Let us help you choose the right trip luggage. Get ready to learn how to choose bags in Suitcase 101!
How to Pick the Right Luggage
To be honest, moving can be stressful, no matter how great it is. We at Travel Fashion Girl want your trips to be as easy and stress-free as possible. Getting the right bags for your needs is a surefire way to keep things calm while you’re traveling.
Even if you only bring a carry-on, you should always use packing cubes to help you organize and even compress your things to save room.
This guide, which includes helpful tips from experts in the field, will help you choose luggage or a “portable wardrobe” for your exciting trip.
When you travel, why bring a suitcase?
People who love to travel often argue about whether to bring suitcases or bags. Since this piece is all about suitcases, here are some reasons why you should use suitcases instead of backpacks:
- Personally, suitcases are the best because they are so easy to carry. It’ll be very easy to get through the airport without any problems.
- Wheels: Wheels are everything! When you can easily roll your suitcase, it’s kind of thrilling to watch other travelers give up when their backpacks start to buckle. The suitcase really shines because of this useful trait.
A Back That Doesn’t Sweat: What else do I need to say? - Health: Some people can’t lift a bag or carry a backpack because of their health. There are ways to travel with a bad back. Read these tips.
- Organized Packing: A top-loading backpack is the worst thing for keeping your trip stuff in order. It’s very helpful to be able to see all of your things when you open your bag. Find out how to pick the best organizers for your bags.
- Safety: Hard cases are good for safety and longevity in many ways. These are some more ways to keep your things safe while you’re moving.
- Being professional: When traveling for work (and at high-end hotels), a suitcase makes you look more put-together. Here are some must-haves for work trips.
Identify your destination and plan your route to get there. Olivia Hulett from Ricardo Beverly Hills says to think about these two things when picking out a suitcase: it’s very important to pick the right case for your trip’s length and destination.
Things to think about when picking out bags
Think about what you’re going to bring. You’ll be able to figure out what features your bag needs, which will help you choose luggage.
Gear like sleeping bags, tents, hiking sticks, and more may need straps or pouches for them. Business visitors may want a bag with a laptop and electronics compartment that is easy to get to. Fashionistas might like straps that keep clothes in place and keep them from getting wrinkled.
Find out whether you need to check your bags, whether you’ll be traveling on rough terrain, or whether you’re going on a work trip.
In the event that a bag is the right choice for your trip, here are some things you should think about:
- Size of Luggage
- Bags with Safety Features Bags that Are Durable Bags with Safety Features
- Base Your Luggage on Price
Choices for Luggage Size
Size is important when picking out luggage. No one wants a bag that is too big to carry around with them—that would be a nightmare!
Here are some general rules to think about:
- There may be times when you don’t have anyone to help you lift and move your bag, so co-founder of Adios Adventure Travel Jacquie Whitt says that the bag should be no bigger than what you can handle.
- Furthermore, make sure you find out how much luggage each flight lets you bring. Don’t be caught off guard—each flight has different size options.
- There are also weight limits for your bags that you should think about. The lighter the case, the more you can pack and bring home as gifts.
- Your bag should be checked out before you go on a trip. This bag should have a handle that is long enough for you, a fabric that feels good, and enough strength and durability to last the trip.
- So you can return the case and look for another one if it doesn’t feel right, order your case online a long time before you need it.
- Any bag that you take on vacation should be no bigger than 22″ x 9″ x 14″. Most planes let you put this in the overhead bins because it’s small enough. Keep in mind that the US carryon size is bigger than the European carryon size. In order to be sure, pick an “international” carry on like this one.
- An average carry-on bag shouldn’t be more than 45″ long, wide, and high, and a checked bag shouldn’t be more than 62″ long, wide, and high. This is what most US flights require.
Size Guide for Suitcases
For all trips, no matter how long, you should only be able to bring carry-on goods. I visit places all the time, and I do! You can take a carry-on with you for longer than four months if I can. That’s how I do it!
- 18- to 20-inch International Carryon: This is the right size for an international carryon if you’re flying with a low-cost European flight like easyJet or Ryanair. They have rules that are very strict. Check out my story! Here are the best carry-on bags for traveling abroad!
