The spinner suitcase is the biggest luggage innovation since some savant attached a set of inline wheels to a standard suitcase and travelers the world over got rolling.
What distinguishes a spinner suitcase from
rolling duffel bags and big suitcases that roll is this: It has four wheels instead of two, easily spinning 360 degrees.
On a flat surface such as a long airport hallway, a spinner suitcase rolls like a dream. Aside from grabbing it off an airport baggage carousel, there's no heavy lifting or tilting involved -- so you can pack as much as your spinner suitcase will hold. These are some I like.
© Ebags. I was attracted to my first spinner suitcase, this model by Liz Claiborne, by the beautiful teal color that I knew would stand out at the baggage carousel. What I didn't realize until I used it was how easy it is to maneuver.
The corners are reinforced with a thick plastic that protects the four wheels. It has two zippered pockets on the front, a flat zippered pocket on the back, and can expand by 2.5" if you come back with more stuff than when you left. I also like that there's a cloth hook inside that you can use to hang garments on top of your other clothing, and then fold before zipping up the spinner. If you're planning to leave on a trip lasting up to two weeks, consider getting the larger
Liz Claiborne 29" Spinner Suitcase.
© Ebags. This handsome spinner suitcase from menswear designer Joseph Abboud is available in two colorways: black, and mocha, a classic beige/brown combo. Roomy and expandable, it also features a large outside pocket and jaunty striped interior that thoughtfully includes a business card window just in case the spinner gets waylaid.
© Ebags. The classic look of this stylish spinner evokes old-fashioned train rides, when gentlemen boarded wearing a suit and tie and ladies hopped aboard on spectator pumps. But make no mistake: With its multi-directional spinners, this suitcase is the latest thing on four wheels. For longer journeys, Samsonite also makes a
29" model.
© eBags.Given that most suitcases that fly get treated fairly roughly, having a hard-sided spinner suitcase offers greater protection to the contents within. Even if you get caught in a downpour, your packables won't get drenched. The only downside to choosing a hard spinner suitcase is that it's heavier than those made of lighter but less durable materials.
© Ebags. If you're ready to convert to an all-spinner suitcase wardrobe, this matching set of 30", 26", and 20" uprights from Heys is built to survive the rough times. The three pieces are all constructed of durable polycarbonate and can expand up to 25% if you come home with more stuff than when you left.
© Ebags. The advantage of having four spinner wheels on a garment bag is that they enable the carrier to more easily move what's often an unwieldy wide-across-but-narrow-on-the-side bag.
Garment bags are especially useful when packing dresses and suits. And when they move as gracefully as a practiced couple taking their turn on the dance floor, you've got something special.
© Ebags. You might think that a smaller suitcase wouldn't need spinner wheels. Yet as airport lines and delays get longer, and travelers try to pack more into carry-on bags to avoid paying checked-baggage fees, having a light-on-its-feet mini spinner can make the flying experience a little easier.
