5 tips: when shopping for luggage

Luggage Pockets:
Multiple pockets are great.  But make sure if you choose luggage with multiple pockets that it also has expandable gussets. This way you won’t break your zippers. You want to pick luggage with at least 2 interior mesh pockets. The exterior of your luggage should have two lined water resistant pockets with self healing zippers. This is just the minimum. It may also surprise you that here is such a thing as too many pockets. Beware of “over feature” in luggage. Some times too many pockets, especially in carry on luggage, can result in “not enough room for your stuff” and painful delays at security check points. We found excess pockets to be great however if you take multiple medications, particularly if some are wet and some are dry. More

Luggage Wheels:
If you choose wheeled luggage or rolling luggage make sure you buy inline skate, ball bearing wheels. It is worth the extra money. The wheel itself is polyurethane or abrasion-resistant nylon. But the axle and the ball bearing that allows the wheel to turn on the axle should be made of steal. This allows the luggage to with stand some abuse and heavy loads. Getting wheeled luggage or rolling luggage with a rugged set of wheels is worth the extra time and research.

Luggage Zippers:
Make sure the zippers on your luggage are "coil" zippers, sometimes referred to as self healing zippers. Luggage zippers which are made from tiny, interlocking coils woven into the zipper tape are sure to with stand over packing an aggressive bag handling. If a self healing luggage zipper crimps simply pull the zipper slider back and forth and the coils straighten themselves out. More

Luggage Handles:
Handles on wheeled luggage should be made of to sliding metal bars and a comfortable grip.  Your wheeled luggage handles should be locking to avoid damage when the luggage is checked. Many luggage manufactures are making luggage handles that swivel to compensate for your body’s movement. Remember that you should push you luggage as much as you pull it. In truth pushing your luggage is better for you back than pulling. More

People with arthritis should consider the TravelTow rotating luggage handle: it adds 360o swivel rotation to your luggage handle. This gives you a more ergonomic grip and minimizes the effect of sudden movements.

Luggage Shape and Size:
Different luggage is good for different things. When you select luggage consider carefully what kind of travel you will be doing. Is this luggage going on a cruise or being packed in a station wagon? There are lots of beautiful, unusually shaped luggage pieces on the market but remember a square piece of luggage is going to pack into a car much better. I personally do not recommend luggage over 29 inches. (carry on luggage size restrictions and carry on luggage weight restrictions) Luggage becomes an ergonomic hazard when it gets bigger than that. Also consider how much can you realistically lift and tow around an airport. More