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You might assume, as I once did, that the best travel gear is also the most expensive. The older I get, the more I’ve come to accept the adage that “you get what you pay for,” but there is still absolutely no way I am going to pay $1,000 (or more) for a piece of luggage.
Aside from the fact that I think everyone in the airport would be able to tell that I’m not the kind of person who would carry such a fancy suitcase, I’d much rather spend my money on the actual trip than on the luggage I would bring along with me.
Sure, if your suitcase costs the equivalent of a mortgage payment, you can guarantee it is high quality. But if you are looking for something more budget-friendly yet still worth the money, here are the most important features to look for.
I’ve had some really adorable weekender bags and travel totes that I rarely use because they don’t have a trolley sleeve. A trolley sleeve lets you slide your bag over your suitcase handle, so you can be hands-free to find your passport, hold your coffee or navigate the airport with ease (and, more importantly, without shoulder pain).
When I am looking for a travel bag, I always check the photos or description to make sure this critical feature is listed, so I don’t get distracted just because a bag is cute.
My favorite: Beis Work Tote ($148)
Whether it’s a suitcase or a personal item, I require lots of pockets to keep things organized and separated. For a suitcase, it’s nice to have at least a few pockets to protect more fragile items or to keep clean and dirty clothes separate.
It’s also nice to have at least one exterior pocket where I can slide paperwork or other things I might need easy access to. I find that soft-sided suitcases tend to have more organization than hard-shell suitcases.
For a personal item, I like lots of internal organization, including a laptop sleeve, a pocket for my sunglasses, a secure zipper pocket for my passport or ID and a key leash so I’m not digging through my bag to find my car keys at the end of a trip.
My favorite: Away Softside Collection ($205 - $495)
Most bags nowadays have compression straps, but I recently got a suitcase with removable built-in compression packing cubes, and I don’t think I can ever go back. The bag has two packing cubes (one on each side) that you can clip in and out of to easily move your clothes from your suitcase to the hotel dresser.
My favorite: Cotopaxi Coraza Carry-On ($295)
I have both expandable and non-expandable bags, but I most often reach for those that can give me a little extra space when I need it most — like when I can’t decide which shoes to bring and pack them all or when I buy too many souvenirs and can utilize the extra space to get them all home.
My favorite: Swissgear Sion Expandable Carry-On ($126.10)
OK, this is far from a necessity, but a colorful bag is much easier to spot on the airport baggage carousel than a black bag with a ribbon tied around it. And “colorful” doesn’t have to mean a bright color. You could go with navy, green or tan for a subtler bag or get a hot pink or red bag that really stands out in a crowd.
My favorite: Quince Carry-On ($129.90). The limited-edition colors are always gorgeous.
This might be the most important feature of all. I always opt for luggage with a lifetime warranty covering damage to the body and other components, such as the handle, wheels and zippers. Every brand’s warranty is different, so read the fine print before you add to cart or pay for your travel gear with a credit card that offers purchase protection.
Some brands, like Briggs & Riley, offer a lifetime warranty that covers repairs even if an airline is at fault for damaging your bag. Most other brands offer similar coverage but will not cover damage caused by a third party, such as an airline.
My favorite: I don’t own a Briggs & Riley bag, but they are the obvious winner in this category, so maybe it’s time to add another piece of luggage to my collection…
I want to hear from you, too. What are your non-negotiable luggage features?
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