Inexpensive luggage.(up front: News / Trends / Advice)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)

The deals seem amazing: Luggage from $48 to $110 for three-, four-, and five-pieces sets. They look substantial, too. But our tests of sets from Kohl's, Sears, Target, Wal-Mart, and E-bags, an online retailer, show that none could likely withstand the rigors of airline travel. For all but the tamest road trips, we don't think they'll hold up.

We evaluated rolling upright bags with retractable handles. They were 25 to 28 inches tall--too big to be carried onto a plane. We packed each of the bags with about 35 pounds of towels and put them in our luggage tumbler, which simulates rough baggage handling. It wasn't pretty. Damage included sheared wheels, broken and protruding frames, and big rips. (Better bags in past tests cost more but were more durable.)

Moreover, none of the inexpensive luggage is waterproof. Contents were soaked when we got the bags wet. Handling, however, was fine for most.

Bottom line: Buying an ...