Choose the correct suitcase

Finding the right suitcase can be tricky

Published 07 June 2012 in Featured Articles

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Despite the weather in Britain taking a recent turn for the better, most of us will be thinking about our holidays and escaping to sunnier shores. Whether you’ve been booked for months or are hoping to catch a last-minute deal, unlike the bad weather there’s one thing you won’t be able to escape: packing.

It’s not something many of us relish doing, but aside from the obvious problems like working out exactly how many pairs of shoes you’ll need (too many), finding the right suitcase for your holiday can be tricky.

A good tip when starting your search for the perfect suitcase is to consider exactly how much luggage you’ll be taking. An urban weekend break or quick jaunt to Europe isn’t going to require an extensive wardrobe; two weeks in the Caribbean probably needs a few more changes of clothes! Packing cleverly will mean that you don’t take a gram over your baggage allowance, which is also where different types of suitcase come in.

For long haul flights and those holidays where you might be spending two or three weeks in your dream destination, you need a suitcase that is lightweight - to avoid baggage charges - and easily transportable. Pull-along suitcases with telescopic handles and multi-direction wheels are a sensible bet, as they’re easy to manouevre in busy airports. Whether you choose hard shell or soft luggage is personal choice, but those who know they’ll be bringing back plenty of souvenirs should opt for a soft, expandable suitcase.

Suitcases, too, need to be stylish. Everyone has the same old battered black or navy suitcase - why not choose something different to help you spot your luggage on the carousel? Matching suitcase sets in bold, bright prints are perfect for tropical holidays, or try something sleek and monochrome for a short metropolitan break.

Short breaks are the ideal opportunity to pack light (and avoid baggage charges and collection queues) by only taking hand luggage. Make sure to choose a lightweight, small suitcase that conforms to the majority of hand luggage dimension requirements, which your airline should provide. Something compact, with the opportunity to expand, is ideal for hand luggage, plus look for suitcases with plenty of interior and exterior pockets to help your organise your wardrobe (and travel documents, toiletries, books, and the rest) with ease.

Wherever your holiday may take you, keep travelling simple with a functional, practical and stylish suitcase - don’t forget your passport!

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