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4-Wheel Spinners Vs 2-Wheel Rolling Luggage
November 8, 2016 Aviva Wolpert

4-Wheel Spinners Vs 2-Wheel Rolling Luggage

What type of rolling luggage should you choose? There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of suitcase. How you like to travel and where you are going will determine to a large extent if 4-wheel or 2-wheel luggage suits your trip.

Answering a few simple questions can help you decide which is the right bag for you.

  1. Ease of Mobility

What type of surface will your bag be rolling over? Does your itinerary include cobblestone streets and hilly terrain or are you rushing through large airports with a carry-on?

  1. Weight

How lightweight do you want your bag to be? How much do you plan on packing and are you able to pull your bag behind you? Do you need to stack extra bags? 

  1. Interior space and exterior dimensions

Do you need maximum packing space? What are the size restrictions for your airline carrier? Are you checking your bag or carrying it on the plane?

 

 So which one should you choose?

 When 4-wheel spinner luggage is best

Very little effort is needed to maneuver the suitcase. The ground supports the weight of the bag so you can push or pull it with one finger! This is especially helpful if you suffer from back or shoulder problems. A Spinner rolls best on flat surfaces like at the airport terminal and its 360-degree mobility is ideal for gliding through the narrow aisle to your airplane seat. A spinner is practically guaranteed to never tip over, even when you stack extra bags on top of it. It is recommended for elderly travelers, heavier suitcases or travelling with a family. The smaller spinner wheels can be more fragile and add some height and weight to the suitcase.

When 2-wheeled luggage is best 

If you’re rushing to catch a plane or pulling your suitcase up and down stairs and over uneven terrain, the 2-wheel design is a better option. The suitcase tends to be lighter with larger, sturdier, protected wheels that are recessed and don't protrude, providing a better fit in the overhead bin of the airplane. And the bag won’t roll away from you when you’re on an incline! There’s a bit more packing space but it can tip if overloaded.

 4-Wheeled Suitcase

samsonite firelite

  • Effortless 360 degree mobility on smooth surfaces, wheels swivel in all directions
  • Stable, won’t tip over
  • Easy to stack extra bags
  • Glides easily down narrow aircraft aisle
  • No weight to pull or push
  • Wheels generally add height and weight

 2-Wheeled Suitcase

eagle creek tarmac

  • Rolls forward faster and better on uneven terrain
  • More interior packing space
  • Fits better into overhead bin on airplane
  • Larger recessed wheels are sturdier and more protected from damage
  • Generally lighter weight
  • Won’t roll away
  • Can tip if overloaded
  • Shoulders, arms and back support more of the weight
Filed in: 2016, concours, conseils de voyage, contests, luggage, travel tips
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Comments

LOUISE COLLINS - November 8, 2016

J’ai les 2 types de valises et quand je pars pour plusieurs semaines ou plusieurs mois, je choisis celle à 2 roues car elle est plus légère et son contenu peut être plus important. Voilà j’adapte la valise à mes besoins.

Denis M. - November 8, 2016

I like the two wheeled luggage because of the weight and interior space advantages!

Peter - November 8, 2016

Lime many things in life, I’d say; “it depends.” I have both a large four-wheel suitcase and a smaller two-wheel case as well.

Both work very well depending on the circumstances and I find my four-wheeled case has a much more difficult time travelling over rough terrain (like walking along a street en route to a hotel), though shines when I use it in an airport or anywhere with a smooth surface making these trouble free tasks.

My two-wheeler requires more effort to move around at times though works remarkably well outdoors, or in a conga-line when strapped to a larger case.

If I ever had to choose I would pick the two-wheeler for it’s all-terrain abilities though remain happy with either

Sam Tibbel - November 8, 2016

I prefer the 2 wheel option. As someone who does bus tours of Europe, the 2 wheel is convenient for loading/unloading from the bus. Also, the fact that they are generally lighter is helpful! :)

Doug Hook - November 8, 2016

I prefer the 2-wheeled luggage. As my travel often requires going up or down steps, the 2 wheel lends itself better. In addition, I like the extra space. And if I should need to gate check the bag, as on smaller aircraft, The 2 wheels seems to be better protected from the rigors of the baggage handlers, than the 4 wheels would be.

Carolyn - November 8, 2016

I like the 4 wheelers because you can put 2 suitcases side by side and pull or push with 1 hand. Sometimes I need to push my Dad in a wheelchair and he can hold onto the handle of a 4 wheeler and pull it alongside him. 4 wheelers run so smoothly.

Stephanie - November 8, 2016

I prefer the two-wheeled option, simply because of the extra lightness. I’ve just returned from two weeks in France, during which I had to shuffle my bag over hill and dale, cobblestones, and steps – onto trains, planes, and yes, automobiles! I was using a four-wheeled bag, which was pretty light. But a two-wheeled bag would have been lighter. When you’re lugging your bag, every pound counts!

Chantal Turbis - November 8, 2016

Deux roues! Pour l’aspect tout-terrain!
(Et une 4-roues de Mons bonne qualité va basculer vers l’avant aussi bien qu’une deux-roues!)

Jan Haskin - November 8, 2016

I prefer the 4-wheeled suitcase. A full suitcase can be fairly heavy, and with the arthritis in my shoulders, dragging a two-wheeled case is difficult. I love that you can “walk” a four-wheeled case. I haven’t had much trouble on uneven ground…the benefits far outweigh the cons for me.

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