Luggage is an understated item, which needs your attension. (Luggage in general)

Member Name: LoolooMe

Product:	Luggage in general
Date:	26/07/09 (20 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: If you get it right your back and your holiday buddy will thank you.

Disadvantages: You need a range.

Whenever we go on holiday we're all had the following convosation.
"Money? Passport?"
"Check"
"Hotel details? Travelling guide?"
"Check"
"Medications? Travellers' insurance?"
"Both check"
"Mum what bag can I use?"
"Oh just any from the store".

Yes it is true that for all our well laid plans and preparation we as a society pay little attension to the luggage in which we are going to use. Yet a badly chosen case for a set trip can be as disatourous as forgetting your money or bringing the wrong guide book. Is this because luggage is expensive? Or is it because we think one size fits all? Maybe it is just because we never think about it, however in a by gone time having good luggage to travel with was more important than anyother aspect of the journey. I think it is time to retrain our brains and admit that good luggage chosen for a particular task is better than a bright pink hard case which goes everywhere from the beach side to treaking round India.

So now that we can see how important luggage is, we must decide which one(s) to choose. Here is a small check list to help you narrow down your choice.
1. Size. This is of special importance if you are only taking hand luggage as each air line has a specified size (which do change). It is also important to get one which is large enough to carry everything you need, but not too large so that it is difficult to manage.
2. Soft or hard. Soft bags are great for getting everything stuffed in and on some tours (small aircrafts and a big truck across Australia spring to mind), they will only let you take soft bags. On the other hand I find that hard bags (normally suitcases) have more useable space and you can fit more in. Also anything fragile is protected.
3. Carrying. On Wheels? Are the wheels too small, too big? How far will you have to drag it? Does it handel well? Do not be embarassed to try this out round the shop, just like you would never buy some shoes without first walking around the shop in them. The handel for wheel bags. Can you balance a small bag on it? Can you pick up the bag with it? If the wheels fail could you still carry the bag?
Do you want a ruck sack? What size? Can it be adjusted for other people?
A shoulder bag? Is the strap comfy? Even with 12Kg inside the bag? I find the padded ones are best, and if you position the bag to sit just above you hip and almost all behind you.
4. Security. Let me first assure you that you can cut through all zips. So don't think because the two ends are securly padded together then it will be safe. The safest thing is to wrap it in the clingfilm at the airport. Having said this I flew through an airport where the staff thought we were mad as our bag didn't have a pad lock, but and the bag arrived at the other end with everything in. Although people might have thought we were doing a bluff as a case without a padlock is obviously full of nothing worth while.
So with security sometimes there is nothing you can do. Instead I look for bags which can't easily get pick pocketed if I stand still at a station of something.

My Luggage collection is composed of:
1. Small black bag, soft and worn over the shoulder. Hardy material and zip. Which can take up to 30kg and about 3 weeks worth of clothes. Can also be taken as hand luggage.
1. Small hand luggage size suit case. Which has two out side pockets (useful for travel docs which you will need at the gate). it is wheelable. Fits clothes of about 7 different outfits.
1. Large holiday suit case for the hold. Not hard plastic (as I find this eats into the weight allowance). One simple zip.
1. Big backpack for touring holidays. Can be adjusted to fit me perfectly. Had a chest strap and a belly strap. A must for any walking holiday. Fits clothes for about 2 weeks.
1. Small ruck sack. Used as hand luggage. Lots of pockets. Very hard to pick pocket.
1. Small sholder bag which is very hard to bag snatch. Has zipps. Can take my wallet, phone, camera etc.


Lastly a word on Price. Luggage is like most items you pay for quality and/or a brand, but generally brands are linked to quality. You don't want your case to spring open on the way to the airport. Now that is when your holiday would be ruined.

Summary: Like your currency or shoes you are taking choose your luggage depending on your trip.