This article is a luggage buying guide. The lightweight luggage sometimes can be very affordable, if you do not need to buy the luggage from a brand name. A reliable piece of luggage in lightweight design will not always cost an arm or leg. I have been in the luggage trade industry for around one year, and I know lots of things to look for and to avoid.
Tip 1. Materials: what to look for & what to avoid
Do not see the word "lightweight" in the blur and believe it. Check the real weight with the size bearing in mind. The top limit to qualify as lightweight is at 9 or 10 pounds for a maximum-sized carry-on (21- 22 inches long). Nylon is the best material to construct lightweight luggage. Here, I will not recommend leather, ABS, aluminum. Although these materials look gorgeous, they are actually heavy. Nylon is also good at keeping shapes. It also has a long life and resistance to damage.
Tip 2. Frames: metal light yet tough frames with no wheels attached
Honeycomb frames help lightweight luggage to keep good shapes while retaining ample strength and durability for long use. Metal frames are always associated with the word heavy, but it is not the story. A mental frame can be easy to maneuver, and the new technique has made the frames much lighter than before. The road tests show the non-rolling carry-on luggage is as far better than the more popular rolling luggage, because as there's no wheels attached to the frame, few damages can happen. And, luggage is being transported more by others, like the taxi drivers, airline stuffs. So I recommend a mental frame because it is durable and tough to test tests.
Tip 3. Warranty: full lifetime no-matter-what warranty
The warranties to lightweight luggage differ among brands. Big names like Samsonet, Delsey, Skyway all offer a no-matter-what lifetime warranty to their luggage, but lightweight luggage with full warranties always come with a higher prices tag. Buy it if you can afford. It makes you free from troubles. Save your receipt and product tags along with your proof of purchase. Indeed, the zippers, down strap in the compartments are vulnerable to damage. For a limited warranty, it will only cover manufacturing defects in material and workmanship for the life of the product. You may need to replace the broken parts on your own.