Luggage Features for a New Travel Suitcase
Look at Zippers, Handles, Wheels and Straps When Buying New Luggage
Nov 12, 2009
Buying luggage can be a big investment, so paying attention to the quality of the small details is a necessity purchasers shouldn't overlook. For a new travel suitcase, buyers should look at the luggage zipper, handle, wheels and straps to ensure that those details will work in the situations where they will be using the bag.
Qualities of a Good Luggage Zipper
When inspecting a travel suitcase, buyers should check if the zipper runs smoothly and seems sturdy. Double-stitched and taped seams, with a visible strip of cloth to protect and reinforce the luggage zipper, can prevent future zipper mishaps.
The material of the zipper should be metal or a modern plastic. No one wants to deal with a suitcase zipper that snaps in half midway through an international vacation.
The Suitcase Handle Should Be Durable and Release Easily
Most suitcases these days have telescoping handles that can pull out for transport and be pushed back in during storage. A handle that locks in place may be more convenient, since it helps avoid an errant handle getting broken or snapped off.
Buyers should also look at the mounting holding the handle in place. The base should be held in place with screws or rivets to keep the handle from pulling off the bag.
Another potential concern for new purchasers of travel luggage is how the handle releases from the bag. Some suitcases come with a simple button release that pops the handle up when needed. Others use a sliding mechanism. A well-built handle release helps travelers be sure their handle will pop out when they need it.
A Good Luggage Shoulder Strap Can Make Travel Luggage Comfortable
Padded shoulder straps on bags designed for carrying can make a huge difference in the enjoyment a traveler gets out of their luggage. No one likes to feel a harsh strap cutting into their shoulder, especially when dealing with carrying the bag between plane connections.
Another thing to look for in shoulder straps is how the straps attach to the luggage. Reinforced stitching will put a traveler at ease since they know they won't be stuck with a bag that rips free of the shoulder strap mid-vacation.
Some purchasers of travel luggage like bags with adjustable straps, which allows them to set the height of the bag and position it comfortably at their side.
Wheeled Luggage and the Importance of Stable Wheels
A wheeled suitcase with four wheels is a more stable and durable choice than the two-wheel variety. Buyers should look at the spacing between the wheels and the size of the wheels themselves to make sure the load in the bag will be distributed evenly and the luggage won't topple over when being wheeled around.
The quality of the wheels is also important, and they should glide smoothly and be bolted to the suitcase frame to avoid losing a wheel to a pothole. Many travelers prefer a wheeled suitcase that uses recessed wheels, since that offers more protection from damage. Others like "spinner" style wheeled suitcases, with wheels that can change position to allow the suitcase to be pulled sideways through a crowd.
These luggage details may seem minor, but they can make the difference between a travel suitcase that is annoying or uncomfortable and one that is a joy to use. Buying quality luggage with good features will ensure years of enjoyable use and vacations where the last thing the traveler has to worry about is a broken suitcase.
For more information about what things to consider when buying luggage, see the articles Options for Buying Overseas Travel Luggage and Comparing Soft-Sided Luggage Materials.
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