Which Luggage Size is Right For You?

So you’ve planned your vacation, put in for time off work, and booked that flight or rented that car. But now it’s time for the part a lot of people dread: It’s time to pack!

Packing can be stressful for several reasons. Largely, we’re all afraid we’re going to either overpack or under-pack. We’re just not sure what we’ll need and how we’re going to fit everything into one suitcase. And the first step is always deciding which type of bag(s) we’re going to take. Are you wondering if you should go carry-on only or check a bag? And what are all of those pesky restrictions? In today’s blog, we’re going to try our best to answer those questions.

Many of us already have at least one suitcase or duffel bag that we use when we go on vacation or for extended visits with friends/family. But if you’re starting from scratch, or if you’re just ready to buy a new travel bag, you’re probably trying to figure out what kind to get. Or maybe you’re just not sure which of your own bags are right for this particular trip.

When picking out luggage, there are a few basic questions to ask yourself:

• Where are you going?
• When are you going?
• How long are you going to be gone?
• How are you getting there?
• What are you going to be doing when you get there?

These all seem like pretty obvious questions but, if you really think them through, it can help you decide which bags are best for your trip.

Where are you going?

The first thing to keep is mind is where you are traveling to. Are you going to one main destination where you will remain for the entirety of the trip? Or are you going to be traveling around to various locations? How many times are you going to have to move that suitcase?

We talked about this a little in our Packing for Italy blog, but if you’re going on a trip that will land you in multiple destinations, you may want to consider a smaller bag. For one, do you really want to lug a large suitcase around every couple of days? Also keep in mind that, in certain parts of the world, the roads and streets are rough and not great for rolling suitcases.

If you’re going backpacking through Europe or Southeast Asia, or anywhere really, of course you’ll want to take an actual backpack to keep all of your gear in. But even if you’re taking a tour of Italy via bus or train, keeping your luggage light and easy to carry can be very beneficial.

When are you going?

The time of year you take a trip can have a significant impact on your luggage. For example, if you are traveling in winter you will probably be packing much larger items than you would for a summer trip. In the summer months, your wardrobe probably consists of swimsuits, shorts, tank tops, and flip flops. If you’re traveling in winter, you’ll have pants, winter coats, and boots. Heavy coats and boots take up much more space than shorts and sandals.

If you’re going to a colder destination, trying to pack everything into a smaller bag might be nearly impossible. In the case of winter travel, carrying a larger bag would probably be worth it.

How long are you going to be gone?

A weekend? A week? Two weeks? A month? The length of your trip will help determine how much you will need to pack. As a good rule of thumb, if you take a trip for more than one week, you should still only pack for one week. And though you shouldn’t ever pack a different outfit for every day of a trip that lasts longer than 3 or 4 days, you will probably want more options for longer trips. A good rule of thumb for us is to make sure we can wear almost every item we pack more than once. Basic colors can be your friend so you can mix and match. More stuff = more space.