How to choose a suitcase for travel

To choose a durable and convenient suitcase, you need to consider the material from which it is made, the reliability of fasteners, the number of wheels, weight and other parameters. How to do this, we will tell in our article.

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1. Which suitcase to choose, depending on its size and volume
   
2. What material for the manufacture of suitcases used
3. What should be the wheels and handles in the travel bag
4. What could be accessories for luggage on wheels
5. Sewing a suitcase and quality fasteners

Choosing a suitcase size

Are you going to use the services of the airline? Not sure how to choose a suitcase. Then be sure to read the weight and size guidelines for carry-ons and luggage.

Most airline companies are allowed to bring a suitcase into the cabin of an aircraft if the sum of its dimensions (width + height + depth) does not exceed 115 cm. This includes all protruding parts - wheels, pens, pockets. For baggage, the allowable amount of these measurements is 158–208 cm, and the standards for size and weight are set by each airline individually.

If you are flying economy class, consider that the weight of your carry-on baggage should be 5-10 kg, and luggage - up to 23 kg. If you are traveling in business class, these values ​​increase to 15 kg and 32 kg, respectively. When reloading baggage and hand luggage you have to pay extra.

When buying a travel bag, be sure to consider its weight and dimensions. Suitcases are:

1. Small (size "S") - you can take in the cabin. Their dimensions are 48 (in height) x 30 (in width) x 20 (in depth), 45 x 34 x20, 55 x36 x22, etc. The volume of such models varies from 25 to 45 liters, and weight - from two to three kilograms.

2. Medium (size "M") - can not be used as hand luggage. Suitable for a week trip to another country or a short vacation. Even a fragile girl can use a medium-sized suitcase if she has to move it a short distance, for example, to go down the stairs. The average dimensions of such products are 65 x 42 x 24, the volume is 70 liters, and the weight is three to five kilograms.

3. Large (size "L") - used for long journeys, honeymoon, long-term business trip, etc. On average, the width of such a suitcase is 44 cm, height - 72 cm, depth - 26 cm, and volume - 85 liters. The weight of large suitcases is about four to six kilograms. The volume of some models can be 100–120 liters.

Choosing a suitcase material

Suitcases are made from plastic, aluminum or fabric treated with a special impregnation. They all have their advantages and disadvantages.

Plastic suitcases

Made from ABS plastic, polycarbonate or polypropylene. These are resistant, unbreakable and weatherproof materials that are lightweight and have good impact resistance. The longest service life and the smallest weight of polycarbonate models. Polypropylene products are characterized by high rigidity, so you can carry them half empty, and the cases of ABS plastic are considered the most fragile and unreliable.

Many cheap goods “No name” are made of low-quality types of plastics, which are covered with cracks and broken under a slight mechanical impact. Therefore, do not chase low prices. It is better to spend money once on a quality product from a trusted manufacturer (for example, Samsonite, Rimowa, or Roncato), than to buy a new suitcase for each trip.

Remember, the lower the price of a suitcase, the greater the chance that it is made of low-quality and cheap material.

Virtues

• Low weight;

• Plastic bags are easy to clean with a damp cloth.

• The hard case of the suitcase protects the contents from squeezing and damage caused by careless actions (for example, excessive “diligence” of airport employees);

• Protection from rain, snow and other adverse weather conditions;

• Resistance to impact and damage;

disadvantages

• Some low-end models have low strength and durability, as well as poor resistance to deformation;

• They are easy to scratch.

Fabric Suitcases

These products are often made from synthetic fabrics (polyester, nylon, etc.), treated with a special water-repellent impregnation. Fabric luggage weighs a little and has good capacity.

Virtues

• Fabric models are equipped with a large number of pockets that can be used for small items, and, therefore, quickly find the desired item;

• Affordable price;

• A cloth case can bend and contract, so it is easier to squeeze it into a limited space (under the seat or on the shelf), compared to plastic and aluminum models that have fixed dimensions;

• Small weight allows you to put more things in the suitcase at the time of the flight and "fit" in the weight standards for hand luggage and luggage;

disadvantages

• Caring for products made of fabric is more difficult than for plastic models. Stains should be scrubbed with a cloth moistened with soapy water, and gripped dirt should be removed with the help of stain removers;

• Products from thin and low-quality fabrics wear out quickly and become unusable.

• Fabric body poorly protects the contents from external influence. In such a suitcase, clothes are wrinkled, and fragile objects are damaged.

Aluminum suitcases

Metal suitcases are made from aviation aluminum, which used to be used only in aircraft construction. These are very strong and reliable models, they perfectly protect internal objects from external influences. Suitcases of size “S” weigh about 4–5 kg, and products of size “M” and “L” weigh 5–6 kg.

Virtues

• Corrosion resistance;

• Protect the contents from moisture and fire;

• Ease of care;

• Durability;

• High strength - a suitcase is difficult to damage, scratch or deform;

• Good ductility;

disadvantages

• High price.

