| size="2">From heavy, metal trunks to sophisticated | | | | like ABS, aluminum) or softshell (made from fabrics |
| pull-along suitcases, travel luggage has covered a long | | | | like nylon or polyester). While hardshell suitcases |
| distance. With so many types of luggage available in | | | | promise longevity, softshell wheeled uprights offer |
| different styles and materials — each designed | | | | maximum organization as they come with various |
| to serve a specific purpose — the consumer | | | | compartments and sections. You may find various |
| has never had it so good. So, if you are getting | | | | pockets for different things, built-in or detachable |
| ready to leave on a jet plane and confused about | | | | garment sleeves, and even laptop sleeves in a |
| what luggage to pick, here’s a quick lowdown | | | | softshell wheeled upright. |
| on different types of luggage available today. | | | | Duffels: Duffel bags are cylindrical shaped bags with a |
| Totes: The term tote means to carry and | | | | closure or zipper at the top running through its length. |
| although many people confuse tote bags with a | | | | Duffel bags are usually made of fabric such as nylon |
| woman’s purse, that, in fact, is not always | | | | or canvas or even leather in some cases. They are |
| the case. A tote bag is any large handheld bag that | | | | mostly used by people to carry clothes and shoes to |
| can be used to carry a variety of things. They are | | | | the gym or even for outdoor activity trips. You may |
| usually made from canvas, nylon, or leather. Some | | | | also see athletes carrying their sports equipment in |
| tote bags come with lots of pockets and | | | | duffel bags. But duffel bags can also be used for long |
| compartments to carry different things. | | | | travel - especially the large, rolling ones with |
| Contrary to perception, tote bags are unisex (unless | | | | extended handles - because of their huge capacity |
| they are purse-style shoulder bags) and can be | | | | and convenient handling. While duffel bags usually |
| carried equally gracefully by both men and women. | | | | offer little or no organization inside, some of them do |
| Some luggage manufacturers also make wheeled | | | | come with convenient pockets on the exterior that |
| totes that are easier to transport and carry on the | | | | can be used for various purposes. |
| aircraft. Depending on their size, tote bags can be | | | | Backpacks: Most of us associate backpacks with |
| used to carry a few things or pack enough for a 2-3 | | | | school or college. However, backpacks are one of |
| day trip. | | | | the most popular carry-on luggage varieties. There |
| Garment Bags: Garment bags and covers are | | | | are essentially two types of luggage backpacks |
| designed specifically for carrying longer clothes like | | | | — 1) casual backpacks that are used to carry |
| business suits, evening gowns, long dresses, etc. | | | | travel gear, and 2) business backpacks that are used |
| These bags are generally provided with hangers for | | | | to carry laptops and other accessories & |
| hanging the garments and are meant to prevent | | | | documents. People use casual backpacks to carry a |
| creasing that occurs due to folding of clothes. | | | | variety of items on leisure or adventure trips like |
| Garment bags are especially useful for business | | | | hiking, biking, camping, etc. Some large backpacks, |
| travelers or people attending weddings as they | | | | also known as rucksacks, are extremely popular with |
| ensure the suits, tuxes, and dresses packed inside | | | | backpackers who carry little or no other luggage. |
| remain wrinkle-free. Garment covers and bags are | | | | Business backpacks can be used in place of |
| also available in various sizes and can hold anywhere | | | | briefcases and can be carried to work as well as |
| between a single garment to 6-8 suits. They can also | | | | business trips. |
| be rolling or non-rolling and bi-fold or tri-fold. | | | | Laptop briefs: Laptop briefs are the quintessential |
| Wheeled Uprights: This is the most popular luggage | | | | business briefcases that we may have seen our dads |
| style available today. Wheeled uprights come with | | | | and granddads carrying to work. The only difference |
| either two wheels or four and a retractable handle to | | | | is that they are a lot more stylish, come with a |
| ease transport. They are available in various sizes | | | | variety of carrying options (hand grip, shoulder |
| from small carry-ons to large suiters. Carry-ons are | | | | straps, messenger style, etc.), and have a section to |
| usually in the size range of 18 inches to 22 inches and | | | | hold the modern-day gizmo that’s replaced |
| can be used for 2-4 day trips. Mid-sized wheeled | | | | the olden day file — the laptop. A typical |
| uprights range from 23 inches to 26 inches and are | | | | laptop brief has a lot of space to hold documents, |
| good for week-long trips. Sizes ranging from 27 | | | | accessories, computer peripherals, and small items like |
| inches to 30 inches are referred to as large wheeled | | | | pens, ID, business cards, etc. They can actually serve |
| uprights. Large uprights can be used to pack two | | | | as your mobile office while you’re |
| week’s worth of stuff for a single person. | | | | traveling! |
| Anything over 30 has the potential of being | | | | With thousands of luggage manufacturers clamoring |
| charged by air carriers for being oversized. | | | | for your attention with their flashy designs and |
| Wheeled bags can be hardshell (made from materials | | | | trendy styles, it is not difficult to get swayed. |