How Do You Travel?
For airplane travel, familiarize yourself with the luggage rules of the airlines you plan to fly on. If you go on road trips, look for bags that are pliable enough to maximize your trunk space. On cruise ships, because baggage is stacked in the boat&#;s belly before departure, we&#;ve found that flat, rigid luggage is best. A travel backpack with a rigid back can be useful if you&#;ll need your hands free while walking, and don&#;t mind an informal look.
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How Will You Store Your Luggage?
Once the luggage gets home, where will you put it? Hard-sided bags are the most unforgiving; you can&#;t squeeze them into a storage space. Soft-sided, structured bags have a little forgiveness on the front and back. If you have no place to store a stand-up suitcase, you may want to limit yourself to duffels.
What Size Luggage Do You Need?
This will depend mainly on the length of your trip and, if you&#;re flying, airline luggage restrictions. It also depends on what you&#;ll need while you&#;re away. If you travel for business, you&#;ll need enough room for business attire; for vacations, you&#;ll have more leeway on what to bring.
Carry-On Luggage
Carry-on bags are convenient for air travel because they typically don&#;t have to be checked when you fly. This type of luggage must fit either under a seat or in the overhead compartment. For domestic flights on major carriers, the standard size for carry-on bags is 22x14x9 inches (height x width x depth). Depending on the airline, there may be an inch or so leeway in those dimensions. For international flights (originating or ending outside the U.S.), the size limit is generally smaller than for domestic flights.
Measure the height of your luggage from the floor to the top of the handle in its lowered position. (If your luggage has wheels, they count toward the overall height.) Depth is measured from front to back (including the handle in the back), and width from side to side.
If you fly on different carriers, you&#;ll have to decide whether you want to buy several carry-on bags to conform to the various size restrictions or use one carry-on that meets the most restrictive rules. But even rule-abiding luggage isn&#;t a guarantee that your bags won&#;t be relegated to the plane&#;s cargo hold, because the flight crew can impose further restrictions, even after boarding has begun.
Keep in mind that if you carry spare lithium-ion and lithium metal batteries or power banks and chargers for your electronic devices, federal airline safety rules require you to keep them in your carry-on. Just be sure to place them in their original packaging, or cover their contacts with nonmetallic tape, to prevent short circuits. Check the Federal Aviation Administration&#;s rules for more info.
CR&#;s rigorous tests of popular hard-shell carry-on luggage reveal that a high-priced suitcase might not always be the best choice.
Personal Item Bag
A personal item bag has to fit underneath the seat in front of you on a plane. This category includes briefcases, tote bags, camera bags, laptop bags, and small backpacks. But you can get the most out of your allowed personal item if you buy a bag specifically designed for this purpose.
Often these bags contain compartments for your passport, , pen, and wallet, as well as a padded section for a laptop and a main section for clothes and overnight essentials. Many of these underseat bags can serve you well for a one- to two-day trip. There is no standard size for these bags. For U.S. domestic flights, the typical measurement is 18x14x8 inches; some airlines don&#;t specify dimensions but say the bag must fit under your seat. Small weekender bags fit the bill here, as do some travel backpacks.
Whether a personal item fits under the seat can vary even within the same aircraft. Aisle seats are notorious for having the least room underneath. Before you shop, review the under-the-seat specifications for various airlines. You can also check the aircraft&#;s guidelines for onboard pet carriers&#;a reasonable proxy for underseat clearance.
Checked Luggage
Any suitcase larger than carry-on size must be checked. The most common size options are 24 to 30 inches in height. You can find suitcases as tall as 36 inches, but check with your carrier for size limits. There&#;s usually a weight limit, with extra fees applied for excess weight per bag.
Checked-bag fees are common on major airlines&#; domestic flights. They can run $30 for one bag, $40 for a second, and $150 for a third. (United Airlines, for example, charges $35 and $45 for the first and second bag, respectively, but shaves off $5 per bag if the fees are prepaid.) Budget airlines such as Allegiant, Frontier, and Spirit also charge for carry-ons, with prices ranging from $25 to $100. You may be charged more if you wait to pay at the airport. Southwest is unique in allowing two free checked bags.
