Upgrading Luggage
By
User:limia @timeAndDate(1297711006)
One of the most important purchases you can make for
travel is your
luggage. First-time buyers might opt for less expensive options, but quality is often sacrificed. When it comes time to buy new luggage, you're going to want to put a lot of time and thought into what to buy.
Fabric Luggage
Fabric luggage is lightweight and has a soft exterior.
'''What to look for...'''
* Choose a fabric that is strong enough to withstand the wear and tear that comes with traveling, especially if you are a frequent flyer.
* High denier is recommended. Denier is the size of yarn used to create the fabric, and it determines the durability. Typically, the higher the denier, the tougher the fabric. When you compare deniers, you must compare them on the same type of fabric (ex. nylon vs nylon). Some fabrics are naturally thicker than others, so comparing nylon and tweed is not efficient.
* Many luggage fabrics are waterresistant fabrics will have a urethane backing and some fabrics may have a stain repellent. Even with these guards, water and stains will eventually show on your luggage, so don't neglect to use proper care.
*
Ballistic nylon is a fabric that guards against wear and tear. It's strong and substantial, but also rather expensive.
*
Cordura nylon and other strong nylons are great choices and cost less than ballistic nylon.
*
brocade may appear sturdy but they tear easily, and the thicker fabric adds unnecessary excess weight.
* Polyester materials are often found in inexpensive luggage. They are weak and don't offer much protection.
Hardside Luggage
Honeycomb is a popular material that flexes on impact, which gives it the ability to withstand a lot of pressure.
*
Polycarbonate frames have emerged in the luggage market over the past few years. These are marketed as being lighter and stronger than honeycomb.
'''What to avoid...'''
* Lowply are lightweight, but they tend to crack and shatter, so they're impossible to repair.
* Metal frames are also light, but they don't provide much protection for the contents of your luggage.
Handles
Most luggage has upright handles that make maneuvering easier. They also provide gripping handles to help with heavy lifting.
'''What to avoid... '''
* In general, upright handles on the exterior of the luggage are susceptible to damage. If they get hit they can bend and break, so stay away from luggage without exterior handle protection.
Wheels
Wheels are not just for
Zippers are the most commonly repaired items on luggage, so take special care to choose the best you can find.
'''What to look for... '''
* Size does matter when talking about zippers. Larger ones with larger teeth are best. Zippers are rated on a scale of one to ten in terms of size, and teeth that measure a ten are the largest made for luggage. Smaller zippers are less expensive, but larger ones are not as easily broken and can stand more weight.
* Look for zippers made from a strong plastic or metal.
* Make sure the zipper is installed with multiple rows of lockstitching, if one stitch just happens to break, it won't take the next one with it and unravel your seam.
* Zippers should be installed away from the frame, usually with a fabric separation in between, which are called taped seams. This guards against fraying and also prevents the zipper from getting caught on things like the corners or the frame itself.
'''What to avoid... '''
* Just because a zipper is large, this doesn't mean that it can't still be installed poorly.
* Stay away from zippers that are mounted on the edge of the bag, as they can break from their seams or not function on the corners of the bag. These zippers often wear out within a short period of time.
* Many manufactures do not use materials that will stand up to the rigorous conditions that luggage is put through. Some use regular
clothing zippers on their luggage, which is just not strong enough for the weight and work required.
* Zippers on the frame and corners can lead to many problems, so stay away from them.
Stitching
Stitching plays a large part in determining durability.
Warranty
Often overlooked, a warranty is an important factor when you're upgrading your luggage.
'''What to look for... '''
* Although most luggage warranties will only cover manufacturer defects, such as stitched seams coming apart, some companies will repair luggage even if the damage was caused by the airlines. They will not fix cosmetic problems, however.
'''What to avoid... '''
* Manufacturers that don't sell replacement parts. This often leaves you with little or no way to repair your luggage.
* No warranties at all. Even a simple limited warranty is better than none at all.
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