Ripstop: Also known as parachute nylon, ripstop nylon is extremely lightweight and usually used in bags that have little or no structural support.Д«allistic: Ballistic nylon tends to be smoother and shinier than other types of nylon.Д¬ordura: A softer, more textured nylon, Cordura also resists abrasions better than ballistic nylon. There are three main types of nylon: ripstop, ballistic, and Cordura. Some soft-sided luggage is made of polyester, but the more common material is nylon. How popular is wheeled luggage? Industry experts estimate that wheeled suitcases now account for more than two-thirds of all luggage sold. For the most options, go with a retailer or manufacturer that offers several colors and/or patterns to choose from. While these bags tend to be less stylish than some hard-sided luggage, you can still find a range of colors and patterns. Soft-sided luggage ranges from classic to modern when it comes to design. Water resistance: Water resistance or waterproofing will also help to protect not only the luggage but also your belongings. Bumpers or corners should be padded or otherwise reinforced to withstand being dropped or pulled along the ground. Zippers, seams, and corners: Examine traditional weak points, such as zippers and seams, which should be sturdy. YouвЂ™ll have to decide if thatвЂ™s a trade-off youвЂ™re willing to make.

Weight: A heavier bag may be more durable, depending on the material itвЂ™s made from. You want your soft-sided luggage to hold up to a certain amount of abuse from you as well as airline baggage handlers. Airlines tend to place strict limits on the weight of luggage, so this can be an important factor to consider when comparing soft-sided bags. Factors that can affect the weight of a soft-sided bag include the bagвЂ™s size and the material itвЂ™s made of. WeightД®mpty soft-sided luggage tends to be lighter in weight than hard-sided luggage (by an average of 2 to 5 pounds), but even among soft-sided bags, the weight varies, typically anywhere from less than 4 pounds up to around 10 pounds. The rule of thumb here is larger bags for longer trips, but if you travel for business and need to pack a variety of clothes, a small bag might not suffice even for short trips. Buy one thatвЂ™s too large and you could be traveling with empty space in a bag thatвЂ™s more cumbersome to tote around. Buy one thatвЂ™s too small and you might not have enough space to carry all the clothing or other items you need to take with you. Size is an important consideration when buying a piece of soft-sided luggage. While sizes can vary considerably in soft-sided luggage sets, single bags usually range from 20 to 28 inches. If youвЂ™re contemplating picking up additional pieces in the future, buying a set of soft-sided luggage now can save you money in the long run. Some soft-sided luggage sets include a duffel bag, which can be a great go-to bag for short overnight trips. Luggage sets can include from two to four or more pieces and usually include both large and carry-on bags. setДo you want to buy a single bag or a set? While you can buy a single piece of soft-sided luggage, you might find that purchasing a set of different-size bags provides you with greater flexibility when you travel. Soft-sided bags have an advantage when it comes to space on cruise ships and small hotel rooms: open hard-sided bags take up twice as much space as they do when closed.

Finally, we highlight a few of our favorite pieces of soft-sided luggage, those bags that our research shows stand above the rest in terms of quality and longevity. In addition to covering the various price points, we also dive into features like materials, wheels, and organization options. This buying guide examines factors such as size, durability, and luggage sets. While selecting soft-sided luggage definitely is affected by personal taste, there are many factors to consider before ultimately deciding what luggage to buy.

This category of luggage features bags that are expandable, lighter than their more rigid counterparts, and easier to fit into tight spaces, whether on the road or stored at home. While hard-sided luggage used to be the go-to workhorse of the traveler, the past few years have seen a steady growth in the popularity of soft-sided luggage.

Whether you travel once a year on vacation or are a seasoned frequent flyer, youвЂ™re going to need luggage that wonвЂ™t let you down.

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