Finding the right luggage is imperative when traveling the globe for business or fun.
But, when people choose cheap options, they often buy a poor brand.
With so many options, it is tough to tell which luggage brands to buy and which ones to avoid.
To make your travel more exciting and memorable, check out our list of the bad luggage brands to avoid in 2024.
Based on research and testing focused on price, quality, and durability, the worst luggage brands to avoid are Ghurka, Briggs & Riley, Bric’s, Senli, and Wisdom Luggage.
We checked more than 20 brands to compile this list of the 5 luggage brands to avoid.
Table of Contents
- List of Worst Luggage Brands to Avoid
- 1. Ghurka
- 2. Briggs & Riley
- 3. Bric’s
- 4. Senli
- 5. Wisdom Luggage
- How to Choose a Luggage Brand | Buying Guide
- 1. What kind of traveling do you do?
- 2. What kind of luggage do you need?
- 3. How much money are you willing to spend?
- 4. What type of person are you?
- 5. How long do you plan to travel?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Which brand of luggage is the most durable?
- Should I buy hard or soft luggage?
- How to choose luggage bags?
- Final words
- Christopher Evans
List of Worst Luggage Brands to Avoid
We have reviewed the top 30 luggage brands available on the market.
We have compiled a list of the worst luggage brands based on their price, warranty, design, handles, wheels, and zipper quality.
We also got feedback from travelers on various online traveler’s guide forums to make an unbiased guide.
| Brand Name | Country of Origin | Main Products | Issues Reported |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghurka | France | Leather goods | Misrepresentation of made in China, poor quality, flimsy handles, and zippers |
| Briggs & Riley | United States | Luggage | Easily tips over when full, average leather quality, expensive price compared to the quality |
| Bric’s | Italy | Luxury luggage | Wheels come off, inferior quality handles, easily broken zippers |
| Senli | Not specified | Wide range of bags | Flimsy handles, noisy wheels, zipper breakage, inferior fabric quality |
| Wisdom Luggage | Not specified | Rolling suitcases | Rollers coming off, poor quality fabric, easily broken zippers |
Now let’s discuss each of the worst luggage brands to avoid in detail.
1. Ghurka
Ghurka is a French company, started in 1975. They are popular for producing high-quality leather goods to take with you on your travels.
Leather bags, backpacks, briefcases, wallets, duffels, totes, and handcrafted accessories are among the items available in their product line.
However, their quality has declined in recent years. Many users have faced negative experiences with their luggage bags because of their poor quality.
Customers’ main complaint is that they are selling Chinese products that are misrepresented as being manufactured in the United States.
The following are the most prevalent problems that its users have faced.
- Products are made in China with misrepresentation as American made
- Fabric and leather quality is below average
- Handles, wheels, and zippers are flimsy
- Wear and tear quickly
- Misleading customer services
- Improper refund policies
For instance, the concerns about misrepresentation and quality control can be paralleled with the least reliable hotel chains, shedding light on broader industry challenges.
2. Briggs & Riley
Briggs & Riley is a reputed brand when it comes to reliability and product innovation.
You may be surprised to see the name Briggs & Riley on our list. But, the fact is their quality has also declined.
Despite being one of the best, users have complained about several issues at online forums and e-commerce websites.
Many consumers have claimed that a number of fake retailers are selling these bags online with false labeling and quality variations.
Here are some issues with their luggage.
- Easily tips over when full
- Some of their bags are a bit heavier
- Leather quality is average
- The price is too much considering the quality
- No customer support
The bad retailers mirror a problem prevalent in other industries, such as the worst travel trailers. This correlation highlights the widespread issue of counterfeit products and the importance of vigilant consumer behavior across different sectors.
3. Bric’s
Bric’s is an Italian brand that has been in business for over 60 years. They are well known for producing luxury leather goods.
However, you will find a quality variation in their luggage because of many fake vendors online. These vendors are charging high rates for goods that are cheaply produced.
Is it worth using Bric’s expensive luggage?
Before you make a plan to buy it, check out the following issues of this brand.
- The suitcase wheels come off
- Inferior quality handles
- Zipper breaks easily
- The soft sides of the luggage are wobbly
- Expensive
4. Senli
You might be hearing the name of this brand for the first time. But, it is another top-selling luggage brand online.
Senli is famous for selling a wide range of bags in various designs at affordable prices. Their luggage is quite appealing in appearance.
Since it is cheap, the quality of their luggage is also lower. Many people get attracted because of their appealing outer appearance at a very low rate.
