Rated 4 out of 5 by onlineshopperSE XL Sportsman rolling pullman, not the latest one
This review is for the XL suitcase. This is the sale-priced version that does not have the two mesh covered inside compartments and is not expandable. This one has the more streamlined front pockets and isn't quite as heavy as the older and newest versions. Reviews for different sizes are combined for some reason.
For a bag that must be checked, I like this case so far. The front pockets don't protrude much. The interior is simple, but adding one mesh pocket would be an improvement. I don't like cases that are too chopped up with little compartments, though. This case has no pocket on the inside lid or along the sides, just one big compartment inside. It does have an elastic strap to hold clothes in place. Reading the earlier review that included the actual measurements was helpful, but mine came up closer to LLB's, approx 28x21x10 with empty front pockets:
Height 27 3/4" measured up the side from floor to top, where the leather piping is, so call it at least 28" to allow for the handle sticking up a tiny bit on top.
Width 20 3/4" across the back near the wheels, 19 3/4" across the widest part of the top.
Depth: about 9 3/4" measured at the side, but the pockets stick out varying amounts. Full pockets would extend a couple more inches.
The actual main compartment is a little smaller of course, to allow for wheels, front pockets, etc. The case looks HUGE to me, mainly because of the width. It's wider than cases I saw elsewhere, but in total is just within Delta's max for checked baggage. I'm wondering if I should've ordered the L instead?
I was glad to be able to add another bag that pretty much matches our set, and on sale. On our old 22" carry-on, I really like the double interior compartments and expandable feature. But for a checked bag, I like this sale version better than the newest one, mainly because it's lighter and has a trimmer look. I agree with an earlier review that the little compartments for phone, pen, etc. inside the upper front pocket are not needed in a bag this size. Also, they have left off the "add a bag" strap on top for letting a smaller bag or purse piggy-back on this one. Our older 22" has that feature and it's a useful one. Zippers still look strong. I just got it so I can't comment on its durability. The leather trim on the navy still looks great, along with the free -for LLB Visa- monogram.
March 8, 2013
Rated 1 out of 5 by centralPAcustomer poor construction
As noted by others, the quality of this bag is nothing like the quality of earlier sportsman bags. This is about the 8th sportsman bag I have bought in the past 20 years. The quality of the bags has deteriorated, and even the quality control is not good - the first one came with a broken plastic outside support. How could that not have been noticed by whoever packed it? Or the person who did the monogram? I exchanged it (very smooth process) and the second one has a wonky zipper - it's just badly sewn in, which makes it hard to zip past one spot. It's frustrating.
March 6, 2013
Rated 2 out of 5 by jumpeight new v old
I had one of these forever, and when it finally failed I bought a new one. The new one doesn't have the wonderful outside pockets quite the same, both the outside zippers have broken off, and I can hardly close them, along with two of the outside zippers on the front pockets. As I arrived at the airport yesterday, and went to roll away, the wheels on one side simply fell off, and I had to drag it to the curb. The handle has never quite worked properly, and it is quite difficult to get out. That would be fine if I just had the zipper tabs and the wheels...I have the whole set, and barely use this one, it would be nice if it worked as it is bloody heavy. My first one lasted forever.
October 1, 2012
Rated 3 out of 5 by Janeypearl Nice looking, but ?..
I really like this suitcase. I've had the same one for about 15 years, but a couple years ago the main zipper and the zipper around the expansion area just deteriorated. I can no longer close the zippers all the way. I have to leave about two inches unzipped in both of the zippers. Everything else is very durable and sturdy and in good condition despite the fact that I take about 8 trips a year. I'm just really frustrated with the zippers.
September 22, 2012
Rated 1 out of 5 by MDpyrmom so disappointed in the changes
I bought a large pullman in Feb 09. The pull out handle became balky (it would pull out, but only after a couple of minutes of yanking) so we decided to return our original bag and replace it. What a mistake! If I had realized the replacement bag had been totally re-designed, I would have lived w/ the bad handle. I detest the single compartment! The older style's two compartments were so much more useful. As others have pointed out, you can use it as a 'his & hers' and only carry one bag. You can use it to separate clothes for different uses, say for work/leisure travel when you can put dress shirts and pants in one half and jeans and t-shirts in the other (saving the hassle of digging through one to get to the other). You can use it to separate dirty clothes-clean clothes. And so on. I'm sorry LLB but you messed up badly on this one! I'll be returning the replacement bag. Please stop "improving" stuff!
September 11, 2012
Rated 4 out of 5 by FrustratedNicknameChooser Great suitcase
Sturdy luggage, but advertised sizes are incorrect. I choose my luggage by the measured size when empty. LLBean says the sizes are accurate when packed, but you would have to pack it so the sides are buldging to meet their measured sizes! The "large" really measures 24"H, 16"W, 9"D. The "extra large" measures 27"H, 19.5"W, 9"D (OK, it gets to 12"D if you stuff the outside pockets).
Suitcase went through its first couple encounters with airline baggage handlers looking like new. Zipper pull tabs look like they will stay on (with some other brands, this is the weak spot). Too bad there are no inside pockets, not even in the inside of the lid - which would be ideal for blouses/shirts so they don't get rumpled in the main compartment. And I have no idea why the Extra Large pullman would have (inside the smaller outside pocket) a place for cell phone, pens, loose change. Makes sense for the smaller one you can take on the plane, but who would use this for a checked bag? Take those out and put in a pocket in the inside lid!
July 10, 2012
Rated 1 out of 5 All bags are not created equal
I purchased the medium sportsman rolling bag and was very happy. So I ordered the large rolling bag. Not so happy. Everyhting that is well done on the medium bag is missing from the large bag. The medium bag opens with a compartment on each side - each with a zippered mesh cover. The smaller compartment has a clever zipper loop that, when unzipped, allows the smaller compartment to expand (adding 2 or 3 inches to the bag depth). The large bag is just one compartment - no mesh, no expansion. Without the extras, this is just a very mediocre but expensive bag.
The medium bag was the 5th sportsman bag I have purchased. The large bag was the sixth. I think the large bag is going to be the first item I have ever returned to LL Bean.
June 25, 2012
Rated 4 out of 5 by hogvet1983 Handle won't easily pull out at times
and almost always happens when I am pulling it off the carry-on cart as I de-plane
April 11, 2012
Rated 2 out of 5 by 40YearBeanCustomer Please bring back the old version!
I too wish the zipper was still in the middle with mesh pockets on both sides. That feature not only made this bag easier to pack, but also made it more useful as a checked bag for two people traveling together. I have more than a dozen pieces of Sportsmans's luggage purchased over the years, but now cannot replace the older models with a piece that will serve the same purpose. Please bring back the old version!
April 7, 2012
Rated 4 out of 5 by VJUBeaner Good but room to improve!
Bought the medium pullman a few years ago and then the leather cord split and wires came out. LLB replaced it right away but the new bag does not have the zipper in the center of the bag with equal space on either side for packing. That was a big selling point when I bought the bag originally. I fly over 100,000 miles a year and give all my luggage a good workout. Please bring back the equally sized compartments.
March 30, 2012
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