Field Test: 5 lightweight bags

With many airlines adopting new baggage-weight restrictions, luggage manufacturers have shaved pounds off their suitcases. How does that affect durability?

Helium Fusion Expandable Suiter Trolley, $110 (weight: 11 pounds)
Helium Fusion Expandable Suiter Trolley, $110 (weight: 11 pounds)
Grade: B-
Durability: A solid frame, but the fabric started to get threadbare in spots. The handle didn't survive test without bending.
Functionality: This bag has plenty of front and inside pockets, as well as a useful tote-along clip for extra bags.
Favorite Feature: The generous expansion capability - you can add 2.5 inches to the main compartment.
Warranty: Limited 10-year - bag is not covered for damage caused by airlines.
Bottom Line: This bag had great capacity, but the fabric was less than durable and gave the case a bargain-basement look.

Eagle Creek

Helium Fusion

Samsonite

Travelpro

Tumi
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Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018 and/or its affiliates.