Luggage Done Right: The 5 Best Bags Around. For far too long, luggage has been a sore subject for frequent travelers due to the utter lack of quality merchandise to be found for under the cost of a new Ferrari. It’s true. Most people are blown away by the cost of modern luggage, and rightly so. It can be insanely expensive for a high-end piece that has all the bells and whistles, and while they may last for a long time, that’s still not a good enough reason for most to pay big bucks. After all, why dole out so much cash for something you’ll use once, maybe twice, a year if you’re lucky?
That’s a good question and one that every person has to answer in their own way. For me, I love to travel with my daughter and I know that I’ll put whatever I buy to good use, so I spent a pretty penny for luggage I knew would last – and grow with us. I’ve listed the 5 bags I think are the best out there and I can guarantee that none of these options will steer you wrong. Let’s take a look at each of them to see why they’re on the list.
The Super-Duper Techy Tote
If you want to feel like James Bond, and have the smartest piece of luggage in any airport you walk into, then you need to buy a Raden A22. This is the carry-on bag of the future. It has absolutely everything you’d want in a nearly-sentient piece of baggage with all kinds of perks thrown in that, even though you didn’t know they were there, you simply cannot live without now that you’ve discovered their existence. It’s the bag that gives back since it can charge your cell phone or tablet up to four times via the built-in charging ports. It’s got tracking with GPS that’ll ensure even when you’re lost, your bag won’t be. The price is $295 and totally worth it. Oh, it has pockets and stuff, too.
Nomatic
The image above speaks for itself – this bag could be the most versatile carry-on the planet has ever seen. It’s got every possible pocket, vacuum bag built-in, it’s ergonomically designed for maximum comfort, and the extras just keep going and going. What other bag are you going to find that you can take out for the day where your water bottle can’t leak into the bag, where your shoes are separate from your other stuff, and there’s even an RFID-protected pocket for valuables? The answer is none – because the Nomatic is truly one of a kind and at $179 it’s a great deal as well.
Brookstone 3-Piece Hard-sided Ultra Lightweight Luggage Set
For the longer trips you take with your little one, you’re going to need a set of good, hard-sided luggage you can check-in when you arrive at the airport. This will free you up to do so much you’d normally avoid because of the need to schlep around so much baggage. The set I chose is the ultra-lightweight, 3-piece version. I chose this set due to its flexibility. It comes with a 28-inch, a 22-inch, and a 18.5-inch piece, so no matter what you need to pack you have all the space you could possibly need. It’s also pretty nice to finally be able to put all of your belongings in a checked bag without having to worry about getting the bag back with everything in it destroyed. They’re $400 for the set of three, so it’s a good buy on top of everything.
It’s A Bird, It’s A Plane, It’s JetKids’ BedBox
I’m not a fan of the ridable luggage for kids. Why? Well, because they’re going to grow out of it quick and I know I’ll have to be the bad guy that takes away their favorite thing. I’m not going to do that, so I’ve stayed far away from those must-haves – until now. As soon as I saw the Bedbox from JetKids, I had to buy it. Any single parent that’s ever traveled on long-haul flights with their child can tell you that if they had only had a way for their child to stretch out and sleep the whole experience would’ve been better – for everyone on the plane. This product hits a homerun and at only $170 it’ll hit one for you, too.
Skip Hop Zoo To You, Too
The final entry on the list of best bags is the absolute perfect bag for your child. The Skip Hop Little Kid Luggage will make your kiddo feel all grown up as you walk through the airport. It has wheels and an extendable handle – just like Mom’s bag. It has neat pockets and zippers – just like Mom’s. And, best of all, it’s a cute animal! The bag is a puppy or a rabbit or a duck. They’re completely adorable and – wait for it – they cost a mere $27. You can buy your child a new one for each trip and donate the old ones to a local charity. That way each bag gets the chance to be someone else’s friend. That’s what my daughter said anyway. She’s wise.
So, go out and look for the bags on this list. Open them up and experiment on them while you’re in a store if possible. Luggage isn’t something that’s best purchased online. You don’t get a real sense of scale from a list of dimensions and putting your hands on and around something you’ll be packing things you’re accustomed to holding will give a real glimpse into whether or not the bag can do what you’re going to ask of it. You don’t want to buy a bust – literally.