Luggage Reviews and Buying Guide:

Everyone needs a good luggage set and there are 5 things to look for - mobility, flexibility, packability, compatiblity, expandability. Mobility is key since you don't want to have to carry your bags around parking lots, airports and into hotels. Wheels on the bottom allow you to pull the bags everywhere you go and take stress off of your shoulders and back. Flexibility is important so that you can get the bag into the overhead storage bin easily or stow it under the seat in front of you. Packability is what we mean when we think of a well organized suitcase. There should be storage areas for socks, underwear, ties, shoes, and toiletries. Many bags have a seperate storage area for suits or formal clothing that pack in nicely. Expandability means there should be sections of the bag that expand out if you want. Newer carry on models have expandable midsections that unzip to give you an extra 3 inches in depth. Lastly, compatibility means the bag must fit the designated space that airlines give you in the overhead areas or under the seat in front of you. Also, the overall weight of the bag may be an issue if it doesn't meet the weight requirements offered by all airlines. Lastly, color is something most people don't think much about, just get the black one. That is not always the best choice since 80% of luggage is in the color of black so recognizing yours when it's time to pick it up can be a problem.

The top brands are Samsonite, Tumi, Atlantic, Travelpro, Hartmann, American Tourister, Briggs & Riley, Delsey, Kipling, Kenneth Cole, Victorinox and Louis Vuitton. You can find them all online with full product descriptions and complete pictures sets at Luggageonline.com. They carry all the major brands and give you a wide selection in traditional luggage sets plus backpacks, duffles, handbags, laptop and briefcase luggage, and travel accessories. Leather luggage is very popular and Tumi is the top designer of leather luggage along with Louis Vuitton. They are expensive, but the Tumi line of leather luggage is prestigious and excellent quality so that you won't have to have repairs done. Carry-on luggage has gained in popularity recently as more airlines are charging for checked baggage. At up to $50 a bag, paying a little extra for a good carry-on makes sense if you do a lot of traveling. For those that aren't as strong, consider the latest Samsonite Spinner luggage bags that allow you to effortlessly take your bags through airports and parking. The 4 wheels on the bottom allow for easy transport and save your back and shoulders from doing any heavy moving or lifting. Another type of bag for travel to consider are the laptop luggage bags or carry totes. Computers are a part of our lives and trying to travel for business with one can be a hassle. Choose a laptop travel bag that is comfortable, well padded, and has lots of extra pockets for things like chargers, computer mice, batteries, etc. Each year Consumer Reports does their luggage reviews and we try to base some of our expert advice on what they say. We also look at websites like Epinions, Consumersearch.com, and Amazon for relevant feedback and comments. Owner reviews are the best source as they tell you what it's like to own an actual piece of luggage. Does it hold up well? Will it be able to fit in the overhead bins of airplanes? RECOMMENDED - We suggest shopping online at Amazon.com since they carry all the top brands and often have the lowest pricing on the web. You can browse their best selling luggage and luggage sets here.

Best Luggage Sets:
The first question you need to ask is - Do I need an individual piece of luggage or should I buy a luggage set? A good luggage set can last for a decade or more and when you travel for work or pleasure, it's always nice to have matching bags. I know with my family (4 of us) we like having our 5 piece set for longer trips where we need the added luggage and space. For shorter flights, carry-ons make sense, but when traveling to Europe or further, owning durable luggage that can fit all your clothes and supplies is invaluable. Which brands score the highest in terms of consumer reviews. We found Samsonite and Travelers Club had good feedback along with Delsey and Heys. Tumi is a recognized name, but they did better with individual pieces than full on sets. You can view the top rated luggage sets here.

Luggage Carry-on:

Looking for a quality expandable piece of luggage that fits in most overhead bins. The Travelpro Walkabout Lite 3 measures 22" x 14" x 9" and is available in black or green. Comes with high performance wheels for easy rolling and the removable suit folder system is essential. The Rollaboard from Travelpro gets excellent reviews from owners and comments include "great travel companion", "perfect carry on" and "sturdy and handles easily". At $100 it's hard to go wrong with this one. View all popular carry-on luggage here.

Luggage Spinner Wheels:

As we noted above, the newer spinner luggage is helping travelers around the world when it comes to getting luggage across airport parking lots, through terminals and to your hotel room. The Samsonite Solana 28 is a top sell on several websites and for good reason. It comes in black or cobblestone colors and is made with nylon and features exterior pockets. The four wheels (spinners) on the bottom are called "Zero Effort" and this is totally true. My brother own one and I must say there is really no weight that your arm or should needs to support or push when moving the bag. The Samsonite Solana Softside is both rugged and lightweight. Lightweight spinner luggage is what we have all been waiting for. It even expands out an extra 2" so you can pack in those extra souvenirs you bought on the trip. At 28 inches, the Solana is not carry-on size, but it works as the perfect bag for checked luggage. We suggest that you view all spinners and rolling luggage here.

Do you have a quality site or product that belongs in this guide? We are always happy to evaluate or review new products and websites. Feel free to contact us at the email address below and let us know about you. If you have a demo product you'd like us to look at, please contact us before sending anything. Thank you.

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