Expandable suitcases: the big tippers

First look: Eagle Creek’s 22-inch Hovercraft Rolling Upright is a fine, lightweight case made by a manufacturer known for its adventure gear and travel luggage. It has a spacious main compartment, plenty of pockets, padded, easy-to-grip handles at the top and side, and a solid, telescoping handle. The add-a-bag strap at the top is detachable, a nice feature.

Likes and yikes: This sporty-looking bag weighs in at 7.6 pounds and survived a couple of cross-country flights with nary a scrape or scratch, even when we checked it. It opens like a book, making it easy to pack and unpack, and it has a well-organized interior. Its expandable zipper compartment adds 2 extra inches of fabric, which increases the size by 15%. But alas, when unzipped and filled to the brim, the bag tips over.

The 411: Available from Magellan Travel Supplies, (800) 962-4943, www.magellans.com.