Having the right luggage can make traveling a lot simpler. No two travelers will have similar needs as far as luggage is concerned. Finally, while choosing the right luggage you must consider a few things. Some of these are personal preferences, how many times in a year you travel, and your budget. If you want to shop for a new luggage bag that will let you enjoy your trip, we are providing you some of the best tips to choose the right luggage size.
Important Tips to Choose the Right Luggage Size
Consider your choices
As you start looking for a luggage bag for your next trip, you might get overwhelmed by the various options available to you. There are varieties of luggage bags available, ranging from backpacks and duffel bags to traditional bags and everything else in between.
Usually, among all the choices, backpacks are regarded as the best option for short trips where you do not need to pack too much. Due to their small size, they cannot accommodate too much luggage, but they serve as a great carry-on. If you go for short trips often, like weekend gateways or day trips, having a quality backpack is one of the best ways to avoid checking any bags, therefore allowing you to reach your destination faster.
On the contrary, some people who travel more often or go for long trips probably avoid backpacks because of their small size. If you require more storage space, a traditional suitcase is a better choice for you. A suitcase will have more compartments where you can store different items separately. Also, some suitcases come with accessories like luggage wheels and telescoping handles which make getting to reach the airport easier. With a duffel bag or backpack, you must either pull your belongings on your back or carry them around, which can make you tired.
Consider the most Common Types of Luggage
One of the important tips to choose the right luggage size is to consider the type of luggage you are carrying. Travel luggage comes in a variety of sizes and shapes, from rolling suitcases to backpacks. Below are three of the most common kinds of suitcases.
- Rolling suitcases- Traditional luggage, which has wheels for easy transport, comes in two models: soft side and hard side. Hard side bags are manufactured with materials like polycarbonate and polypropylene. The soft bag can be made of fabrics like leather, microfiber, PVC, polyester, and nylon. Some of the soft bags available are expandable and can accommodate about 25 percent more if you require more space.
- Backpacks- Backpacks come in various sizes, both with and without any extra frames. They are regarded as a great option for those who go camping, hiking, or any other outdoor activities. Some backpacks include wheels, whereas others do not. Even large luggage pieces can become backpacks if they come with padded back straps. These bags can be of great use but ensure to tape down any wayward straps to avoid them from getting entangled in the baggage carousel.
- Duffel bags- When we hear duffel bag, the thing that strikes our mind is a bag which we carry to the gym. Most of the modern duffels come with accessories like retractable handles and wheels. These are often sold as “travel duffels.” While a medium-sized or small duffel bag will fit properly in the overhead compartment, it may strain your shoulder or arm if you are going to carry it for a long distance. For extensive travel, always choose a bag or trolley that has back straps or wheels.
Size and maneuverability
Another one in the list of tips to choose the right luggage size is the size and maneuverability of the bag. While buying a luggage bag, considering the size of the bag plays a vital role. A small bag is going to be easier to carry, but will a small bag have enough space for accommodating all your travel essentials? Again, this is the point where thinking about the duration of your trip and the items you usually carry, can help you to determine which size is best for you.
If you are shopping for a luggage bag specifically meant for carry-on, be cautious that each airline has its specifications on size dimensions for carry-ons. The most common one is around 22” x 14” x 9”, so try to buy bags that are of this size or smaller than this. Or else, you will be asked to pay extra fees for that.
While shopping for any type of luggage, consider how easy it will be to move around tight spaces. This is where having a bag with free-spinning wheels and a telescoping handle can be helpful. While thinking about the dimension, you may also want to consider where you will store your bag when not in use. If you are planning to buy a luggage set, many of these pieces are designed to nestle inside the largest back when not in use, which can save enough space. This is more of concern especially for those who have limited storage or closet space in your home.
Soft or hard material
The material you choose for your luggage is also important, usually, soft luggage will be less costly, but it will be less durable. Soft-sided luggage is usually suitable for carry-ons. Most often, airline workers do not handle checked baggage gently, so if you check a soft-sided bag, you could run the risk of it being damaged.
On the contrary, soft-sided luggage can come in handy as a carry-on as the softer material can make it simpler to fit your bag inside an overhead bin without too much difficulty. Based on the size of your carry-on, you might even have enough space to store it under the seat.
For luggage that you plan on checking, it is a great idea to have a hard-sided material for better durability. These harder materials are easier to clean too.
Look for bags that have convenient features
Nowadays, luggage bags are designed by keeping the traveler in mind, and there are all types of unique features and components you can find if you look around. For instance, some luggage bag brands will have waterproof pouches included, which are useful for storing toiletries that you do not want to risk leaking on your clothes. These compartments are great for storing wet bathing suits after you come from a beach trip or enjoy swimming in the hotel’s swimming pool.
These days, some luggage bag is referred to as a smart luggage bag. This comes with an in-built battery pack that can be used for charging your devices while traveling. This is great for those who are tired of finding an electrical outlet to charge their tablets, phones, or other devices at the airport. However, you must make sure that your battery pack is fully charged before you start traveling. But before you purchase smart luggage ensure you are up to date on the basic guidelines related to traveling with electronics.
These are seemingly some of the important tips to choose the right luggage size. Ultimately, it is about finding pieces that will work for your unique requirements and travel preferences. Luckily, there are plenty of options available. No matter what kind of luggage bag you are searching for, you will get a variety of bags online too.