You must check out the following reasons to avoid Senli before you make a buying decision.
- Flimsy handle
- Wheels make too much noise
- The breakage of zippers
- Inferior quality of the fabric
- Bags are not stable
5. Wisdom Luggage
Wisdom Luggage is famous for its low prices and beautiful expandable rolling suitcases. They are also one of the top-selling luggage brands online.
But sadly, their products are not durable at all. It has got the most negative reviews from customers.
The following are the most common complaints reported by the users of Wisdom luggage.
- Rollers coming off
- Poor quality fabric
- Zipper breaks easily
- Bags rip off easily when they are full
- Not reliable at all
The discussion about the poor quality of Wisdom Luggage’s fabric and zippers brings to mind similar issues found in the automotive industry, particularly in certain bad SUVs. This comparison underlines a common challenge many industries face regarding maintaining quality standards.
How to Choose a Luggage Brand | Buying Guide
When you plan to travel, it might be tempting to just buy luggage that is good for the moment. But before buying luggage, you should think about things like:
| Factors to Consider | Luggage for Air Travel | Luggage for Land Travel |
|---|---|---|
| Kind of Traveling | Hard-sided carry-on suitcase | Soft-sided suitcase |
| Luggage Needed | One large suitcase or medium-sized suitcase | Multiple small suitcases or medium-sized suitcase |
| Budget | Consider looking at sale items | Consider higher-end options |
| Personal Preference | Hard-shell luggage for neat freaks | No strong preference |
| Length of Travel | Cheap luggage set for short trips | Invest in high-quality luggage for extended trips |
1. What kind of traveling do you do?
The first consideration is whether you travel a lot by air or a lot by land. If you are a traveler who mostly flies, buying a hard-sided carry-on suitcase is better.
These suitcases have wheels and a combination lock, and they are great for travelers who prefer to carry their bags on the plane.
On the other hand, if you are a traveler who mostly uses trains, buses, and automobiles, then it is better to buy a soft-sided suitcase.
These suitcases have no wheels and no locks. They are great for travelers who don’t want to deal with carrying their luggage around.
2. What kind of luggage do you need?
Do you need one large suitcase, two medium-sized suitcases or seven little ones?
There are so many options for luggage these days, and you are sure to find something that will work great for your needs.
3. How much money are you willing to spend?
You should only spend what you can afford. However, if you are tight with your money, you might want to start by looking at luggage that is on sale.
4. What type of person are you?
If you are a neat freak like me, you should look into hard-shell luggage that does not have as much “give” as soft-sided luggage.
Naturally, this is a matter of personal taste and not a really important consideration.
5. How long do you plan to travel?
If you are traveling for a short period of time (like a weekend), you might consider purchasing a cheap luggage set.
However, if you are planning to travel for an extended period of time, it is a good idea to spring for the best luggage you can afford. You should buy enough luggage to last you a lifetime!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which brand of luggage is the most durable?
Various brands on the market offer excellent value for money to their consumers. However, the following are our picks, considering multiple factors such as affordability and durability.
1- Pelican Elite Luggage (Most durable)
2- Samsonite Omni (Great budget option)
3- Travelpro Maxlite 5 (Lightweight and durable)
Should I buy hard or soft luggage?
It depends on the usage. For instance, if you are packing a breakable item, you should buy the hard one to get better security.
On the contrary, if you are not packing any breakable goods, you may go for soft luggage because it will offer you flexibility and extra space.
How to choose luggage bags?
There are many factors to consider when buying a luggage bag.
• Quality of leather or fabric
• Size of suitcase according to your need
• With wheels or without wheels, it depends on your priority
• Hard or soft luggage
• Durability of the brand
• And Warranty
Related:
Final words
Watch out for fake luggage! It’s super important to know which luggage brands to avoid, especially when so many copies are out there.
A big study by Consumer Reports with more than 52,000 people showed that what makes people happy with their luggage is how long it lasts. That’s a big deal!
The best luggage has great zippers, wheels, and handles that work really well, while not-so-good luggage might have problems with those things.
We wrote this article to help you learn about good luggage brands so you can choose the right one.
That way, you can go on your trips and vacations feeling sure and worry-free, without any embarrassing problems.
Christopher Evans is a Mechanical Engineer and is a distinguished expert in tire and electronic appliance testing with over 15 years of experience. Holding certifications like Automotive Tire Service (TIA) and Certified Appliance Professional (CAP). He is also a member of the the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and has significantly contributed to safety standards and testing protocols in both industries. Evans is a respected speaker and award recipient.