~~DUNLOP SMALL TROLLEY CASE~~



I had booked a holiday to Lanzarote for four people last June and we were to fly with Ryanair Airlines. This was the first time I had used this company. Previous to this trip I've always had a 20 kg luggage allowance and not had my hand luggage weighed. I understood with this company that they would be very strict on the 15 kg for the hold luggage and also with both the weight and the size of all luggage being carried onto the plane. The hand luggage allowance is 10 kg. This didn't seem too bad for one week but I do tend to over pack and certainly didn't want to be charged for excess baggage.

My husband and myself usually take a large suitcase on holiday and as well as these he takes a flight bag and I take a shoulder type bag. But this holiday wasn't long after I had dislocated my knee cap and was still not able to walk far or carry much at all. I thought it might be a better idea to each have a small trolley bag. I thought we could pack shoes and a few items in one and the other could be used for cameras/chargers/hair-dryer and also double up as our flight bag to carry passports and other necessary travel documents.

I already had a nice bag on wheels in a floral pattern but I didn't think my husband would be too keen on having a bag to match. Anyone remember Howard and Hilda?

We looked around for a while for a wheeled bag for him to use. Many that were called cabin bags were in fact bigger in size than what Ryan-air quoted as the maximum size.

DESIRED FEATURES

We wanted a small, cabin size case that was small enough for Ryanair's stipulated size regulations.

Ideally, we wanted a case that looked as if it would last for several holidays.

A wheeled trolley type case, therefore with a retractable handle.

Easy to pull along.

Compartments: We wanted to be able to keep our passports and travel documents safely packed separately from other packed items and, importantly, to be able to access them easily.

Not too heavy so we could put more in it.

Not costing more than £20.

A SUITABLE SUITCASE

Eventually we found a suitable case and better still, for a most suitable price.

The case we found and decided to purchase was made by manufacturer of sporting goods, Dunlop. It is a small cabin sized two wheeled case in black with the Dunlop trademark 'D' design to be seen embossed across it. As we always do, we had a good look at this case before purchasing. We tried out all the zips, looked inside, felt the case and tried out the wheels as well as the pull up extending trolley handle. It seemed ideal so we checked again that its dimensions were within Ryanair's size regulations.

This case had all the features we were looking for and at a very affordable price. I especially like the two zipped compartments on the front of this case which are ideal for our travel papers and are deep enough to tuck them well away.

This case also has two chunky handles (apart from the retractable one) on one side and at the top which means it's ideal and easy to carry without the trolley function, if desired.

DIMENSIONS

This is a 16 inch Suitcase suitable for use as a cabin suitable case.

Height: 47cm

Depth: 16cm

Width: 34cm

Weight: 2.3kgs

Capacity: 21 litres

HOW DID IT TRAVEL?

I am glad to say it travelled well. This trolley case has now been used for two holidays abroad and for a weekend away in England. It looks just about as good as when we first bought it. Nothing is broken, snapped or torn.

Really we didn't expect too much as this case was cheap and not the best ever make, in my opinion, but felt as it would stay with us strength wasn't the main requirement. Being classed as hand luggage and not placed in the hold, saved it from being thrown about by baggage handlers and means, I would think, it has much more chance to last longer than a larger suitcase left to the mercy of airport staff. I can now say after it has been tested that it has exceeded our expectations and we are pleased with our purchase.

Not only is it ideal as a cabin case but makes an ideal weekend case or even an overnighter. It is an ideal size to pack enough in it for a night or two away as although it's small it does expand if needed to.

We purchased this case from Sports Direct.

PRICE/AVAILABILITY

Sports Direct £7.99 (was £11.99)


* (according to www.sportsdirect.com) Suitable for use as hand luggage with Ryanair, easyJet, Flybe, Monarch, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic airlines (last updated: 12.2.2013)

** Please check baggage allowance regulations with your airline before you fly.