What sort of luggage stands up well to repeated travel? Test a suitcase before you purchase it, to make sure that you can wheel it easily and that the retractable handle is user-friendly and will actually retract when you want it to.
Obviously, the sturdier, better made and more secure your luggage is, the better it will stand up to repeated travel. It is worth the extra expense to buy a respected brand of suitcase, such as Samsonite or American Tourister. Cheap suitcases can easily develop rips or tears in the fabric, or have loose handles or wheels.
For easily navigating busy airports, suitcases that can easily be pulled behind you with wheels and retractable handles are easy and effective to use. Test a suitcase before you purchase it, to make sure that you can wheel it easily and that the retractable handle is user-friendly and will actually retract when you want it to.
Make sure you always retract the handle when not actually using it, to minimize the chances of the handle weakening or breaking off. And in addition to retracting the handle, always remove loose straps or buckles when you check the bags in to avoid them from catching on the automated baggage sorting machine.
Always make sure your luggage is never locked, but securely labeled when you travel. It is a requirement to have all checked bags labeled; if yours isn't, you will have to attach one of the flimsy paper labels when you arrive at the airport. Once you arrive, check that the label with your name and address is still attached securely.
One of the first decisions to be made if you are purchasing new luggage is whether to buy hard-sided or soft-sided. Soft-sided cases have replaced hard-sided as the suitcase of choice of most travelers today. Although they would appear to be stronger, hard-sided cases dent easily and once dented, it's difficult to get the dent out.
If your luggage is going to get thrown around by baggage handlers at the airport, a good soft-sided case actually absorbs shocks better than a hard-sided case. A good quality soft case, made of ballistic nylon, which is similar to the material a bullet-proof vest is made from, is virtually impossible to tear or puncture. And of course, it's a lot easier to somehow make room for those last minute purchases and souvenirs in a soft-sided case.
Many business travelers these days choose to travel with a garment bag which allows suits and other dress clothes to be folded up and stay relatively wrinkle-free. A garment bag can be hung directly in a closet in a hotel room and many are small enough to be considered a carry on bag. When purchasing a garment bag, look for heavier fabric, secure locks or straps and ease of packing and unpacking clothes.
If you are traveling with your precious laptop computer, it is important to have it securely packed. Firstly, never check your laptop. (See question 4) Always carry on your laptop even if you have to check the case itself. A good bag for your laptop can be purchased from an office supply store and will have a strong comfortable carrying strap, plenty of padding and a zipper for secure closing.
