Luggage is the thing that we never want to think about, yet is one of the most important resources for your travels. Choose wrong and your entire trip can go off the rails. If you think that’s an exaggeration, just ask the person who had a broken zipper at the start of an international trip. Not fun! Picking the best luggage for your international trip is a task that you should never take lightly.
Imagine arriving at your destination only to find your suitcase zipper completely open, your wheels broken, or worse your bag is completely lost. 😱 How can you avoid this? And your answer can’t be pack a carry-on only. There are so many decisions to make around luggage based on your travel style, airline rules and packing needs. Choosing between carry-on vs. checked bags, hard shell vs. soft shell, and weight restrictions can feel overwhelming. Let’s dive into the essentials of picking the perfect luggage!
Choosing the Best Luggage for Your International Trip
Take a peek into my luggage closet and you will find a little bit of everything. I have my favorites for every type of trip. While I love to look great when traveling, when picking luggage, it’s not just about looks—it’s about functionality, comfort, and longevity. The truth is luggage is an investment piece that has to work. As much as we hate to think about it, we know that it will get abused and mistreated during its lifespan. And it has to be able to handle it!
The best luggage will withstand being tossed around, being used as a footrest or seat, stuffed way over capacity and occasionally getting caught in the rain. And durability is just one of the things you should consider. If new luggage is on your shopping list this year, here are the most important factors to consider when choosing the best luggage for international travel.
Hard-Shell vs. Soft-Shell Luggage: Which is Better?
The short answer is it depends! Hard-shell luggage is best for durability, while soft-shell luggage allows for flexibility and expandability.
If you will be carrying fragile items, like the extra wine you picked up in Tuscany, then you will probably want hard shell luggage. The outer shell is an added layer of protection against some of the rough treatment your bag may experience.
Hard shell luggage is generally not as heavy when empty as soft shell luggage. An important factor when you are dealing with international size and weight restrictions. The better ones are made from lite polycarbonate, ABS plastic, or aluminum that tends to weigh about half that of soft shell luggage. And if your luggage is being loaded or unloaded during snow or rain, you’ll be happy to know that the hard shell luggage is typically water resistant.
Soft shell luggage is great when you need just a tad more space. There are many options that are expandable which makes it easier to add that extra souvenir you bought without stressing. And if you have a tight squeeze like into the overhead bin, your soft shell luggage will give you that added flex.
Just watch out for the weight of the empty bag. The materials used for soft shell luggage can add a few pounds to your luggage that you definitely don’t need. A good medium sized checked bag should weigh less than 12 lbs when empty. You should know that most international carriers typically have a standard checked bag weight of 50 lbs before you have to pay added fees.
Designer or Not?
Go into any designer bag/shoe store and they will likely have a section dedicated to luggage. Brands like Louis Vuitton and Goyard have been doing luggage since before train travel was a thing. But having heavily branded luggage might make you an easy target for criminals.
Additionally, if you factor in how luggage is treated in transport, it might make you rethink that $4000 monogrammed bag. There are a few luggage brands that bring less risk and are high quality.
A few things are more important than the branding. The warranty being one of them. Look for brands that stand by the quality of their bags. There are only a few that offer a full lifetime warranty. Briggs & Riley and Rimowa are two that immediately come to mind. Both are on the pricey side but are totally worth it if you travel alot. Some brands offer a limited lifetime warranty (i.e. Tumi) while others offer between 2-5 years.
Wheels and Handles: Why They Matter More Than You Think
It is pretty uncommon to find luggage without wheels these days. You even see backpacks that have them. But not all wheeled luggage is created equally. Let me break it down.
4 wheels vs 2 wheels. 4 wheeled luggage weighs more and the extra wheels take up valuable packing space, but boy does it make moving the bag around so much easier. This can be a game changer when you have big airport to work your way through.
2 wheels usually mean you will put more stress on the handle as you move around. But it may also mean that the bag is easier to fit into those measuring things at the boarding gate. They also tend to do better on rough terrain like the cobblestone streets of Amsterdam. Just forget about having the maneuverability you need to effortlessly push it down some of the narrow aisles on airplanes.
