While a ready supply of cheap airplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, and cheap vacation packages have continued to be the impetus behind many a vacation, luggage trends have changed over time.
Hard sided luggage is becoming popular again in part because such bags can now be as light as soft sided bags. Today manufacturers are using polycarbonate resin to make ultra lightweight yet highly durable hard sided bags.
A 22 inch carry-on made of polycarbonate weighs just over four pounds which is the same as a traditional soft sided bag made of nylon and much lighter than a traditional ABS hard sided bag.
Polycarbonate suitcase sales are booming in part because greater production and competition has driven prices down from $800 a bag a decade ago to as cheap as $140 now. Also as airlines have increased their charges for oversize and overweight luggage, lightweight bags have grown in popularity.
Fashion is another driving force behind increasing sales. Polycarbonate material can be eye catching and dyed in brilliant colors such as vivid tomato red, cobalt blue and shiny silver. Travelers have become more receptive to purchasing bold colored luggage as a way to easily find their bags as they come off luggage carousels.
Budget Travel has identified certain luggage as being stylish, lightweight, sturdy and affordable:
The Gravtec line of polycarbonate luggage is made by Samsonite and comes imprinted with a raised edge pattern. ebags is selling a 24 inch size model for $180.
The Liquis 4 Wheeled Super Lightweight 22 inch carry-on sold by Antler , comes in a shiny and grooved polycarbonate outer shell available in blue, red, or silver, with four multi directional wheels. ebags has been selling this bag at $299.
Rimowa was behind developing polycarbonate luggage technology and enjoys a well deserved reputation for making very chic hard sided luggage. It offers a Salsa 22 inch Globetrotter (sold for $450 by Zappos) with a nearly indestructible polycarbonate shell which returns to its original shape after pressure has been released.
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