Travel Bags for Thailand - Suitcases

Suitcases tend to fall into three types; soft shell, semi soft, and hard shell. All suitcases tend to retain the same basic qualities.

• Lots of storage space
• Convenience of packing
• Increased protection of contents

Various types of suitcases give different levels of durability and mobility. Popular with hotel based travellers, suitcases are a common luggage option in many different brands and varieties.

Major Points About Suitcases

Check the hinge and closure points, especially those around zippers. Hard shell suitcases tend to age and deteriorate slowly. Latches, handles, zippers and hinges are the most likely points of failure. Double stitching is better for durability of soft shell case. Remember the baggage handler advertisments? They drop, toss, and stack luggage for the convenience of the airlines. Is your suitcase built to withstand that type of abuse? Further, will that cheap suitcase you are considering handle the strains of repeated international travel?

Check the construction of plastic or metal parts. How likely is your zipper to break or burst? Can your protect your valuable possessions? Handles are often poorly made and sometimes barely attached to the suitcase. Check for multiple heavy duty fasteners. Are the hinges light guage sheet metal and secured by light weight rivets or screws?

How Do You Travel?

Light travellers often pack their valuable items in their day pack and fly with a soft shell or semi shell suitcase as checked baggage. If you want to travel with expensive items like camera lenses, invest in a hard shell suitcase.

Hard shell cases offer more protection but come with the burden of extra weight plus lack of versatility and mobility. Soft shell suitcases offer more protection than a backpack and provide better versatile than a hard shell. The most important aspect of any suitcase is the quality of construction.