There is no such thing as '"the bag" especially when it comes to luggage. A back pack may be perfectly suitable for a trip across Europe but may be deemed inappropriate for a conference trip. The market offers a wide selection of all
things bag and its all a matter of selecting that which suits your needs.
Your choice of luggage depends on the type of
travel you will be undertaking. You must consider:
- What type of trip you are under taking (are you staying in a hotel or camping, are you traveling abroad or doing a local trip?)
- What kinds of activities will you be participating in (trekking, cycling, safari)
- How many items you want to carry (clothes and other personal effects etc. Worthy note that this is determined by the duration of stay, luggage limits etc)
Wheeled Duffels
Nothing swallows up gear
like a duffel bag, and one with wheels can be a dream come true for multisport
gear junkies. If your adventures frequently require gear of widely varying
sizes and shapes, a rolling duffel is a smart way to corral it all.
Best for: adventure
travel requiring bulky or odd-shaped gear; family trips; road trips.
Wheeled Suitcase
Designed for traditional
travel (business commuting, family visits, road trips), this category typically
features compact sizing and sturdy construction made to handle the rigors of
luggage transport systems. If you like to have things organized—medications
here, toiletries there—look for bags with lots of pockets or add-in
organization accessories.
Best for: business
travel; family visits; road trips and travel to urban areas.
Wheeled Backpacks
Popular with adventure
travelers, these combine the convenience of wheeled luggage with the mobility
of a backpack. You can transport lots of gear with a simple pull of the
extendable handle. Facing heavy foot traffic or a long flight of stairs? Strap
on the shoulder and waist straps for hands-free carrying convenience.
Best for: adventure
travel; road trips.
Travel Packs
These travel-oriented
backpacks are for those who don’t mind carrying gear on their backs.
They excel where wheeled
luggage cannot: on gravel, cobblestone streets, stairs and other uneven
terrain. Travel packs sport internal frames, hideaway shoulder straps and
built-in security features. Women’s travel packs have suspension systems
designed specifically for a woman’s frame.
Best for: travelers
who want to be highly mobile and plan on carrying all their gear.
Duffel Bags
The traditional
duffel—minus wheels and pull handle—is lighter than its rolling counterpart, easier
to store (no rigid parts, so it folds up smaller) and friendlier to your
budget. It also offers huge capacities with several models available in the
market. Zip your pack inside one to transport it on an airplane.
Best for: climbers,
college students or any traveler on a budget.
Laptop Bags,
Sleeves and Day Packs
These urban carry-ons
have a padded compartment to protect your 10"–17" laptop, plus a bevy
of organizing pockets to hold cables, peripherals and paperwork. Laptop sleeves
can also be used with e-readers and tablets.
Best for: Urban
travelers and anyone who wants to safely transport a laptop.
Want to avoid the expense
and hassle of checked bags? All of the bags and packs described above—from
wheeled backpacks to duffels—come in sizes intended for carry-on use.
Most airlines allow
carry-on bags no larger than 22" x 14" x 9". Rules can change,
so be sure to check with your airline about size limits (or other baggage
regulations) before departure.
Best for: travelers
who pack light, are highly mobile and want to bypass baggage claim.
Most airlines typically
enforce a 30 kg limit per checked item and charge fees for checked baggage.
For carry-ons, allowable
sizes (and the number of bags allowed) are not standardized, but most airlines
allow carry-on bags no larger than 22" x 14" x 9". It’s wise to
check with your airline about size limits before departure.
What size bag or pack is
best for you? Here are some rough guidelines:
Trip
Length
|
Suggested
Bag Type
|
Weekend
trips
|
Carry-on
duffel, pack or bag
|
1- to
2-week trips
|
Back pack or wheeled luggage
|
Expeditions
|
All
types
|
Tip: Don't
worry about leaving extra space in your bag for souvenirs. Pack an empty duffel
bag to fill with treasures for the return trip. (Courtesy of Rei.com)
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Luggage by type
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