The best travel suitcases for seniors

If you are over 50 with time on your hands, good health and some disposable income, you are likely to want to travel. One of the most important decisions you have to make is about what luggage to choose. Make the wrong choice and it can put a damper on your entire experience. The best travel suitcases for seniors are designed to be light in weight without sacrificing strength.  You want a suitcase that’s durable and easy to maneuver.

Size

The first factors you should consider when purchasing a suitcase are size and weight. Choosing a small suitcase means you have to be smarter when packing.  The advantage is that it’s much easier to manage. When you choose a bigger suitcase, you tend to fill up the space just because it’s there. The size you choose will depend on various factors such as the length and type of your trip. You may prefer a full-sized suitcase to carry-on luggage because you don’t have to try and hoist it up into the overhead lockers. Even if airline staff help you it can be inconvenient to wait for their assistance.

Weight

Most suitcases are referred to as “lightweight” today but it is important to check on exact weight. Even if you have a rolling suitcase, it still has to be carried from time to time and the lighter the better.  The weight should ideally come mostly from the clothes inside and not from the suitcase itself. Experts suggest that an empty suitcase should not weigh more than 7.5 pounds (3.4 kilograms) and many suitcases today fall  into this category.

Delsey Paris Hardside expandible suitcase with spinner wheels

The Delsey Paris weighs only 5.3 pounds so it’s very light in weight.  Its body dimensions are 25 x 17.5 x 11.5 inches. This suitcase expands up to two inches to give you more packing space. The polycarbinate exterior makes it very resilient. It comes in a variety of different colors, from titanium to peony pink.   Two  lined compartments with multiple pockets allow you to easily organize and access all your items. Web straps and a zippered divider help to secure your clothing and minimize wrinkles. The double spinner wheels make it very maneuverable and the dual locking handle system gives you the option to carry the bag different ways. An integrated 3-dial TSA accepted combination lock offers security.

Many people prefer to use a suitcase that is small enough to work as a carry-on to avoid delays that come with checking in. 

Briggs & Riley Baseline Global Carry-On

Briggs & Riley is one of the few companies that offers an unlimited lifetime warranty. The ballistic nylon fabric resists wear and offers great durability. Smooth and comfortable handling is possible due to the ergonomic grip. One-touch CX expansion increases packing capacity when you need more space. A power pocket is convenient for storing your cell phone and battery pack while on the go. The SpeedThru pocket gives convenient access to stored items at security checkpoints. Premium extra-wide garment panels envelop your clothing and a foam roll bar prevents wrinkling.

Mobility

If you are using old luggage that you have had for many years, you are not taking advantage of the most recent technology.  Rolling suitcases make maneuvering more efficient than ever before. This may make the difference between spending  your whole holiday nursing injuries or handling your luggage with ease and confidence.

Coolife Suitcase

The suitcase comes in a 20 inch version and a 28 inch version. You can purchase them separately or as a set. The first is 14 inches by 9.5 inches by 21 inches, weighs 6.7 pounds and is suitable for one to four days of travel.  The 28 inch version is suitable for seven to nine days of travel.  The durable hard shell features a textured finish that protects against scratches. The interior of the luggage features a crossed fixing band and net pockets to keep your travel essentials and small valuables organized. The 20 inch version has a front pocket where you can store a laptop.   It has an adjustable 3-step telescoping handle system, with an ergonomic grip lock. You can lock the zipper of main compartment and front pocket compartment with one TSA locking pad.

Materials

There isn’t one material that’s best.  All kinds of materials such as polyester, aluminium, and polycarbonate. have their pros and cons. Blends or “poly” materials are not as durable and polyester is often used in less expensive ranges. The choice between hard and soft-sided luggage depends largely on preference.   Hard-sided suitcases are lighter in weight than ever before today.  Aluminium and polycarbonate are the most popular materials for hard-sided cases.

Samsonite Omni PC Hardside Expandable Luggage with Spinner Wheels

The packing dimensions of the interior are 28.5″ x 20.5″ x 13.5″. It has expansion for added capacity when you need it. It weighs 10.35 pounds which is slightly on the heavy side but an advantage is its durability.  The micro-diamond Polycarbonate texture is scratch resistant and the suitcase comes with a 10-year warranty. The wide push-button handle comes with a comfortable grip. The four multi-directional large spinner wheels allow the suitcase to roll comfortably beside you. It has side mounted TSA locks to deter theft.

Best value for money

Amazon Basics Expandable Hardside Suitcase

The Amazon Basics suitcase has a thick ABS hard shell, scratch resistant Black finish, and fully lined 150D-polyester interior. Its dimensions are 20.7 x 12.6 x 30.7 inches, including the wheels. Four double spinner wheels, a telescoping handle, and a short handle offer easy maneuvering. It is expandable for up to 15% more packing space. The interior organizer has a divider and three zippered pockets for smaller items. This suitcase offers good quality at a great price.

Ergonomic handles

Ergonomic handles decrease the strain on your hands and wrists. They are made to fit comfortably in your grip and evenly distribute the weight of the suitcase. A telescoping suitcase with an extendable handle allows you to wheel your suitcase with one hand. You can extend a telescoping handle to different lengths and lock it in place.  The maximum extension must be right for your height so your back does not suffer strain. Your suitcase should also have easy carry handles on the top or side of the bag. This allows you to lift it in the way your prefer and reduces stress on your wrists and arms.

Wheels

The ease of moving a suitcase largely depends on the quality of its wheels. Wheels that glide effortlessly reduces effort. For decades the small wheels fixed to suitcases would only roll in one direction and you could pull your suitcase along behind now. Newer models have four wheels that can move in all directions rather than just backwards and forwards. These are called ‘spinners’ and they allow you to wheel your suitcase alongside you. Spinners are easier to maneuver, especially in tight spaces.

Some people dislike spinners because they say they glide away from them on an incline and aren’t suitable for any surfaces other than in airports. However, the best spinners do not have these problems.

When it comes to wheels, reliability is the most important consideration.  You don’t want your wheels to break and they must be strong enough to wheel over uneven surfaces if necessary.

Easy-access pockets

Pockets are very important if you want to pack essentials efficiently and access them easily. Easy access to medications, snacks, and travel documents mean you don’t have to rummage through the whole suitcase.

Zippers

The most popular luggage zippers today are coil zippers which are flexible and smooth to operate but still strong.  They consist of two coils on each side, stitched onto the zipper tape and the teeth are formed by the winding of the coils. The most durable zippers are chain zippers that have individual locking teeth fused onto the zipper tape but they are more expensive and not as flexible. A closed-end zipper that opens up at the opposite ends and comes together in the middle is the most practical type as you can still use the suitcase even if one zipper breaks.

Advanced security features

Suitcases with TSA-approved locks safeguard your possessions from theft throughout the stages of travel. Secondly, they allow aircraft security to conduct inspections without damaging the lock or the suitcase. This makes check-in and security screening smoother.