Buying New Lightweight Luggage (and Cool Travel Accessories for Stocking Stuffers
Luggage is one of those areas where it’s so hard to shop as it is like comparing apples and oranges. Each brand has many many names of lines and – soft, hard, lightweight or even dufflebag types. The best way to shop for it, is to shop at a luggage store where the proprietor knows the products well and can steer you to the right one for your needs. Here in Montreal that could be either Jet-setter or J.P. Grimard .
The one thing owners Vince Mercureo at J.P. Grimard and Chuck Breger of Jet-setter let me know was that lightweight luggage means that structure/frame has been lightened. So aiming for the “lightest” is not a good idea. You need to balance light with strong-ish.
Will you be mostly using your luggage for driving or flying trips? If flying, you have to be aware of the baggage weight restrictions as the costs for overweight are getting higher. Even carry-ons will be weighed soon (some airlines are already doing this) and the size for carry-ons is getting smaller. Since airlines started charging fees for luggage, travelers are bringing more (and heavier) carry-ons. Airlines are interested in reducing weight to reduce fuel costs (and keeping those prices competitive for us).
Light feels wonderful when empty but you will still probably be filling it to the max of 44 lbs (or 50 lbs. for Air Canada) whether your luggage started out as 6 lbs or 9 lbs.
If your luggage is very light it will not survive when it is thrown around in the airport or if it is the bottom one on a pile of 4 or 5 pieces on a cart or conveyor belt. You need a decent frame to save it. A great tip by Vince, “Never pack it half empty” as it’s more crushable. Filling it up protects the case and the frame.
If you are only flying perhaps twice a year, buy a medium grade lightweight; Upgrade to better made models if you’re a frequent flyer.
I couldn’t exactly compare size/weight as the height for a medium size varies between 24″, 25″ or 26″. Look at the width of the bag to see how much it really holds. In general, nylon is better than polyester and usually a 10″ zipper is stronger than a 8″.
Here are a few lightweight ones I found (at J.P. Grimard and Jetsetter) in order of weight: 5.3 lbs. Antler Aire, 6.8 lbs. (at Jetsetter), Samsonite Base Hits Ultralight 24″, 6.8 lbs. Delsey U-lite Classic, 7 lbs. Antler Cyber Lite, 8.1 (both stores), Delsey Helium Pilot (expandable), 8 lbs. Samsonite Lift Two.
After repairing luggage for 79 years, J.P. Grimard has finally put all their ideas for best luggage into their own line called, D-Light. It comes either in hard sided (2 price ranges) or soft side. They’ve put a QR code on each so scanners can find out where it is. They have chosen, of course, good zippers, wheels, and fabric. Yes they are slightly heavier than the ones above but will last longer.
Travel Accessories for Stocking Stuffers at Jet-setter
– Travelon dry sheets of shampoo, laundry soap, body wash, hand soap. You are not carrying extra weight in water and there will be no leaking into your suitcase.
– Stretch fabric luggage covers. If you have black luggage, you can slip this over your case for the airport in order to find your bag easily. Pretty scenes are of Venice, NYC., etc.
– GoToob squeezable travel bottles. Collapse as you use them up to take up less room. You don’t have to carry the full weight of your favorite giant shampoo bottles, etc.
– Girly Go Garter is a moneybelt which you wear around your upper leg. Good for clubbing or traveling.
– VINNI bag is a thick inflatable plastic bag for you to carry wine, sauces, or breakables.
– Packing bags. Since lightweight luggage has removed all the pockets, you need these to sort everything. Buying color-coded ones makes finding things in the suitcase so easy: blue=shirts, green= pants, etc.
J. P. Grimard is located at: 177 Beaubien est at Casgrain.
Tel: 514-277-4171
Hours: Mon-Wed 9-6, Thurs & Fri 9-8, Sat 9-5
www.jpgrimard.com
Jet-setter is located at 66 Laurier ouest at Clark
Tel: 514-271-5058
Hours: Regular plus Sun 12-5
www.jet-setter.ca