A travel suitcase should be convenient and practical, roomy and reliable. So that, when rushing to a flight, you don’t have to struggle with a zipper that’s jammed at the wrong time or, when receiving your luggage, you don’t have to anxiously look for your things among similar travel bags.
I will tell you how to choose the right size and material for a travel bag, check the quality of locks, handles and wheels. In addition, I will mention how to pack a suitcase correctly and what can and cannot be taken in luggage and carry-on baggage.
Large, medium or small?
This is the first question you should answer when you are going to buy a suitcase.
Do you prefer short trips without luggage? Size S will suit you - up to 55 cm on the longest side and a volume of up to 50 liters. Such a suitcase will fit the minimum necessary things for a short business trip or a weekend trip. Such a suitcase can be taken with you as hand luggage instead of checked in - this will save on the cost of tickets, and at the same time provide you with more freedom of movement.
Each airline has its own restrictions on the dimensions of carry-on baggage. If you often fly with the same carriers, choose a suitcase for air travel that fits into their sizing frames.
Here is a table with the acceptable parameters for hand luggage for several popular Russian airlines:
As you can see, the parameters of carry-on luggage for low-cost airlines will only fit a small backpack. Lifehack: on marketplaces, using the search query "Pobeda bag" or "UTair bag", you can find travel bags that fit the parameters of these airlines.
Which suitcase is better to buy if the "eska" is too small for you? Choose size M - these are models with a maximum length of 55-68 cm and a volume of 50-75 liters. Such a suitcase will easily fit a supply of shorts, T-shirts and swimsuits for a week's vacation for two. There will also be some extra space for a little shopping and souvenirs.
A "family" size L suitcase can be purchased if you are traveling with children, three or four people. Dimensions: 68–71 cm along the longest side, volume 76–100 l. Do not forget about the size restrictions for one piece of luggage: for Russian carriers it is 203 cm for the sum of length, width and height. If you do not fit into these parameters, you will have to pay extra for excess baggage.
If you are traveling with your family and have a lot of things, you can take several small suitcases instead of one large one. There are arguments for and against this choice:
- If all your suitcases go into hand luggage, you won't have to wait for baggage claim. This will save you time.
- If you are traveling as a couple with small children, it is better to choose a large suitcase: then one of the adults will take care of the luggage, and the other will have his hands free, and it will be easier for him to look after the children.
- If you only have one piece of luggage, you won't have to constantly count your bags and check that they're all there.
Plastic or textile?
These are the two main materials used to make travel bags. Each has its own pros and cons.
Suitcases made of textiles (polyester, nylon) are usually lighter in weight and cheaper than plastic ones. They usually have additional outer pockets for small items that may be needed on the road. A good option for shopping trips is an additional zipper, which expands the volume of the suitcase and increases its useful space by 20-30%.
Disadvantages of textile suitcases: they are more difficult to clean from dirt, and they are also poor protection for fragile cargo. If you are carrying expensive equipment or other valuables, choose a suitcase with a hard case for air travel - they are available in plastic and metal.
Plastic suitcases include suitcases made of several types of materials: ABS plastic, polypropylene and polycarbonate. ABS plastic is a more budget option, but also more fragile compared to the others, it can crack in the cold. Polypropylene withstands impacts and temperature changes better, but weighs more. Polycarbonate is almost devoid of the disadvantages of its counterparts: the material is very light, flexible and durable, but suitcases made of it are more expensive.
Plastic suitcases are more reliable and easier to care for than fabric ones. They protect their contents well from impacts, moisture, and opening (a plastic suitcase, unlike a fabric one, cannot be cut). Plastic suitcases can suffer from scratches, but in general they last longer than fabric ones if you handle them carefully.
There are also metal suitcases - they are made of aluminum. They are strong and durable, look solid. The choice of models is small, and the prices can hardly be called democratic. In addition, a frankly expensive suitcase looks very tempting for luggage thieves.
Color
What color suitcases do you see most often on the baggage belt after flights? That's right - black, dark blue and other non-marking, practical and, alas, poorly distinguishable shades that are easy to confuse with each other.
To avoid straining your eyes and nerves every time you wait for your luggage, choose a suitcase for plane travel in a solid, bright color or with an original print; fortunately, the choice of colors is wide.
Another option is to get a colored cover. The cover will also solve the problem of road dirt - it is easier to wash it than to clean the suitcase.
Internal compartments
It is very convenient when a suitcase, in addition to the main compartment, has additional pockets. You can put cosmetics, medicines, jewelry and other small things in them.
There are suitcase models with special compartments for tablets, laptops, and cameras. In such compartments, fragile equipment is securely fixed and protected from impacts.
When purchasing, check that the internal pockets are well stitched and that the retaining straps are easy to fasten and unfasten.
