How to Choose Your Luggage

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Welcome to Day 4 of 30 Days to Packing a Better Bag.

Now that you’ve selected an airline and know all about its baggage restrictions, it’s time to choose your luggage… but do so wisely. 

If you choose a large bag and fill it to the brim, you could subject yourself to an injury from lugging it around town (try running to catch a train with all that extra weight). 

If you bring a tiny bag (which we are all for!) but pack it poorly, you’ll be running around looking for essentials in a foreign city (the simplest things can be the hardest to find). 

A backpack will keep you from looking classy in a nice hotel, but a suitcase will be like torture on cobblestone streets. Each type of luggage has its own drawbacks and benefits, as you’ll soon learn.

Suitcase vs. Backpack

The endless debate continues, and the truth is there are benefits for both suitcases and backpacks. It all comes down to where you’ll be traveling and staying, your personal physical abilities, and how active you’ll be (also known as your trip style). 

Both suitcases and backpacks come in carry-on only varieties as well, which should be considered for, in our opinion, every trip. 

The Suitcase

Pros: 

• Suitcases tend to look more professional, particularly if you’re staying in a nice hotel. 
• The wheels take pressure off your back and they efficiently fit into overhead bins.

Cons: 

• If you are constantly hopping on trains and going from city to city, rolling your suitcase can slow you down. 
• Plus, they are not ideal for uneven or rough terrain. 

The Backpack

Pros: 

• When faced with a building with no elevator, you can walk all the way up easily instead of lugging your suitcase. 
• They are ideal for a more active traveler.

Cons: 

• You’re less likely to be upgraded on your flight if you’re wearing a backpack. (Maybe?) 
• If you fill it too heavy, it can hurt your back. 
• You may also have to unpack your whole backpack to access the items at the bottom (if you use packing cubes, this is less of an issue).

• Read more of the backpack vs. suitcase debate here and here. There are plenty of opinions for both sides of the debate.

Wheels vs. None

Duffels and backpacks will go into the same category here (no wheels), as you will be relying on your arm and shoulder strength to lug them around. Wheels have plenty of advantages, but there may be a few things you haven’t considered.

Wheels

Pros: 

• There’s less strain on your back and you can travel with ease.

Cons: 

• They can get jammed or broken as you drag them along. If this happens at the beginning of your trip, you’re going to struggle carrying (or dragging) your suitcase the rest of the time.

No Wheels

Pros: 

• You don’t have to worry about the wheels breaking.

Cons: 

If you decide to go with a bag with wheels, there’s another decision you have to make…

Spinner Wheels vs. Inline Wheels

Spinner wheels are a type of wheel designed to rotate 360 degrees. This means that your luggage can move in any direction effortlessly. There are usually four of them. Inline wheels are the more traditional luggage wheels. Typically in a pair, they are designed to move in a forward-backward direction.

Spinner Wheels

Pros: 

• Due to the 360 degree rotation, spinner wheels are easy to maneuver in tight places. 
• The multi-directional movement of the wheels means the wheels glide smoothly. 
• The four wheel design allows for greater stability and balance.

Cons: 

• The design of spinner wheels makes them more exposed which means they are a bit more vulnerable to damage. 
• The wheel construction may also take up slightly more space inside of your luggage meaning there is less space for packing.

Inline Wheels

Pros: 

• Inline wheels are generally more durable and resistant to damage.
• They are also more suited to rough terrains. 
• They are more space-efficient inside of your luggage meaning you can maximize your packing capacity.

Cons: 

• Less maneuverability.
• Less smooth gliding.
• Potential for tipping.

Hard Case vs. Soft Shell Suitcase

If you decide to purchase a suitcase, you can choose between a hard case or a soft shell.

Hard Case

Pros: 

• Hard cases can be better at protecting your belongings inside the suitcase.
• They often are made of super lightweight material, helping to cut back on overall baggage weight. 
• Plus, they’re waterproof and easy to clean. 

Cons:

• They cannot be “stuffed” into certain places.
• If not of a high quality, they could possibly crack, break, or dent.

Soft Shell

Pros: 

• Great for absorbing hits from luggage handlers.
• Better for being able to expand or contract as necessary (like stuffing a bag into an overhead bin). 
• Fitting in a few extra souvenirs is also a little easier when the material can give slightly.

Cons: 

• Material often wears and tears easier than hard cases. 
• Your belongings are less protected inside your suitcase.
• It’s not waterproof.

Checked vs. Carry-On vs. Personal Item Only

As airlines are adding fees onto nearly everything these days, it’s becoming more prudent to fly carry-on only. In some cases, traveling with only a personal item is the only way to escape the luggage fees. 

Besides cost, there are other things to consider as well:

• What if you’re traveling for an extended period like a round-the-world trip? 
• What would you do if your bags were lost? 
• What if you couldn’t lift them into the overhead compartments?

Checking Bags

Pros: 

• You can pack full-sized toiletries.
• You’ll have more space in your carry-on bags. 
• You also aren’t responsible for lifting and fitting a heavy bag into the overhead compartment.

Cons: 

• It could get lost or delayed to your destination, leaving you without clothes and necessities. 
• Depending on where you are flying and the airline, you may be charged for a checked bag, especially for domestic flights. 
• Lugging a full sized bag through a new city and on public transport is never fun.

