Chris McGinnis
Cesar Millan
Sam Lowe
Jason Fogelson
Bryson Forbes
Amy Graff
Karla Henriquez
That Old Bag
November 15 2011 by Chris McGinnis
Are you tired of lugging around that scuffed up wheelie bag with a missing zipper tab, a tear mended by duct tape or a handle that pinches when you grab it the wrong way?
Maybe it's time to consider investing in a new bag--and a good one at that. After all, your luggage is often your closest, most relied upon companion when you are on the road.
Luckily, with hundreds of competing brands, you don't have to spend a lot to get a great bag. Some tips:
Cost: The cost of your bag should be proportional to the amount you travel. A weekly traveler should visit a luggage store and invest $250 or so in a top quality bag that is going to survive the school of hard knocks. If you spend that kind of money, be sure your bag comes with a solid warranty, so if something does go wrong, you can get it repaired at little or no cost to you. Occasional business travelers can get buy with bags in the $100-$200 or so range. Bargain hunters can sometimes find steals at big box retailers such as Sam's or Wal-Mart, but don't expect them to be as durable as pricier options.
Size: Standard roll-aboard cases are getting shorter and fatter to better fit in airline overhead storage bins. Retailers say that their best sellers are now 20" tall and 14"-16" wide, versus the older styles that were 22" tall.
Wheels: Four-wheeled carry-ons are one of the hottest trends in luggage these days. Also known as "spinners," these bags roll along next to you as you walk down the hotel corridor or airport concourse. These bags are easier to maneuver, and can be turned sideways to roll down narrow airplane aisles.
Weight: Airlines are cracking down on overweight bags (those weighing over 50 pounds), and charging fees that may surprise you. You can avoid this by choosing a lightweight bag to start out with--when shopping, ask for bags made out of new "composite" materials. Also, when comparing, the weight of the empty bag should be a consideration.
Color: While black is always popular (and does not show dirt or scuffs), it's tough to spot in the sea of black bags in the luggage carousel. Luggage retailers now have bags in a rainbow of colors and styles-- for example, Briggs & Riley have recently introduced a bright red line called "Lava." Samsonite's new "Fashionaire" luggage is decked out in a mod 60's print. Pictured above is Rimowa's new line of polycarbonate hard-sided luggage. Tip: High-end bags released in funky colors that flop usually end up on the store shelves at discounters like Marshalls or Tuesday Morning--so if you aren't easily embarrassed by the color of your bag, go for it! (Upside: Your ugly bag will be very easy to spot on the luggage carousel.)
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