Before you start thinking about what clothes to pack for your next adventure, take a step back and consider what luggage is best suited for your trip first. Hard shell or soft? Wheels or no wheels? Large or compact? It’s a tough call, but we’ve done the research, so you can take off knowing you’ve got the perfect bag for the job.

What are my options?
Thankfully, luggage has evolved from the old-fashioned trunk. Today, there are hundreds of options when it comes to bags. You’ve got backpacks to help stay nimble on and off the road. Duffle bags for quick weekend getaways. Hard shell cases to keep fragile contents safer. And the ubiquitous roller bags, which are popular from Brisbane to Buenos Aires. In choosing, consider the length of your trip, the season at your destination and how much you’ll be moving around (or not). Ideally, if your budget allows, you’d have a quiver of luggage, so you’ll always have a good match.

What size?
For carry-on luggage, you don’t want anything over 105cm, because that’s the linear size limit for most Australian airlines. Any bigger and they’ll make you put it down below. In regard to weight, most airlines allow two pieces of carry-on provided the total weight doesn’t exceed seven kilograms.

the smart move is buying something with an outlandish colour or pattern. at least you won’t ever grab the wrong bag on the carousel!

Hard or soft?
Like choosing political parties, people tend to pick one or the other and stick with that option throughout their life. There’s no denying that soft bags are easier to shove in overhead lockers on planes, taxi boots in New York, and overcrowded buses in Sri Lanka. But then, while hard shell bags are more cumbersome, they’re way better at protecting what’s inside.

Pro tip?
Dark luggage is nice, because it hides a lot of general wear and tear, but the smart move is buying something with an outlandish colour or pattern. It might not be your style, but at least you won’t ever grab the wrong bag on the carousel!