Quality Luggage Buying Tips

Frame: The Backbone of Your Luggage

Frames can be made of metal, fiberglass or plastic. Fiberglass is generally more durable than plastic, unless the plastic is reinforced in some way. When choosing luggage with a metal frame, look for aluminum frames that are strong but lightweight. If you’re buying a backpack, there are internal and external frames available. Internal frame packs are more flexible than external frame packs which can be awkward.

Wheels and Zippers: The Finer Points of Luggage

Wheeled luggage allows you to maneuver your luggage easily. They also protect the bottom from wear and damage. Especially durable are in-line skate wheels. Depending in what kind of case you choose, there will be two or four wheels. Look for wheels that are screwed onto the frame rather than riveted. Zippers come in two basic styles: coiled or toothed. A coiled zipper can take a lot of pressure from over packed bags. A toothed zipper can be either metal or plastic and is extremely durable. If a coiled zipper pops open it can be re-closed; toothed zippers are almost impossible to re-close if they pop.

Materials Used: Durability in Construction

Hard-sided luggage is generally made using an injection molding process for plastic. Another version of this luggage type is boxed frame covered over with leather or vinyl. The boxed frame contains wood or metal on all six sides for maximum rigidity. Hard-sided cases have the added security feature of combination locks. Soft-sided cases
are usually made of fabric with partial frames and reinforcing plates where needed. You can purchase separate zipper locks for this type of case. Check the denier of the fabric on soft-sided luggage. Denier refers to the fineness of the yarn used. The higher the denier, the more durable the fabric will be. If the fabric is advertised as “ballistic,” it means that it is woven in a similar manner to bulletproof vests. Make sure your soft-sided luggage is waterproof or water-repellant.

Interior and Exterior Features: Staying Organized

The interior of your luggage should have pockets and compartments to facilitate packing. Mesh pockets are handy because you can see the contents. They also provide ventilation for the contents. Many cases have straps inside that keep the contents from shifting. On the exterior, stress points like where straps and handles are attached should be reinforced with either stitching or rivets. A zippered external pocket or two is desirable. On upright cases, the telescoping handle assembly should be on the inside, not the outside of the case. On many uprights, there is an auxiliary strap to which you can attach your tote bag or other small piece of luggage to make moving the items easier. A zippered gusset is available on some models. When unzipped, the gusset expands the suitcase up to about 4 inches to accommodate all those extras you’ll be bringing home.

Conclusion: Quality is Always the Right Choice

People who think nothing of spending thousands of dollars on a vacation often underestimate the importance of their luggage. Quality luggage is always worth the investment and will serve you well long after the memories of your vacation fade. Take the time to do some research and analyze your needs. Then buy the best well-made luggage you can afford. Your vacation will be all the more enjoyable for it.