Travelling can be fraught with stress at the best of times. Often trains and planes are delayed or cancelled, leaving customers at stations and airports with no idea of what to expect. The last thing any traveler needs is luggage that will fall apart on them. At one time or another most of us have seen that bag coming off the carousel half opened because the zip has split. Fortunately, luggage is one thing in the travel agenda that we can control. It does not matter if you travel for surfing, if you are going mountain biking, if you are going sight seeing or you travel for business. We can buy the right pieces of luggage which will arrive on the carousel looking as good as when you checked them in. So, what makes the best luggage for frequent travelers?
First let’s look at the things that are the most likely to break.
Table of Contents
Wheels
The bag you buy should have sturdy wheels. The more solid they look and feel, the less chance of breaking. Whether you have four or two is a matter of personal choice. Before you buy a set of luggage make sure that the wheels still roll when you are pulling the bag. Some cheaper wheels will only roll smoothly when a very tall person pulls the bag, they seem to catch and stick for short people. If you are short, then make sure that they keep rolling smoothly.
Straps/Handles
A frequent traveler will use these more than anything, they will also get used by airport staff who are not as considerate as you are. In other words, they need to stand up to a huge amount of rough handling. Pull-out handles need to be manufactured as part of the bag so that they are firmly attached to the framework.
Stitched on handles will easily come off if they are not double stitched, or even triple stitched.
Zips
Metal zips will easily rust so opt for nylon zips. Less rust means less chance of them breaking. Pay attention to the stitching around the corners as this is a weak spot when closing zips.
What Else to Look for in a Good Piece of Luggage?
The Warranty
If the company is not prepared to put their name to the product, then it is best to look elsewhere. While it is unavoidable that luggage gets manhandled, if your luggage does not last at least as long as it is advertised, then you should be able to get a refund or a replacement. Of course this depends on the situation in which the damage occurred. Usually the warranty covers “regular use”.
Size
If you are a frequent traveler you know that every airline is different when it comes to luggage measurements. Before going on the trip check airline website for acceptable sizes for carry on luggage and what you can put under the seat. Depending on weather who you usually fly with and how much luggage do you take on your trips (only carry on or also check in luggage) pick the right size of your luggage.
Weight
Even luggage advertised as lightweight will weigh something. Airlines typically allow checked bag to weight around 35 pounds / 15 kg and a carry-on bag in the region of 15 pounds / 7 kg. Part of this weight also falls on to the bags themselves so remember to consider the weight of the luggage as well as the contents. Lighter is obviously better but it’s not worth sacrificing a few pounds for sturdiness and durability of your luggage.
The Measurements
Just because the label on your luggage says it measures a certain length, you should be aware that the measurement is usually for the inside of the luggage. It tells you how much space there is inside the luggage. So this does not include the wheels or handle area. You need to be sure of the outside measurement of the luggage otherwise you may be penalized when you come to check in if your bag does not fit the required size restrictions.
Wheels
Four or two? This is personal. The advantage of four wheels is that you can wheel your bag in front of you and spin it around. When you are walking down the aisle of the plane you can turn it to the narrow side and roll it down. Additionally, with four wheels you can roll your bag up the street and not have to pull it – great for tired shoulders! On the other hand, four wheeled bags are usually heavier.
Pockets
Again, this is a personal choice. Many people prefer luggage with several pockets so they can store things they may need without unpacking the entire bag. Added pockets are great for keeping the newspaper and your book at hand. Some types of luggage are separated inside into two portions which you can fill individually and then close. Some people like this, others not. Again, a personal choice.
Solid or Soft
There is no doubt that soft-sided bags can be stuffed with more things! They may even come with a zip which opens an extra two inches and extends the available space. We all know how things seem to take up more space when we are packing to go back home from our trip than they did when we were leaving. Remember that if your cabin bag has been stuffed to breaking point it may not fit into the size requirement and you may have to unload some goods to make it fit. Hard luggage has the advantage of being more waterproof (although for a really 100% waterproof bag you might want to get something like this). Soft luggage can be treated to make it waterproof, although this normally only works for a short time. In a heavy downpour any clothing that is touching the sides of the bag may end up damp. Apart from that, solid luggage also keeps things your travel with safe from damage.
Fabric, Construction and Durability
The inner frame should be made of fiberglass which means it will be lightweight but still very strong. The fabric should be treated to be weather-proof. The fabric should also be sturdy and resistant to tears and scratches (such as nylon for instance).
Style
If you travel a lot you will also want something that you will recognize when it comes off the carousel. People try to solve this by attaching things to their bags. But sometimes a black bag with a pink ribbon is not enough! Ribbons come off and the last thing you need is to be standing waiting for your bag which has already passed three times without the ribbon:). A Coolife luggage review showed that frequent travelers enjoy sporting bright and easily identifiable luggage sets. Have a stylish luggage set and you will recognize your bits and pieces as soon as they appear.
Locks
Whether you use the locks or not is up to you, but your luggage should have them on. The keys should be inside when you buy the luggage and they should be of decent quality. Many cheap luggage sets come with keys that are useless on locks which can be snapped open easily.
Brands and warranties
If your luggage has a ten-year warranty, then make sure that you keep the receipt and details with you, even when you travel. If something does break you may be able to get a replacement even on holiday. While you can get cheap luggage sets, unless they come with a warranty, you may find that you waste your money and need to buy another set after that fall apart. This also depends on how often you travel. If you travel often then a good piece of luggage is a must.
Cost
While you can buy cheap luggage sets, any frequent traveler would agree that spending a little more is better than having luggage disintegrate along the way. How much you spend is up to up but try to avoid the bottom of the range.
Luggage is a personal thing and depends on the amount of travel you will be doing. Buy luggage that suits your travel plans at a price you can afford and a style you like, and you are well on the way to travel comfortably.