- 21″–22″ Domestic Carryon: This is the most common size for carry-on bags, and we promise that you can go anywhere with it. Learn how! Here are some more travel-friendly carry-on bags!
- 23- 24″ Medium Checked: This size is great for travelers who need a little extra space but aren’t ready to fly with only a carry-on. You might save money by taking one 25-27-inch suitcase for both of you if you’re going with someone else, as shown below.
- Large Checked: This is the most common size of bags to check because it has a lot of space. If you want to check one bag for two people, this is the best size suitcase. Alternatively, if you’re going with your family, you can fit all of their things into one or two of these suitcases, making them easier to carry than the larger suitcase below.
- Extra Large Checked: These are very big bags that can hold a lot of things. Due to their size, they might be too awkward and heavy for everyday trips. You should be careful because they might be too big or too heavy. These are the lightest packed bags that you should bring on your next trip.
You should never use a bag that’s bigger than 27 inches unless you’re moving abroad or will be staying in one place for a long time. If you follow these tips for planning your travel clothing, you’ll always have everything you need.
Keep an eye on how much your bags weigh, especially if they’re bigger than 25 inches, which makes it easy to pack things you don’t need because there’s more room.
Many planes say that the most weight you can bring on board is 30 kg (50 lb). If you don’t want to pay too much for your bags at the airport, use a small luggage scale before you go.
Luggage Features Selection
Today’s luggage has several innovative features for transit, packing, and protection. More bells and whistles mean a heavier bag!
Need to carry 7kg baggage? Minimalist suitcases work best! For light packing, consider a suitcase under 5lb or 2kg, like this Delsey Trolley or my fave, the Osprey Ozone.
Wheels
You can have two or four wheels. Two-wheeled suitcases are lighter but might tumble over if unbalanced. When jogging through the airport, these are easier to spin and maybe yanked over curbs to navigate uneven streets like these.
However, four wheels stand straight and are easier to pull sideways on a plane without bumping everyone as you find your seat.
The drawback is that they won’t remain put without a lock like Delsey’s Chatelet. Lovely suitcase! It’s elegant and functional.
Piggy Back Clip
A piggyback clip, a looped clip on top of the bag, lets you attach a second bag to the bigger one, which is a nice treat! You can buy an add-on like this one if your bag doesn’t already have one.
Color
Choose a bag with a color or pattern that stands out so it doesn’t get mixed up with someone else’s on the luggage rack. Stay away from white or cream because it’s more likely to get dirty.
Expandability
Do you ever notice that when you get home from a trip, your things seem to “grow”? It looks like nothing fits ever. Read this to find out why.
This is easy to do with an expanding bag, but be careful—if your suitcase gets too big, it might not fit in the overhead bin, and you might have to pay extra to check it. You know you love shopping for gifts (guilty!), though. This is a good choice for you.
Telescoping Handles
It’s much easier to handle a rolling bag because you don’t have to carry it. Make sure that the handle on your case is strong and can be pulled back easily.
Walk around with a bag first to make sure it doesn’t hit you in the heels as you walk. It shouldn’t be too far behind you and bother other people who are traveling. For ease, you might also like a handle that is padded.
Some people like a double handle because they think it’s stronger, but I like a single handle because it helps keep my bags light.
Security Locks
Avoid buying a suitcase that doesn’t have a way to lock it, even if it has a zipper with a place for a trip lock.
Compartments
You can keep all of your things in order with pockets and sections. For example, keep your 3-1-1 liquids bag in an outside pocket so it’s easy to find at the airport. Check out how I keep my bag in order. You should have seen TSA!
Side Handles
With top and side handles, it’s much easier to move your bags around, especially when you need to lift them to put them high on a plane or other vehicle.
Pick bags with handles that are strong and will last, so they can hold the weight of your things. You need to be able to carry your own bags up several sets of stairs, especially in Europe. This is another reason to pack light.
Waterproof Materials
One of the most important things to look for in bags is materials that don’t absorb water or sealants that don’t absorb water on the inside. This will help keep your things dry. It works in the rain and if the people who handle your bags put them on dirty, wet, or sticky surfaces.