What you pay in checked-bag fees also may depend on your class of service. American Airlines, for instance, charges $75 for each bag checked by passengers using Basic Economy fares on many international flights. But it charges nothing for passengers flying the next class up, Main Cabin.
Aside from paying a higher fare, you may be able to avoid bag fees by purchasing your ticket with the airline&#;s branded credit card. Or if you often fly on one airline, see whether it offers an annual subscription plan for checked bags.
Soft-sided luggage continues to dominate the market, but hard-shell is quickly gaining popularity because of newer lightweight materials.
Hard-Shell Luggage
Today&#;s hard-shell, or hard-sided, luggage is often made of high-tech plastics, such as polyethylene, ABS, and polycarbonate, which are lightweight and durable. ABS is lighter, but polycarbonate is more durable. The most durable, but also the heaviest, is aluminum. Hard-shell luggage often features a 50/50-split opening, allowing you to pack two sides equally and stabilize the contents with an X-strap, a middle divider, or both. A few hard-shell carry-ons recently tested by Consumer Reports expand in the middle with zippers and heavy fabric. Note: Because hard-shell bags close like a clamshell, you need double the surface space to open these. Most hard-sides are built this way, but some on the market have a top-lid opening.
Pros: These are best for protecting breakable contents; those with integrated locks also offer better security. Hard-shell luggage stacks easily, making it ideal for cruise ships, because luggage is typically stacked in the belly of the boat before departure. If you tend to overpack, a hard-shell piece will rein you in. There&#;s no chance of overstuffing it&#;though if you need added room, an expandable model is useful.
Cons: These can scuff and scratch easily. Also, few hard-shell suitcases have outside pockets. A hard-shell carry-on that has been expanded might not fit in an airline&#;s carry-on sizer, or in the plane&#;s overhead bin.
Soft-Sided Luggage
Soft-sided luggage is made of fabrics that yield, usually a woven nylon fabric, such as Cordura or ballistic nylon. Ballistic is the shinier of the two and over time can abrade, but abrasions will not compromise the strength of the fabric. Cordura is a little softer and abrasion-resistant, and preferable for an over-the-shoulder bag. If you consider a suitcase made of ripstop nylon, or &#;parachute material,&#; make sure that it is a high-denier fabric, which means it&#;s more durable.
Pros: These suitcases are usually lighter in weight than hard-shell suitcases, and often are expandable. They can flex and compress to conform to tight spaces, such as a plane&#;s overhead bin&#;sometimes even when expanded. This flexibility also enables you to squeeze in an extra outfit. These could also be easier to pack into a car trunk and store at home.
Cons: They&#;re not as protective as hard-shell suitcases, and they&#;re vulnerable to ripping.
Wheeled suitcases make up at least two-thirds of all luggage sales today. If you plan on rolling your own luggage, your first decision is whether to buy a two-wheeler or a four-wheeler.
Two-Wheel Luggage
Suitcases with two wheels, also called rollers, utilize the same type of wheels found on in-line skates&#;they roll only forward and backward, not side to side. The suitcase rolls behind you as you pull it from the extending handle.
Pros: Wheels are recessed, which protects them from snapping off during rough handling. For city trips, two-wheelers are better than four-wheelers for clearing curbs and rolling on uneven surfaces, such as sidewalks or cobblestones.
Cons: Some travelers complain that the dragging position causes shoulder, wrist, or back pain. Also, it can be cumbersome to drag a two-wheeler in a crowded space because you need clearance between yourself and the bag. Plus, the recessed wheels take up valuable space in the bag&#;s interior packing area.
Four-Wheel Luggage
Also called spinners, four-wheeled bags have wheels that each swivel 360 degrees. You can push them, pull them, wheel them alongside yourself, and turn them in any direction.
