When you start planning what you’re going to pack when you head off on vacation, we all tend to focus on clothing, sun hats, sunglasses, sandals, and swimwear. But what about the bags we’re actually going to cart all of these things around in? You need your luggage to be as secure as possible to ensure that all of your belongings make their way from A to B safely, easily, and in good condition. When it comes down to it, travel can be greatly affected if you don’t invest wisely in your bags. For my last trip, I travelled two weeks with just a carry-on. I did extensive research on what what would work the best, and I settled on a carry-on luggage for my trip. Looking back, I wish I would’ve brought a larger suitcase. It’s all about what your vacation will be like, and how many things you’ll need to bring. Here are just a few options that you might like to consider for your next trip!

Suitcases

The piece of luggage that is probably most commonly associated with travel is the suitcase. These cases tend to come in one of three sizes – large, medium, and hand luggage appropriate. If you’re planning a long weekend away or a short city break, a medium case should suffice. However, if you’re planning on heading away for a week or more, a large case is likely to be more appropriate. Hand luggage appropriate cases can easily fit in a plane’s overhead luggage holdall and should be used for items that you will need direct access to during your flight. The benefits of suitcases are that they are generally on wheels, making the transportation of heavier luggage a whole lot simpler.

Travel Bags

Travel bags are essentially oversized backpacks. They are carried on your back but have plenty of space inside to fit belongings intended for a long period of time. Now, you may ask why anyone would opt to carry the weight of their items on their back when they could pull them along on a wheeled suitcase. Well, suitcases are brilliant when you’re travelling across smooth terrain or are simply transferring things from a transfer coach into a hotel. If you’re going to head off the beaten track, wheels are likely to come loose, causing problems as you go. Travel bags give you more mobility!

Backpacks

When it comes to carrying daily belongings around once you’ve reached your destination, backpacks are perhaps the best baggage option on the market. Carrying your belongings on your back is a relatively secure method of transportation. While you’re likely to put handbags down whenever you require the use of your hands, back bags stay on your back but free your hands, meaning you’re much less likely to place them down and forget about them or misplace them. They also tend to be spacious, meaning that you can fit everything you could possibly need (within reason) inside.

Bum Bags (or Fanny Packs)

Ever heard of bum bags? They’re also known as fanny packs! They have long been a relatively taboo item in the fashion realm, but they’re making a major comeback. They have even been gracing high fashion catwalks since Spring 2018, with brands such as Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Zimmerman, and Balenciaga all embracing the look. Perhaps this is due to their sheer convenience, which is one of the main reasons we’ve included them in this list! Bum bags are lightweight and hands-free. While they are small, they generally have enough room for your absolute essentials, such as a passport, money, sunscreen, and insect repellent. They are also relatively pick-pocket proof, as they tend to have zips and are located on the front of your body where you can see them. This makes them perfect for day trips!

Beach Bags

If you’re heading somewhere hot and sunny, it’s highly likely that you’re going to spend a whole lot of time on the beach. Now, while technically any bag can function as a beach bag, you’ll soon see why many people invest in bags specifically designed for use on the beach. Beach bags tend to be tote bags, as they can be easily picked up and moved about. They need to be relatively large, to ensure that you can easily fit a towel, sunscreen, books, and any other bits and bobs you might like to use throughout the day inside. Some of our favourite beach bag designs tend to be woven or wicker. These materials aren’t as easily marked by the sand and don’t tend to stain if they do get splashed by the sea or pool water, meaning that they won’t need to be washed regularly or start to look rough and worn quickly.

Who’d have thought that there would be so many bags to choose from when it comes to a simple vacation? But it really is worth investing in them. They can make your stay away from home a lot more secure, simple, and (consequently) enjoyable!