How can I assess the quality of a suitcase without relying on brand name?
I'm in the market for a new suitcase. I've never owned fancy-brand suitcase, and I'm not fussy about issues such as fashion and beauty/elegance of design, so it's unlikely I'll pay the premium for one of those.
My question is: How can I tell, when I'm looking at suitcases in some store...
- Whether parts like the wheels, the zippers, the corners are likely to wear out quickly?
- Whether there are specific sensitivities to certain kind of damage due to design/manufacturing faults?
... or other similar aspects of manufacturing quality?
Best Answer
This websites gives great advice.
The Walls
High-denier industrial nylon fabrics are the way to go: in top quality luggage, the main choices are ballistic and Cordura® nylon, differences between the two being largely cosmetic in nature. Ballistic is a filament yarn, thus smooth and slick, with a very synthetic appearance, which some consider a "high tech" look (and which doesn't dye easily, so is often sold only in black). It is also two-ply, which gives it a slightly "nubby" texture. And it is the heavier (by 5%) of the two fabrics: 1050 vs. 1000 denier (be aware that denier is a measurement of weight, not strength or durability).
The Doors
The most failure-prone components of a bag are its zippers (replacing broken zippers is by far the most common task at luggage repair facilities); consequently, they provide a good place to begin inspecting luggage for quality. There are two basic types: chain and coil (compare photos at left). Modern chain-type zipper teeth are made from injection moulded resins (such as polyacetal and polyethylene), fused directly onto the zipper tape; they are incredibly strong (thus much more durable), more resistant to dirt & sand, and more secure (see "Luggage and Security"). Coil zippers (the coil is made from extruded polyester and sewn onto the zipper tape) are less expensive and more flexible (thus easier/cheaper to install.
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Answer 2
One proxy for quality is the warranty offered with it, or more specifically, the following criteria:
- Any warranty at all? Yes/No
- Length of warranty
- Warrantor: Manufacturer/Store
- Warranty covers: Everything/some of the parts
- Compensation on failure: New suitcase of same kind / another suitcase / store credit / your money back
I was out buying a suitcase yesterday, and that's how I ended up choosing between two options.
Now, it's true that this does not actually guarantee quality, but that's at least something quantifiable, sort of.
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Images: Artem Beliaikin, Artem Beliaikin, Erik Mclean, Erik Mclean