Buying Luggage

Those of us who've invested in cheap luggage quickly learned - after it fell apart or didn't keep their clothes and belongings dry and in one piece - the value of a quality piece of luggage. When purchasing luggage remember that just like most things in life - you get what you paid for! However, a luggage store should still be able to recommend quality luggage based on just about any budget. Sure, you will spend a little more on well crafted, quality luggage but it will keep your belongings safe and it will last throughout the years.

Keep the following in mind when luggage shopping:

Stay away from basic black luggage. Brighter colors like red, yellow or blue will stand out on an airport turnstile and not be mixed up with someone else's suitcase.

Before buying luggage test it for weight and consider the added weight once the luggage is filled.

Roller Model luggage is convenient if you do most of your travel by air, but roller suitcase wheels won't accommodate anything rougher then an airport hallway - plus roller wheels add an extra 5 to 10 pounds to your suitcase.

Hard-cased luggage offers better protection and weatherproofing; whereas soft luggage is lighter and durable for airline travel if you're not transporting fragile items.

Choose luggage with easy access compartments for your airline tickets and passport, but with keys or combination locks for safety purposes. Most luggage sets come with 2 locks and 4 sets of keys.

Buy luggage from a company that supplies a warranty. Depending on the price, the name brand and the quality luggage warranties can range from 1 year to 10 years.

Buy quality designer luggage. Despite the name, luggage designers are considered the best based on the workmanship, customer service and the guarantees they place on their products. Quality luggage manufacturers include - American Tourister, Atlantic, Briggs & Riley, Eagle Creek, Samsonite, Travelpro, Bentley and Swiss Army - just to name a few.