Judging by the crowds we are seeing at popular travel destinations and major airports the world is back to traveling. We know that with travel back in vogue travel related stress is back too. Lost or damaged travel luggage will definitely impact your travel plans in a hurry. Millions of travel bags are being sorted by machines and robots deep in the bowels of the airline terminals. Do not take your travel luggage for granted as we did several years ago .
Important Decision
Sturdy travel luggage is more a necessity today than ever before. Several years ago on a quick trip to the Caribbean the wheels fell off our luggage, literally. We could not salvage the bag. Not many things are worse than a non rolling roller-bag. A couple of trips later our soft-sider luggage became open air luggage.
Travel luggage may not seem important to most travelers. To frequent travelers like us, it is one of the most important decisions you can make.
We investigated many different bags from several companies and settled on poly-carbonate bags from Rimowa. Rimowa comes with a lifetime guarantee. They were expensive, but 500k miles later the bags are still performing like new.
When it comes to traveling, choosing the right luggage is essential. The market is flooded with a wide variety of options, each offering distinct strengths and weaknesses. The least expensive option might not turn out to be your best choice.
Travel Luggage Sizes
Every traveler probably has a budget in mind for their travel luggage. Along with the type of luggage, hard sided or soft sided, a traveler should also consider two separate pieces; a carry-on and a standard size suitcase. Ease of identification is enhanced if each piece is the same brand and color. For most international trips both a carry-on and a checked bag are essential. For trips of a shorter duration most likely a carry-on is all you will need.
Hard Sided Travel Luggage
This type of travel luggage offers excellent protection for your belongings. They are resistant to impact, provide a rigid structure, and keep fragile items safe during transit.
These suitcases are typically water-resistant and offer protection against dust, dirt, and other elements.
Some hard sided travel luggage lack the ability to expand and may have less interior organization options compared to soft-sided alternatives. Others tend to be heavier due to their construction materials, which can be a drawback if you are concerned about baggage weight restrictions.
Soft Sided Travel Luggage
This type of travel luggage is generally lighter weight, allowing for easier transportation and potentially avoiding extra baggage fees.
They often come with multiple compartments and pockets, providing greater flexibility for organizing your belongings. Some models also feature expandable sections for added packing capacity.
Soft-sided travel luggage, however, offer less protection against impact and rough handling. Delicate items may be more susceptible to damage during transit. They are less resistant to water, making them more susceptible to rain or spills. Their zippers seem to be more exposed as well.
Air Tags
These small tracking devices are sold by Apple. They have gained popularity as a potential solution for tracking lost luggage. These tags use Bluetooth technology to connect to your smartphone, allowing you to locate your bag using the Find My App. While Air Tags can be a helpful tool, their effectiveness in tracking luggage may depend on several factors, such as Bluetooth range limitations and potential signal interference. It is advisable to use Air Tags as an additional layer of security but not solely rely on them. Opting for luggage with built-in tracking features or using a combination of tracking methods can provide more reliable results.
On a recent trip to Japan our “Find My” App said our luggage had been left behind in Dallas. We obviously thought the worst travel nightmare had come true. For the next 13 hours we could only envision a miserable 14 days in Japan. Shortly after our arrival in Tokyo we were greeted by our luggage waiting for us on carousel 7 in the airport.
Most major airlines also offer luggage tracking as a service for the customers. Where available this is probably your most effective method to track your travel luggage and give you peace of mind.
Safe Travels!
