Buying quality luggage takes more than just looking at a price tag. Don’t assume that the best quality luggage is always going to be more expensive. If there is one thing I have learned over the years, cost doesn’t always reflect the quality of any piece of luggage.

There are many reasons you want to avoid buying poor quality luggage, such as:

Shady Warranties

You need to be careful with the fine print here. While the warranty seems like it is a good deal, pay careful attention to the language. As an example, you may be responsible for many hidden costs, including shipping.

Poor Materials

If you have luggage made of poor quality materials and it has a useless or short warranty, you may be replacing it much sooner than you think. In many cases the zipper will break off and make it impossible to close the suitcase. The handle is usually quite flimsy as well and can bend quite easily, making it impossible to pull your luggage around. The wheels are usually made of plastic instead of urethane and will make a lot of noise and won’t roll smoothly.

What to look for in quality luggage

Most luggage comes in hard-sided, semi-soft, soft or fabricated materials. You want to ensure the shell is durable and can withstand impacts, scuffing, etc.

The zipper should be made of a quality metal or synthetic material.

The handle should always be retractable and durable. Be sure to test it out and ensure that it retracts smoothly.

The wheels should be made from urethane and roll smoothly

The best way to ensure that you are buying high quality luggage, is to buy a respected brand. There are many no name manufacturers putting a lot of garbage on the market today. Be sure to do research on any brand you have never heard of before making any purchase. If they got bad reviews, avoid these companies at all costs.