Carry-On Only

Pros: 

• Your bag can’t be lost or stolen (by the airline).
• It’s much easier to navigate a new city with.

Cons: 

• You can’t pack as many liquids due to TSA regulations. 
• Some budget airlines charge for carry-on bags.

Personal Item Only

Pros: 

• Your luggage is on you at all times and you don’t have to worry about it getting lost. 
• You’ll never have to pay luggage fees. 
• You save time at the airport.
• Navigating a new city is easy. 
• You’re less of a target for theft because you don’t stand out as a tourist.

Cons: 

• You need to be super organized with your packing list to make sure you will have everything you need.
• You need to pay special attention to your liquids limit.

What Are You Packing?

Have a general idea of how much gear you will need. 

At this point, it is important to take all the activities you wrote down in our defining your trip style post and decide what sort of accessories you absolutely will need to pack. 

This will make you more realistic when choosing the right type of luggage and deciding whether or not you will be able to travel carry-on or personal item only.

Some things to consider:

• Try to go for the smallest size of luggage as possible, and always leave extra space. Chances are you will bring back souvenirs.
• Are you strong enough to carry your bag without assistance? Never packing more than you can carry is part of our female travel manifesto and contributes to being and feeling in control on the road.
• Always be sure to give your luggage a test drive in the shop with added weight before buying to see if it remains comfortable. This even goes for suitcases as handle length and overall structure can vary.

Travel Destinations and Trip Style

Ensure that the bag you’ve chosen goes with your trip style and travel destinations. Here are a few points to consider:

• If your trip involves multiple destinations and lots of moving around, pack lighter. Repeated stress on your back and body will start to take its toll, especially when lifting and pushing on a regular basis (into cars and overhead bins, up and down stairs, etc.).

  Think about those travel days when you might have to walk 20 minutes from the train or bus stations to get to your accommodation. Also, consider the potential need to lug your bags up several flights of stairs.

• If you will be in one place for most of your trip, you don’t need to worry as much about being mobile. Dealing with one or two hard travel days and then letting everything sit for longer periods of time will not be too difficult on the body.

  This is also more acceptable if you plan to use taxis or drive a rental car instead of normal public transport.

• Certain destinations call for backpacks instead of suitcases, and vice versa. You don’t want to find yourself in snow covered Lapland with a rolling suitcase that just gets stuck and frozen in the snow. You also don’t want to be seen in a classy upscale hotel with a dirty backpack.
• Choose your colors wisely. While a hot pink suitcase will get noticed quicker on the carousel, will it look right with your business attire? Will a neon green backpack blend in with all the others, or will it stick out more to opportune thieves who are curious as to what’s inside?

  Think about the travel destination as well. Are you heading to a rustic, dirty place (like the desert, Outback, camping, or the jungle)? If so, you might want to forego a light-colored piece of luggage that will show every bit of dirt it comes in contact with.

Other Things to Consider

Warranty

Prioritize brands that offer reliable warranties and customer support especially when you’re buying luggage with a high price tag. This not only gives you peace of mind but it is assurance that your product is going to last. 

Durability 

Make sure the bag you buy is durable. This may mean a higher price tag but it’s worth it if your bag lasts longer. Make sure the straps and handles are reinforced, the zips are sturdy, and the seams are well constructed.

It’s no secret that checked bags get handled roughly by baggage handlers (another reason to travel carry-0n or personal item only) but even just general everyday travel can cause wear and tear to your bag so it’s best to choose a durable option. 

Organization 

Some bags come with built-in organization compartments, otherwise, you will probably want to invest in some packing cubes to keep things organized.

Security Features 

You might want to choose a brand that comes with built-in security features like TSA-approved locks (this is important if you are checking in your luggage), slash-resistant straps (more important if you’re traveling personal item only), or RFID-blocking compartments (ideal for keeping your passport and credit cards safe).

Some brands we recommend are Travelon and Pacsafe.

Weight 

It is crucial to check the weight of the bag before purchasing it. Airlines are incredibly strict about luggage weight allowances these days and you don’t want your bag alone taking up a third of the weight allowance.

This is even more important when traveling carry-on or personal item only. You want that bag to weigh as little as possible without compromising on quality. 

Brand Considerations 

You may be tempted to buy a cheaper and less well-known brand of luggage. While you may be saving money upfront, this may cost you in the long run.

A more well-known brand could cost more, but at least you know that their bags have been put to the test and that people trust the brand. A lot of the well-known brands may also come with a warranty and you may be able to send your bag in for repairs if it does break rather than buying a new bag.

Always do your research before buying a bag and read the reviews.

What You Think You Need vs. What You Actually Need

Overall, packing lightly is the best advice we can give you. No matter what your trip style, you may at some point be running to catch a train or throwing your bag into the back of a taxi.

Our big tip: Pick the luggage you want; and go one size smaller.

Why? 

Because you will always fill a bag to the brim no matter the size provided.

See what we did there? We’ll talk later about the whole “lay your clothes out and only take half” concept. This one, however, takes that idea to the extreme. If your luggage is half the size, then you literally can’t take all the things you initially thought you could.

Hot tip: most of those things aren’t needed anyway.

Let us know your plans in the comments below.