A Quick Guide to Buying Luggage

If you're thinking about buying new luggage, then there are a few things that you should take into consideration. The range of luggage and travel bags available today is massive, and making an informed decision is no easy chore. This article gives a quick overview of some of the different types of luggage that can be bought and then talks about how you can recognize a bag that's made with high-quality material.

Types of Luggage Available: The sheer amount of different models of luggage available to buy is well beyond the scope of this article to describe. There are, however, some key types of bag that offer features over and above the typical single-compartment "wheelie" suitcase. First off, convertible bags are widely manufactured. These bags can be carried or rolled along but also double-up as a backpack, which can be especially useful if you're moving over bumpy terrain. If you think that this option might be for you then it's important to make sure you buy a bag where the waist-belt and shoulder harnesses can be folded and zipped away (this avoids any future nightmares at airports) and also removed when they are not needed for certain trips.

Another option to consider is a bag that includes a detachable daypack. These are especially good for trips where you don't want to be bothered with organizing certain things into a separate rucksack as soon as you arrive at your destination. Osprey Packs, for example, manufacture a range of convertible wheeled bags that have a detachable built-in daypack. You simple unlock a few straps and you're away.

Other factors to consider are weight and size. The capacity of a bag is measured in liters and you can buy anything from 10L to 100L bags and above. If you're only going to be making quick business or weekend trips then there are lots of bags that are not only ultra-lightweight but also include some fantastic organization features. If you want a removable clothes organizer, toiletries and wash-bag etc. then it will be worth researching some luggage designed specifically for short trips.

Finally, if you're not bothered about swanky features and tonnes of pockets for organization then consider a simple "gear-haul" bag. These bags are made to be extra-durable for long and often rough periods of travel and also maximize on space by having stripped-down organizational features. Make sure to look for padded interiors to protect your contents and external straps that can be tightened for extra compactness.

Type of Material: there are, generally, two types of luggage-bags: soft-sided and hard-sided. Soft-sided bags will usually be made out of polyester, nylon or thickly-woven cotton. Out of the three, nylon is the most durable and least prone to tears and scuffing. Leather suitcases can also be bought but tend to be very pricey and require a lot of care. Hard-sided suitcases will usually be made out of either polypropylene or ABC plastic. ABC plastic is the smarter-looking of the two and can be finished to a nice shine although polypropylene is stronger and less prone to cracks, scratches and dents.

Quality of Fabric: the measurement for fabric-strength is denier. In practical terms, 600 denier is the minimum strength of fabric that you should accept when buying a bag as anything else will be of poor quality. With a lot of light-weight bags, however, the denier may be much lower than this. In these cases, focus on the quality of the brand and the actual material used.

Costway US $683.00 4 Pieces Outdoor Patio Rattan Furniture Set with Cushioned Loveseat and Storage Box-Turquoise Costway US $259.00 3 pcs Outdoor Patio Table Chairs Set Acacia Wood Loveseat-Red Costway US $244.00 Outdoor Gliding Loveseat Chair with Tempered Glass Coffee Table-2 Pieces Costway US $323.00 Modern Loveseat Sofa with 2 Bolsters and Side Storage Pocket-Gray Costway US $683.00 4 Pieces Outdoor Patio Rattan Furniture Set with Cushioned Loveseat and Storage Box-Brown Costway US $236.00 2 Pieces Patio Loveseat Bench Table Furniture Set with Cushioned Chair-Beige Costway US $348.00 Modern Fabric Loveseat Sofa for with Metal Legs and Armrest Pillows-Army Green Costway US $458.00 4 Pieces Patio Rattan Furniture Set with Glass Table and Loveseat-Gray Costway US $314.00 Modern Loveseat Sofa Upholstered Dutch Velvet Sofa Couch-Green Costway US $185.00 Outdoor Porch Steel Hanging 2-Seat Swing Loveseat with Canopy-Turquoise