There are many suitcases and travel bags available on the market today. What type of luggage is the most suitable for you circumstances depends mostly on these 4 factors: the length of your trip, the means of transport, the contents of your suitcase and the frequency of travel.

The length of the trip

The length of the trip is one of the most important factor that should be considered when deciding on the size of suitcases and travel bags. Generally the best size of suitcase for trips from one to three days is a 22-inch suitcase . For trips from three to seven days a 24-inch suitcase is optimal. A 27-inch suitcase is probably the best choice for a week to 14 days trips and for trips longer that 2 weeks a 30-inch suitcase is ideal.

The means of transport

The means of transport that you use during your trip is another vital factor when choosing suitcases and travel bags . Let's take a closer look at this;

Airplane travel

If you are going to travel by plane  a hard-side suitcase or travel bag is probably the best option . This type of suitcases and travel bags protects the contents from possible damage and during airplane trips the risk of the contents being damaged is the greatest because the luggage is tossed around at the airports on a couple of different occasions; After check-in, the marked baggage is put on the conveyor belt and is carried to a hall for reloading. The baggage is lifted off the conveyor belt and loaded onto baggage trolleys in a train. Here the first manual reloading of the baggage is done. When the trolleys are full the baggage train is taken to the waiting plane in the airport. Then the second manual reloading is executed, where the baggage trolleys are emptied and the baggage is placed on a sloping conveyor belt and loaded into the hold in the base of the airplane. After landing the exactly opposite procedure takes place which means that the luggage is manually handled at least 4 times during a one-way plane trip.

 

Train and car travel

Soft-side or semi-soft suitcases and travel bags are a good choice for those who travel mainly by car or train and handle their own baggage. These types of suitcases and travel bags are much lighter that the hard-sided ones, which makes them much easier to handle. Also, when traveling by train or by car, you can be sure that the contents remain safe during the whole trip because you have got a full control over the suitcase.

 

The contents of the luggage

The contents of the luggage is another important factor when choosing suitcases and travel bags.

If you are only going to carry clothes and none breakable items the best choice for you would be a soft-sided suitcase or travel bag.

If you are going to carry any fragile items, electronics or valuables the best choice for you would be a hard-sided suitcase or travel bag because it gives the  best protection of the contents.

Semi-soft suitcases and travel bags may also work well in protecting its contents. However, whether to use this type or not depends on individual circumstances. Some items may be well protected by this type and others may not. It is worth using this type of suitcase only  if you are sure that it will well protect its contents.

Frequency of travel

Another vital factor  to be taken into consideration when choosing suitcases and travel bags is the frequency of travel.

If you are a frequent traveler the best option for you is a hard-side suitcase or travel bag because it is usually much more durable than the other types.

If you are an occasional traveler and travel just a couple of times a year  or less you may be perfectly fine with a soft-side or semi-soft suitcase or travel bag.

They are much lighter and much easier to handle than the hard-sided ones and offer much more flexibility.

If you carefully consider all the factors mentioned above before making a purchase, you will greatly increase your chances of getting the right luggage for you circumstances.