Travel luggage comes in literally hundreds of shapes and sizes, ready to accompany the courageous globe-trotter, the weekend warrior and the day tripper without hesitation.' From massive rolling suitcases and oversized trekking backpacks to wheeled briefs and mini passport pouches, travel luggage has become an advanced technical science geared at keeping your body from injury and your belongings from the hands of others. Our buyers guide to travel luggage shows you why.

Personal Safety

Your personal safety is always number one when you travel. This can mean your physical health as well as your monetary and identity security.

Be Kind To Your Spine: Travel luggage such as duffels, suitcases and briefs should always have wheels and a retractable handle that extends out long enough to suit your height. If the handle is too short you could end up leaning sideways to roll your travel luggage, which could be just as damaging to your back as throwing your travel luggage over your shoulder. A perfect example is the 'Wheelie Double Deck Travel Bag' from Burton, which features a telescoping handle that pulls out far enough for even the tallest of gentlemen! Enjoy all the features of a duffel but the convenience of wheeled travel luggage.

Travel luggage in the form of backpacks should always have extra support around the waist to keep the strain and stress off of your shoulders and neck. Make sure this support is padded generously in order to protect your hips. The North Face, Osprey and Arcteryx are exceptional travel luggage backpack designers that construct with your spinal stability and overall comfort in mind.

Be Wary of Your Wallet: Traveling to foreign countries can be a very stressful experience. What's even more stressful is having your belongings stolen. A passport can take weeks to replace and can prove to be very expensive, not to mention the hassle of making it to an embassy. Travel luggage is often an easy target for thieves, which is why it is so important to buy travel luggage that safeguard against the common vulnerabilities. A great addition to your travel luggage family is a small pouch like the 'Teenee Bagg' from Baggallini, which can easily be strapped to your body, beneath a layer of clothing, and carry your money, passport and bankcards. This way, if someone manages to make off with your items, you still have your identity securely in place.

Also, carry-on travel luggage and rolling briefs should not have external pockets that are easily accessible. We love the 'Versailles Hardside Upright' for this reason. A hard and durable exterior without pocket compartments prevents someone from sticking their hand in your back if you happen to dose off on the train.

The makers of travel luggage have been doing what they do for a long time in order to get it just right. But it is still up to you to make wise choices about the travel luggage you carry with you and the way you carry it. Remember, if you wear your backpack on your back it's always wise to ensure that the zipper closures are fastened shut with small luggage locks. You never know who's behind you!

Follow these simple tips with your travel luggage and you'll be ready to conquer the world!