Pros: Spinners are easier to navigate in tight spaces. A heavy or large suitcase may also be easier to manage with four wheels because, unlike two-wheelers, you don&#;t have to drag the suitcase. Ergonomically, the spinner is a better choice than the roller because it does not put stress on your shoulder.
Cons: Wheels are externally mounted, not recessed, so they are vulnerable to snapping off. (Wheels attached with screws are more secure than those with rivets, according to experts.) Carry-ons with spinner wheels may have less room inside than those with recessed wheels because the maximum allowable dimensions include the wheels. A spinner won&#;t remain stationary on an incline; you have to hold on to it or lay it on its side.
No-Wheel Luggage
You might want to forgo wheels under these circumstances:
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&#; To ensure the maximum possible interior volume for your luggage. Wheels and handles eat into the space of a bag.
&#; You expect to take your bag on bumpy, rough, sandy, or icy surfaces, where wheels are difficult to manage.
&#; You won&#;t have to ever handle your own luggage&#;for instance, on a luxury tour.
If you shop at a walk-in store, use the following tips to make sure a piece of luggage is right for you. If you order online, carefully read the description and warranty information on the website, and as soon as you receive the item, run it through these same tests.
Break Out the Tape Measure
Ignore tags, labels, or promotions that proclaim &#;official carry-on luggage.&#; Although for domestic flights on major carriers, your carry-on can&#;t be larger than 22x14x9 inches, there&#;s no regulation that otherwise dictates carry-on size&#;airlines impose their own restrictions, and the limits can vary among airlines and even among aircraft. Know the rules of the airlines you plan to fly. Measure the dimensions yourself and make sure the measurements account for all parts, including outer pouches, wheels, and handles.
Hold That Handle
Check the wrist angle and the feel of the grip on the suitcase&#;s handle. For maximum durability, the handle should have little to no wiggling or rattling as you pull the bag. Also, check for smooth movement as you pull it up and retract it.
Wheel It Around
The suitcase&#;s wheels should roll smoothly and stay in place. Gently jiggle the wheels with your hands to make sure they are firmly attached.
Check the Interior Capacity
The outside measurements of the suitcase are important, but don&#;t forget to consider how roomy the inside is. This can be difficult to do because many manufacturers don&#;t disclose the suitcase&#;s interior volume. (Consumer Reports does, in our hard-shell carry-on ratings.) Look for these features that maximize interior space.
&#; Squared edges: Curved corners cut space.
&#; Integrated outer compartments: Outside zip compartments should be on the same geometric plane as the main part of the bag&#;protrusions waste space. Keep in mind, though, that stuffed outer compartments may mean less space inside the bag.
&#; No wheels or handles: If you really need to make the most of every interior inch, forgo wheels and handles. They reduce total packable space.
Check the Warranty and Return Policy
If you want a bag for the long haul, get the one with the best manufacturer&#;s warranty. A lifetime warranty to repair or replace the bag is, of course, the best option. Check the warranty for specific requirements, such as exclusions for when an airline damages your suitcase. Briggs & Riley, for example, has a generous guarantee. It&#;ll repair all functional (not cosmetic) aspects of its bags for each bag&#;s lifetime, even if you no longer have your receipt and didn&#;t register your luggage with the company. Away, with a limited lifetime warranty (there are exclusions), lets you "gently test" its bags for up to 100 days, and then return them, unused, for your money back.
With summer already here, we know that many of you will be taking trips these next few months. Here are some things to consider when you are shopping for a new piece of luggage for your next trip.
Whether you are looking for a high end piece of luggage that you will use often for years or a low to mid-price range piece of luggage that you will use just a few times a year, you need to be sure that it contains a good quality zipper.
If you travel a lot, your luggage will take a beating when it goes through any airport. A zipper will often break due to abrasion. The thread, which sews the zipper&#;s teeth onto the tape, will break down when luggage is thrown around a lot on a conveyor belt or on an airplane.
