by Rita Liotta

So, you’ve made your travel plans for that long-anticipated vacation. Maybe it’s a once-in-a-lifetime trip. You’re ready, with maps, an itinerary and research on what to see and do when you arrive at your destination. All you have to do is pack your bags and board the train, plane, car or other conveyance. Everything is planned and handled, right? Well, maybe not…what about your luggage?

Travel Luggage: An Important Part of Any Trip

Take a minute to look critically at your luggage. Poorly designed and constructed luggage can be a nightmare when you’re travelling. Such luggage can be difficult to pack and carry. It generally lacks the functionality and versatility you need. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the features of quality luggage to help you make an informed purchase decision. Your travel bags should be as carefully chosen as your destination. Here are some of the topics we’ll cover:

• Style
• Price
• Number of pieces you’ll need and recommended sizes
• Soft- or hard-sided
• Frame
• Wheels and Zippers
• Materials used in construction
• Interior features

Style: What Kind of Traveler Are You?

Style might not seem like an important factor when choosing travel bags, but a bad choice will haunt you throughout your trip. For example, if you’re fussy about your wardrobe, you should consider purchasing a garment bag. Garment bags minimize wrinkling but can be cumbersome to carry. Or maybe you’re a minimalist whose trip will be totally casual and informal. Then consider a sturdy duffel bag. Some travelers prefer backpacks while others like traditional suitcases. Regardless of what style you choose, make sure the luggage will be durable. More on this later in the article.

Price: Getting What You Pay For

Inexpensive, poor quality bags can have an unfortunate tendency to pop open at the most inopportune times. Buy the best luggage you can afford. Choose luggage from a reliable, well-known manufacturer or designer. Don’t forget to check discount as well as dedicated luggage stores. You may find high-end or designer luggage sets at surprisingly low prices in a “big box” retailer. Chances are, though, that the best deals will be on line, from electronic retailers. Since they don’t have the overhead of a traditional store, these retailers usually offer attractive deep discounts. If you shop carefully and be sure you know what you want, a purchase over the Internet can save you a lot of time and money.   

Number of Pieces and Sizes You’ll Need: Travelling Light or Not

At the very least, you’ll need a piece of carry on luggage like a tote bag and one other bag (either carry on or checked). A 22-inch upright rolling case will stow neatly in the overhead compartment of an airplane and will carry enough for a weekend. For a week’s sojourn, choose a 24-inch size, either upright or traditional. For stays up to 2 weeks, a 26-to 27-inch suitcase is appropriate. If you’re going to be away for two weeks or longer, you’ll need a 29- to 30- inch piece of luggage, or a combination a small and medium-sized case. Add on a garment bag and you easily could need 4 pieces of quality luggage for longer trips, depending, of course, on your personal preferences.

Soft- or Hard-Sided: Which is Right for You?

Soft-sided luggage and duffel bags are lightweight and expandable to accommodate all that extra stuff you’ll be returning with. Soft-sided luggage fits easily into compartments or racks or stows neatly under a seat. Generally, soft-sided luggage is less durable and doesn’t do as good a job at protecting your possessions. Hard-sided luggage is sturdier and protects your stuff better. However, this type of luggage isn’t expandable and can be bulky. Hard-sided luggage is also heavier before it is packed. Regardless of what type you choose, be sure it has wheels. Rolling luggage is easier to move and handle.

Frame: The Backbone of Your Luggage

Frames can be made of metal, fiberglass or plastic. Fiberglass is generally more durable than plastic, unless the plastic is reinforced in some way. When choosing luggage with a metal frame, look for aluminum frames that are strong but lightweight. If you’re buying a backpack, there are internal and external frames available. Internal frame packs are more flexible than external frame packs which can be awkward.

Wheels and Zippers: The Finer Points of Luggage

Wheeled luggage allows you to maneuver your luggage easily. They also protect the bottom from wear and damage. Especially durable are in-line skate wheels. Depending in what kind of case you choose, there will be two or four wheels. Look for wheels that are screwed onto the frame rather than riveted. Zippers come in two basic styles: coiled or toothed. A coiled zipper can take a lot of pressure from overpacked bags. A toothed zipper can be either metal or plastic and is extremely durable. If a coiled zipper pops open it can be reclosed; toothed zippers are almost impossible to reclose if they pop.

Materials Used: Durability in Construction

Hard-sided luggage is generally made using an injection molding process for plastic. Another version of this luggage type is boxed frame covered over with leather or vinyl. The boxed frame contains wood or metal on all six sides for maximum rigidity. Hard-sided cases have the added security feature of combination locks. Soft-sided cases
are usually made of fabric with partial frames and reinforcing plates where needed. You can purchase separate zipper locks for this type of case. Check the denier of the fabric on soft-sided luggage. Denier refers to the fineness of the yarn used. The higher the denier, the more durable the fabric will be. If the fabric is advertised as “ballistic,” it means that it is woven in a similar manner to bulletproof vests. Make sure your soft-sided luggage is waterproof or water-repellant.

Interior and Exterior Features: Staying Organized

The interior of your luggage should have pockets and compartments to facilitate packing. Mesh pockets are handy because you can see the contents. They also provide ventilation for the contents. Many cases have straps inside that keep the contents from shifting. On the exterior, stress points like where straps and handles are attached should be reinforced with either stitching or rivets. A zippered external pocket or two is desirable. On upright cases, the telescoping handle assembly should be on the inside, not the outside of the case. On many uprights, there is an auxiliary strap to which you can attach your tote bag or other small piece of luggage to make moving the items easier. A zippered gusset is available on some models. When unzipped, the gusset expands the suitcase up to about 4 inches to accommodate all those extras you’ll be bringing home.

Conclusion: Quality is Always the Right Choice

People who think nothing of spending thousands of dollars on a vacation often underestimate the importance of their luggage. Quality luggage is always worth the investment and will serve you well long after the memories of your vacation fade. Take the time to do some research and analyze your needs. Then buy the best well-made luggage you can afford. Your vacation will be all the more enjoyable for it.

About the Author:

Rita Liotta is a successful freelance writer offering guidance and suggestions for consumers regarding bags, handbags wallets purses and designer bags.
Her many articles give information and tips to help people save money and make smarter decisions.

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