By elskbrev
from Oconomowoc, WI on 10/10/2011
Pros:
Durable, Lightweight, Versatile
Bottom Line:
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
I traveled abroad with this exact 3 pc set in April 2011. I didn't buy it at STP, but can tell you they have a good price.
The 32 inch, with its extra drop-box open, just met the overall size limits for international travel, and with its drop-bottom zipper closed, was never quite full when it tipped the scales at 40 kilo/50 lbs. That said, I do pack things tightly rolled, so if you don't pack things so tightly, maybe you can appreciate the extra room.
The 22 inch carry on, packed tightly, was always at least 20 kilo with it's drop-bottom closed. In any event, you need to leave its drop bottom zipped closed if you want it to fit into the overhead bin.
I always checked the 26" bag, and never had problems with either total circumference or weight limits.
You will need three TSA locks for each case to prevent zippers from inadvertently getting pulled apart. 3/4-1" stainless steel round key rings work for that, also. Inspectors cut off one of my zipper pulls when a cheap TSA lock jammed. A little key ring did the trick to replace the zipper pull and to secure the zippers closed.
This is a unique, versatile set. Many compartments. I used clear plastic zippered box shaped inserts to pack some things within the biggest bag. All three bags have hidden backpack straps, should you ever need them to hike to your hotel, and wheels.
It is unlikely anyone else at the luggage carousel will mistake your unique luggage for theirs. (Even so, I took photographs of everything I packed for a lengthy tour in China, only to lament as I picked up my bags from the final carousel, 'Darn; so I don't get a whole new wardrobe.') No one will take this set by mistake.
Incidentally, my daughter and I used only Lucas soft side carry-ons (with clear plastic box-shaped zippered luggage inserts) for flights within China, always checking two other bags--the 32" and the 26" High Sierras. We left our 22" carry-ons at my sister's house in Shanghai because the last of our China internal flights had very restrictive luggage limits (19", 15#), and the scrunchable Lucas soft sides would save us 8 pounds per case. Our tour guide ended up changing that flight to a different airline mid-tour, so we could have brought the 22" cases, but all the same, it worked out well.
