Most people will travel out of their hometown or country at one point in their lives. While it can be difficult to plan and coordinate a trip and all its necessities, knowing what to bring and what luggage to use and buy is equally important. Just as hotel rooms, food and transportation need to be found and booked, learning how to keep possessions safe during days and weeks can make the difference between keeping everything intact and losing important items along the way.
Luggage is an essential way to keep valuable belongings, daily clothes and wallets safe and nearby for when they're needed. It's important to know how to identify and purchase good luggage and how the investment can continue to benefit travelers years in the future.
What is good luggage?
Luggage sets and cases are intended to withstand a decent amount of wear and tear as they're transported from city to city. Luggage should be sturdy and can come with a hard or soft shell. The bags shouldn't be flimsy and should hopefully be made of strong, quality materials. Buying the cheapest luggage available may not be the best choice as it will often not be durable enough to survive the whole trip.
Make sure the handles and zippers feel strong and latch properly when closed. Poorly made zippers can open on the move and leave clothes and items behind. Many luggage cases have wheels for easy transportation and various locks to keep items secure inside. When choosing a set at the store, feel free to test it out in the aisles and read reviews. The best luggage ensures its owner feels confident and secure while traveling no matter how long the flight or trip.
Where to find good luggage?
There are many in-store and online retailers that can help travelers find quality luggage sets. Retailers like Marshalls and Kohl's are great when shoppers want to test the luggage themselves, providing plenty of options and colors before making the final decision. This is also a good way to find local deals and compare the sets and cases in person with other options. Online retailers like Amazon and Paravel offer more options overall if the local retailer doesn't have what the shopper is looking for. Online shopping also allows for delivery right to the door without having to leave the comfort of home.
It's always important while shopping to consider recent reviews, the store's return and customer service policies and how much luggage the trip will require. With proper planning and foresight, buying the right luggage set can be a valuable investment that will continue to benefit the traveler on all their future trips.
Frequently Asked Questions
There’s still plenty of things to consider when it comes to getting luggage. Some of the common questions and answers remaining include:
Q: What should I pack?
A: Many airplanes have regulations concerning what can be packed. All luggage will be thoroughly checked before getting on the plane, so it's important to know what's allowed. Make sure to check the company's restricted list and to have an idea of what's allowed in the country you're traveling to.
Q: How much luggage can I bring?
A: Airplanes often have a limit on how much baggage can be brought. Each bag or case usually has a price with each subsequent bag costing a little more. Airplane companies want to discourage passengers from bringing too much luggage and instead bring only what they absolutely need.
Q: What happens to my luggage on the plane?
A: After being checked, your luggage will be brought across the tarmac and thrown into the hold of the plane for the duration of the flight. This is often a bumpy ride with quick transportation, making quality, durable luggage cases essential.
Q: What is carry-on luggage?
A: Carry-on luggage is the bag you bring with you into the plane and store in the overhead. This luggage is still checked but has a different payment scale compared to other luggage.
Q: What do I do if I lose my bag?
A: Luggage cases occasionally get lost and will eventually be reimbursed by airplane companies. Some new luggage sets actually have location trackers to help you to better find them. Losing luggage is an infrequent occurrence and shouldn't be worried about overmuch.
