Describing the “best” of anything is often a subjective determination. Even if you compare specific qualities and features, something that is best for one person’s needs may not be best for another. In fact, something that is best for you for this week’s vacation may not be best for you for your next trip.
Each bag is different in such key ways as size, weight, material, design, and special features. The types of trips you plan to take, together with your personal preferences, will play a significant role in determining the perfect one for you. Clearly, when looking for a new luggage bag to meet your needs, there are a variety of different things to consider.
Types of Luggage
There are several different types of luggage, and each has its advantages and disadvantages in different situations.
Here some of the general types:
- Wheeled bags – wheeled duffels, wheeled backpacks and wheeled luggage are great for trips. You can use them for family vacations, business trips or adventure travel. This is the best way to avoid the fee and hassle of check-in luggage is by packing light.
- Travel back packs – these are for adventurers who need mobility during their travels. Best for camping, hiking or backpacking adventures.
- Laptop backpack – these are great for urban travelers who want to keep their laptop or any electronic safe. It offers extra padding and numerous compartments.
- Duffel bags – the traditional duffel bag is good for overnight travel, family visits or a traveler on a budget. This bag is popular among college students and adventure travelers.
- Spinner luggage – this is an upgraded version of the traditional two-wheeled luggage bag. It offers ease of movement as the wheels can spin in any direction. It is used by seasoned travelers and is a great investment.
How to Choose Luggage
There are many factors to consider when purchasing the right luggage for you. The purpose of your bag should be the main factor in determining which type you should get. If you go on frequent shorter flights for business, then you might want a nice carry on garment bag. For travel abroad, take a look at the best luggage for international travel. If you need your bag for auto travel to an urban setting, then you’ll want to find the best laptop backpack to meet your needs.
Thinking about the types of trips you’ll be using the luggage for will help get you started in your search. The items that you will need to bring or your length of travel should help you determine how big the luggage should be. Your activities during your travel will also be a factor in choosing the durability and material of your bag. Also, when buying a bag, keep a budget in mind. Here are some of the baggage characteristics to consider.
Size and Weight
When traveling by air, you need to find out what the weight limit is for carry-on luggage, and what the restrictions and fees are for checked in luggage. A heavy or bulky bag will do you no good. Most airlines charge for bags over 50 pounds. Plus, it’s just hard to lug around a heavy bag or pack. It is best to choose one that is lightweight and is the right fit.
Different Materials
Polyester is a typical material used for luggage. However, this is not very durable and is prone to rips and tears. You should look for pieces made of nylon, high-density cotton, or hard-shell for wheeled luggage. Real leather is also used for luggage, but this requires maintenance and can put a large dent in your checkbook.
Specific Features
Suitcase manufacturers have come up with a number of very useful and clever features that may or may not be a good fit for your type of travel. Pockets and compartments are very useful to keep your belongings organized. Bags may have extra pockets or separated sections in the interior and exterior; these may be open or secured with a zipper, and some have a built in bag for shoes, or a waterproof area for wet swim gear.
Some bags have a detachable item inside such as a garment bag, or toiletry bag. Some come with hidden straps that turn them into a backpack, others are expandable depending on how much you are packing, and still others have extra padded areas for camera, laptop, or other sensitive gear.
These are just a subset of the many interesting features that are available in different styles of bags. As you do further research, you’ll identify other characteristics that may be an exact match for your needs.
Best Luggage Brands
Keeping your belongings secure is a priority. So you’ll want to invest in a good and sturdy luggage bag that won’t fall apart or split open when it’s tossed down a baggage shoot or stacked under a bus. And you want it to survive multiple uses.
Just as bag size, shape, and style vary greatly, so does price. But keep in mind that high price does not guarantee high quality. And likewise, cheap luggage sets are not necessarily poor quality.
11 of the top luggage brands available in the market are listed below in alphabetical order. In other posts throughout this site, we dig more deeply into different types of bags and different brands, seeing how they compare to one another, and recommending the best luggage types for your unique travel needs.
- American Tourister
- Briggs & Riley
- Delsey Luggage
- Eagle Creek
- Ricardo Beverly Hills
- Rockland Luggage
- Samsonite
- Swiss Gear
- Travelpro
- Tumi
- Victorinox