Lightweight Luggage

The airlines are exploiting travelers checking in with overweight luggage. Fees can easily soar above $100 with many carriers, especially of long-haul international flights. Sure, you may be one of those travelers who must pack two weeks worth of clothing and accessories for a three-day getaway but you can trim the weight of your baggage by approximately 50% or more. For example, a brand-name 21-inch lightweight roll aboard weighs 7 pounds compared to 15 pounds for a similar standard construction roll aboard. The weight difference for large checked baggage is even more significant. Lightweight luggage models with plenty of zippered pockets, pouches and a roomy packing compartment weigh under 10 pounds. A standard suitcase with the same features can easily tip the scale at a whopping 25 pounds! Overweight baggage fees kick in at 50 pounds!

You may likely be thinking that there must be something inferior about lightweight luggage. To the contrary, many of the sleek versions are even more durable than their frumpy counterparts. The outer frames, handles and skate wheels are typically constructed from lightweight polycarbonate material as opposed to aluminum or wood. Exterior materials used for "featherweight" luggage are usually ballistic material, treated canvas, polyester or faux leather. The addition of leather, heavy-duty plastic or aluminum contributes to the excess weight of a standard suitcase.

Whether you favor hard side or soft side, there is virtually no difference in weight for a comparably equiped bag. Polycarbonate materials used in the construction of hard side luggage perform well in high impact situations, like when that overly muscled baggage handler pitches your bag into the storage compartment or in baggage claim. Ballistic and polyester perform equally as well are polycarbonate versions but is more resistant to scratches and also has more room for expansion.

Perhaps you are thinking that you don't care how much that monster suitcase weighs. We'll talk about that in a moment but for now, just consider your carry on items. As mentioned before, you can reduce the load of your carry on by at least 7 pounds. That may not sound like much but consider dragging your standard model into the airport, up the stairs, down the main terminal and add to that, the boarding process itself. Take it easy on your back and get an lighter carry on model.

Oh yes you do care what those bulky checked bags weigh. Luggage weighing over 70 pounds are subject to an additional fee of $100 or more. The penalty for over sized cargo adds even more. Do yourself a favor and upgrade to an entire matching set of high performance, durable, lightweight luggage. You will save money, and your back, in the long run.