Travelling With Style and Ease: How Your Luggage Can Make or Break Your Trip

Travelling brings out the very best in ourselves. Thanks to our travels, we satisfy our curiosity, discover the beauty of our vast world, and grow significantly as a person.

The items we bring on trips and the way we carry them can have a huge impact on the outcome of our trip. Our luggage can either inconvenience us or significantly improve the experience of the trip. Wherever your travel plans might take you, knowing how to pack the right way can make or break your trip! 

What to Consider Before Buying Luggage

Before you go out and buy backpacks for traveling or a shiny new suitcase, here are some things you should consider:

Where are you going?

​The key factor that determines what type of luggage you should buy is the place you’re travelling to. The luggage you bring with you heavily depends on the environment. You can’t bring a suitcase on a camping trip, and you also shouldn’t take a backpack on a five-star cruise. Determine the style of your trip and the level of practicality it calls for.

How long will you be staying there?

​The form and size of luggage you bring heavily depend on your trip’s duration. If you are going away for a longer period, you will need to take more items with you, hence the need for luggage that can hold more things.

​What are you travelling with?

​Your choice of transportation can sometimes limit your luggage options, especially when travelling by plane. Most airlines have strict size and weight limitations you must follow, and if you travel by car, you need to have space to fit everything you are taking with you.

​Which features do you want your luggage to have?

​Do you want your luggage to have more pockets or a special safety section for electronics? Maybe you want your bag to have wheels so you can drag it alongside you? These are all aspects you should consider before shopping for luggage.

​What is your budget?

​Most high-quality luggage is pretty expensive. Try to find a bag that fits within your budget without sacrificing quality, as the bag you choose must withstand heavy travel and serve you more than once. 

Backpacks vs. Suitcases 

The two most common types of luggage are suitcases and travel backpacks. They are both versatile travel bags that come in many sizes and are ideal for different types of travel. So, how do you choose which one is best for you?

When Backpacks Come in Handy 

• Hands-free traveling – Without the constant need to drag a wheeled bag next to you, your hands are free at all times. Travel backpacks sit comfortably on your back, allowing you to use your hands freely.
• Lower Risk of Lost Luggage – When you keep your belongings on you at all times, you reduce the need to check your bag every three seconds for something missing. It also reduces the chances that your bag will be lost at the airport.
• Better Mobility – Backpacks allow you to move freely over pavements, climb stairs, and move through large crowds with ease.
• Versatility – Travel backpacks are far more flexible in use than suitcases. You can use them for hiking, camping, and even on long-distance vacations. They have numerous compartments, making them ideal for carrying both clothes and gear.

Why choose suitcases?

• Easy Transport – Suitcases come with retractable handles and wheels, which reduces muscle strain when carrying luggage. Rolling suitcases are fast and easy to navigate through airports and stations, even for someone with less physical strength.
• Enhanced Protection – Suitcases are manufactured with a harder, shell-like surface that keeps your belongings better protected. Most suitcases come with locks, lowering the chance of pickpocketing.
• Larger Capacity – Suitcases come in various sizes and have a 50/50 division design. They allow you to fill the space of both halves with numerous items, and usually have separate compartments at the sides as well.
• Durable – Most suitcases are made of extremely durable materials, made to withstand the hardships of traveling, while also protecting your belongings.

How to Pack 

Packing can sometimes feel overwhelming. You might be asking yourself dozens of meaningless questions while sitting on the floor surrounded by a pile of clothing, not knowing where to start. Here’s what you should do!

1. Don’t Panic

Keep your mind clear. No, you won’t forget your passport, and yes, 10 pairs of underwear for a 3-day trip is enough. You’ve got this!

2. Select Your Must-HavesLay out all your most important items prior to packing. Preferably, put them in a compartment in your bag separate from your clothing, so they don’t get buried and lost. Some essentials you should have with you on any trip are your documents, medicine, chargers, batteries, and a small first-aid kit.​

3.  Place Your Clothes in the Bag 

Now that the essentials are safely packed, it’s time to pack your clothes. Firstly, make sure you aren’t overpacking. You don’t want to bring more than you need. Not only will the extra clothes just take up space, but they will also add unnecessary weight. Either fold your clothes or use a rolling technique where you roll your clothes in small bundles to save space, especially when packing a backpack.

4. Shoes Go on Top

Place your shoes last, in protective bags to keep your clothes clean. You can use your shoes as extra packing space by stuffing them with socks or underwear. Don’t bring more than two pairs of shoes; they will just take up unnecessary space.

5. Secure Liquids in a Plastic Bag 

Your toiletries should be placed in a plastic bag or a special compartment. This way, if there is any leakage, it won’t damage your clothes or possibly your electronics. It’ll also make it easier to find what you are looking for, because you won’t have to search all over the place.

Conclusion

Both backpacks and suitcases are great options for travel luggage. Despite straying from one another in design and style, their usefulness remains the same. Analyse your needs in detail and determine which type of bag is best to bring on your next adventure.