Then there are the handles. Most people underestimate the importance of handles but there are few things that make some better than others. Good handles allow you to push or pull your luggage. You want to ensure it has at least two heights to work with when extended. Handles that go inside the bag are less prone to external damage but also reduce the amount of packing space.
Additionally, you want to ensure you have enough handles around the outside of bag that allow you to grab it off the baggage claim belt from any angle. You’ll thank yourself later.
Consider Your Travel Style and Destination
Give me a bag with enough space and somehow I will fill it. There is always that one extra shirt, pair of pants or swimsuit that you suddenly need when you realize you have another corner to spare in your luggage. Read my blog with Proven Techniques to Avoid Overpacking for some tips to help you with this.
More importantly you should consider the type of trip you are heading out on when deciding the best luggage for your international trip.
If you are heading out on some adventure travel, think safari in Africa, then you want soft-shelled luggage or even a cool duffle bag in your arsenal. The chances are you will be doing multiple transfers and perhaps even traveling on some smaller aircraft with important restrictions. And while a few layers will be important to handle the weather, you probably won’t need the stilettos on this type of trip.
Alternatively, if you are doing a city trip or urban adventure then hard shell luggage might work best. I like clear separation between toiletries, shoes, etc from my clothes and hard shell luggage tends to make this easier. For trips of 5 days or less, try to stick with a carry on. I can get up to 8 days in a carry on when I’m being really good.
Size and Weight Restrictions: What Airlines Allow
It’s important to make special note of airline size and weight restrictions. International and domestic carriers have different requirements. Many carriers have weight restrictions for both checked and carry-on baggage. For most international carriers, the checked weight is 50 lbs before you are charged extra baggage fees. And this might be even less if you are traveling within a country (i.e Madrid to Barcelona).
When buying luggage pay special attention to the weight of the bag when it’s empty. The best lightweight luggage options won’t eat into your baggage allowance.
This becomes even more important when you are purchasing carry-on luggage. And just because your carry-on bag can expand, doesn’t mean the expanded bag will be allowed onboard. I’ve seen gate agents not only check the size but also the weight of some carry-on bags in international airports.
Smart Luggage
The idea of having a bag with a built in phone charger, built in locks and GPS tracking sounds like a dream. Until, you are forced to check the bag because of airline restrictions.
If you select a bag with these smart features, make sure you can easily remove batteries if you are ever required to check it. Batteries on checked baggage create a fire hazard which no one wants to deal with while in flight. In fact, some airlines have banned them altogether. Do your research before you buy.
Of course, you can always add trackers to your luggage. I have Apple AirTags that I place in my checked bag to give me piece of mind when traveling abroad. While they won’t help you get your bag any faster, they will give you some indication of where the bag actually is. I once traveled to Italy and when my bag didn’t arrive, the airline said it never left Miami when in fact the tracker showed it was in Argentina.
Other Considerations
In addition to all of the things listed above, there are few other accessories that might make your life easier when traveling abroad.
Look for built in compression options that make packing a few extra things a little easier. Check for accessories like dirty laundry and wet items bag. These are game saving options that undoubtedly you will need one day.
If the brand provides packing cubes, jewelry sleeves and/or a toiletries bag designed to fit perfectly in the luggage, it’s a winner.
My Perspective
Luggage is an investment. If you choose wisely, it will be with you for years to come. When deciding what to purchase don’t just go for aesthetics. Consider how you will use it, durability, warranty and weight. Each of these factors will become more important when you are in the airport fighting it out with your luggage. After you cover the basics, then go for color and style. Just remember that 7 out of 10 bags coming off the baggage claim belt will be black or navy. So you might want something that stands out a little.
Before you book your next trip, determine the #1 feature you need in your luggage. Remember you can be both fashionable and functional. And if you want more travel tips like this, hit that subscribe button and never miss a post!
FAQs About Picking the Right Luggage for International Travel
How do I choose between a carry-on and a checked bag for international travel?
If you’re traveling light and want to skip baggage claim, a carry-on is the best choice. However, for longer trips or when packing bulkier items, a checked bag may be necessary. Always check airline size restrictions before choosing.
What is the most durable luggage brand for frequent travelers?
Brands like Briggs & Riley, Away and Tumi are known for their durability and warranty support. Hard-shell polycarbonate luggage and reinforced soft-shell options tend to last the longest.
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