LuggageBase Buying Method™

The LuggageBase Buying Method™

The LuggageBase Buying Method™ is our proprietary approach to helping travelers choose luggage that's right for the way they travel. Developed from more than 50 years of helping customers choose luggage and informed by 15 years of professional luggage repair experience, our method focuses on matching travelers with the right suitcase—not simply the most expensive one or the newest collection.

Quick Answer: Before recommending luggage, we consider five key factors: how often you travel, the types of trips you take, whether you carry on or check your luggage, the features that matter most to you, and the level of durability your travel habits require. This proven process helps travelers choose luggage that delivers the best long-term value.

The LuggageBase Buying Method™ at a Glance

How often do you travel?
What type of trips do you take?
Carry-on or checked luggage?
Which features matter most?
Choose the durability level that's right for you.

You'll see the LuggageBase Buying Method™ reflected throughout our product pages, collection pages, buying guides, and comparison articles. Instead of overwhelming you with hundreds of luggage options, we help narrow your choices to the collections that best fit your travel style.

Why We Created the LuggageBase Buying Method™

Since 1971, LuggageBase has helped travelers choose luggage for business trips, vacations, cruises, international travel, weekend getaways, and everyday adventures.

During that time, we've learned one important lesson:

The best suitcase isn't the most expensive suitcase.

The best suitcase is the one that's built for the way you travel.

Many retailers begin by asking what brand you're looking for. We begin by understanding how you travel. That simple difference shapes every recommendation we make.

Before We Recommend Any Suitcase

Every traveler is different, so we begin with a few simple questions.

How many trips do you take each year?
Do you usually carry on or check your luggage?
How long are your typical trips?
Do you primarily travel for business, vacations, cruises, or international travel?
Do you value lightweight luggage or maximum durability?
How long do you expect your luggage to last?

Your answers help us recommend luggage that's appropriate for your travel habits rather than simply suggesting the newest or most expensive collection.

Step 1: How Often Do You Travel?

Travel frequency is the foundation of the LuggageBase Buying Method™.

A traveler who flies every week places much greater demands on luggage than someone taking one or two vacations each year. Wheels, handles, zippers, shell materials, and hardware all wear differently depending on how often they're used.

Understanding travel frequency helps us recommend the right balance of durability, weight, and long-term value.

Step 2: What Type of Trips Do You Take?

Different trips place different demands on luggage.

Business travel
Weekend getaways
Family vacations
Cruises
International travel
Road trips

The luggage that's perfect for a weekly business traveler may not be the best choice for someone taking one annual vacation. Matching luggage to your travel style helps ensure better long-term value.

Step 3: Carry-On or Checked?

Choosing the right size is just as important as choosing the right collection.

We consider:

Typical trip length
Airline carry-on requirements
Packing habits
Travel flexibility
Future travel plans

For many travelers, selecting the proper size improves the travel experience more than upgrading to a more expensive suitcase.

Need help understanding airline restrictions? Visit our Carry-On Luggage Size Guide.

Step 4: Which Features Matter Most?

No two travelers prioritize the same features.

Some travelers value:

Lightweight construction
Maximum durability
Expandable packing
Interior organization
Laptop protection
Warranty coverage
Repairability
Long-term value

The LuggageBase Buying Method™ helps balance these priorities so you can choose luggage that fits the way you actually travel.

Step 5: Choose the Right Durability

Many shoppers assume buying the most durable suitcase is always the best decision.

In reality, buying more durability than you need may increase cost without adding meaningful value, while buying too little durability may shorten the life of your luggage.

That's why we created the LuggageBase Durability Scale™.

Instead of recommending the highest durability rating to everyone, we match the durability level to your travel habits.

The goal isn't buying the highest durability rating.

The goal is buying the durability that's right for the way you travel.

What Makes the LuggageBase Buying Method™ Different?

Our recommendations are based on real-world experience—not simply manufacturer specifications.

During 15 years of professional luggage repair, we repaired thousands of broken wheels, damaged telescoping handles, failed zippers, cracked shells, torn fabrics, and worn hardware. That experience gave us firsthand insight into how luggage performs after years of travel—not just when it's new.

Today, our recommendations continue to consider:

Travel frequency
Trip type
Construction quality
Materials
Wheel systems
Handle systems
Repairability
Manufacturer warranty
Long-term value

Rather than relying solely on marketing claims, we evaluate luggage based on the characteristics that matter most over years of ownership.

What We Don't Do

We don't recommend luggage based solely on price, profit margin, brand popularity, or marketing claims.

Our goal is simple: recommend luggage that fits your travel habits, your budget, and your long-term expectations.

Who Benefits from the LuggageBase Buying Method™?

First-time luggage buyers
Business travelers
Frequent flyers
International travelers
Cruise travelers
Families
Anyone replacing worn-out luggage

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the LuggageBase Buying Method™ recommend one brand over another?

No. We compare luggage across brands including Samsonite, Travelpro, Briggs & Riley, Victorinox, Osprey, Delsey Paris, and others based on which collection best fits your travel style.

Is the Buying Method™ based on real luggage repair experience?

Yes. The Buying Method™ combines more than 50 years of helping travelers choose luggage with 15 years of professional luggage repair experience.

Does everyone need the highest durability rating?

No. The best luggage is the one that matches how often you travel. Buying more durability than you need doesn't always provide better value.

Where can I learn more about your durability ratings?

Visit our LuggageBase Durability Scale™ to learn how we compare luggage durability and why different collections receive different ratings.

Related Buying Guides

Our Philosophy

Since 1971, LuggageBase has believed that buying luggage shouldn't begin with choosing a brand—it should begin with understanding the traveler.

The LuggageBase Buying Method™ works together with the LuggageBase Durability Scale™ to help travelers choose luggage that delivers the right combination of durability, weight, organization, features, and long-term value.

Helping travelers choose luggage isn't about selling the most expensive suitcase. It's about helping every traveler invest in luggage they'll enjoy using for years to come. That's the LuggageBase Buying Method™.