How to Make the Perfect Luggage Choice

22/12/2017

This guide will take you through the decision processes that you need to make to choose a travel bag that is right for your needs.

Guest post contributed by Carolette Alcoran.

Buying new travel luggage is not an easy task. There are so many options to choose from. What may at first seem to be a straightforward task can turn out to be a frustrating and bewildering process.

This guide will take you through the decision processes that you need to make to choose a travel bag that is right for your needs.

Girl placing a bag in the overhead compartment on a plane.

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Consider the size

The first decision that needs to be made is the size of the bag. Will it be a check-in bag or a carry-on bag? If traveling by air, both types of bag will be subject to size restrictions. This is where buying from retailers like Luggage Direct has a big advantage because they list on their website the dimensions of every single bag that they sell.

And the empty weight is also important for air travel because you don’t want to be using up too much of your baggage allowance for the weight of the bag. This is especially the case for carry-on bags which you need to be able to lift above your head, otherwise you won’t be able to put it in the overhead locker.

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Choose the bag type

After size and weight, the next decision to make is the type of bag – do you want to travel with a suitcase, duffle, or backpack. In some cases the choice will come down to personal preference – in other cases it will depend on the type of trip.

Obviously if the trip is going to involve trekking or walking, then a backpack is the way to go. If the trip is a more traditional vacation involving hotel or resorts stays, then a suitcase or duffle becomes an option. Both are easier to pack and unpack than backpacks. Many suitcases are expandable, so these are good choices if you are likely to be bringing back new clothes or souvenirs from a trip.

Assorted Travel Bags & Luggage, Travel Accessories.

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Consider the material

Here’s where the choices start to get a little more difficult because there are so many different materials being used to make travel bags these days, and many of them are ‘high tech’ having been developed for space programs or for military use. The choices fall into three broad categories:

Nylon derivatives – These fabrics are both strong and lightweight. They are the best option if you are not carrying any breakable items. The price of these fabrics varies a lot depending on how high tech they are, but generally speaking the higher the price, the higher the quality and the longer it will last.
Polyester – This one of the most popular materials when it comes to making budget travel bags because of its affordability. But because it’s one of the cheapest, bags made from polyester won’t last as long as those made from nylon derivatives. So if you’re traveling somewhere where your baggage is likely to get thrown about a lot, you might want to skip a polyester-made bag.
Polycarbonate – Just because it’s a hard case doesn’t mean that it’s heavy. Most bags that are made from this material are surprisingly lightweight. Many travelers prefer hard-sided polycarbonate bags because they are better at protecting everything they have inside their bags. However, the downside is they get easily dented and some bags may crack if you haven’t chosen a good quality one.

Men kneeling searching through luggage at the airport.

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Consider mobility

This is the last decision to be made and it’s not as simple as choosing a bag with a handle and wheels. Can you picture yourself hiking up a mountain in Nepal with a four-wheel trolley? Of course not. So, when choosing a bag, think about how you are going to use it and travel around your destination with it.

Four wheels – If you’ll be spending a few days in a city and essentially leaving your travel bag in the accommodation where you are staying, then getting four-wheeled luggage will be a good choice for you. Additionally, you won’t feel how heavy your bag is because of how effortless it will be to push your luggage through airports and train stations.
Two wheels – If your destination is around Europe, you might want to stick with luggage with two wheels. These bags are easier to navigate over cobblestone roads. Although not as easy to pull compared to a four-wheeled one, they are easier to manage over uneven terrain.
Backpacks and duffle bags – Some backpacks come with extendable handles and wheels, but they are not so comfortable for trekking as those with a proper frame for the back. Duffles are great for short trips away, and some models also come with extendable handles and wheels.

Some Additional Tips

If you’re going to a store to buy a new bag, test it out there. You want to be able to get a grasp of how it would feel like to pull or carry around. If you’re going to be buying online, make sure the retailer offers a money-back guarantee if it turns out not to be suitable.
Buy a bag with a good warranty against manufacturing defects. The best quality bags will offer warranties up to 10 years. If a bag manufacturer cannot offer a warranty longer than 6 months or a year, then it’s probably not a good quality bag.
Designer label bags don’t mean it’s higher quality. Many experienced travelers will tell you they’ve got longer life out of a good quality $200 bag than a $1,000 designer bag.
You might want to pick a brightly coloured bag so that you can spot it easily on luggage carousels. However, if you have to stick with the basic hues (because some of the high tech fabrics only come in black or brown), make sure that you have a bright or otherwise distinctive luggage strap that makes it easier to stand out on the carousel.

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Contributed by Carolette Alcoran.
Carolette Alcoran is a travel writer from the Philippines. She also writes on a wide range of lifestyle topics for blogs in other parts of the world. Follow her on Twitter.