Packing Procedures - Selecting a Suitcase

Hey travel gurus!
The ancient and delicate art of packing wouldn't be possible without something to pack in. Although it is not an excruciatingly crucial step, it is still important to consider when packing for a trip. When trying to choose a suitcase, there are three factors you should consider, and once again a nauseatingly corny acronym will be used to illustrate cet tips: The three S'of Suitcase Searching.

1- Size. Though you may think that the several different sizes of suitcases are just a marketing scheme for companies to sell more suitcases, the difference in sizes actually proves to be quite vital. If you're planning to transport to your destination via airplane, this point becomes increasingly true. Firstly, your bag must meet certain weight requirements and it helps if you bag is light. When shopping try to pick a suitcase that strikes the right balance between durability and lightness. Size is also important to consider when choosing a carry-on bag - a small suitcase you're allowed bring onto  the plane with you for your convenience. Most airlines have size requirements for carry on suitcases as the overhead compartments can only hold so much. Not to mention that you're going to be lugging around this suitcase for the duration of the trip. Choose one that meets your needs and try not to go all out with this suitcase in particular. Size is also important factor consider when traveling using any other method of transportation. Especially when traveling with your car, the size of your suitcases play an important role in whether or not you'll need to maintain a painful and complicated yoga position during the long road trip. And most people don't like doing yoga in a crammed vehicle.

2- Style. In this situation, style refers to both the interior and exterior make of the suitcase. Though not necessary, you might find that you want a pretty looking suitcase - to make up for the sweatpants you're wearing in the middle of the airport. Though that part does appeal to you as taste is subjective, the interior design may need a little insight on my part. Depending on the trip you're going on and the type of suitcase you're selecting, you're gonna want your suitcase set up differently. If you're going on a short trip, you are gonna want you're suitcase to be split in many compartments so you fit a little of each type of clothing/miscellaneous items in each compartments. If you're going on a long trip, you'll probably want a suitcase with large areas of space to be able to fit a bulk amount of the same types of items. Whichever suitcase you go for, the most important thing is to pick a style of suitcase that is intuitive for your method of organization and is easy to pack and unpack.

3- Sum. Especially these days when money's tight, it's probably not smart to splurge on a Louis Vuitton luggage set that costs more than the trip you're taking them on. And in most cases (admire the pun) the hefty price tag on designer luggage corresponds to the name and doesn't necessarily translate directly to quality. This isn't to say that you should go for the cheapest suitcase, as it's probably cheap for a reason, and you'll end up losing money buying several cheap suitcases that fall martyrs to the rough and tumble process of luggage transportation. The trick is to find suitcases that strike the best balance between price and durability, so more of your money can towards the trip itself. Some of my personal favorites are Samsonite and American Tourister. Although a bit of  an investment at first, you get the return in the fact that they last for so long and usually come with warranties that protect against damage.

I hope this blog post helped take out some of the stress in suitcase searching and may your suitcases take you to beautiful exotic islands for years to come.

Thanks for reading travel gurus!
- Taz