Travel Luggage: Research your needs

In order to end up with the travel luggage best suited to your needs, you have to clearly understand what you are looking for and what options are available to you. This is done by researching in two areas.

Firstly, you research the market to find out what kinds of travel luggage are available, familiarizing yourself with the different features, styles and price ranges etc. Secondly, you examine your own unique requirements in travel luggage.

Research the market: Travel Luggage essentials

There are almost as many types of travel luggage as there are people. It seems like whenever you are at the airport, you always see those well put-together people who always have the most perfect and convenient luggage.

The first part of the research step is to investigate just what's available in the travel luggage market. The range of options can seem daunting, but you can make a good start by understanding the following major features:

Large Luggage and Pullmans: There are a few different types of large luggage which are great for long trips. There is hard-sided luggage with various wheel, handles, and pocket configurations. There is soft-sided luggage which is light and expandable with no interior framework. And, lastly, there is semi-soft luggage which has room for expansion and has wheels and straps.

Carry-Ons: These days it seems like many airlines are getting stricter about the size and weight of carry-on luggage. Size restrictions for carry-on luggage can vary greatly between airlines, ranging from 19 to 51 inches (48 cm to 130cm) in length. If you know which airlines you intend to be travelling on, check their websites, or phone them, for their size restrictions.

Business Cases: Sometimes called briefcases, these are usually narrow, hard-sided cases for carrying files and important paperwork. Business cases also include laptop carriers or cases.

Duffle Bags: Duffle bags are large, soft-sided bags which can carry an incredible amount of clothing and accessories. In many countries, military personnel use these to carry all of their belongings.

Garment Bags: These are hanging bags, usually quite long with a zipper that goes the whole length. They are good for dressy clothes and business clothes because they let you hang the clothes rather than fold them.

Backpacks or rucksacks: Backpacks are a great way to pack all of your items in one bag. Many people who hike, camp, or walk a lot during trips find them invaluable. Just remember to buy a sturdy lock for the zippers.

Research your needs: Questions to ask yourself

Now it's time to determine what your requirements are in a travel luggage. For example, will you use the travel luggage only for an occasional holiday or are you a regular traveler?

You can start this process by considering the following questions - as well as any others you think of yourself - and recording your answers.

Have I used travel luggage before?
	If you have used travel luggage, work out what you did or didn't like about the travel luggage. You may be looking for some exactly like it, hoping to upgrade, or even trying to avoid any particular features that you found inconvenient.

How will I be traveling?
	You may be traveling domestically or internationally, or you could be travelling mostly by car, train, plane, or cruise ship.

How long am I normally gone?
	You might be a frequent business traveller who goes for long trips or you may take lots of short 2 or 3 day trips. You could be going on a short flight or be travelling for a long international holiday.

How much will I need to pack?
	You may be one of those really light packers who only brings one change of clothes and a razor or you might be someone who brings everything except the kitchen sink. You might want to bring sewing kits, spare towels, first aid kits, and try to cover every eventuality.

What type of clothes will I be bringing?
	You could need to bring your expensive work suits which you don't want to wrinkle or perhaps you are a fan of no-wrinkle, light-weight travel clothes. Think about whether you need to dress formally or casually.

Will I have valuables with me?
	You might be travelling with expensive jewellery, photographic, or computer equipment. You could have a lot of electronic toys like an iPod, a PDA, or a fancy cell phone that need to be kept safe.

Understanding your needs is the key to a successful purchase and you can revisit your list of needs at any time during the buying process.

Once you complete this Research step, having informed yourself about the essentials of travel luggage and identified your needs, you are ready to move on to the next step: Evaluation.

Video Links

The Latest Luggage Trends - Info
Natalie Morales talks with travel journalist Valarie D'Elia about the latest travel gear. (5m 33s)