Luggage Brands

Any old bag won't do

Picking the right luggage is probably the second-most important decision you'll make before you take to the skies. You'll spend almost as much time with your bags as you do with your travel companion, so choose wisely.

When buying a new set of luggage, factor in where and why you're going, how you're planning to get there and how long you'll be away. A nifty designer set serves the purpose if you're flitting from continent to continent on a private jet and being whisked away by a chauffeured limousine at every destination. But for the vast majority of us, more thought should be given to quality, functionality and weight than to simple appearance or name-brand recognition.

Pleasure Seekers

The luggage you choose to take on a month-long eco-trip to Brazil, which likely will involve knuckle-whitening flights on local airlines and hot, grimy rides aboard over-crowded and antiquated buses, will differ greatly from the bags you haul along on a guided tour of Ireland.

• Adventure / casual travel - For long (or even short) trips to out-of-the-way destinations that require you to be mobile, consider a backpack, which is much more portable, functional and lightweight than traditional suitcases. Dragging a hard-cased, wheeled suitcase through the Amazon jungles is going to get very old, very quickly. Well-made backpacks or travel packs, which disguise their use by hiding the shoulder harness and other straps, come equipped with a padded hip belt to take some of the weight off your shoulders. (You'll thank us later.)
• Traditional tourism - More conventional vacations like guided tours or cruises place less emphasis on portability. Keep in mind, though, that you, not the bellhops or airport porters, will be carrying the bags most of the time, so quality and durability (airport baggage handlers usually don't have the gentlest of touches) are important. Generally, the best bets will cost you a few more of your hard-earned dollars.

Executive Decisions

Business travelers have different needs than vacationing families when it comes to luggage. The battered-but-sturdy backpack you used on the trip to Brazil won't cut it during a business trip to Chicago. More often than not, business travelers don't check luggage, so essentials must fit into a carry-on style bag that meets the airline's stringent size requirements. A flat bag with a shoulder strap, not wheels, like the Easy Going Carry-on is a perfect solution. It has all the features you need, fits the size guidelines and weighs just 4 pounds.