Features To Look For In Luggage

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Picture this - you're on your way to a much needed vacation. An exotic locale awaits you. You pack your luggage with the choicest clothes and off you are to the airport. You get out of the cab and just as you are pulling out the bag, off comes the handle. Not exactly the sunny start you were looking for, right?

If you think this only happens to other people, think again. One thing I have learned from all the travel I have done is that you can never be too careful with your choice of luggage. So here is a list of features to check for before you bring a piece of luggage home.

  1. Zippers: What makes this seemingly innocuous feature so important is that once it breaks, you won't be able to find an easy fix for it. You're either going to have to spend hefty dollars getting it repaired, or if you're lucky and the bag's still in warranty period, you can send it back to the manufacturer. So, look for zippers that seem sturdy and smooth. If a luggage has cheap plastic zipper, run the other way. Metal or synthetic zippers are much more durable than plastic ones. One identifiable mark of quality is the YKK brand of zippers. These days many manufacturers are using self-repairing YKK racquet coil zippers.

  2. Handle: It's now almost impossible to imagine a rolling bag without the retractable handles that make transporting luggage so easy. Before you buy any luggage, pull out and push in the telescopic handle several times to make sure it doesn't get stuck. Also, the handle should lock in its place properly when pulled out. Check for the quality of the side and top handles. Make sure the handles are firmly fixed to the bag so they don't snap off.

  3. Strap: If it's a duffle or a small bag that can be thrown over the shoulder, its strap should ideally be adjustable and padded or have detachable shoulder pads for added comfort. The strap needs to be made from a strong material so it doesn't rip off from the middle. Also, reinforced or double stitching will make sure the strap is securely fastened to the bag.

  4. Wheels: There are two things to keep in mind when it comes to wheeled luggage. One, they should glide smoothly over a surface and two, they should be stable. If the luggage doesn't roll properly or you find it difficult to maneuver it, it's a sign of poor quality wheels. Check the size of the wheels vis--vis the luggage size and also lookout for wheels made from cheap plastic.

  5. Seam: If you don't want to face the embarrassment and inconvenience of your luggage ripping open in the middle of a trip, make sure that the bag has double stitching. Most cheap quality bags have single stitches, which make them extremely susceptible to rips and tears.
One thing you must always keep in mind is that even the best of luggage can fall prey to nasty accidents or callous handling. That's when unconditional lifetime warranties, like the one offered by Briggs & Riley, come in handy. Briggs & Riley cover repair for all kinds of damage, even those caused by airlines, free of charge!

The features listed above may seem unimportant, but can be really bothersome if gone wrong. After all, who wants to spend even a moment of their precious holiday hunting for luggage repairmen!

About the Author:
Luther Davis is a marketing executive with a California-based software firm. He travels extensively for work within the US and Europe, which makes him sort of an expert on anything travel related, especially luggage. He loves to network with travel enthusiasts and comments extensively on his experience with various brands and types of luggage.

Luther's other passions include learning different languages. He speaks fluent Spanish, limited French



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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