Unfortunately, people often put off thinking about luggage until after they’ve already booked their flight.
And they often look at what they have packed at home to use as luggage during their trip.
However, choosing the right luggage is essential to the success of your trip.
However, with so many styles to choose from, deciding which one is right for you can be a challenge.
Using my experience from over 200 trips and considering features like wheels, laptop compartments, and carry-on luggage, I’m going to give you some tips to help you choose the best option.
First, we need to know what types of luggage, bags, and packs there are.
There are basically three main categories of luggage: wheeled luggage, travel bags, and travel backpacks.
When deciding which one is right for you, it can be helpful to think about things like where you’re going, how you’re going to get there, and what you plan to do when you get there.
Wheeled luggage
Backpacks with wheels:
Popular among adventure travelers and travelers with computers, photography equipment, etc.
These backpacks combine the mobility of a backpack with the practicality of a suitcase with wheels.
This makes it easier to carry the backpack when climbing stairs and/or on uneven terrain.
Backpacks with wheels are usually smaller, between 30 and 40 liters and are considered carry-on luggage.
See travel backpacks on Amazon.
The obvious advantage of wheeled luggage is that it’s easy to transport around the airport and on the streets, as long as there are smooth, clear sidewalks.
There are three types of luggage: suitcases with wheels, bags with wheels, and backpacks with wheels.
A chart showing the best uses for wheeled luggage
Wheeled suitcase:
Designed for traditional travelers, wheeled luggage is what you see most people pulling behind them at an airport.
They come in a variety of sizes and typically feature sturdy construction made to handle the rigors of luggage transportation systems. They’re generally best for business trips, family visits, road trips, and trips to urban areas.
Buy Wheeled Luggage
A chart showing the best uses for wheeled backpacks
Wheeled Duffel Bag:
Nothing holds more gear than a duffel, and a wheeled one is a good choice for travelers who need to carry a lot of gear.
I use a 100-liter waterproof bag for my climbing gear, which I lost on my trip to New Zealand.
Especially for equipment that is not standard in size, shape and weight.
A bag with wheels is a great help when moving this gear.
Travel bags
Travel bags range from basic ones that you throw over your shoulder to ones with wheels and/or extendable straps.
The main advantage of this model over other options is its simple design.
They are easy to use and usually have a large space to store your gear and clothes.
The downside is that since they don’t have compartments, it’s harder to organize, but nothing that some waterproof bags can’t fix.
The bags I use are from Sea to Summit.
They come in a variety of sizes, from compact ones with a capacity of 20 to 30 liters, to huge ones with a capacity of 100 liters or more for adventures that require tons of gear.
Traditional bags don’t have wheels, because for adventures in remote places with potholed and unpaved roads, wheels are more trouble than they’re worth and add several pounds to the total weight of the bag.
Traditional bags are not only lighter, but also more flexible, made of special materials such as waterproof, and therefore easy to put in the back of a car, on a roof rack or strapped to a pack animal.
Because they are flexible, they are also easier to store and weigh less.
They are a great option for climbers, adventure travelers and people who need to carry a lot of gear.
Travel backpack.
These travel-friendly backpacks excel where wheeled luggage can’t: on gravel, cobblestone streets, stairs, and other uneven terrain.
Backpacks can vary greatly in terms of how you wear them and the support they provide, their construction, and travel-specific features like organization pockets, hidden hipbelts and shoulder straps, and built-in security features like lockable zippers.
They’re ideal for travelers who want to be mobile and are comfortable carrying everything on their backs.
I’m a backpack lover and prefer to travel with them because they give me so much mobility.
My companion for the past few years has been the Thule guidepost 88L with the removable headrest that converts it into a daypack.
But for my carry-on, I use the Deuter Mountain air 32L.
How to Determine the Right Size Luggage, Backpack or Bag
First of all, it’s important to know what to pack for your trip.
Many people buy a large suitcase and try to fit everything in it.
The right size for your luggage, suitcase or backpack depends on factors such as the length of your trip, the type of trip, and your packing habits.
Buying a bag that’s bigger than you need may seem like a good idea, but I don’t recommend it because you’ll be tempted to fill up any extra space you have.
See How to Pack a Suitcase Like an Expert.
Here are some things to consider when determining what size luggage to buy:
Consider the length of your trip, the type of transportation, your type of traveler, and the type of trip you’re taking.
I’ll give you an idea of how much luggage capacity you need to carry depending on the type of trip, so you can get an idea.
Here are some rough guidelines to give you an idea of the sizes of luggage and backpacks (by volume in liters) and how much they can hold:
I’ve listed them in liters because luggage dimensions vary a lot, but the important thing is the volume it has.
Volume:
30-50 liters: Typically, luggage with a capacity of around 50 liters or less is sufficient for a weekend trip.
50-75 liters: For a trip lasting one to two weeks, many people opt for a bag in this range.
