StrongBags vs Luggage Works?

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01-25-2023, 09:53 AM

CC268

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Joined APC: May 2014

Posts: 171

StrongBags vs Luggage Works?

Time for a new bag for that will work in the 737. My previous experience is with Luggage Works - specifically the Stealth Premier bags. They are super nice and the handle is amazing. That said, I'm looking at StrongBags as an alternative. Anyone have any real world experience to compare StrongBags vs. Luggage Works?

The StrongBags does seem cheaper in some areas - specifically the handle. The Helix Pro handle doesn't seem very convenient to me, but I've never handled one. The Vortex 21 handle just seems "meh". That said, I'm willing to give one a shot if people have good feedback on them.

01-25-2023, 10:19 AM

PilotBases

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Posts: 2,189

Neither. Briggs. Lifetime warranty, no excess weight for a frame.

01-25-2023, 11:07 AM

tallpilot

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Position: A320 FO

Posts: 847

Great question. Purdy Neat Things made a bag that could survive having a 50 lb Scott Leather flight case attached to it. We don't carry those anymore plus PNT moved their production to China and became less generous with the lifetime warranty/refurbishment.

In the days of heavy 'brain bags' breaking luggage PNT was the Snap-On Tools for pilots. Pay a bunch of money up front but expect top notch service down the line even if the breakage was your fault. Today a no questions asked warranty is less important.

I replaced my beat up stealth with a premier and I like

01-27-2023, 03:28 AM

Airhoss

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Position: Sleeping in the black swan’s nest.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by CC268

I ‘ve had two strong bags, a cooler bag and a Helix they both were absolute junk. The cooler bags stitching started coming undone in about six months, Strong bag did not stand behind their product and accused me of misuse. Fast forward about 5 years and I decided to try a Helix. Within 6 weeks the cordura around the base of the frame started to fray badly. I once again contacted Strong Bag and was told that it was a “cosmetic” issue and was informed that “the customer isn’t always right, and that I was banned from future purchases or support from Strongbag.” Strong bag is a Capitol F POS company, my strong recommendation is to avoid Strong bag at all costs.

Meanwhile my heavy old LW just keeps on trucking year after year, trip after trip.

01-27-2023, 06:14 AM

Sheriff Bart

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Joined APC: Jan 2023

Posts: 69

I can’t speak to longevity, but the Strong Bag with the handle that rotates is very comfortable and works surprisingly well in my opinion. It was a gift, and I was skeptical…but I do like it.

01-29-2023, 08:59 AM

Vsop

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Joined APC: Oct 2017

Position: 737 A

Posts: 902

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheriff Bart

I can’t speak to longevity, but the Strong Bag with the handle that rotates is very comfortable and works surprisingly well in my opinion. It was a gift, and I was skeptical…but I do like it.

I had a Purdy Neat (aka Luggage works) for 8 years and frequently needed to have it repaired. Mostly rivets and other hardware that frequently fell out, but also 2 handle mechanisms broke.
I switched to a Strong Bag and it’s held up very well. I did one handle replacement and other than that it’s been good for about 8 years now.
One big difference in their use was the LW bag was always in a CRJ in and out of the overhead bin. The SB has seen a mix of CRJ/737/767 work. The bigger planes are far less taxing on the bag.