As if there wasn’t enough to worry about. The paradox of choice grips us at every turn; which brand of baked beans should I buy and which brand of toast should I eat them with; which dating app will bring me a happy ever after and which suitor on said app is most suitable; who to make friends with, who to unfollow….the list goes on.
We have so many options and so many choices to make in life, we need a holiday just to get away from it all. Indeed, a vacation should be a time out from the tyranny of decision making, but so often the trip of a lifetime is mired in stress before it’s even started, and that’s often down to packing. But if you can get the suitcase right, the rest packs itself. With that in mind, here are 5 IDEAL tips for picking the right suitcase.
DECIDE ON A SUITABLE AMOUNT
Rhetorical questions abound before you’re abroad. Ask yourself; how long am I going for? Can I get away with just taking hand luggage? Is the weather – and therefore the clothes – predictable?
There are a plethora of different sizes when it comes to suitcases. To help you get your head around it, here’s a short summary:
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- 18″ – 20″ Carry-on – Small, sure, but ideal for a night or two away.
- 21″ – 22″ Carry-on – A bit bigger in size and considered suitable to choose if embarking on a long weekend, perhaps.
- 23″ – 24″ Small checked luggage – Again perfect for a Friday to Monday break, but with the added wiggle room of a few souvenirs.
- 25″ – 27″ Checked luggage – We’re hitting real getaway territory here, anything above a week really.
- 28″ – 32″ Suitcase – For those who mean business.
SPECIAL FEATURES
As the old saying goes, no suitcase was created equal. And generally, it’s special features which differentiate the good from the great. Always remember to check if your carry-on suitcase complies with airline regulations; you don’t want added stress at the airport when you’re turned away.
Easy-to-roll wheels are essential, as they help you glide through the airport with speed and good grace. And if we’re getting scientific, high-tech composite fabrics are best for securing the safety of any fragile stuff within. Indeed, often made from quasi-flexible polycarbonate, hardshell cases are best if your travelling with anything breakable.
Finally, easily accessible front pockets protect against the danger of fumbling for documents and electronics that seems to afflict us all when passing through security. For this, soft shell suitcases are ideal as the usually come with additional pockets and zippers. They’re also perfect if your after some additional storage space for all that shopping you’ll inevitably do.
SUITCASE DURABILITY
The best suitcases however, are nothing without being durable. Though some online shopping brands do mention durability of luggage in the product description, it’s often better to be hands on and in person when checking out this element of a suitcase. If you do go down the online path, it’s best to read reviews extensively and exhaustively.
SAFETY FEATURES
The modern suitcase is one designed with paranoia in mind. Locks, ranging from pad to to key code accessible, should now be provided as standard. Of course, if (like us) you’re the forgetful sort, you might want to forgo this feature in favour of your own perverse peace of mind; an additional worry of losing the key to your case isn’t one you want on your holiday.
THE COST
We hate to be that bore, but we need to talk about money. Choosing the right suitcase, one which will be durable, secure and spacious for its size, often costs that little bit more. It’s up to you whether you decide to spend big and use it for years, or save those few extra pounds for some beachside mojitos and worry about the bag later. The sensible version of us would go for the former. Happy travels!
