In our eyes, the only downside to getting a bag with a lock is aesthetic, as some of them have a wire-locking mechanism like the SwissTech Executive that’s somewhat of an eyesore, especially in contrast to the sleek locks you’ll find on hard-shell bags like the Away.Īnother factor you’ll want to consider is whether you want your suitcase’s handle frame to be mounted internally or externally. Many hard-shell checked luggage options have a lock that secures the suitcase’s zipper, but surprisingly, only a few of the soft-shell suitcases we tested were equipped with one. In our opinion, the other big difference is the inclusion of a TSA-approved lock. This means four-wheeled options are more prone to damage over time. In addition to a smaller size, the wheels on 360-degree spinners are often more exposed, while two-wheelers have more recessed wheels. Of course, pulling a suitcase behind you is more taxing on your arms, so you might not be able to tow a two-wheeler as long as a 360-degree spinner. Two-wheelers aren’t nearly as maneuverable or nimble as four-wheeled spinners, but they tend to have larger wheels, and the fact that you always roll them behind you gives you a leg up when traveling over rough surfaces. If you’re expecting to drag your suitcase through any terrain rougher than a sidewalk, you might want to consider a two-wheeled option. The downside of this, however, is that in most cases, the wheels on these bags are quite small, making them more prone to getting stuck on cracks and bumps. In our testing, we loved how four-wheeled suitcases allowed us to roll the suitcase beside or even in front of us while walking. Nowadays, four-wheeled spinners with 360-degree motion are the standard because they make for an easier and smoother rolling experience. To help you figure out which features you want and which ones you’re fine passing on, we’ve laid out all the pros and cons of the big design differences we saw.įirst things first, you should decide how many wheels you want on your suitcase. There are countless design features in the suitcases we tested, and while some differences are small, others are pretty major. If that’s all you’re looking for or need in a suitcase, you really can’t go wrong with the SwissTech, especially given its just less than $100 price tag. If you can look past the shipping and its good but not perfect durability, the SwissTech Executive is a fantastic do-it-all bag with the added bonus of extra security. This balance of weight and capacity make it the perfect bag for any extended trip where you’re trying to stay under an airline’s dreaded 50-pound limit. It also has a large capacity, fitting our entire standard pack with a tiny bit of room to spare. This bag was another one of the lightest options we tested, weighing in at 7.8 pounds. It’s our only winning pick that has a TSA-approved lock, it’s got padded side handles and a comfortable, ergonomic telescopic handle, so both unloading it from the car and rolling it around the airport is a breeze. The SwissTech was actually one of the more feature-filled bags we tested in the low- to mid-price range. The SwissTech scored well in our testing, specifically because it’s light, it’s easy to pack, it has a comfy handle and it even has a TSA-approved lock - all for just less than $100. The Travelpro Maxlite 5 and the Timbuk2 Copilot are both fantastic suitcases, but if they’re both too pricey for your taste, then the SwissTech Executive is definitely worth considering. Your CNN account Log in to your CNN account
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