With so many luggage options to choose from, deciding what brand, type, style and how much you want to spend on a luggage set can be difficult. Consumer Reports, Good Housekeeping and other consumer product review entities are a good starting point to understand what makes or doesn’t make a durable, well-made set of luggage.
Hard Vs Soft Side Luggage
Through my many years of travel, I have collected both hard and soft-sided luggage and have found that I prefer the hard side variety for the following reasons:
Your breakable purchases, tech equipment and liquids are much less likely to get damaged by the airlines’ luggage handlers, the baggage conveyors or anyone who has your bags in their care while in transit.
Hard side luggage is easier to stack. Whether on an airport rolling luggage cart, in the cargo hole of a cruise ship or an airplane, hardside luggage tends to be more stationary.
You can sit on your luggage if where you are doesn’t have any seating options available.
The new plastic materials offer many more trendy styling options.
If you have over packed or over purchased on your trip you can sit on the bag to force it closed!
Your purse or oversized tote is more stable and tends to remain more fixed on top of a hard side bag as you roll it through an airport.
You can pack both sides of the bag, which allows you to pack more items.
Hard side luggage will protect your contents from potential water damage such as from rain or snow.
The luggage is more stable and thus, less likely to fall over from uneven content weight distribution.
It's easier to lift because most have top and side handles.
Affordable 3 Piece Set by It Luggage - $129
For my recent 50-day Around the World solo trip, I purchased a white, three piece set of IT Luggage for $129 from Amazon.com. I was a little unsure how this personally, untested luggage set would hold up on a long, multi stop trip of this type. I shared in a previous post that I would do a follow up blog when I returned home on how the luggage set performed. While I've been publishing several blog posts about my trip, I hadn't written this one until now because two different people have asked me recently about the luggage set.
It Luggage Post-Trip Review
First and most importantly, it made it through the trip with no damage to any of the bags. The set returned home with only a few minor scratches and marks of which most can be removed with a good cleaner. All the zippers held tight and none of the handles or wheels popped off from my over packing or rough handling by baggage attendants. I was totally surprised that nothing broke. One thing I did do, that I highly recommend, is I reinforced the bags with exterior luggage straps for added protection. Straps are available online for $10 for a set of three.
“Travel tip: invest in a strap set, you will be glad you did.”
Second, I had only one trip purchase break-- a souvenir coffee cup-- which was totally my fault. Not thinking, I packed it next to another hard object and somehow the cup handle broke off. I chalk this up to my carelessness.
Third, I was a little concerned about the white color. Would it show every little bit of grime or scratch marks? Would it end up looking cheap or kind of cheesy as the trip progressed? When you travel to many different countries and cultures you see a variety of styles of everything. I worried my white bags would be offensive or kind of out-there to some locals. I was pleasantly surprised as I traversed the various airports and locales. What I found was white luggage was a trendy item. Many of the younger, most stylish travelers had this color of luggage. Some had all white versions that included the white wheels, handles and zippers, an ultra-chic look. Even though my set had black wheel, handle and zipper details, I felt very en vogue and relieved. Likewise, I received numerous compliments on my luggage from airline check in personnel and fellow travelers!
Fourth, because the bags sustained no damage except for minor scratches that are common in hard side luggage, I didn’t have to file a claim on the 10 year warranty that came with this set of IT Luggage. Filing a warranty claim is always a hassle.
Last, this unique set of luggage accompanied me on this unique travel journey. It was my first trip around the world. I did it solo and it was a part of the launching of my new venture, Astrid Solo Travel Advisor(AstridTravel.com). The trip was the most exciting and enjoyable travel experience I have had to date. I saw so many interesting things and sites, met so many interesting people, experienced a variety of cultures and experienced lots of wonderful solo travel moments. My IT Luggage was an integral part of this fabulous trip and thus, this luggage set will always hold a special place in my heart.
For my followers, this is my positive follow up report on my prior white luggage blog post, The Best Luggage Set for a Trip Around the World. I would love to hear comments or luggage related questions. I have had both good and bad experiences with different types and styles of luggage and I am happy to share my past experiences for each type.
Check out this informative video produced by the It Luggage company.
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Author: Astrid Clements
Astrid Solo Travel Advisor CEO and founder, Astrid, has spent over 40 years traveling around the world. She is passionate about embracing the world’s diverse cultures and sharing with others the global need and personal benefit of cultural literacy. Her focus is on affordable luxury travel that is both substantive and fun! To read more about her and each one of our Solo Travel Advisors, head over to the About page!
Living a sustainable and environmentally conscious lifestyle is something that is very important to me. It’s not always easy, but I have discovered a number of eco-friendly/sustainable/responsible travel products that have helped me maintain my “earth-conscious” habits and make wise consumer decisions while on the road. Here are 10 of my favorites!