Whether you’re flying down to Rio, on the midnight shuttle to Georgia, or cruising to Margaritaville, your luggage should serve you well. It should be simple to pack and roll. It must survive the rigours of curbs, stairs, falls, and baggage-handling crushes. And, ideally, the price should leave you with enough budget to buy a ticket to ride.

When you combine all of these factors with the many styles, sizes, and prices available, finding the right suitcase can be challenging, even among the finest luggage brands. To make an informed decision, take the following considerations into account.

Weight

Add ease and convenience to your travels with a premium light weight suitcase. Lightweight suitcases are designed to be as light as possible when empty. This makes it easier to navigate, lowers the danger of damage, and may save you money on baggage fees. Light weight suitcases can be made from a variety of materials, including polyester, nylon, polypropylene, and ABS. Each material has advantages and disadvantages, therefore it’s critical to choose the best one for your requirements.

Polyester and nylon are the lightest materials available, however, they are less durable than polypropylene, and ABS. Polypropylene is the most durable material, but it also weighs the most. ABS provides a good balance of weight and durability.

In addition to the material, the three primary varieties of lightweight luggage are soft-sided, hard-sided, and hybrid. Soft-sided luggage is made of a flexible material, such as polyester or nylon. It is the lightest type of baggage available, but it also has the lowest durability.

Hard-sided luggage is comprised of tough materials like polypropylene or ABS. It is more durable than soft-sided baggage, but it weighs more. Hybrid luggage, on the other hand, combines the features of both soft-sided and hard-sided luggage. It is constructed from a flexible material reinforced with a rigid shell. This makes it more durable than soft-sided baggage, but it remains lighter than hard-sided one.

Nowadays there is a limitless number of brands that offer good lightweight suitcases. For instance, every light weight suitcase made from Samsonite is a high-quality one. Their luggage is stylish and durable, and it comes in a wide range of sizes and styles to fit your needs.

Types

Carry-on baggage is convenient for flight travel because they are often not checked. This type of luggage must fit behind a seat or in the overhead compartment. The typical size for carry-on luggage on domestic flights with major airlines is 22x14x9 inches (height x breadth x depth). Depending on the airline, there may be an inch or two of leeway in those dimensions.

A personal item bag must fit underneath the seat in front of you on an aeroplane. This category comprises briefcases, tote bags, camera bags, laptop bags, and tiny backpacks. However, if you purchase a bag specifically made for this purpose, you will be able to make the most of your allowed personal items.

Any suitcase larger than a carry-on must be checked. The most popular sizes range from 24 to 30 inches in height. Suitcases can be as tall as 36 inches but check with your carrier to see what size constraints apply. There is normally a weight limit, with additional fees charged for excess weight per bag.

Anatomy

In terms of anatomy, soft-sided luggage continues to dominate the market, but hard-shell is quickly gaining popularity because of newer lightweight materials. Today’s hard-shell or hard-sided luggage is frequently composed of high-tech plastics such as polythene, ABS, and polycarbonate, which are both lightweight and durable. ABS is lighter, while polycarbonate is stronger. However, aluminium is the most durable and the heaviest. Hard-shell luggage frequently has a 50/50 split opening, which allows you to stuff both sides equally and secure the contents with an X-strap, a centre divider, or both.

Soft-sided luggage is typically made of woven nylon textiles like Cordura or ballistic nylon. Ballistic is the shinier of the two and can abrade over time, but abrasions will not reduce the fabric’s strength. Cordura is slightly softer and more abrasion-resistant, making it ideal for an over-the-shoulder bag.

Features

Wheeled bags account for at least two-thirds of total luggage sales today. If you intend to transport your luggage, your first choice is whether to purchase a two-wheeler or a four-wheeler.

Suitcases with two wheels, often known as rollers, use the same type of wheels seen on in-line skates—they only roll forward and backward, not side to side. The suitcase rolls behind you as you pull on the extended handle.

Four-wheeled suitcases, sometimes known as spinners, feature wheels that turn 360 degrees. You can push, pull, wheel them along with you, and turn them in any way.

Those who want to ensure the maximum possible interior volume for their luggage might consider the no-wheel option. It’s also the ideal choice for those who plan to take their bag on bumpy, rough, sandy, or icy surfaces, where wheels are difficult to manage.