High CP purchasing guide, seven recommended luggage types | 2024 latest

When traveling on a business trip or traveling, there is always the hurdle of picking out your suitcases. Choosing a suitable suitcase can make the entire journey worry-free. The so-called "suitable" suitcase also has a purchasing formula to achieve the goal simply. There are hundreds of styles on the market. In fact, the combination you choose will be very different depending on factors such as the number of days of stay, local season and weather, usage, etc.! The following will sort out the key points and recommended selection scenarios for selecting suitcases, and summarize the 2023 high-CP purchasing guide and a recommended list of seven suitcases for you who want to get rid of troubles.

Purchasing Point 1: Size

The regular size of suitcases ranges from 16 inches to 32 inches. It is recommended to choose based on the number of days of stay . The general distinctions are as follows:

• 16 ~ 20 inches: 1 ~ 3 days short stay, light travel, can also be used as a carry-on suitcase.
• 21 ~ 24 inches: 4 ~ 6 days a week medium-term travel.
• 25 ~ 28 inches: 7 ~ 14 days for long-distance travel of more than a week.
• 28 inches or more: more than 15 days, long-term stay, study abroad, working vacation.

If your family does not plan to stay abroad for a long time, it is recommended to choose three styles of 20, 24, and 28 inches as regular luggage, which can better cope with three common situations of sleeping abroad. If you are worried about a long stay and a suitcase that won’t fit in, you can bring a suitcase under 20 inches on board as a carry-on suitcase, or bring your own luggage strap as a backup plan.

Purchasing Point 2: Material (hard shell, soft shell)

The outermost material of suitcases is usually divided into "hard shell" made of aluminum-magnesium alloy and plastic, and "soft shell" made of cloth or leather. It is recommended to consider the weather at the destination and the items you bring .

hard shell

• The advantages are strong impact resistance, good safety, good durability and good waterproofness. It can effectively protect laptops or fragile items and reduce the possibility of high unit price damage and theft. If you want to keep your suitcase from being invaded by rain during the rainy season, it is recommended to choose a hard case.
• The disadvantages are poor spatial elasticity and heavier weight than soft shells. If you want to squeeze too much luggage into it, it is almost impossible to fit it into a hard-shell suitcase.

soft shell

• The advantages are good space flexibility, good expandability, and lighter weight than hard shells. Most soft shells have internal and external storage spaces, and single opening is the mainstream. If mobility is needed, it is relatively easy to take out items. Recommended for short-term overnight stays, shopping trips, and those who need to keep their luggage close to their body.
• Its disadvantages correspond to the advantages of hard shells.

Purchasing Point Three: Opening Method (Aluminum Frame, Zipper)

There are two types of opening methods: aluminum frame type and zipper type. It is recommended to make a selection based on the weather of the destination, the items you bring, and the usage .

Aluminum frame

• The advantages are good safety and good waterproofness. The metal aluminum frame is less likely to be damaged and is equipped with a safety lock, which provides higher security. You don’t have to worry about placing more valuable items.
• The disadvantages are poor space flexibility, heavy weight, and high maintenance costs. Most aluminum-framed suitcases must be laid flat and a certain amount of space must be reserved before they can be opened. The mobility of taking out items is poor, and they cannot accommodate the situation of exploding plugs. The use of space is relatively fixed.

zipper

• The advantages are good space flexibility, light weight and low maintenance cost. Zippered suitcases usually do not need to be laid completely flat. You can reach out to retrieve items from the zipper, making it easier to retrieve items.
• The disadvantages are poor safety and poor waterproofing. Zippered suitcases are more questionable in terms of safety and are easier to be damaged or stolen. However, if the suitcase is relatively close to the body and requires large elastic space, you can still choose zipper or anti-riot zippers.

Purchasing Point 4: Empty Box Weight

Airlines have a weight limit when traveling abroad, and I believe most people don’t want to be charged extra overweight fees. There is also an upper limit of 10 kilograms for carry-on suitcases that can be taken on the plane. If the suitcase is too heavy, it will directly dilute the number of kilograms that can be carried. The selection of the empty suitcase weight is also a crucial part. As mentioned above, the choice of material (hard shell, soft shell) and opening method (aluminum frame, zipper) will affect the net weight of the empty box. It is recommended to consider the purpose of use , such as whether it needs to be carried up and down stairs. If you are using it for light travel or business trips, you can choose a bag under 20 inches that can also be used as a carry-on suitcase, and try to keep it under 3 kilograms to reduce the weight burden.

Purchasing Point 5: Parts Design (Wheels, Locks, Tie Rods)

wheel

The number of wheels on the suitcase is at least two and at most eight. Two-wheeled luggage is lighter and more maneuverable, but if the luggage is heavy, the taxiing speed will be significantly reduced. Although suitcases with more than four wheels are heavier and have poor maneuverability, they will come into play when the amount of luggage is heavy and provide a more stable glide level. If you have strong requirements for heavy-duty resistance, you may consider choosing a single-legged and double-wheeled model, which has the best stability.

The size of the wheels is related to durability and stability. It is recommended to choose larger wheels. You can test it by letting the suitcase rotate in place. The more turns it makes, the more stable it will be. And try to push it, observe the sliding distance to judge its resistance. The sound of the wheels is also a key point in the selection. If you are afraid of the embarrassing noise during towing, you can choose a model with a smaller sound.

Lock

If you choose a travel-frame suitcase, it usually comes standard with a snap-lock combination lock. The operation is relatively simple and convenient, but the space flexibility is relatively small, and you need to remember the password. The other is a key lock, and the preservation of the key is very important. In addition, since the September 11th incident in the United States, if any abnormalities are found in luggage entering the United States, customs inspection is required. Generally, locks will be forcibly destroyed because they cannot be opened by customs. However, with certified TSA US Customs locks, customs can directly open the suitcase with a special key. It is recommended to choose a TSA US Customs lock that will not be damaged when purchasing.

tie rod

Tie rods are usually divided into single rods and double rods. Double rods have more latches than single rods and have more support points, but are relatively heavier. It is also divided into built-in tie rods and external tie rods. The built-in tie rods are embedded in the suitcase, so the inside of the suitcase will be affected by the tie rods and make it difficult to store. External tie rods can provide a flatter internal space, but because the tie rods are on the outside, they may be damaged and deformed due to impact.

Before purchasing, it is recommended to first confirm the needs of the tie rod, whether the height is appropriate, whether the tenon can be smooth and will not get stuck, and confirm the material condition in detail. Some iron-containing materials may rust over time. If you are concerned about the rust of the tie rod, you can purchase an all-aluminum alloy material with a higher unit price.

Tip 6 when purchasing: Warranty

The suitcase can be regarded as a consumable item and may not be properly treated during the transportation process abroad. If you want it to be durable, it is recommended to choose a model with a higher price and better brand guarantee and after-sales service. Or you can choose a plan with a lower price, a no-hassle strategy of throwing it away if it breaks, and less need to consider warranty issues. You can make a selection based on your personal frequency of traveling abroad and your usage needs.

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