Planning a vacation involved hundreds of decisions, big and small. It’s easy to be fatigued by flight, resort, car rental and restaurant decisions by the time you realize you need to replace your old carry on luggage. When shopping for carry-on luggage, consider which bags and options are the best fit for your traveling style and needs. Here are a few ways to choose the perfect carry-on bag without adding to travel decision fatigue.
For those seeking the perfect travel companion, consider opting for one of the best backpacks made from leather. You can find a curated selection of these stylish and functional backpacks in this informative guide on leather backpacks.
Determine Your Needs
Start by listing some attributes you need or appreciate in a travel bag. People traveling with laptops, cameras or other expensive electronics often prefer to keep them in a carry-on bag rather than a checked bag. Choosing a hard-shelled carry-on bag can reduce the risk of damaging delicate equipment in transit. If you always find yourself running out of room in your everyday handbags, you may want to try a stylish carry-on or weekender bag that can double as a large purse.
Comfort and Mobility
Travel can be hard on the body, so choose a bag you can carry comfortably even when you’re tired. For some body types, a backpack may be the most ergonomic option. Women tend to have an easier time carrying bags closer to their hips, so a messenger-style bag with long straps is often more comfortable. Try a few different styles until you find the one that feels best on your body.
Practical Inside and Out
Travel bags should be easy to clean on both the exterior and interior. Some examples of durable fabrics for luggage include:
- Nylon
- Aluminum
- Polycarbonate
- Leather or vegan leather
- Canvas
Look beyond standard polyester for your next luggage purchase. Don’t assume that you have to choose between practical fabrics and interesting style choices. Today, it’s easy to find durable luggage in a wide variety of colors and styles.
Organizational Features
Consider how much organization you like to have inside your bag. When traveling, it helps to have a few more pockets than you would in an everyday handbag. This way, important documents can each get their own pouch.
Some travel bags come with specific pouches to fit each size of travel document, but you can also label pouches to your liking for a custom organizational system. Make sure your travel bag has at least two sections inside, ideally with a waterproof lining to separate them. This way, you can carry small liquid toiletries and souvenirs in a carry-on without risking the rest of your belongings.
Coordinating Pieces
Investing in a new carry-on by itself can vastly improve your travel experience, but you can often find better deals buying an entire set of luggage at once. Luggage sets are useful for more than just style points, as they can snap together for greater portability and stability.
Matching luggage can also make it easier to spot loved ones in crowded airports. Modern hard-shell luggage can be found in highlighter-bright colors that are both kid-friendly and highly visible.
Keep your personal travel needs in mind when upgrading your luggage this year. Opt for a comfortable design for your body, a durable fabric upgrade, the level of organization you need and coordinating luggage pieces.