What should be the wheels and handles of the suitcase

Wheels

When buying a suitcase, pay attention to the size of the wheels. The larger their diameter, the better the permeability. If you plan to “roll” a travel bag only on even, ideal surfaces, models with plastic wheels of small diameter will suit you. If your route will be laid on a rough road, snow and off-road, it is better to choose the wheels of large diameter polyurethane or silicone.

When choosing, it is also important to consider the number of wheels.

Two-wheeled products

Two-wheeled models maneuver poorly, but have excellent maneuverability. They go well on asphalt and pavement, overcome irregularities and lack of roads. If the wheels have a large diameter, the permeability becomes even better. In addition, in a model with two wheels, you can put more things than in products with four wheels.

Two-wheeled suitcase can only go back and forth, so you need to carry it behind you with the help of a long sliding handle. Moreover, about 25% of the weight of the product falls on the hands and back of a person. Therefore, many travelers traveling with heavy “trunks” experience pain in the wrists, shoulders and back.

Four wheel products

Four-wheel models are easy to drive. Each wheel of such a suitcase rotates around its axis, as on a trolley in a supermarket. Therefore, you can push it in front of you and pull it behind you, carry it along and turn it in any direction.

These suitcases go perfectly on smooth roads and maneuver well in crowded places. They also allow you to carry a large number of things, because There is practically no load on the shoulders and back, except when the traveler has to carry a suitcase. These wheels go bad on the roads, snow, puddles, etc.

The wheels in these models are not recessed, so they break off more often, compared to the “recessed” wheels in two-wheeled products. Many travelers solve this problem simply - they lift the suitcase and carry it like a two-wheeled one. As a result, the service life of the product is greatly reduced, because not every model is designed for such operation.

If you want to use the four-wheel model as a two-wheeled model, choose products with two large rear wheels and a small front.

Do not buy a suitcase, the wheels of which are on the same axis, they quickly lose their maneuverability and fail. Each wheel should have its own independent unit, i.e. fasten separately to the frame.

A pen

When choosing a suitcase, pay attention to the handles. There should be several - preferably three.

1. First of all, the product must be equipped with a telescopic handle having a metal frame and an anti-slip handle. She "hides" in the case of the suitcase, but when you start a special locking mechanism (pressing the button) extends full length. Some telescopic handles have three sliding sections, but this reduces their lifespan.

2. Do not buy products with plastic telescopic handles - they will be worse to withstand temperature fluctuations and break down faster.

3. The suitcase should also be equipped with two handles located on the sides of the product. One of them is attached to the top of the product, and the second to the side. Thanks to this, you can wear the product in vertical and horizontal positions. A “horizontal” handle will help you out if the extendable one breaks.

4. Before buying a suitcase, make sure that you are comfortable holding all the handles - they should not slide or put pressure on your hand. Also check that they are well attached to the body of the product, for example, with metal rivets or screws.

Choosing accessories suitcase

Clasps

Snaps and zippers can be used to close luggage. Snap-on models are usually made of rigid plastic and aircraft-grade aluminum, while polypropylene and fabric models are equipped with a zippered stitching.

Latches allow you to close the product tightly and protect the contents from moisture, precipitation, cold and heat. Thanks to them, the temperature that was originally at closing is preserved in the suitcase. Such fasteners are considered the strongest and most durable.

Lightning allows you to instantly open and close the suitcase. They can be made of plastic and metal. Metal fasteners often break at the folds, and plastic fasteners have better elasticity, thanks to which they withstand a large number of rides. Some models are equipped with rubberized clasps that protect things from heavy precipitation and dust. But rubber rims can “freeze” under the influence of low temperatures and crack.

When buying a suitcase, make sure that the zipper is wide enough, with large teeth and a "dog." Such a fastener will last longer. It is important that the slider slid smoothly over the ribbons.

Locks

Latches and some zippers can be equipped with:

1. Built-in locks;

2. Padlocks;

3. TSA locks.

Code locks can not be lost and hard to damage. They well protect the contents of the suitcase from hacking. Padlocks can scratch the product, in addition, they are often damaged by conveyor belt systems at the airport.

TSA system locks should be used if you are planning a trip to the United States, Canada or Israel. At the airport, all baggage is screened before it gets on board the aircraft. If the suitcase seems suspicious to security personnel, it is opened without the presence of the owner. To do this, use a special universal key TSA. If the lock on the suitcase is not marked TSA (red diamond), it is simply cut out and check the contents of the baggage. In this case, no one is responsible for damage to the product.

How to choose a suitcase. Attention to tailoring and quality fasteners

When choosing a product, pay attention to the quality of sewing products. If threads are sticking out somewhere or seams are crooked, it is worth giving up. Also make sure that the handles and wheels do not hang on the mounts and do not rattle, and the bottom of the product is tight and rigid. Lightning bolts, locks and latches should open and close quickly, without any extra effort on your part.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.