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Handles - For vertical luggage,
a locking handle system is important because it prevents the handle from
damage if you decide to check it.
Wheels – It is much more practical to be able to pull a bag than carry it by its handle or over your shoulder. Recessed wheels are preferred because they are less susceptible to damage. I favor larger, rubberized wheels with ball bearings for smooth handling and longevity. Wheels are sometimes retractable or removable. Wheel the case on both carpeted and un-carpeted surfaces to check the glide as well as the case's compatibility with your hand and height. Turn corners to check its balance. Outer Shell – There are three types of outer shell. Hard sided, soft sided, and semi soft sided. Hard-sided cases protect contents but are heavy and clunky. They are either molded cases made of materials such as polypropylene, or ABS plastics and covered with materials such as leather, vinyl or fabric. Many hard-sided cases have wheels and pull straps. Soft-sided cases are great carry-ons because they are lightweight and are the most expandable. But they are less resistant to impact, so think twice before you check them if you're carrying fragile objects. Semi soft-sided cases combine the benefits of hard and soft styles. Semi-soft cases are partially framed and have expandable tops and bottoms. They are lighter in weight than hard-sided cases, and give good protection for your contents. Many come with wheels and pull-straps. Material - Bags come in a variety of materials including leather, nylon, vinyl, and molded materials. For soft and semi soft cases nylon is the strongest followed by polyester (often combined) Material is measured in denier - the higher the denier, the thicker the fiber. Look for tight dense weave. Zippers- Modern, synthetic zippers made of coils can self-repair when the slide is run back over the zipper. Metal zippers with teeth are tricky to repair. Locks – Hard-sided luggage usually has built-in combination locks. Soft and semi-soft bags most come with padlocks and key locks that attach to zipper pulls. top of page Article courtesy our affiliate partner, Irv's Luggage Warehouse. |