This article is for women specifically and is from The Women’s Travel Group. Many of us have bad backs. We overpack exacerbating our back pains, with the tonnage we think we need. This article is budget conscious, practical and easy to follow. Suitcase manufacturers will hate this article.
Here is what you need when buying a new suitcase.
Light weight. You need to visit a store, feel the weight and balance of the case. Ask about pricing/upcoming sales and on line from the same store. I visited Macy’s then bought my new suitcase on line from Macy’s at 30% off.
Wheels should be pull-able in two directions. There should be 4 wheels. These are called spinner wheels. You can pull and push using different muscles, alleviating back/shoulder pain. Be careful here, they can spin away on a down escalator.
The trend is hard shell. I tried one which opened like a clam shell. Hated it!!! The hard shell is confining; not stuff-able and we women need to cram that last thing into our suitcases no matter what. Next you forget which side of the clam has what you need. If these crack, they are done with. I still prefer fabric which gives like an old pair of jeans.
Color, anything not black. Best buys are sometimes last year’s color. Do you really care; you are not wearing it?
Outside pockets are useful. You can stash what you need for use in the plane: ipad? sandwich? magazine? You then avoid opening your case in front of a curious seat mate. You can return items, again without pulling down the overhead bag, zipping it open etc. (Don’t then leave anything important in the outside pockets).
Large inside mesh pockets facing you are a must. Use them to store important items. I use them as a desk, with documents, pens, paper, receipts, masks if needed. You might feel safer if you put your name, email and cell phone, on a big piece of paper stored there.
Most suitcases have straps to secure your clothes. No one uses them; do you?
Finally a pet peeve is the new suitcase with installed locks; a glitch here will be hell. Use a TSA lock in a funny color. Easy to identify. Easy to replace. And heaven forbid, easier to saw off in a crisis/malfunction.
Smart tags which show the location of your suitcase? My only experience is traveling with a friend. She felt compelled to look frequently. The suitcase was just fine in the hold of the plane.
This article has absolutely no connection with any suitcase company; they will all hate its contents. This author thinks most advertised cases are absurdly expensive: $800 up. Their prices attempt to convince us we look like special people. Travelers who need designer branded suitcases while flying economy?. A suitcase is after all only a schlepper item. Be practical not insecure.
The Women’s Travel publishes many tips for women who love to travel. And the company is a tour operator offering many trips throughout the year on their site. Tips are published on Facebook and on the Blog page of our site. Here are 3 casual videos on packing. Part 1 Part 2 and Part 3
