Top Luggage Brands
Any frequent traveler can tell you that one of the most frustrating things that can happen is to arrive at your destination, join the packs at the baggage claim carousel and discover your suitcase has been damaged in transit. It’s somewhat bearable when this happens on your return home. But what do you do when you’ve still got several cities and ports to visit? You can’t very well travel around with a broken suitcase so you begrudgingly set off to find a cheap replacement, just so you can continue with your trip and get your luggage home intact.
When it comes to luggage, the choices are endless. You can choose from something extremely high end, or you might just go for the super cheap models. You might want to reconsider going for the really budget brands, unless you want to find your luggage exiting piece by piece from the carousel at the airport. That doesn’t mean you need to take out a loan just to buy a suitcase. We’ve checked out some of the best luggage brands that will make packing and traveling so much simpler.
1. Samsonite
One of the best-known luggage brands is Samsonite. This company has been manufacturing exceptional quality luggage for over 100 years. Samsonite really specializes in luggage so you know you’re getting luggage you can rely on. They have the full range of luggage which includes hard shell luggage which is incredibly light in weight, yet very strong and durable. The lightweight means you can pack more items without worrying about exceeding weight restrictions. Most Samsonite suitcases have a four-wheel system which are really smooth and easy to maneuver.
If you’re not a fan of hard-sided suitcases, Samsonite also has soft-sided suitcases with expandable zippers for bulky luggage. They also have a full range of garment bags, travel backpacks and a variety of travel accessories. What’s more, their range caters to all budgets so you can be sure to find one with a price to please.
2. Travelpro
No one travels more than airline staff so if you are looking for excellent quality, without the hefty price tag, look at the luggage brand preferred by cabin crew all over the world. Travelpro is the brand of luggage that offers durable and well-made luggage at an affordable price. You can choose from hard or softsided luggage and you also have the option of going for a two-wheel rollerboard or a four-wheel spinner. Travelpro is among the first to introduce luggage with wheels when an airline pilot saw the need for this must-have feature and invented what may have been the first suitcase with wheels. The concept is obviously not lost on travelers and you’d be hard pressed to find anyone not wheeling their luggage behind them.
If you are a frequent traveler, it makes sense to invest in top quality luggage and Travelpro can accommodate with their Platinum Elite Line. This is top quality luggage with a price tag to match, but what you get is luggage that comes with a lifetime warranty and is made from premium quality materials and leather trims.
3. Briggs & Riley
When only the best will do, you can’t go past Briggs & Riley’s luggage range. The hardware on this range is mounted on the outside which may seem unusual, but it means you get more packing space inside and it’s also flatter so you can pack your clothes neatly and experience less wrinkling when you start to unpack. The CX Expansion and Compression technology means you can fit even more in this luggage when you need it, and it will compress back to its original size when it’s emptied. The wheels are smooth and easy to maneuver even when the luggage is bulky and heavy.
Don’t expect to find Briggs & Riley in the budget luggage section. But if you want luggage that will last, this is the luggage you want. Not only do you get exceptional quality luggage, but it also comes with a lifetime guarantee that has you covered even if your luggage sustains airport damage. Sure, it will set you back a fair bit, but when you consider that you may never need to replace your luggage, it’s definitely worth the extra cost.
4. Rimowa
Rimowa is a luggage brand that has been around since 1898 and with a motto like “Handmade meets high-tech”, it’s a brand you definitely want to look at. Rimowa made their first aluminum trunk in 1937 and they have been leading the way in luggage innovations ever since. Rimowa has also been an industry leader in using extremely durable, yet lightweight polycarbonate materials. Their premium class range of luggage comes with their distinctive parallel grooves and every thought has gone into making this range of high-end luggage stylish and practical.
5. Globe-Trotter
You simply can’t look at the best luggage brands and not mention Globe-Trotter. This is a high-end luxury brand that has its roots in Germany over a hundred years ago. The company moved to the UK and has been there ever since. Most of the luggage in this range is handcrafted and the manufacturers have maintained the vintage look with handmade leather straps and trim for a stylish, timeless look. But looks aren’t everything so you also want this type of luxury to be made from the best quality materials and that’s exactly what you will get if you’re willing to pay the price. If you want superior luxury, favored by royals like Queen Elizabeth, look no further than Globe-Trotter.
If your old luggage has seen better days, it may be time for you to start shopping for some new luggage. All of the brands we’ve looked at have a reputation and a history of producing dependable, durable and stylish luggage that is practical and easy to cart around. The best piece of luggage is one that will see you through several years of travel so that the only thing you will be worrying about is your next destination.