How to Choose the Suitcase for Travel – Best Luggage Brands in 2020

If you travel regularly, it’s hard to argue that a comfortable and spacious suitcase is the main key to your comfortable trip. You can put everything you need in the best luggage, and your belongings will be safe. It’s easy to move around and can withstand harsh weather conditions. Don’t look for the cheapest one because it may break down and get damaged at the most inappropriate moment. What Is the best luggage brands in 2019? Let’s find out how to pick the best travel suitcase for you.

Consider Your Transportation Means

Dimensions and other external suitcase features should fit your chosen transportation means. Thus, the best type of suitcase for air travel is lightweight. If you travel by car, pack your stuff in compact bags or suitcases to easily fir them in luggage compartments. If you go on cruises, you should take classic hardshell suitcases. In this case, the luggage of other passengers will neither damage yours nor spoil valuables.

What Size of Suitcase Do I Need?

Your luggage should be as compact as possible and have enough room to fit everything you need. When shopping for the best luggage brands in 2019, consider the requirements of airlines. For example, take into account carry-on luggage weight limit and size restrictions. If your luggage dimensions exceed the allowed maximum suitcase size or weight, you will have to pay for extra centimeters and kilograms. If you’re traveling alone and don’t want to take many things with you, buy a backpack or a small suitcase on wheels. Unlike large suitcases, it’s the best carry-on luggage type because you can take in with you into the cabin, save more, and travel with greater comfort.

What Luggage Features to Consider?

After deciding what size of luggage for international travel to buy, think about how many wheels it should have and whether you prefer hard shell or soft shell suitcases. To decide if you need two-wheels or four-wheel suitcases, consider their pros and cons.

2 wheel vs 4 wheel luggage

Pros of two wheels suitcases (rollers):

• Wheels are hidden in the shell so that they won’t break in case of an impact.
• Easier to carry on uneven surfaces and stairs.

Cons of two wheels suitcases:

• Wheels allow movement only in two directions: forward and backward. It’s uncomfortable to maneuver.

Pros of four wheel suitcases (spinners):

• Ergonomic and put less pressure on a traveler’s shoulders and back.
• Easy to maneuver, especially in narrow spaces, such as the aisles of trains and airplanes.

Cons of four wheel suitcases:

• Wheels are mounted outside and can easily break.
• Wheels increase a luggage size because their length is always included in the allowed limits (Learn how to measure a suitcase size to choose the best luggage to fly with).
• If you put such a suitcase on a slope, it’s quite likely to roll down.

Which luggage is better hard or soft?

It’s equally important to determine the right type of shell when looking for the best traveling luggage. Both hard and soft shell models have their pros and cons.

Pros of soft shell suitcases:

• Lightweight and flexible so that you can even fit them in a narrow space.
• Great shock absorption.
• There are external pockets and compartments.

Cons of soft shell suitcases:

• Less protection for your belongings compared to a hard shell suitcase.
• Models of low quality break regularly.
• Not waterproof.

Pros of hard shell suitcases:

• Better protection due to suitcase durability.
• You can even sit on such a suitcase.
• Waterproof.

Cons of hard shell suitcases:

• Can’t shrink or expand.
• Heavy.
• Easily scratched.
• External pockets and compartments are rare.

The next question is – “What color suitcase should I buy?”

Suitcase Color

The color of your luggage bag for travel is of great importance. Most travelers buy black bags and suitcases because these are practical, though many of them end up looking for their luggage on the carousel for a long time and often take the ones that belong to other people. It’s hard to deny that bright suitcases are easy to notice. You can buy fabric covers for hard shell suitcases in different patterns and colors. They not only protect the shell but also make your luggage stand out.

Should the Best Luggage Sets Be Waterproof?

Have you ever watched the airport employees unloading luggage? They often throw suitcases from a great height. Thus, suitcases hit the ground or each other, and then someone’s broken bottle of wine spoils the luggage of other passengers. With waterproof luggage, you will avoid this problem. It can withstand rain and snow.

8 Best Luggage Brands for International Travel

We made a list of convenient, practical, and relatively inexpensive suitcases especially for you. We focused mainly on the reviews of experienced travelers and a luggage price. We didn’t take into account very cheap models to come up with the best suitcases to buy for frequent air travel.

Samsonite Luggage Fiero HS Spinner 28

• 100% Polycarbonate;
• Full-zip interior divider;
• Reliable side lock;
• Expands;
• 4 lightweight wheels.

Delsey Helium Aero 29

• 100% Polycarbonate;
• 2 wheels;
• Lightweight and durable;
• Built-in combination lock;
• 15.6 ” laptop compartment.

Travelpro Luggage Maxlite3 25

• 100% Polyester;
• 4 wheels rotate 360 degrees;
• Interior flap pocket;
• Side accessory pocket.

Lucas ABS Large Hard Case 28

• 4 wheels rotate 360 degrees;
• Scratch-resistant shell;
• 5-year manufacturer’s luggage warranty.

Flieks Aluminum Frame Luggage 28

• 4 silent wheels;
• Sturdy aluminum-magnesium alloy frame;
• Lining with universal pockets;
• Built-in code lock.

Clothink Aluminum Frame Luggage Fashion 24

• Impact and scratch resistant;
• Removable wheels;
• Built-in code lock;
• Reliable aluminum alloy suitcase handles.

Ricardo Beverly Hills Luggage Rodeo Drive 29

• 100% Polycarbonate;
• Scratch-resistant;
• Wheels are noiseless.

Samsonite Silhouette Sphere 2 Hardside Spinner 26

• 100% Polycarbonate;
• 3 large interior pockets inside;
• Reliable lock.

What suitcases do you use? Leave comments to share the criteria you use when shopping for the best lightweight checked luggage brands for international travel and whether it meets your expectations.