Buying luggage is not something you do every day; and chances are the options have completely changed since you last purchased luggage. With new technologies allowing bags to get lighter and lighter and changes to airline requirements it’s unlikely you’ll be completely across the key things to look for in your new suitcase. Luggage can be quite an investment too, so we’ve created a bit of a cheat sheet with a quick checklist of things to look for that are the key quality indicators. These are the factors that you would look at to compare bags that meet your weight, size and style requirements.
1. Wheels
If there are 2 wheels, they should be large, a little rugged looking and on an axle. They should have adequate protective casing around them and fit snugly into the case, not be hanging off the bottom.
If there are 4 wheels, generally double wheels are easier to manage than the smaller single wheels (that look like traditional castor wheels), and will offer better durability. Again, the wheels should look very integrated with the suitcase rather than just an add on.
2. Hardware including zippers and bumpers
Zippers and zip pulls should be large and smooth to run. Once a suitcase is full there is a lot of pressure on the zip and the bigger the better. Check them around corners, if there is any resistance whilst the case is empty and new, then move on!
On soft suitcases there should also be adequate bumper protection around high impact zones including the base and wheels that protect the fabric from fraying after repeated knocks.
The hardware on the wheel housings should be substantial and stabiliser bars/feet are useful.
3. Handles including carry handles and trolley handle
Handles are a key break point along with wheels and zips. Look for handles that tuck flat or are recessed to minimise knocks in transit and also keep in mind the more handle the better. Typically, suitcases have one on top and the side, sometimes there are grab handles integrated around the feet which is very useful as then two handles can be used when lifting avoiding all the pressure in one point.
Trolley handles should be well protected and have a push button release or lock away when not in use. If they can slide out easily in transit then they can get knocked and bent which stops them working.
4. Materials
There is a lot of variety in the material of suitcases now with most of them offering fairly sturdy options. For a soft suitcase, polyester or nylon should have a high denier or thickness. This will either be represented with a ‘D’ number or a ‘number x number’ reading, the bigger the numbers the better.
For hard suitcases the different materials (polyurethane, polypropylene & polycarbonate) have different properties, with the focus mostly being on getting the suitcase as light as possible. The lightweight cases should be flexible and bounce back into shape easily enough. Rigid suitcases should have an excellent, solid frame to keep it nice and rigid even under immense pressure.
5. Warranty
Warranty is a tough one as there are so many rules and exemptions that it’s not a blanket indicator. It’s not quite as simple as a ’10 year warranty means your suitcase will last 10 years’. In most instances, your suitcase should last beyond that, however the nature of the game means it’s bound to be mistreated somewhere along the way, and of course it depends on how frequently you travel and your mode of travel. For luggage, warranties should be viewed in a manner of how easy it is to service your suitcase. A global brand can offer you assistance on the other side of the world, where a local brand may not.
In saying that, there are some warranties that separate themselves and offer lifetime or extended ‘cover everything’ warranties. Value can be placed on these types of warranties.
A 2-10 year warranty is about standard, yet should be considered along with other information in gauging a bags durability.
In our opinion, these are the key indicators – information should be readily available online to help you make your decision, or you can pop in store to speak with a sales consultant who can help match you up to bag that suits your needs.
And because what’s not important is just as important when deciding, here are 5 things that are not actually quality indicators;
So there you have it, take some notes and go check out some suitcases like you know what you’re doing!
Shop our hard suitcases here & soft suitcases here
Or find a store here
Image via @delseyofficial