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?

Eagle Creek Tarmac ES 25, $285 (weight: 10 pounds)
Money Magazine's Field Test Winner:
Eagle Creek Tarmac ES 25, $285 (weight: 10 pounds)
Grade: A-
Durability: The nylon never ripped or even scuffed. The telescoping handle got bent, but it was covered under warranty.
Functionality: Few bells and whistles, but this bag is well designed for everyday use, especially the expandable compartment.
Favorite Feature: The exterior "auto cinch system" that helps compress the load.
Warranty: Lifetime "no matter what" policy. If an airline trashes the bag, Eagle Creek will still deal with it.
Bottom Line: The bag may have too sporty a look for some, but it helps if you buy it in black (as opposed to "sangria").
Money Magazine's tester packed these bags to the max, and dropped, dragged and stomped on them.

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.