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Which Bag is Best?
The best bag depends on the traveler and the trip. Are you fifty-something and on your way to London? (Sounds like a job for a rolling upright bag.) Or are you twenty-something and hostelling around Europe with a railpass? (You'll probably want a travel pack or duffel bag.) Here are pros and cons to consider:
Wheeled luggage sets you free. You can do your best Mick Jagger imitation as you sing to your clothes: "I'll Never Be Your Beast of Burden"! Instead, the bag does the work for you. Just tug it behind you like a child's pull-toy. But avoid buying a four-wheeled suitcase with a "leash." It will wobble, fall over, and generally act like an untrained puppy. Be aware that wheels don't roll as smoothly on Europe's cobblestone streets as on pavement.
Some travelers swear by the old-fashioned duffel bag. It's lightweight, low-tech, and doesn't announce you as a wealthy tourist. On the down side, duffel bags can be difficult to keep organized and may be more difficult to fit in the new, restrictive airline sizer boxes. Consider using packing aids to keep your clothes neat. They're a tremendous help.
New hybrid bags function as rolling bags or backpacks as your needs require. It's easy to carry these bags over rough ground or to climb five flights of stairs to your pensione. Some models even include a zip-off daypack.
Whatever bag you choose, remember that it will take a beating. Choose luggage of high quality. Look for heavy duty "ballistic nylon," which won't rip unless Godzilla is involved. Outside zippered compartments are handy, as are attachments for fastening smaller bags on the front of a rolling bag. It's nice if zippers are protected. Inside tie-down straps and a horizontal divider stop clothes from shifting (which is the main cause of wrinkles). A suitcase with a good internal frame will spring back to shape after being crushed under other bags on a train's luggage rack or in an aircraft luggage compartment.
For security, consider zipper locks or seals, especially for backpacks. Thieves know it's hard to see what's going on behind your back. Locking luggage straps are a good option for hard-sided bags.
Excerpted from the booklet Magellan's Passport to Compact Packing by Jerry Camarillo Dunn. Click here to get a free PDF version of the complete Magellan's Passport to Compact Packing. Note: This PDF is a large file--broadband connection recommended.
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