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Hardside versus Softside Luggage??

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toledo

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Posted 2 years ago
Sat Jan 29 2011 4:21:22
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It's time for new luggage. The zippers are breaking, plus I can't stand the thought of looking at my old luggage, wondering which bags brought home the bed bugs. Which would be least likely to bring home bed bugs, hardside or softside? Washable gym bags aren't really an option, as we need something larger.
CimexH8er

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Posted 2 years ago
Sat Jan 29 2011 4:38:53
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Hi, Toledo. I think this was a question that might have been posted by other newbites. I believe the "veterans" on this forum (PCOS and entos) answered that hardshell tops were the way to go WITHOUT zippers. However, those can be quite costly. I usually use a duffel bag (for weekend travel) and then Packtite it before/after I come home from my destination. However, when traveling internationally a duffel bag might not be enough (pending how many days you'll be gone). I purchased a hardshell, rolling luggage w wheels and without zippers from Rimowa. I don't work for this company, but my friends (who travel 90% for work internationally) recommended this line for their durability and wear/tear. They've had their hard shell luggages for about 8 yrs. now and my friends love the ease of movement with their luggage. I, obviously don't give a hoot about movement, I want no further bbs! Lol. I went to a local store and was so anal about the product having no zippers, being a hard shell so no fabric pockets or anything for the bbs to lay eggs and hitch a ride somewhere. According to Rimowa, it's fire proof and water proof when sealed/closed properly. I like it and it makes me feel more secure knowing that bbs can't hitch a ride into my house as the shell is made out of polycarbonite or some mixture of metal (so bbs can't really crawl on them as readily as nylon fabric). We can't have the bb problem in our household escalate anymore!

It is $$ though, but then so is shelling out even more $$$$ to reduce yet another bb infestation in the future. Hope this helps. You can prob check out Samsonite as well, but I checked and they all have zippers. PM me if you need more info on the brand I got. As a security measure, I also unpack my luggage on top of the toilet in the bathrooms of hotels as I've also read that bathrooms are usually cleaner even during the worst case bb scenaroios per David Cain.
DougSummersMS

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Posted 2 years ago
Sat Jan 29 2011 10:24:45
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Here is a result for Samsonite Oyster Suitcases

http://www.pronto.com/user/search.do?displayQuery=samsonite%20oyster&SEM=true&query=samsonite%20oyster&adid=1194981692-7481032-0_mes&ref=samsonite%20oyster&creativeid={creative}&site={placement}&loadingComplete=true

Samsonite Oyster is the suitcase that David recommends for bed bug resistance.

Rimowa sounds like a tough suitcase... I don't think the Samsonite line is fireproof
Nobugsonme

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Posted 2 years ago
Sun Jan 30 2011 1:55:04
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I have heard recommendations to use a hard shell case in general.

On the other hand, I think David James suggests a soft case works better in the Packtite (perhaps David can correct me if I am wrong -- and/or elaborate on this). So if you are going to Packtite when you get home, that might be a consideration.
djames1921

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Posted 2 years ago
Sun Jan 30 2011 9:39:14
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Hard shells will work in the packtite, they could take longer to treat is all, and one should make sure to prop open the lid to get air and heat inside of the suitcase.
Nobugsonme

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Posted 2 years ago
Sun Jan 30 2011 10:38:01
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Thanks, David. So just to clarify: should the same method be used for soft shell cases?
toledo

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Posted 2 years ago
Sun Jan 30 2011 13:12:10
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Thanks for the replies. Rimowa fits the bill, but it's more money than I wanted to spend. Same with Halliburton's Zero and Victorinox Mobilers NXT. Samonite doesn't have anything on their web site, but I've found several styles on the internet. Even though the reviews aren't as positive (don't hold up as well as others), the prices are about 1/3. I've decided to go with the Samsonite Silhouette. Other Samsonite models that are hardsided and zipperless, include F'Lite and Cruisar. Delsey Meridian is another choice, but very mixed reviews. Just finding these models has taken hours of internet research. I'd guess less than 1% of the luggage market is hardsided AND zipperless.
bed-bugscouk

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Posted 2 years ago
Sun Jan 30 2011 19:30:20
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Hi,

Been offline most of the weekend but catching up now.

As you may notice on my hotel inspection video the suitcase int he bath is what I have always called a Samsonite oyster. The key features are hard sided, zipperless and seals between the two halves that exclude the possibility of anything getting through. There are only a few overall changes that I would make to the design to make it slightly more bedbug resistant but the tweaks are so minor.

I would be less worried with better access to a PackTite as the large bright blue one cramps my international jet set man of mystery image. If I could cook it easily at both ends I would even accept zippers and bellow pockets.

David Cain
Bed Bugs Limited
toledo

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Posted 2 years ago
Sun Jan 30 2011 20:28:39
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Oh yes, I did forget the Oyster. Unfortunately it sounds like old Oysters are much better than the newer Oysters. For instance, new Oysters don't have TSA locks. Here are some of the reviews:

http://www.amazon.com/Samsonite-384443059-Oyster-29-Cartwheel/product-reviews/B000QUXO8Y/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
bed-bugscouk

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Posted 2 years ago
Sun Jan 30 2011 20:42:53
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No but the TSA have slipped my locks on 2 out of last 3 occasions and not damaged them in the process. I keep expecting to see a box of milk tray or a packet of millano's with a silhouette of a pest controller but sadly its always a little note explaining that they opened my bags to see what was there and decided I was not naughty enough today.

David
ohnotooks

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Posted 4 months ago
Thu Dec 27 2012 15:15:59
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Giving this thread a boost. I have to buy a suitcase for my upcoming summer gig in Spain. My mom actually bought me two suitcases for Christmas. They are hardshell but zippered. I will have a nice credit upon exchange. Could someone give me a suggestion about a suitcase. A few posted above are no longer available. I need a large suitcase as I will be there for 5 weeks.

Is this one similar to those posted above?

http://www.amazon.com/Samsonite-Luggage-Upright-Wheeled-Suitcase/dp/B003SNHJMI

I suppose I should go with a bright color, no?
ohnotooks

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Posted 4 months ago
Thu Dec 27 2012 15:26:15
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This link has a nice little video. http://www.zappos.com/samsonite-flite-gt-31-hardside-spinners

I like the blue one!