Here are several articles which mention the fact that durable luggage must contain quality zippers.
The article, &#;How to Make Your Luggage Last,&#; by Beth Braverman, found on consumerreports.org mentions that when buying a piece of luggage you need to look for a piece with a metal chain zipper, ideally by YKK brand, with two sets of interlocking teeth.
How to Make Your Luggage Last
The process starts with choosing the right kind of luggage, but then you have to maintain it properly. Consumer Reports offers some tips on how to make luggage last.
The article, &#;What to pack it in: Choosing a Bag&#; found on onebag.com, agrees that durable luggage contains quality zippers. It says, &#;The most failure-prone components of a bag are its zippers (replacing broken zippers is by far the most common task at luggage repair facilities.&#;
&#;Zippers may be unbiquitous, but they&#;re far from simple, comprised of individual parts. Without question, the best ones (both chain and coil styles) are manufactured by the privately-held YKK Group.&#;
https://www.onebag.com/bags.html
The Best Luggage Buying Guide &#; Consumer Reports found on www.consumerreports.org/cro/luggage/buying-guide says,&#;A lot can go wrong with a zipper. If it breaks while you are traveling you might have to toss out the bag&#; A YKK zipper is widely believed in the industry to be the most reliable zipper on the market.&#;
Luggage Buying Guide
Shopping for luggage? Read about types, features, and other must-know topics in our luggage buying guide to make an informed choice.
&#;The Best Luggage Zippers&#; found on bforbag.com/luggage-zippers says, &#;Luggage zippers tend to be the weakest link where luggage is concerned, as every luggage repair shop around the globe can verify. Moreover, when the suitcase zipper breaks you usually cannot use your luggage, not until you have the zipper replaced or repaired.&#;
&#;Most luggage experts consider YKK zippers to be the best luggage zippers available. The Japanese company Yoshida manufactures YKK zippers and you will recognize them when you see them as it says YKK on the zippers pull (just check your trouser zip, there is a good chance it reads YKK.&#;
Best Luggage Zippers
Luggage zippers tend to be the weakest link where luggage is concerned, as every luggage repair shop around the globe can verify. Moreover, when the suitcase zipper breaks you usually cannot use your luggage, not until you have the zipper replaced or repaired.
The article, &#;Choosing Luggage by Its Zipper,&#; found on usaflightinsurance.com states, &#;To reduce the cost of luggage, many manufacturers are choosing cheaper parts for their bags. The YKK brand of zippers are the most reliable, so look for their logo on the zipper when choosing your next bag.&#;
The article, &#;How To Choose Luggage You Will Love&#; on bottomlineinc.com also concurs that durable luggage contains quality zippers. It states, &#;The zipper is the part of luggage most likely to fail, so zipper quality is crucial. Choose bags that have two sliders on their main zipper &#; these can remain usuable even when one slider breaks. Also, look for the letters &#;YKK&#; on zipper pulls. YKK Group is the world&#;s leading zipper maker. A luggage maker that uses non-YKK zippers often is doing so to save money and there&#;s a good chance that its zippers are of low quality.
How to Choose Luggage You Will Love | Bottom Line Inc
A poorly constructed or poorly selected piece of luggage can take the fun out of traveling. A bad bag can be difficult to maneuver and even can break, leading to unnecessary hassles and costs. Six things to consider when shopping for luggage&#; * Material.
Finally, TOM BIHN&#;s website tombihn.com mentions that YKK&#;s #10 Aquaguard® coil zipper is used in the main compartment of their Aeronaut 45 luggage.
&#;We use #10 YKK Coil Aquaguard® water-repellent zippers so you needn&#;t worry so much about bad weather impacting your gear.&#;
Aeronaut 45
Lifetime Guarantee You can expect your TOM BIHN bag to give you years of hard service. Our bags are guaranteed to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for the life of the bag. That means if something goes wrong and it&#;s our fault, we&#;ll fix it at no charge.
For more PC Luggage Supplierinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
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