Buy the best quality you can afford. If you’ve ever watched airport staff pack luggage in a plane, you’ll know the torture your luggage has to endure.
Try to restrict yourself to hand luggage (check the airline website for luggage restrictions). This way your luggage can’t get lost and you save lots of time.
Whatever the size of your bag, wheels should be a priority. The bigger the wheels the better for pulling over uneven terrain. Make sure the pull-out handle and wheels are sturdy.
If you’re a frequent flyer to developing countries; get a solid suitcase. I’ve watched while my luggage stood for hours in the rain during a storm in Dar es Salaam. Pelican makes an air and water-tight, floatable suitcase. It is a bit heavy, but a must for adventure travel.
Soft-sided luggage is not as durable, but much lighter and therefore allows you more packing weight. Go for darker colours (doesn't show dirt easily) in
a 1 000 denier (tight woven material) nylon or polyester, which is waterproof.
Make sure loose shoulder straps on your luggage can be removed, as these can get stuck in the carousel if you have to check it in.
Buy a bag with lockable zippers; you will never lose your lock or key, and it prevents a dangling lock from getting stuck on the carousel plates and damaging your bag.
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