You're standing at the airport terminal, watching a line of luggage pass towards you on the conveyor belt. You look carefully at each bag, looking for your own and dreading two distinct and frustrating outcomes: either your men's travel bag might appear toothed and ground with your underwear hanging out of a gaping tear, or like a blind date gone terribly wrong, it might simply fail to emerge.
Choosing the correct men's travel bag will help avoid these small tragedies from happening, as well as other inconveniences such as for overweight baggage charges or the embarrassment of having to cram your huge nylon duffel into the overhead compartment as frustrated passengers struggle to get through. Here's how to choose the men's travel bag that's perfect for you.
Travel Bag for Men: Everything You Should Know About
Pick the right men's travel bag and enjoy the freedom to fly—you won't have to worry about missing luggage or additional costs if you can pack what you need in a good-sized men's travel bag. If you have to check in your man's travel bag, you will feel assured that it will remain intact if you choose a good reliable brand.
What are the most common types of luggage?
- Rolling Suitcases. Traditional men's travel bag with wheels for fast transport comes in two models: hard-side and soft-side. Hardside men's travel bags are moulded from hard-to-pronounce materials such as polypropylene and polycarbonate. Soft men's travel bags may be made from materials such as microfiber, leather, nylon, PVC or polyester.
- Backpacks. Backpacks come in a range of sizes, with or without frames. They're a good choice for those looking to camp, hike, or do other outdoor activities. Some of the backpacks have spokes, while others do not. Even large pieces of men's travel bags can become backpacks when the back straps are padded.
- Duffel bags. They're no longer just a sack to carry your sweats to and from the gym. Many modern duffels have attachments such as wheels and a detachable handle; these men travel bags are also sold as "travel duffels."
Should I buy a soft or hard luggage bag?
If you're looking for versatility, soft-side men's travel bags are the way to go. Soft men's travel bags are more common than hard-shell men's travel bags, particularly for carry-on luggage, and are easier to squeeze in tight overhead compartments. These men's travel bags can also absorb shock better than their molded counterparts. Soft men's travel bags are available in a wide range of models; for example, you can buy a zippered backpack rack or a duffel that can be either tied to your back or wheeled through the airport.
It seems like hard-shell men's travel bags are being redesigned and strengthened almost every day. Companies are now using ultra-lightweight materials, such as polycarbonate and special plastics, to make hard men's travel bags feather-weight but still highly durable and sturdy bags. But since they're stiff, they might not be able to squeeze the last bit of space in the overhead bin—and while packing, you might not be able to cram in the last outfit.
What size luggage do I need?
As a general rule for carryon, go for a men's travel bag not larger than 22 x 14 x 9 inches and a checked bag not larger than 62 inches (length + width plus height), which is the norm for most major airlines. Notice that many of the men's travel bags advertised as "carry-ons" are a little larger than the above dimensions, particularly when you count the wheels—which may lead to unpleasant surprises at the airport if you're forced to search the doors.
Although you may want to bring as big a men's travel bag as you can on the plane, note that if you can't lift your men's travel bag over your head, you won't be able to put it in the overhead bin.
Summary
Compare the various interiors and exteriors of men's travel bags to see what fits your style. Lots of compartments and pockets are perfect for a super-organized packer, and features such as a plastic waterproof pouch can accommodate wet swim trunks or leaky shampoo bottles. Think about where and how you're going to fly and what you tend to pack as you consider these men's travel bags features.
Photo by Tomáš Gal on Unsplash