How to Choose Your Next Luggage

By:  Jenny Bond, a Marvelous Mouse Travels agent

My last Christmas at home before i went off to college, my parents gave me my first set of luggage:  a soft-sided forest green set of suitcases with various zippered compartments that would be my travel companions for years to come.  Fast-forward to today and I have definitely purchased my share of luggage pieces...everything from wheeled duffels to kids' suitcases to large cases I should be able to fit my whole wardrobe in.  Here's some of the top things to consider when you're shopping for new luggage:

Durability!  

Nothing is more frustrating than having a zipper or a handle break when you are traveling!  Check these parts especially to make sure they are well-make and seem like they will hold up to the rough-and-tumble life of a suitcase:

• Handle - check to see if they retractable handle glides smoothly and can be protected when fully retracted.
• Zippers - a zipper with metal teeth is usually considered more durable & the brand YKK is a good one to watch for.
• Wheels - make sure these roll smoothly and are well-mounted.  Although I generally prefer a 4-wheeled bag, 2-wheeled bags are generally more durable because the wheels are recessed

Hard or Soft?  

This is generally a personal preference & also depends on what is important to you.  Soft-sided luggage can be lighter (although there are more and more light hard-sided cases)

Size & Weight

Are you planning to check this bag or carry it on to the airplane?  Different airlines can have different requirements, so you should check with your preferred airline on their requirements.  Most domestic airlines allow a carry-on bag up to 22" and a checked bag up to 50 pounds. A lighter bag will be easier to manage and count less toward your checked bag weight limit.

Organized Storage

How is the suitcase organized?  These may or may not be important to you, but are good to consider.  Some features you may want to check for:

• Interior zippered sections or pouches to separate items
• External pockets (more frequently found on soft-sided luggage)
• Interior straps to hold garments in place

Expandable

Most suitcases have an option to expand the suitcase to fit some extras in there.  It is especially helpful if you are one who tends to buy souvenirs or bring home a little more than you originally traveled with...travel there with it unexpanded, then expand it to travel home!

Extra Features

There are so many extra and specialty features available on luggage.  Check out this list and see if some of them might be for you!

• Laptop Packet
• Built-in TSA-approved Lock
• Interior compressible shelves or drawers
• Built-in luggage scale
• Built-in portable charger

Color/Style

It's easy to go with the traditional black piece of luggage, but remember that most of the suitcases on the baggage claim will be black bags!  It makes it so much easier to spot your luggage if it is a different color of even a fun pattern.  Though function is usually most important, your luggage can also be a great place to show off your personal style...pick your favorite color, a character, or a fun pattern.  If black is more your style, set your bag apart with a unique luggage strap.

There are a lot of great brands out there that you can find everywhere from online to warehouse stores and even discounts stores.  Good luck as you shop for the perfect luggage for your needs!

Please reach out to Jenny, an agent with Marvelous Mouse Travels to plan your next vacation or you may contact Marvelous Mouse Travels.