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Delsey Heliolite Luggage
Summary: Shopping for luggage will reveal an endless list of choices. Brands like Delsey Heliolite luggage and Samsonite are sold online and at most department stores but make sure what you’re buying will hold up.
Dear FT: I need some help shopping for luggage. I know I want to buy a small, light-weight suitcase with wheels, but what should I look for? I’ve seen brands like Delsey Heliolite Luggage, but how do I know what makes a good bag? Charlotte S., New Hope, Pennsylvania
Dear Charlotte: The advent of smaller wheeled luggage has redefined packing for travel – especially for weekend and business travelers. Small luggage made of rip-stop nylon fabric on rigid frames sport roller blade wheels to make the long hall from the curb, through the security gauntlet and on to the plane much easier.
Delsey luggage is a great example of how manufacturers are designing bags to be more versatile, durable and affordable. Delsey luggage is sold at many large retailers and on-line shops. The brand offers a bag in just about every size, shape and price point. Some we recommend with slight reservations while other top end Delsey bags come with lifetime guarantees.
There are a few key things to look for when shopping for luggage – especially smaller suitcases.
- Weight: Rolling luggage is built around some type of frame. Good
quality rolling luggage uses a frame that is made of a light weight,
yet durable, material that can stand up to the rigors of travel. The
brand you mention, Delsey, uses composite fiberglass graphite frames
to give their rolling bags structure.
- Fabric Quality: Almost all bags made today are constructed using
polyester or nylon materials. Look for suitcases that are made from
a high count “ballistic” nylon.
Some
brands offer bags made from leather and other materials, but we think
that high quality nylon will hold up better.
- Backing: This is something that is often overlooked when shopping
for luggage. Look for a bag that has a high quality backing. Cheap
foam will quickly break down and leave your things more vulnerable
to the wear of travel. Even if the material doesn’t rip, cheap
padding will allow just as much damage.
- Wheels: This is one of the first things to go on cheap bags. Honestly,
all wheels are not created equal! Avoid simple molded plastic wheels
and look for high quality roller-blade wheels or a wheeled system
like the “spinner” wheels offered on many Samsonite
bags.
- Size: It does matter. Spending money buying luggage only to find
out that it’s too big to fit in the overhead bin is a horrible
way to start any trip. Here
is a great guide to what size bag each airline will allow.
- Zippers: All of the ballistic nylon in the world isn’t going
to keep you clothes in if the zipper on your bag breaks. Make sure
you’re buying a “self repairing” zipper that won’t
bind up with use and keeps the zipper action in track.
- Reinforcements: A great feature on Delsey heliolite luggage is reinforced areas on the corners, handle recess and the area you’ll “kick” to get the bag to tilt. Toss a cheap bag in to an overhead bin, on to the security belt and in to the trunk of a car and you’ll know why those reinforced corners are important.