75 liters to over 100 liters: For long-haul trips or expeditions that require a lot of equipment.
Note that the larger the bag, the more likely it is to carry more things, but also be aware of the limitations of the means of transport.
To find out the volume of your suitcase, multiply the height, width and length in centimeters and divide by 1000.
If your suitcase is 55 X 40 X 30 cm then it is 66,000 / 1000 = 66 liters.
What kind of traveler are you when it comes to packing your suitcase?
Some people can pack minimally, while others want to take everything.
Some people can survive with a carry-on bag for a trip that lasts weeks, while others need to check a bag for a weekend trip.
Light luggage has its advantages, such as making it easier to maneuver in crowded places and avoiding checked baggage fees;
See tips to save 50% on airfare
It is important to check the carry-on baggage restrictions, both in size, weight and items that can be taken in the bag.
Many air passengers try to pack everything in a single carry-on bag to avoid the expense and hassle of checking a bag, but they make mistakes and are forced to check the bag at an unexpected cost.
See the dimensions required by most airline campaigns.
Consider weight, materials and durability when choosing luggage
Whether you’re putting a suitcase in the overhead compartment of an airplane or carrying it up a flight of stairs, heavy luggage makes traveling more difficult. And more expensive.
The weight of the luggage itself is important.
You can have a suitcase with the same dimensions, but with completely different people, depending on the material used and the technology.
This information is usually found in the “technical specifications” on the product pages.
The lighter the suitcase, the more weight you can carry in clothes and/or equipment.
Suitcases with wheels are heavier, usually 1 kilo or more than suitcases without wheels, so make sure the wheels are put to good use.
If the trip involves very uneven trails or streets, navigating Congonhas do Campo with a suitcase with wheels is a nightmare, with all its cobblestone streets.
A backpack is easier to carry, of course you have to think about whether you can carry the weight.
Considerations about durability.
From baggage handlers to bumpy rides, your luggage and the items inside can take a beating.
Thinking about the durability of suitcases, backpacks, and bags means looking at the materials used to make each piece, as well as evaluating the strength of the zippers, wheels, and handles.
Evaluating these things is difficult to do online, but checking product reviews can be a good way to get a sense of how well the pieces perform.
If you can buy in-store, you can check the wheels and handles and operate the zippers to make sure they feel sturdy.
If protecting the items inside your suitcase is your top priority, consider hard-shell luggage.
These are typically made of lightweight, impact-resistant plastics. Aluminum luggage offers excellent protection, but it’s heavy and expensive.
If you want to fit your suitcase into tight spaces, choose luggage with soft sides. High-denier fabrics can be quite durable, and soft-sided luggage has the advantage of being more flexible than hard-sided luggage.
If you need a waterproof bag and have decided that a backpack is the right choice, those that feature high-density ripstop fabrics coated with thermoplastic urethane are the best option in terms of durability and water resistance.
There are some backpacks that are completely waterproof; if this is a requirement for you, expect to spend more. An alternative is to pack your belongings in waterproof bags and then place them in a backpack.
Decide what features you want your luggage to have
Each product has a range of features when you start comparing suitcases, backpacks, and bags.
Wheels:
If you’re looking to buy luggage with wheels, the main thing to think about is whether you want two or four wheels. (Backpacks and bags with wheels typically only have two wheels, so this mainly applies to backpacks with wheels.)
Two wheels:
The two-wheel design is very common. It allows you to pull your luggage behind you or push it in front of you, but you can’t move it from side to side. Wheels are usually built into the luggage, which takes up some interior space but protects the wheels from impacts. Two-wheeled suitcases tend to handle uneven streets and sidewalks better than four-wheeled suitcases.
Four wheels:
The big advantage of having four wheels is mobility. You can move these pieces in any direction and roll them behind you, in front of you, or beside you. They are also great for navigating a narrow aisle on an airplane.
Luggage size:
A suitcase marked as carry-on must meet the guidelines that the airlines apply.
However, rules change and may vary, so always check with your airline before you leave.
See the article on carry-on bag sizes.
Laptop and tablet compartment:
If you are traveling with your laptop or tablet, a dedicated compartment that will protect it during transit is helpful.
However, this feature should be in your carry-on bag, as it is not safe to check.
Organizer pockets:
Organizer pockets make it easy to store frequently used items, such as a pen, passport, and keys, in one convenient place.
Removable backpack:
Most commonly found on larger backpacks, this feature can be a great option for excursions once you reach your destination. You can leave your larger backpack behind and use the backpack to carry snacks, water, and other essentials.
Packable:
This applies mainly to backpacks and means that the bag can be stored in its own pocket. This is great for compact storage when the backpack is not in use.
I hope this helps you choose the ideal luggage for your trip.
If you have any questions, just get in touch and I will be happy to answer them.
