As every traveller knows, there's nothing worse than carting heavy, ungainly luggage around an airport, through hot, dusty streets or up endless stairs in that hotel where your room with a view on the top floor doesn't seem such a good idea when the lift's out of order. Thanks goodness for the invention of the wheeled suitcase. How that simple idea improved our lot and made travelling so much easier.
Then along came cheap flights and extra costs for onboard luggage and crazy prices for extra kilos. Nowadays, not only has ease of movement become important but also the weight and size of our bags. With every kilo counting and, as a travel blogger, needing to take more electrical stuff, as well as the necessary clothes and toiletries, I decided it was time to find really decent luggage. The ‘Travelling Light’ hunt for the ideal suitcase was on.
Now, I must admit, I don’t really ‘travel light’ (see photo above for what I took on the ‘Queen Elizabeth’ cruise to Norway!) and given the chance I WILL take the kitchen sink. You never know, maybe you can’t get an ensuite room and you’d be so glad you’d brought it … But nor do I need 26 matching bags in every size from purse to steamer trunk. I was simply looking for a suitcase to take my belongings on trips longer than a few days. But oh heavens, what a lot of choice there is. I asked fellow travellers, researched the internet and also looked in local shops for ideas. Having recently got a super lightweight cabin bag I realised I wanted something equally light but with plenty of space and, of course, wheels. I eventually chose the Karrimor ‘Global Equator 70’ Wheeled Travel Case; just the name makes me feel well-travelled.
Designed for the hardiest of adventurers this great bag combines innovation with versatility so I can use it anywhere, anytime with no worry about it falling to bits when roughly treated by tired luggage handlers in some far flung airport, or when it topples off the luggage Tower of Pisa that appears daily on our busy trains.
According to the blurb on the label its key features are:
- Rugged wheel system (they are VERY strong)
- Lockable zips (necessary nowadays)
- Large internal zipped mesh pocket (very big)
- Internal zipped pocket (great for knick knacks)
- Internal security pocket (who doesn't know about that zipped lining thing?!)
- Side compression straps (ideal for squeezing in as much as possible)
- External zipped pocket (enormous)
- Airmesh padded grab handle (very comfy and easy to get hold of when bag is trundling round conveyor belt)
- Rigid base (can take lots of knocks by those baggage handlers)
Apparently the 70 stands for litres, which I have never understood – I mean, who'd want to fill it with ANY amount of liquid? It weighs in at just under 3kgs – which is about 2/3 less than my old suitcase. And when every kilo counts that is incredibly important. Another plus is that it's oblong and fairly narrow so takes up less room when standing or sideways on, unlike some big square bags. Probably the thing that most impresses me is the very sturdy handle that telescopes out – it is so solid and unwavering, unlike another cheap suitcase I got last year which broke after two trips.
OK so it's grey, which isn't my favourite colour but it's practical so I compromised here. My only quibble is that there are not enough pockets on the outside. It's clearly been designed by a guy and like cars, there's never enough space for bits and bobs. Or maybe that's just me … Even for a winter’s holiday in somewhere the climate might change by the day (Scandinavia springs to mind, and the UK of course) I can fill the bag with every type of garment, shoes, books, laptop, cameras etc AND still lift it up. Perfect.
Already this year's travel is a lot more enjoyable with the right kit. If you see a quirky traveller trundling through the airport with a compact grey bag and a smug smile on her face, it's me – finally really travelling light.
I have also got a very light hand luggage bag – you can see it here.
I remember the first time I went on holiday abroad. I had a huge big shiny blue suitcase with sharp corners. It was so heavy it probably took up half the weight allowance and I could hardly lift it. Progress can be good at times!
Brilliant – that post came just in time as I’m currently looking for a suitcase and tearing my hair out by the huge choice; whenever that happens I usually end up in overwhelm and abandon the purchase!
I used to work for an airline and know that – boy – those suitcases are subject to some seriously rough treatment!
I will definitely check out your suggestion – like you though I wish the case was a more snazzy colour 😀
Oh love it when synchronicity happens Karen. The bag is really excellent and well made so should last ages. And who knows, maybe Karrimor will read this and bring it out in some brighter colours one day!
I remember carrying a huge duffle bag through the airport once when traveling for a track meet. Everyone else had rolling luggage, and I was hauling a 50lb bag over my shoulders. Definitely learned my lesson. That Karrimor bag looks really nice; I might have to get one!
Ah those heady days of heavy luggage Lauren 😉 Must’ve been a nightmare but hopefully you have got something a bit more portable now …
That looks perfect. I may (daren’t even think about it in case I jinx it!) have a trip coming up soon, and my current case might not be adequate. Now to find if it’s sold here! Thanks!
Hope so – if not bring your old bag here and go to Sports Direct, plus they often have special offers on them. Mine was reduced in a sale.
Oh…and when you mentioned the first photo I thought you meant ALL that luggage was yours?? Then I looked again & thought, well, it must just be the trolley at the front!
Ha! yes, the front trolley is mine. The end of that fab cruise on the Queen Elizabeth to Norway. There’s no baggage limit and … well, so many different occasions to dress up for 😉
Great post Zoe!
I did do a double take at just How Much luggage you took on that cruise!
I find checking in and luggage retrieval carousels fascinating – seeing just who is going to claim that falling to bits suitcase or those colour co-ordinated cases!
Like you I’ve never really understood the Litres thing – A photo of what one could comfortably squeeze into the case would be really useful!
It seems to make sense though that designers/manufacturers of leading outdoor equipment should branch out in this way.
I would love to meet the quirky traveller on my travels and will look to see who is pulling those grey Karrimors around the airport next time I’m there….let’s hope I don’t accost the wrong person :/
Air Canada ruined the handle on my brand new case last year, so I am in the market (again!). I’ll have to check this out…looks great!
Hi Zoe
Thanks for the review on this bag. Just wondering if you could upload a pic of the stowable harness system maybe while you are wearing it and not wearing it?
Cheers
Not sure what you mean by stowable harness system Cathy. There is a shoulder strap which I don’t use and there are straps to compress the luggage. More details here
//www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-global-equator-40-wheeled-travel-case-794067?colcode=79406741
My son took it on holiday to Gran Canaria this summer and loved it, especially the strong handle.