While most of us get excited about an upcoming trip, once it’s time to pack, that initial excitement fades away. Packing can be daunting and, honestly, most of us probably hate it. This is the reason why we procrastinate until the very last moment. It’s a long and stressful process deciding how many clothes to take, what you need and what you don’t. You’re constantly asking yourself, are all these things you packed really essential or “just in case” you packed more than necessary?
And in the middle of it, you may realise that you can’t fit everything in that bag or that it’s a little too big so you would be travelling with a half-empty enormous suitcase. For this reason, it’s important to know the characteristics of different types of travel luggage to choose the best and most suitable option.
Duffle Bag
Duffle bags are spacious bags made of leather or canvas that are smaller in height than in length. If you need a convenient, easy-to-carry bag that’s stylish at the same time, a sophisticated and versatile leather duffle bag would be a great choice. They are long-lasting, come in all kinds of colours, and have adjustable shoulder straps if the bag becomes too heavy.
Leather is durable, so you wouldn’t have to worry about buying a new bag every year, and it’s also low maintenance. It never goes out of style which means that if you’re someone who likes to follow trends, a leather duffle bag will be your timeless travel piece that goes well with everything you’ve packed.
Depending on your needs, you can look for a bag with more pockets, internal and external, for better organisation. External pockets can be useful for storing everything you need to be easily accessible, like wallet, passport, and tickets, and some bags may have a space for carrying your shoes. When it comes to internal storage, it can have a specially-designed compartment for your laptop or tablet so you wouldn’t have to worry about breaking it. More pockets or compartments are a great option to separate your belongings and make everything more visible, and you wouldn’t have to be afraid that you’ll lose something valuable.
Where Can You Wear a Leather Duffle Bag?
Literally everywhere. They can be used for travelling on a plane because they are flexible to fit into small areas like carry-on bags. Their sizes vary so you can choose a small bag to pack just the essentials or a larger one for more things.
But they can be used on a daily basis too, like going to work. If you’re someone who needs to carry a lot of things every day, leather duffle bags are a stylish option made to meet everyone’s needs.
They are suitable for a weekend trip when you don’t need to pack a lot of stuff, or when you’re travelling on foot for a longer time and you don’t want to move around with a bulky suitcase on bumpy roads.
Backpack
Backpacks are maybe the most comfortable option. If you don’t have back problems, they can become your travel buddy, and not just for spending a night in the woods. They are flexible and come in many designs, materials, and colours, so you’ll definitely find something that suits you.
What size and material you’ll choose depends on the trip and your expectations. Do you need it for your laptop and some clothes, or do you need to pack for a one-month trip? It’s easier to move with smaller backpacks and your back won’t hurt as much but if you need to take more belongings, a bigger backpack can fit in everything that you need. Choose a water-resistant material if you want to protect your electronics or a more breathable one for longer trips.
The straps are a crucial element. You need them to be comfortable, wide, and padded if you plan to wear the backpack for a longer time. Thin straps can bite into your shoulders and damage your skin. Chest, waist, and hip straps can help with back pain to distribute the weight more evenly.
Having enough pockets for everything is the essence of the backpack. You can use the external pockets for the things that you need to have within reach. You wouldn’t want to have to take all of your clothes out just to find your wallet or documents. Also, secret pockets can be of great use for money or other valuables that you don’t want to be the target of thieves.
Backpacks with wheels are convenient because they’re roomy and you don’t have to carry all that weight on your shoulders. They can be worn on your back when necessary, for example on uneven surfaces, but they can be less comfortable and heavier.
Backpacks come in handy when riding a bike, going to the gym, or running errands. They are suitable for wearing them to work every day. You can choose a more simple design or an elegant one, depending on your workplace’s dress code and your personal preference.
Suitcase
Suitcases would be the option when you need to take a lot of things and you don’t want to put pressure on your back or shoulders. Most of them are two-wheeled soft-side suitcases or four-wheeled hard-side ones.
Small suitcases can be taken on a plane as carry-on luggage. If you don’t need to pack many things, a small and light suitcase would be the way to go. It’s easy to roll across almost all surfaces, to lift it, and even carry it if necessary.
Softside suitcases are best for overpacking because they are expandable and contain many compartments. In this way, you’ll probably find space for all those last-minute things that you forgot to pack. They are usually made of nylon or polyester and are lightweight and flexible.
Hardside suitcases are durable and good for any weather conditions. They are useful for fragile items because the hard shell protects them from being squeezed. They are made from polycarbonate or plastics, making them easy to clean. They don’t stain or absorb water, so simple wiping will do. The spinner wheels contribute to their mobility and make them easy for transportation. Most of them open up in the middle and are split into two halves with usually one compartment each. In this way, you don’t have much space to organise everything but you know that it will be safe.