Wheels
Suitcases come with four or two wheels. If you choose the first option, the wheels should rotate around their axis to make it easy to change direction when turning. Such a suitcase does not burden you with weight at all - you just hold it by the handle and carry it next to you. But this works on smooth, even surfaces like the floor in an airport terminal. On average-quality asphalt, dirt roads or cobblestones, rotating wheels will be more of a hindrance than a help. If you often have to move your luggage along such routes, choose a two-wheeled model. Remember that you will carry such a suitcase at an angle, so you will have to take on some of its weight.
Wheels can be plastic (a more budget option) or silicone. It is better to give preference to the latter - they are quieter, stronger and have good shock absorption. Good quality wheel mounts should be metal - plastic ones do not handle loads well and break quickly.
Fasteners
Most suitcases are closed with zippers. They are quick and easy to zip and unzip, but they often break down - this can happen with both plastic and metal tracks. To minimize this risk, try not to stuff your suitcase with things to capacity and zip it carefully.
When purchasing, check that all the zipper teeth are straight and not bent, that the edges of the zipper are neatly and firmly sewn in, and that there are no protruding threads that could get caught in the zipper and disable it.
Castles
A lock will help protect your things from too curious eyes and hunters for easy money. They can be built-in coded, which open with a digital combination, and padlocks, which open with a key.
A built-in lock is more convenient - it is easier and faster to open, and you do not risk losing the key. After purchasing a suitcase, be sure to replace the standard factory code (for example, 000) with your own. To avoid forgetting the code, write it down and save it, for example, in your phone notes or some other secret place.
One type of combination lock is a lock with the TSA (Travel Sentry Approved) customs inspection function. Customs services have the right to open a suitcase for inspection if it arouses any suspicions. In this case, a regular lock will simply be broken, and then the suitcase will travel without any protection from penetration. Customs officers can open a TSA lock with a special key without damaging the suitcase. Such keys are available to customs services in 15 countries: the USA, Canada, Israel, China, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Finland, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, South Korea, Japan and New Zealand.
Pen
A telescopic (i.e. retractable) handle is a must-have element of a convenient travel suitcase.
- Choose models with a metal handle - they are more reliable.
- Check that the handle length is suitable for your height: if you have to bend over a little, the handle is too short for you.
- It’s good if the pull-out mechanism has locks for different lengths – then the suitcase will be convenient for both parents and children.
- When purchasing, make sure that the handle fits comfortably in your hand, does not slip or cut into your palm.
- Be sure to check the operation of the telescopic mechanism - the handle should extend and fold quickly and easily, without any interference or hesitation.
Accessories
Some manufacturers add optional but very useful details to their suitcases. These may include:
- removable cover;
- bags for laundry and shoes;
- stickers for address and phone number - useful in case of loss of suitcase;
- an additional strap that allows you to carry the suitcase on your shoulder.
Smart suitcases
Smart technologies are increasingly entering our lives, and now you can even find them in travel suitcases. There is not a very large selection of such models on the market yet, but it is likely that this is just the beginning. What useful features can your travel assistant please you with?
- Built-in power bank — useful for emergency charging of the phone if there is no outlet nearby. Keep in mind that most airlines prohibit carrying chargers in luggage, so it is important that the power bank in the smart suitcase is removable.
- Built-in electronic scales will show the total weight of the suitcase together with your belongings and will help you avoid unpleasant surprises with excess baggage at the airport.
- Built-in GPS tracker - will make it easier to find your suitcase if it is lost: an application is installed on the phone that will help track the location of the luggage.
- The smart lock is a convenient alternative to the combination lock. The suitcase is opened via an app on your smartphone by pressing one button.
Children's suitcases
If you are traveling with a child aged 4–5, you can buy a special suitcase for them. There are many children's models that take into account both the physical capabilities of children and their tastes and interests. The child will be able to pack their things themselves (with a little help from you) — participation in preparing for the trip will be both an exciting game for them and an education in organization and responsibility.
When choosing a suitcase for a child to travel by plane, it is easy to get carried away by the external parameters - after all, children's suitcases are so bright and colorful, with images of characters from fairy tales, cartoons and computer games, and even shaped ones - in the form of toys and funny animals. Make sure that the suitcase is comfortable and not too heavy for the baby - otherwise you will have to carry both your suitcase and the child's suitcase, and hold his hand in addition.
Here everything is the same as for an adult: the suitcase should be light, maneuverable, the handle should fit the child's height and preferably be fixed in several positions - this will come in handy if the child sharply grows in height in six months. It is good if the suitcase has many pockets and compartments - the baby will be interested in putting things in them, and they will lie neater inside.
Don't get carried away with overly expensive models - after all, the child is growing, and a small children's suitcase will no longer be comfortable for him in a couple of years. But models that transform into a backpack will be a good solution - such a suitcase can be used in everyday life.
It is better to leave the design and pattern to the child's choice. If you buy a suitcase, for example, on a marketplace, first add to your favorites the models that are suitable in price, quality and other necessary parameters, and then ask the child to choose the one he likes best.
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