Luggage - 4 Wheeled Spinners or Two Wheeled Rollers?

[SunnyOne]

Which bag design do you prefer - the 4 wheeled spinners or 2 wheeled rollers - and why do you prefer one vs. the other?

Thank you.

 

[braumeister]

My test is to think about all the times I've had to cart my bag from the train station to the hotel through cobblestone streets.

 

[RunningBum]

Timely topic. I'm just starting to look at luggage today since something in my 13 yr old Travelpro is starting to crumble into small plastic pieces and I noticed a wheel was wobbly. It completed its final trip yesterday.

My son told me spinners are a game changer. I kept nipping my heel rolling my 2 wheeler. I am definitely getting the 4 wheel unless someone makes a convincing case here. Looking at the Travelpro Large Crew Classic. Their other larges run the risk of being charged for oversized, though they are probably close enough that they won't be.

 

[MC Rider]

How are they at rolling over rough surfaces like cobbles or gravel? The 2 wheeler I have I just pull harder. Or pick it up.

 

[EastWest Gal]

I vote 4 wheel spinners. You can always turn it into a two wheeler if needed by tilting it. If it's just a wheel going bad, you may be able to replace it.

 

[MichaelB]

With spinners DW can handle 2 pieces, one large and one carry-on, without any difficulty. She won’t touch a roller now.

The biggest shortcoming of the spinner is one loses a little space.

 

[Lewis Clark]

The 4-wheel spinners force the wheels to stick out from the bag, so they are more likely to get damaged or snapped off entirelty. Happened to me once. But they are often easier to pull on smooth surfaces in my opinion.

The two wheel types allow the wheels to be more protected and less susceptible to damage.

 

[tizod]

I'm tall, so 2 wheel. Adds 2" of packing space. Doesn't roll away from you when stopped. Plus I do mixed surfaces alot - like brau with cobblestones in EU. Spinner suck in that, you then tilt them and the little wheels struggle and thunk worse. Others in my family (ladies, smaller) like spinners but they are basically going to resort like places most of time. And spinners already take up 2 wide position, and with another 3 wide, there are few airports now have space for 3 things/people side by side. So its a matter of choice (to me, size matters) but I am not a spinner fan. >2M miles on United, and 1.5 on AA. so experienced traveller. FWIW

 

[tizod]

Which bag design do you prefer - the 4 wheeled spinners or 2 wheeled rollers - and why do you prefer one vs. the other?

Thank you.

BTW, TravelPro lightweight has kept me happy, and it also allows you to pack a bit more if you need to worry you are close to weight limits.

 

[Aerides]

I like a spinner, and I can drag it like a 2 wheeler on hotel carpets etc. As far as cobblestones....that's what uber is for!

 

[Koolau]

Still use the 2 wheel. Can't say I like it, but I keep packing lighter which helps.

 

[COcheesehead]

I have a 2 wheeler. DW a 4 wheeler. The 4 wheeler has a mind of its own. I find it harder to balance and its finicky. The wheels also stick out much further.

 

[Montecfo]

4 wheels.
I also have 2 wheels but prefer 4. Even pulling though cobblestone streets.

Tilt it and it becomes a 2 wheeler effectively. But the 2 wheeler is harder to use when you are stacking a 2nd bag (like a backpack) on top. Those long walks through airports become a bit more tedious with a 2 wheeler. The 4.wheeler just glides.

Case closed .

 

[6miths]

We just flew today. I took the 2-wheeler, DW took the spinner. On smooth surfaces I think the spinner wins except for the slight loss of space. I uneven surfaces, I find the larger, fixed wheels of the 2-wheeler are much easier and durable. I find myself on rough surfaces often!

 

[PaunchyPirate]

I love my 4 wheel spinners. If you get good quality, they work fine in 2-wheel mode too.

 

[frank05]

Use the larger 4 wheel if checking the bag while the smaller carryon version has two wheels. Found the two wheel version had slightly more packing space than its 4 wheel cousin. We also prefer the soft sides for the bulging capability.

 

[HarveyS]

2 wheel everytime. Easier to move thru a crowded space. Stays where put. I use a strap to attach a carryon so the weight is over the wheels. Makes it much easier to drag when the weight of the second bag is off the handle.

 

[Surewhitey]

If I used them, I'm in the 4 wheel spinners but I only use a backpack now.

Leaving today for a 2 week in Europe... Never a problem.

 

[audreyh1]

We’ve been really happy with our smaller TravelPro Crew two wheelers and I’m retiring my somewhat larger clumsy worn-out 4 wheeler (not a TravelPro). That TravelPro Crew 4 wheeler looks promising, but for me the medium not large version.

One thing that drives me crazy about my existing 4 wheeler is how it likes to rotate while rolling. I think the wheels are not positioned properly.

I’m past dragging bags over cobblestones. With bags we’ll get transportation.

 

[easysurfer]

I like 4 more but two is fine too.

Tip: I have a big 4 spinner that I thought the wheels were kaput. Ended up all I needed was just the clean the wheels and add some silicone lubricant. Works as good as new now.

 

[Kings over Queens]

I vote 4 wheel spinners. You can always turn it into a two wheeler if needed by tilting it. If it's just a wheel going bad, you may be able to replace it.

This.

 

[Sarah S]

I have a spinner and a roller same size. The spinner is best for smooth surfaces but awful for cobblestones no matter what. Tilting it doesn’t make it roll as well as my roller which is good for cobblestones and more work than the spinner for smooth surfaces. My most frequent trip has smooth surface on one end and cobblestones the other. What is best depends on where you go and how strong you are or expect to be at the end of the bag’s usefulness
I only got the spinner because I was weaker

 

[Qs Laptop]

Four wheeler. For all the reasons listed and also it's much easier to push a 4 wheeler while you are walking the aisle in the airplane. Not only easier to push but you can orient so the narrow width is going down the aisle not the full width as with 2 wheelers.

 

[harllee]

I guess I am an outlier --I use a backpack. Toss it on my back and go anywhere.

 

[RunningBum]

I guess I am an outlier --I use a backpack. Toss it on my back and go anywhere.

I also carry on a backpack. I'm looking for a replacement for my larger suitcase that I check in. I don't travel that much so it's probably overkill to get the one I'm looking at, but it may be a good BTD purchase.