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When preparing to buy your new luggage set, there are a few key questions worth considering before sealing the purchase.
How frequently do you travel?
If your luggage set stays packed away minus a yearly vacation or short trip, you may not need to invest in a top-of-the-line, high-priced 5-piece luggage set. All luggage eventually experiences aging and wear and tear, but the process slows down considerably if it is rarely used. Jet setters, who enjoy flying around the world, however, and frequent business travelers, may find their luggage takes a lot of abuse within a very short amount of time. Plan accordingly, and select quality fabrics designed to last. For most people needing luggage for an occasional trip, purchase a high denier soft-shell set with an internal frame and wheels, or look into purchasing some hard-sided luggage, particularly if you transport delicate items.
Who travels with you?
The number of pieces you purchase in a luggage set may vary, depending on whom you typically travel with. If you tend to travel alone, a 2-piece luggage set, which usually includes some sort of tote and a carry-on or upright, offers the perfect solution for easy maneuvering through the airport. If you travel frequently with a large family, you need to either increase the number or sizes of your luggage pieces – if you have people who prefer packing individually, a 5-piece collection offers a logical choice, with a pair of hands for every bag. For children, a whimsical luggage set featuring a fun character or design makes a great gift, and gives them a sense of pride and responsibility for their very own piece of luggage.
How long do your trips last?
General luggage set guidelines for one person:
1-3 days: A 2-piece luggage set including a tote and carry-on sized bag (22’x14’x9”, or 45” maximum linear length, is a safe size for most airlines.)
3-5 days: A carry-on sized bag and a 22”-24” upright
5-7 days: A carry-on sized bag and a 24”-26” upright
7-14 days: A carry-on sized bag and a 26”-28” upright
14 days or longer: A carry-on sized bag and a 30” upright
Families or multiple travelers have the option of either purchasing luggage sets with multiple pieces, or sharing a larger bag or two. 28”-30” bags along with carry-ons prove great choices for large families who like to combine their personal items for convenience. Keep in mind that sharing a 30” bag within a large family provides an excellent solution for a 5-day or so trip, but you’ll need to supplement it with other pieces if staying longer.
Know your packing style
Some travelers employ an “everything but the kitchen sink” model of packing their luggage sets, while others survive for weeks at a time with what they fit into a carry-on. Odds say that you fit somewhere between the two extremes, but bear in mind some guidelines before making a selection. If you tend to over pack, consider the issue of expandability – a suitcase’s ability to grow with the amount of extra stuff you squeeze into it. Soft-sided, luggage sets frequently appeal to heavy packers because they provide up to several inches of extra room in a pinch. Semi-soft sided luggage sets offer some expandability, while hard-sided luggage offers none at all, so shy away from these types of luggage if light travel isn’t your forte. Your best bet on in this area might be the very popular semi-soft sets with and extra few inches of room you gain by unzipping a specific expansion area. Most makers note these luggage sets by inserting the word expandable in their title.
If you tend to go the way of the heavy packer, take note that several airlines charge extra for luggage over a certain weight limit. <Luggage guidelines differ by airline>, so research whoever you are flying with before packing up and heading to the airport. Similarly, some airlines permit larger carry-ons than others, so take preventative measures and read up before you go.
For those who survive effortlessly on few belongings, take this knowledge into consideration while purchasing your luggage set, and select a size appropriate for your needs. Exercise caution in selecting a smaller set, however – plenty of leftover room may be an annoyance, but not enough room will certainly present issues, and don’t forget room or an extra bag for everything souvenirs and other items you purchase while on your trip.
Standout Luggage
A well-matched luggage set allows a traveler to move confidently and comfortably through any situation, including airports, parking lots, hotels, and numerous other travel destinations. A luggage set also makes a statement about you as a traveler, whether you move with the simplicity of a lone backpack or the sophistication of a 5-piece jacquard-patterned luggage set. Do you prefer the unexpected shapes and patterns of brightly colored hard-sided luggage, or do you find yourself drawn to the graceful lines of top designers? Do you value durability and simplicity over embellishments, or is stylish appearance of top-level importance? Style and design as well as amenities deserve consideration before purchase. Whether your bag is too big, the wrong shape, or a color you loathe, a busy airport is not the place to tack on extra discomfort. Regardless of what happens between the parking lot and boarding your flight, satisfaction with your luggage stands as one thing you should not worry about. Brush off your impulse to make a hasty decision, take your time perusing a luggage set that feels exactly right for you while paying a fair or even discounted price.
Personal style also offers more practical benefits. In a sea of standard black luggage, it’s easy to lose a sense of individuality (or worse, your luggage mistaken for someone else’s.) Unique luggage brings fun back into traveling, and serves the more practical purpose of standing out in a crowd. Avoid the danger of losing your bag to a fellow traveler, and the stress of examining black suitcase after black suitcase at the luggage carousel.
With more styles, colors, and designs than ever before, travelers can easily find a piece that clicks with their personal style and transportation needs. A luggage set quickly becomes an intimate item and should enhance your comfort on a trip, both aesthetically and in terms of conveniences. When you feel good about your luggage, packing and moving is a breeze, and your vacation starts on a positive note before you set foot outside the door! |
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