The Best Lightweight Luggage

Luggage can make or break a vacation or business trip, so do your homework before you buy. Even top-quality products are a waste of money if they’re not the right pieces for your needs and lifestyle. This guide will help you narrow your search.
Bag Basics

When airlines began charging fees for checked bags and security became more stringent, the landscape of the luggage industry was forever changed. Manufacturers started making lighter, more versatile pieces that are easier to maneuver. Here’s a rundown of the most basic options:

- Carry-ons

Carry-ons save travelers around $25 in fees each way. They also eliminate the need to wait around at baggage claim after the flight.

These bags must be small enough to stow in the overhead bin on the plane. Currently, size is limited to 22 inches long, 14 inches wide and 9 inches deep. On rolling bags, the length includes the wheels and the collapsed handle.
If you’re just going to the beach for the weekend, a carry-on makes more sense than a suitcase.

- Bags for personal items

In addition to your carry-on, you're allowed to bring one personal item provided that it can be neatly stowed under the seat in front of you. It may simply be a purse or laptop bag. The more versatile it is, though, the more you can maximize your packing space.

Manufacturers have created all-purpose bags that fit under most seats. Easy-access compartments keep cellphones and wallets handy. Many bags have large interior spaces and padded sections for electronics.

- Suitcases

For longer trips, a carry-on just won’t do. Large suitcases must be checked and stowed in the cargo area, and most carriers charge extra for excess size and weight. Manufacturers have helped by making suitcases out of lighter materials.

In general, suitcases range in length from 24 to 36 inches. Expandable bags can hold a surprising amount of clothes and even souvenirs on the trip home.

- Duffel bags

You could think of these as hybrid gym bags. Some now come with wheels and retractable handles. Most have external compartments. Some designers have squared off the corners to increase capacity.

The fundamental design, however, remains unchanged. Duffels are typically made of flexible materials and have a single spacious compartment. If they’re not too big, they make ideal carry-ons because you can easily manipulate them to fit into overhead bins.

The only challenge with duffels is keeping your clothes from wrinkling.

- Garment bags

For guaranteed wrinkle-free clothing, garment bags are essential. They're ideal for business travelers or people who plan to attend formal events.

Most are now fitted with loops for easy folding and carrying. More elaborate models can be converted to resemble suitcases and are equipped with wheels. Unlike suitcases, garment bags have one long compartment for suits and dresses rather than two separate ones.
Where To?

Before you buy luggage, decide where and how you’re going to use it.

Are you a frequent or infrequent traveler? Are your trips short or long? Do you more often fly, or do you load up the car for road trips? Are you a fastidious packer who likes everything in its place, or do you dump your entire sock drawer into a battered duffel bag?

Think about your options. Imagine how each type of bag would work at your favorite campground. Picture yourself navigating city streets and taking the subway to the airport with a duffel. Now picture the scene with a rolling suitcase.
Is appearance important to you? Aesthetics may not matter much to a college student. For a businessman representing his company, on the other hand, shabby, mismatched luggage could reflect poorly on him.
Most travelers need more than one kind of bag. That’s why manufacturers offer sets with anywhere from two to eight pieces. Incidentally, buying sets is less expensive than purchasing individual pieces.

Once you’ve decided which pieces you need, you can consider design.

Will You Make It Hard on Yourself?

Now you must choose hard-sided or soft-sided luggage. There are pros and cons to both.

Hard-sided bags are usually made of polycarbonate. They’re sturdy, inflexible and built to take a lot of abuse. They won’t bend under pressure, so they’re more protective of their contents than soft bags. Hard-sided bags are nice to have when you’re bringing home several bottles of your favorite wine from Italy.
One disadvantage is their lack of exterior pockets. They also tend to show wear and tear sooner than soft-sided bags. Depending on the color, dings and scratches are more obvious. Very few models are expandable. Finally, because of their inflexibility, they’re not ideal for car travel when you have several pieces and cargo space is tight. Stacking them will result in scratches and abrasions.

Soft-sided luggage may be entirely constructed of fabric, such as canvas or nylon, for pliability. Bags collapse for easy storage when not in use. Other styles have a somewhat rigid shell covered with fabric or another material.

They don’t show damage as quickly as hard-sided bags. They’re easy to work with in tight spaces. Almost all are expandable and have outer storage compartments.

However, if they take a lot of abuse, the outer material will eventually wear in spots or fray at the seams. Light-colored bags show dirt and grime. Since they yield to pressure, packing breakables is a challenge.

This Is How You Roll

Rolling luggage is a godsend, but choose carefully between in-line two-wheelers and spinning four-wheelers.

Two-wheeled models roll only backwards and forwards. They’re the better choice for city streets and uneven terrains. The wheels are recessed, so they seldom break off.
The only real downside is potential wrist or shoulder pain while pulling them on lengthy walks.

On four-wheelers, the spinners swivel 360 degrees. That means that the bag can be pushed, pulled or wheeled alongside you. If you realize that you made a wrong turn, you can easily change directions. You don’t absorb as much of the bag’s weight as you do when rolling a two-wheeler.

Spinners are externally mounted and are more likely to get damaged or snap off. The protruding wheels are difficult to work with in overhead bins. Lastly, a bag with spinners will careen down an incline unless you lay it on its side.

Additional Tips

When in doubt about size, call the airline.

If possible, physically handle the luggage that you’re considering before you buy online. Inspect the zippers. Test the handle for ease of use. Make sure that wheels are sturdy and roll smoothly. Do outer pockets protrude excessively? Do curved corners decrease capacity?
Make sure that luggage locks comply with Transportation Security Administration rules. Read verified-purchaser reviews. Carefully read warranties; some exclude damage done by airline employees.

Best Bags

These highly rated pieces are worth checking out:

- Cenzo Wheelie Trolley Suitcase Rolling Duffel

This dressed-up duffel made of calfskin leather will get better-looking with age. It's only one piece, but it will last forever.

- Windtook Expandable Luggage 3-Piece Set

Capacity in these attractive bags can be expanded by 15 percent, and spinners allow easy maneuvering in tight spaces.
- Timberland Fort Stark 3-Piece Hardside Luggage Set

The sturdy construction, distinctive design and rich color choices take hard-sided luggage to a new level.

- Lily Bloom Furry Friends 4-Piece Collection

Do you want your luggage to express your personal flair? Lily Bloom offers a dazzling array of patterns in both hard- and soft-sided luggage.

Top Rated Lightweight Luggage

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This page about Lightweight Luggage was composed by V. Tobies and published by Alternative.me.
It was last updated on 2024-05-21 08:20:23 and has been viewed 1888 times.