'd mention them anyway. We were in Italy on a Rick Steves tour a few years ago and one of the days, while traveling to Rome from Florence, as part of the tour, we stopped at a winery in Umbria for a tour and wine tasting. It was one of the highlights of the trip.

Tenuta Le Velette
http://www.levelette.it/en/tenuta_le_velette_estate_winery_cellar_orvieto_umbria.htm

After the RS tour ended, we added a few more days to our trip. One of the days, we spent in the hilltop town of Orvieto. LOVED it!

I'll second the suggestion for any shoe by Naot. Very comfortable and supportive. Last summer I spent a month in Europe wearing my Merrill's, Naot sandals, and a Munro brand ankle boot. Never had any foot problems or tired legs.

Wow. A bonanza of good advice. Thanks to all of you, I now have 25 tabs open on my laptop.

Am I easy to shop for? I am, but my hips are not. Always a problem where pants are concerned. My feet are more cooperative -- 7M. I saw some Merrills that I may get. They are the hiking look, with a sort of fat rubber toe. I also have an ancient pair of Josef Seibel shoes that are super comfy. I plan to be buried in them. They are more like a regular shoe than hikers. The Naots are nice and seem to have some shoes that cover both hiking and city walking.

Kswl, wish I could just click on "buy" on that page and it does give me good ideas.

Mtn, my tour includes porterage for one bag. I love saying that -- porterage. I have visions of a man with white gloves, bowing and scraping. Anyway, he can carry the heavy one and I must tote anything else.Of course, it's up to me to get it off the carousel and through customs. I'll be doing any laundry in my hotel bathroom. Yes, we do move from place to place but stay three nights in most places, so that should give things a chance to dry. I'll bring some liquid detergent and some clothes pins, as well as one plastic hanger. I have to have my own shampoo and conditioner as well as hair gel (Redken 06). I have little plastic containers for those. I like the idea of a black silk turtleneck.

Hhi, thanks for the reassurance that there will always be someone who looks worse than I do. Seriously, that is kind of my mantra. I've never gone anywhere where I was the biggest disaster there.

I LOVE those Lucy pants! Thx, Bac. I have an Eileen Fisher top very similar to the Judy P, so I will pack it. It's gray and dries quickly. Yes, we are going wine tasting somewhere near Montepulciano and in Chianti. I mean, how could you go to Chianti and not have wine? I don't see Orvieto on the list, darn.

So my colors will be black and plum, since that is what I seem to have mostly and different things work together.

You all are the best! Oh did I tell you I bought a Samsonite spinner. Seems okay, but those wheels take up a lot of space that could be holding clothes. My small bedroom looks like a suitcase factory with my recent purchases (one to be returned) along with what I already owned. I also had a suitcase shopping tragedy. I saw a terrific Hartman bag (kind of a camera case size) that would have been a great carryon at TJ Maxx for only $67. Stupid me did not pick it right up and while I was checking out the Samsonite, someone else bought it. I almost snatched it out of their cart when they weren't looking.

You will not be disappointed in those Lucy pants. They are called Everyday pants and I truly could wear them everyday.

I thought of something else I'd like to share for travel,so here's another tab for you to open! I have this 'backpack' and used it on our recent trip for the first time. Loved it! It can be worn in back or easily slips around to the front for more security if necessary. I have the medium size in nylon. Lots of pockets inside and out.

http://www.ebags.com/brand/ameribag

And my last tip for today is related to downsizing liquids for travel. A contact lens case will hold small amounts of face creams.

Get a set of 3 oz Go Toobs for shampoo and other liquids. They absolutely do not leak. If you aren't planning to carry them on, get the larger size. Love them and REI carries them. Also, for other liquids, use a piece of saran wrap and then tighten the lid. This really works, but I still put them in a quart or gallon zip-lock bag before I pack.

Don't forget the international plug and converter. I bought one of those multi-plugs with USB connections in it too. Brookstone has pretty good stuff. Don't know if you'll have a private room, but there are never enough outlets for re-charging phones, camera, etc when you need to use them.

I still have deal with the charging thing. I have two adapters. I need to charge my phone, my camera battery and my to-be-purchased ipad mini (probably that).

I have completely lost my mind over this.It's like half my brain says "practical and comfortable" and the other half says "cute and fashionable".

Ah well. I saw those go-Toobs and at first I thought they were for peeing in -- like "going"?

LOL, Ded! I don't they would hold enough, kwim?!

You CAN be cute, fashionable and comfortable. Well and somewhat practical. Remember that porterage! How many days will you be there? The rafting thing throws me...I always have to take river shoes for that, so what will you do? Lightweight, easy to dry clothes are not a problem but the shoes just for that would drive me nuts. I swear, I can pack for a 2-night trip in about 30 minutes but it takes me hours to plan and pack for overseas. And I go frequently, so you'd think I have it down.

Bac, I ordered a very similar backpack made by Pacsafe. It comes with a flashing neon sign that says TOURIST. Lol. I like the Pacsafe bags because they have such a good compartment set up. It's big enough to stuff a sweater in it.I have another sort of messenger bag that is just too darn big. I may stash in another smaller leather bag for days when I don't need so much.

BTW, this trip is for 19 days, so I will need a decent supply of stuff, although I never use as much as I think I will. Definitely will be washing underwear along the way.

There's an REI store near me and they carry the Lucy pants, so I'll try them on there. I see Zappo's has them, too. Free shipping. Woo hoo.

So, I tried on some Naot shoes today and loved them. I am not sure they will be good for hiking. This is not scaling a mountain, but walking on dirt or gravel. What do you think? The reviews seem like people just use them for walking around. Style is called Kumara.

http://www.zappos.com/naot-footwear-kumara-onyx-leather-silver-threads-leather

The other choice is a Mephisto Allrounder. These look more like hikers or sneakers:

http://www.zappos.com/allrounder-by-mephisto-fina-ocean-suede-nubuck (what color do you suggest?)