The Best Business Travel Luggage for Every Situation
Anyone who travels frequently for business can attest to the fact that bad luggage can really ruin a trip. From broken wheels and handles, to wrinkled suits and damaged valuables, packing poorly can certainly set you up for failure. That’s why it is imperative to choose the right luggage to fit your needs and your trip.
Unfortunately, finding the best business travel luggage for you isn’t as straightforward as you might think. There are a number of factors to consider when deciding upon the best luggage for business travel, and we’ve compiled them all in this blog.
Things to Consider When Buying Business Travel Luggage
How long will your trip last? What kind of attire will you be packing in your suitcase? Will you be checking your luggage or bringing it as a carry-on? These are all things to consider when buying new business travel luggage. Rather than trying to find the suitcase with the best reviews, consider your specific needs for travel to find the bag or case that is right for you.
Carry-On vs. Checked Luggage
There are pros and cons for both carry-on luggage and checked luggage. While checking your luggage allows you to maneuver the airport and board the plane with ease, finding your belongings in baggage claim can often be a time-consuming hassle. And far more often than is expected, luggage can be damaged or lost by airport employees once it is out of your hands. While carry-on luggage solves the issue of lost or damaged luggage (not to mention stolen goods), it can often be a difficult task to find room in the overhead bins if you aren’t on the airplane first.
The best way to determine which type of luggage you should get is by considering the normal length of your business trips. If you generally only travel for one or two days at a time, then a high-quality carry-on bag may be perfect for you. Most international carry-on-sized bags (that’s 18 to 20 inches tall) can fit one to two days’ worth of clothing, toiletries, shoes, and more. As far as material goes, a thick but pliable outside is the best choice.
Bags with a little give allow you to better fit them underneath the chair in front of you or in crowded overhead compartments on packed flights. We’re fans of the 20” 2-Wheeled Foldable Duffle Carry-on from Lipault. Its soft sides and multiple handles allow you to easily fit it into any tight space, and its duffle handles, expandable handles, and wheels make it easy to steer around the airport after a flight.
If your trip is longer, and especially if your airline doesn’t charge for a checked bag, consider a sturdier, larger checked suitcase. While leather or fabric suitcases may be appealing to the eye, they don’t stand up very well to scrapes or scratches from neglectful baggage handlers or to rain or snow if left out on the tarmac. Look for a bag made with Tegris, lightweight, heavy duty material used to build NASCAR vehicles and NFL helmets. We like the Tegra-Lite suitcase from Tumi, which has been hailed by many frequent flyers as one of the best luggage companies out there.
Two-Wheel vs. Four-Wheel Rolling Suitcases
The newest trend in business travel is four-wheeled suitcases, which glide easily over smooth airport floors and bring envy to anyone lugging around their old two-wheeled bag. However, there are still a number of advantages that two-wheeled suitcases have over the newer four-wheeled style.
When choosing how many wheels you need on your business travel luggage, consider how much walking you’ll be doing around your destination city. While four-wheeled suitcases are a breeze to use in the airport, they glide so smoothly outside on the uneven city sidewalk and pavement. Their pivoting four wheels also mean that, like a grocery cart in a parking lot, they’ll roll right away on unleveled ground.
If you aren’t willing to sacrifice your four-wheeled rolling suitcase in New York, consider booking NYC airport transportation from the airport to your hotel. That way, you can relax in a luxury sedan with your suitcase stowed safely in the back rather than lugging it through the subway or into and out of a taxicab.
At the end of the day, there’s no substitute for quality business travel luggage. Make sure that you do your research and purchase your baggage from a high-quality brand. Browse through high-end or specialty travel stores to see what selections they offer. Talk to their salespeople about your travel needs and see if they have any recommendations. You can always look up better deals online after browsing in store.