The CEO of BusinessKnowHow.com, Jane Attard, says that you should put plastic around the top and bottom of the suitcase to make it look like a dry-cleaning bag. That way, your clothes will stay dry even if your bag gets wet.
Durability
A good bag doesn’t have to cost hundreds of dollars. The bag should be well-made, though, so it can handle the roughness of travel. Your needs will be different depending on what you’re doing, where you’re going, and how you like to travel.
Marcey Rader, a health and productivity guide, says, “Good luggage is a must.” If you buy a “good enough” bag, you’ll be sorry when you’re running through the station with your suitcase flapping around and the handle breaks!
It’s important to get good bags because it will last a lifetime. It’s hard enough to travel without having to worry about your bags.
I had the same thing happen to me while I was in Europe for two weeks. The handle broke on the second day of our trip because my friend brought a cheap, huge 32-inch bag with her. Because her back hurt, I had to take her stuff because she had brought too much.
Tie-Down Straps
These stretchy, adjustable straps are great for making your things smaller once they’re all in your bag. Also, they keep your personal items safe and private.
Luggage Choice Quite durable.
Consider these factors when buying durable luggage:
Wheels
Adios Adventure Travel’s Jacquie Whitt says four wheels slide better than two. Wheels should be high-quality like skateboard wheels. Hard plastic wheels break more easily when dropped. It happened to me while walking around Paris looking for my accommodation!
Handles
Airport luggage is sometimes flung around, breaking handles. Cheap luggage has a weaker one-bar handle, so consider a two-bar.
One handle is fine if you’re buying a good brand. It will be lighter.
Zipper
Zipping baggage exposes it to rain. Avoid this by choosing sturdy cases with latches. Choose sturdy metal or plastic pulls for a zippered suitcase.
Safety-Featured Luggage Selection
Travel insurance is the greatest way to protect your luggage. Only bring valuables in a carry-on if you can monitor them.
Security features for bags are also a smart idea. Strong travel locks, cable ties, and shrink wrapping make your case less vulnerable to thieves. However, pricey security systems can shout “VALUABLES INSIDE”!
Better safe than sorry: never inspect valuables. Always carry them in your carry-on or personal item.
Consider these safety features when buying luggage:
Shrink Wrapping
Many airports have shrink-wrap stations. It deters people from stealing from your bag or sneaking prohibited stuff into your baggage at $10 a pop. It waterproofs luggage too!
Cable Ties
A cheaper alternative to locks, these theft deterrents are easy to install and come in many colors to identify your suitcase. Nail files can remove cable ties effortlessly.
Locks
A good lock will slow or deter a robber.
Safety Tips
- Cover lost or stolen baggage with travel insurance.
- Keep valuables and travel papers in your hand baggage for constant monitoring.
- Each piece of luggage should include a waterproof sticker with your current contact information (not your home address—thieves may target an empty house). If your case is lost, it may be returned shortly. Remember to erase prior trip tags!
- After landing, check your bags so you can swiftly notify the airline and insurer of any missing items.
Luggage Selection by Price
Travel luggage is costly. Long-term travelers should consider this suitcase their portable wardrobe. You need durable luggage.
Price usually indicates quality. Find the best recommendations from experienced travelers and choose a case that fits your travel style. Expensive purses often have warranties.
Christina Ernst of VIP Alpine Tours/VIP Travel advises against designer luggage, which becomes more of a fashion statement than a quality choice for rigorous travel. Your Louis Vuitton will appear beautiful in the airport but not in tropical Asia, where thieves target designer cases.
Suitcase Shopping Tips
- Shop at REI, Sierra Trading Post, eBags, and Amazon to compare features/prices.
- Visit a retailer to try the bag before buying. Thus, you can choose your ideal style, size, and brand.
- Online shopping: order your case early so you can return it if it’s not right. Find eBags, which offers free returns. Order several cases to try them out and return them for free. Amazon offers free returns on some items. I buy my bags there since they have the best deals.
- Receive discounts by signing up for online merchant email alerts.
- Best deals are found during seasonal promotions.
Luggage Choice Final Tips
Bring a lightweight luggage scale to weigh your bags before the airport. This will keep you under the weight restriction and prevent unnecessary charges. Packing cubes can also simplify packing.
