What to look for when buying a suitcase?
Updated: LW Lena WernerA WINGS brand expert in travel luggage, specializing in selecting suitcases, accessories, and practical solutions for travelers. She combines industry knowledge with a practical approach to travelers’ needs, focusing on durability, functionality, and comfort of use.Share
What to Pay Attention to When Buying a Suitcase?
Whether we are going on a two-week vacation or a short weekend trip, we will need to bring travel luggage with us. The most convenient way is to pack in a suitcase, especially since today you can count on a really wide selection. In suitcase stores, you will find large and small suitcases, hard and soft, in various patterns and colors. But what should you definitely pay attention to when buying a new travel suitcase for yourself?
Suitcase Size and Material
The first issue to consider before buying a suitcase is to determine what size you actually need. The size of the suitcase should be adjusted to the length of the trip and the regulations of individual airlines regarding luggage. Each airline has its own guidelines for both carry-on and checked baggage. If you are planning only a short weekend getaway, you don’t need to bring much luggage. A small cabin suitcase will be the ideal choice. However, if you are planning a 1- or 2-week vacation, it’s worth choosing a large suitcase that can fit all the necessary items.
The material from which the suitcase is made is very important. The basic criterion is the division into soft and hard suitcases. The material affects how well the contents you carry are protected and how flexible the suitcase will be. This also relates to, among other things, how easy it is to place it in the overhead compartment on a plane. Some materials also get dirty more easily or are harder to clean. You should always analyze the pros and cons of each available material.
This point also includes the weight of the suitcase, as well as elements such as the number of wheels and the handles available on the suitcase. A lighter suitcase makes it easier to carry, and weight also matters for airline baggage requirements. It’s also worth looking at the wheels, considering whether a suitcase with two or four wheels is better, checking if they are made of rubber or plastic, and whether they rotate 360 degrees. The suitcase must be easy to maneuver and smoothly roll.
All the handles the suitcase has are also important. The handle used to pull the wheeled luggage must extend smoothly and be adjusted to our height. In addition, the suitcase should have a handle that makes it easier to carry, for example, up stairs. It must be properly attached and made of good material so it doesn’t suddenly break off.
Lock and Interior Organization
Just as we don’t want the handle to fall off, it’s also better if the lock doesn’t suddenly break, exposing the entire contents of the suitcase. That’s why it’s good when it’s made of metal and opens and closes smoothly. Just in case, a luggage strap and a combination lock will also be useful, making it harder to get inside our suitcase.
The interior is also important. Although it’s not a top priority, it significantly facilitates packing. It’s good when the interior is not just one big compartment but has several dividers and pockets. Inside, there should also be securing elements, such as closing straps that prevent the contents from shifting too much.
Finally – Appearance
Although it’s not the most important matter, when buying a suitcase, it’s hard not to notice its design. Today’s times offer such a variety of suitcase patterns and colors that there is no obstacle to choosing one that we find the most beautiful and aesthetically pleasing. Moreover, an interesting look of our luggage can also have a practical use. When we choose a really unusual and bright color, it will be much easier to find our suitcase among many others at the airport. Besides, if friends are traveling with us or picking us up from the airport, they will certainly spot us faster in the crowd thanks to a distinctive feature.
