Korean Job Discussion Forums

[dereklee003]

So i am looking at buying luggage for the trip over to Korea from the states and am not sure what to get...I've been looking at the hard shelled luggage and the standard fabric/soft luggage.

Which is better? Hard or soft luggage? or maybe backpacks and dufflebags?

[victorology]

I prefer soft shelled roller bags. Tumi to be specific. I think it's better because it's lighter. I won't check items that are fragile. If hard shelled luggage provides extra protection, I won't benefit from it.

[oldtactics]

In my opinion, I'd go with soft shell. Soft shell roller luggage can expand if you need to stuff extra in. Plus, hard shell weighs more and when you're moving for a year, you'll want to save as many pounds as you can for your actual luggage/stuff.

[Straphanger]

From watching literally hundreds of thousands of suitcases go through sortation systems, I can tell you from professional experience that hard sided suitcases are superior.

Edit: And never, ever, ever check a duffel bag or a backpack. If you MUST, have the airline put it in a plastic bag. If one of your straps gets hung up, the crew will extract your luggage with extreme prejudice.

[browneyedgirl]

Check the luggage allowance before you buy or you might be charged for having over-sized luggage.

[santafly]

backpack covered by cheap duffel bag

I would recommend Arcteryx, Gregory, and Madden if you are buying a pack.

[Straphanger]

[Xuanzang]

Heys makes some good, lightweight 4 wheeled luggage.

[teachergirltoo]

I switched from nice luggage to using duffel bags a few years back. I gained 15lbs of extra luggage since each bag weighs a pound now, and the airlines have cut their allotment so much. I don't care about the wheels - just find one of those curbside wheely carts and works great. I bought two duffels with good zippers and then put a wrap of duct tape around each one. Never a problem and easy to spot coming off the conveyor.