Whether planning a quick overnight trip or an extended getaway, there are clothes, toiletries, laptops, phones, digital cameras, charging cables and so much more. So how do you manage to fit everything in one bag and keep it somewhat contained?

To answer the unnerving question, international baggage manufacturer American Tourister has released a ‘Guide to choosing the right travel bag’, helping travellers determine the best, hassle-free luggage for their journey.

According to the guide, some criteria to consider for a seamless travel experience are:

• Bright colours: Be it a tropical blue, a hot pink or a cool lime, bright colours are a big trend in luggage these days. Colours help make the luggage an extension of your fashion and lifestyle and also easier to spot.

• Hard v/s Soft Luggage: An age old dilemma among travellers, those looking for strength and durability can opt for hard luggage and those looking for a light-on-the-wallet option can choose soft luggage. For hard luggages, a key point to bear in mind is the material. While most modern bags are made of polycarbonate - a more pliable and lightweight material – polypropylene bags are a better option as they are more robust and tough.

• A bag that suits your needs: Knowing exactly what your travel needs are would help in choosing the perfect luggage piece. Designer luggage is more a fashion symbol than a travel tool and is not the choice of most experienced travellers.

• Worth its weight: Considering the weight of the luggage is a no brainer: the lighter the case the more one can pack!

• Expandability is a must-have: This feature tends to be overlooked by most buyers, but it can be a blessing in disguise during those mega packing sessions. Having an expander in the bag gives travellers that last stretch of extra volume to stuff the bag to the brim, without having to jump on it or struggle to close the main zipper.

• Choose True International Warranty for peace of mind:  In most cases, travellers end up dragging a damaged bag throughout the trip because they would not come with an international warranty that actually delivers customer service globally. Do stick to a globally renowned brand; this will ensure that one gets service across the world due to their global presence in the market.

• Lock it in and save the code: Opt for a bag with built-in three-dial combination lock as it will save the trouble of losing and finding a pad lock every time one needs to travel. Learn how to set the lock from the store staff itself, or can ask them to set it to your desired code. Those travelling to the US need to ensure their bag is secured with a TSA Approved lock.

• Organized = stress-free: Travellers looking for a luggages with more organisation feature are better off choosing a soft luggage with loads of inner pockets and a wet pouch.

While different trips will have different demands on the luggage, the one thing common is that one needs to plan. The right travel bag, thus, becomes a pre-requisite for a memorable travel. – TradeArabia News Service