I travel a lot; usually one international destination a month. So I am always on the lookout for the very best in packing tools — the right luggage, packing cubes, RFID totes and so forth.
My beautiful hard-sided luggage was, shall we say, a little mistreated by several airlines this past year. With each trip, little by little, cracks began to appear until there was a hole in one corner. Not good.
Planning for a trip to South Africa, I was in need of a new piece of luggage. Not only had my last suitcase become a victim, the suitcase I was using before it also turned up on the baggage claim conveyor belt with a big dent in it the very first time I used it.
What’s positive about hard-sided luggage is obvious; it protects what’s inside including your precious souvenirs. I love to shop in foreign lands and often fill every nook and cranny with my purchases.
So what’s the answer? I’ve seen rips and
tears in soft-sided luggage as well and the protection isn’t there, so I decided to do some research before deciding on the next piece of luggage.
My conclusion? It’s about the “bones” of the piece, material and zippers. I know that may sound too simple, but there are vast differences in all three. After reading a lot of reviews and descriptions, I found three I felt would serve me well: Briggs & Riley Transcend 24" Expandable Upright, The North Face Longhaul 26” and Eagle Creek Gear Warrior AWD 26. All three are excellent choices, but I chose the Gear Warrior AWD 26 mainly because my Eagle Creek backpack has served me well.
Although I chose a soft-sided piece, I packed all my South African purchases in between clothing to the center of the piece or carried other items in my carry-on. Everything arrived home safe and sound. And so did my suitcase.
If you travel by air, it is worth the research to find a good quality piece that will serve your needs. Once you check that bag, it’s out of your control!
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