Yikes my favorite suitcase’s handle broke on a Women’s Travel Group tour! In investigating for a replacement, I came up with a primer on choosing a suitcase for schleppers with bad backs.
Size: If you want carry on, don’t just trust a sales tag. Bring A tape and measure before you buy. 22 x 14 x 9, is official max carry on size for most airlines. This includes wheels, and handles. For Einsteins, calculate what are called linear inches; 62 linear inches is the max for a carry on.
A carry on should weigh no more than 35 Pounds, which is actually is a lot of clothing. This link shows you average weight in grams for women’s clothes. So, for example, a dress of 350 grams is only .7 of a pound. A business suit comes to a tad over 2 pounds. Don’t over do it and your case will be less than 35 pounds. Your back will thank you.
Weight of a bag varies based on materials. The super light bag, an iT, has lighter metal parts. The carry on case weighs around 5 lbs. A sturdier Travelpro can be 8+ pounds. Think of chicken parts vs the whole roaster to deal with at the airport.
Make sure you have inside pockets to store small important items or paperwork. Forget about the bottom strap; no one uses it. An outside pocket is a must for reading material, anything you will need to grab.
Think about soft side vs hard side. The latter opens like a clam; you have two piles of stuff to hunt through. There is usually no outside pocket. Soft siders open from the top so only one area to search. Soft siders also are squeezable, so they are more likely to fit into a sizing box at your plane. Beware a soft sider can be slashed; tough nylon is preferred. 1680D ballistic is the toughest but stiffer.
Lastly, some suitcases have embedded TSA locks. I worry about the lock failing and being stuck. Some trendies also have a small battery for electronics. My opinion, buy a battery; they are cheap, light and won’t add weight to your suitcase. Airplanes and airports have usb ports for charging. Public charging in an airport is a security risk.
Color: Darker is better, avoid black and find a color you can easily identify. My broken but beloved suitcase is a dark purple.
Finally wheels should be spinners, corners and edges reinforced and should have a extendable pocket for that stuff you were not going to buy.
Brands? Travelpro, Delsey, iT, are my favorites. Samsonite is with you forever; but heavier than the others. Travel Tips from The Women’s Travel Group, award winning company for women’s luxury small group tours. To speak to us directly: 646 309 5607 or by email at https://www.thewomenstravelgroup.com/contact
