strong bags or luggage works?
 

My overnight bag is on its last leg and I'm tired of buying a new one every few years so I'm looking at buying one of the more pricey bags. I've pretty much narrowed it down the either to strongbags vortex or the luggage works plastic one since it is lighter than the metal framed one.

Strongbags looks like you can basically replace the whole thing at home via replacement parts and even has an instruction page and it looked simple to do. Downside is I don't think I know anyone with this bag so I haven't heard anything about it.

Luggage Works. Seems like you can replace some of the bag at home, but without instruction sheet online not sure how easy it really is. Good thing about it is I've seen lots of guys with it and most of them only complain about the weight. The plastic one is lighter, but from what I hear has a weaker pull handle which is prone to bending...is this a wide spread problem or just have a buddy that is unlucky?

two years of commuting my lw so far has been great only had to replace the foam handle.

I've had the LW plastic for over 4 years now and it's been great for me. Only fix you really ever need is a new collapse-able arm

I think we are talking about the same thing. The handle that pulls out of the top of the bag so you can roll it bends on the plastic one. I think I heard or read somewhere that the plastic frame bag has an aluminum handle compared to steel handle on the metal frame bag.

How easy has it been to repair stuff on the bag?

I've seen a few people with the strongbags and they seemed pretty solid. You can find them for alot cheaper than the LW bag too. www.flybystore.com has them for $179. LW is a good bag too, just expensive and heavy. You probably can't go wrong either way.

I've had the strongbag vortex since I came to Japan three years ago, I like it a lot it is a a pretty solid bag and it balances really well with the heavy flight case hooked to it. I haven't had the need to change any of the parts on it yet and the wheels look like they have a little while to go before I have to change them, the only thing is that since it a a metal frame the bag is quite heavy for you to carry by the strap but precisely because it is heavy it balances so well with the flight case hooked to it but uphill or downhill it can be a pretty good workout since the two bags combined are a good 70 pounds, but it rolls quite nicely regardless. I recommend it

I've had my Strongbags Vortex for over 2 years now too. It's a great bag, and I believe it's actually lighter than the LW ones. It's a solid aluminum frame instead of the steel used on the LW bag, so I think it's a tad lighter.

I had one problem with the bag, and customer service was simply awesome. They sent me a loaner bag, I sent mine back in the same box (shipping paid by them), they fixed it and then shipped it back. Not only did they fix the 'problem area', they also reinforced it to prevent it from breaking again. (Just a couple of the rivets on the frame had broken loose, allowing a slight flex in one side)

+1 for Strongbags.

It's a 5 minute quick-fix and costs no more than $19.95 for the Arm. I've only had to change it once and the size of the bag is just right for 4 days ( because that's all we seem to get around here at ASA :) )

My LW 737 Stealth bag was made in Missouri...I think Strong Bags are made in China.

I had the plastic LW with the alluminum handle for 3 years and the handle snapped off twice, think bending a hanger back and forth until it snaps. Once I had enough money in my uniform allowance I just bought the LW steath and am very happy with it. Don't know about the strong bags but if you go withthe LW get the steel one and you won't regret it. The couple extra pounds is worth the fact that it will last the better part of a decade.