Luggage Features & Design

Whether it's an auto, a house, healthcare--or luggage--an informed buyer makes better choices. We created this Buyers Guide to help you make better choices when it comes to buying luggage.  It also includes answers to many of the questions that we hear from our customers when they shop in our stores.  Do you have a question?  Did we miss anything?  Give us a call at 800.997.7875 and let us know.

1. Material selection.  Luggage today is manufactured using a variety of materials including leather, various kinds of nylon, hard shell plastic, and canvas or cotton.  By far, though, the material that is most popular and best suited for the tough requirements of travel is nylon.

There are various kinds of nylon used to make luggage, but the most widely used in better luggage is called Ballistic nylon.  Originally created for use in bullet proof vests, Ballistic nylon is a tough material ideally suited to its role in luggage.  Ballistic nylon is fairly abrasion resistant, tear resistant, and in general, stands up extremely well to the rigors of travel.

Cordura nylon is another popular material used in luggage construction.  Though not as tough as Ballistic, Cordura is also extremely well suited to luggage construction. 

2. Wheel design.  Wheeled luggage has come a long way since it was first introduced.  Initially built with those clunky rollers that kept breaking, today's better luggage typically uses the same sort of high-quality wheel as those used for in-line skates.  They roll smoothly and are durable, even with heavy loads. 

There are two things to look for in wheel design.  First, make sure the wheels are located at either end of the bag.  If they are too close together, the case won't be as stable when it's loaded.  Second, make sure the wheel is well integrated into the luggage.  If the wheel sticks out too far, then the likelihood increases that it can be broken if it is checked.

3. Handle construction.  Handle construction is another area that distinguishes whether a bag is going to stand up to the rigors of travel.  While some play in the handle is typical on handles with multi-piece construction, excessive play can signal a poor design that could result in excessive repairs. Just as important, make sure you can operate the handle with one hand, so when you're running through the airport, you don't have to put your other bags down just to pull up the handle.  Most better luggage is designed for one handed operation.  Finally, make sure the handle locks in the up position.  This way, if you have to push your luggage--through a doorway for example--the handle won't collapse into the bag.

4. Zipper construction & placement.  Zippers are zippers are zippers, right?  Not necessarily.  There are small zippers, big zippers, nylon zippers, self healing zippers, zipper pulls, etc.  Ironically, perhaps the most important thing you should look for when inspecting the zipper system on a piece of luggage is not the zipper itself; rather, look at where the zipper is located on the case. 

Zippers that are placed along the outside edge of a case are more likely to sustain damage than zippers that are located in from the edge.  That's because zippers located around the edge of the case will take the brunt of any impact while zippers located in from the edge, and therefore lying flat against the case, will be more resistant to damage.  Evaluate the zipper location closely.

5. Frame construction.  One of the things most frequently overlooked in the construction of soft-sided luggage is the frame.  The bag you select should have a frame that offers enough rigidity to give the bag structure, and that will securely hold the wheels and handles, but it needs to be flexible enough that it can withstand the forces that are put upon it.  After all, if it doesn't bend, it's likely going to break. 

Typically made out of a plastic-like material that offers both structure and flexibility--a material such as PVC--better bags incorporate a semi-rigid, foam border on each edge of the frame.  This offers additional protection against hard impacts.

6. Overall Luggage Design.  Though all the items described above are important things to consider when selecting luggage, perhaps the most important thing to consider is how well you like the design.  Luggage manufacturers frequently use the same raw components when they build their luggage.  What makes one bag better than another is, in most cases, the engineering that goes into it. 

Before you buy, take time to look at the way the bag is built. 

• Are the wheels integrated into the bag?
• Is the zipper back from the edge?
• Are the handles as recessed as possible?
• Is anything unnecessarily hanging off the bag?
• Is it the right size for your requirements (is it the right dimensions to be carried on?)?
• Does the frame flex? 

Finding the right bag for your needs may take a little time, but the years of dependable service you get will be well worth the extra time you spend today.  If you have questions, please call one of our representatives.  In Ohio, please call us at 513/985-3844.  Outside Ohio, please call us at 800/997-7875.  We'll be happy to answer any questions you may have, or if you prefer, assist you in selecting the bag that best fits your needs.