subject: Luggage Reviews: 4 Features of Quality Luggage [print this page] Luggage Reviews: 4 Features of Quality Luggage
With the arrival of winter, many of us have only one thing on our minds: vacation! We'll be jetting off to warmer places to get away from the cold, and that means finding good luggage that will transport our possessions safely to and from our destination.
Luggage prices vary considerably, and generally quality is reflected by the product price. In general, the better quality, the more you'll have to pay. One should never judge the quality of a piece of luggage entirely on price. In some cases prices can certainly be deceiving (especially if the price is more about the brand and not the actual quality). After combing through many luggage reviews and ratings, good luggage relies on these four key qualities:
1. Mobility. Nobody wants to fight with a suitcase that is unwieldy and stubborn. Good luggage should be able to move as you want it to, so you can travel through the airport, hotel, or wherever else you are with minimal exertion of your muscles. Quality wheels make a suitcase mobile, you want the wheels to be able to swivel and rotate easily in all directions.
2. Handles. The handle should be able to pull out far enough so you don't have to lean over while you hold it, be strong enough so it doesn't break with repeated usage, and be ergonomically designed so you can get a good grip without it being uncomfortable. Since everyone's hand is different, make sure to hold onto the handle and see if it's suited to you while shopping. You may prefer a chunkier handle that's smooth, or something sleeker with finger indentations.
3. Weight. With weight restrictions in effect on most major airlines, you can only afford to put so much in your suitcase, which on its own, should be light enough that it doesn't add too much extra weight. Wouldn't you rather replace some of the weight of your suitcase with an extra outfit or pair shoes? Good luggage should be light yet sturdy - that's all there is to it!
4. Durability. Luggage must be able to withstand the abuse we put it through. A suitcase is going to get squashed in cargo, thrown around while loading or unloading the plane, and dropped quite often. The structure of a suitcase should be designed to endure all of this abuse and protect the stuff you put in it. Many things contribute to durability, including padding, the rigidity of the frame and the quality of materials.
Reading luggage reviews will tell you if a piece of luggage has the quality and features you are looking for or not. Check out some luggage reviews & ratings and consider these four features before you buy!
