Buying guides
Short, practical reads that make the listings in our feed easier to judge — cabin rules, shell types, packing maths and the accessories that actually earn their space.
Travel backpack or suitcase? Choosing by trip type
Backpacks win on stairs, trains and uneven ground; suitcases win on airports and hotels. Here is how to decide.
2026-09-07
The carry-on packing list that actually fits
A repeatable packing list for a 55 x 40 x 20 cm cabin bag, with weights and the items most people over-pack.
2026-09-07
How to choose a duffel bag that survives the hold
Capacity, strap design, fabric weight and the details that separate a gym bag from a travel holdall.
2026-09-07
Kids' luggage: what actually works on a family trip
Ride-on cases, small backpacks and the sizes children can genuinely manage alone.
2026-09-07
Choosing a laptop bag for work travel
Sleeve size, protection, strap design and the "personal item" loophole that lets you board with two bags.
2026-09-07
Suitcase sizes explained: 20, 24 and 28 inch
What each common suitcase size holds, which trips it suits, and why a set is often cheaper than buying one case at a time.
2026-09-07
Spinner vs inline wheels: which suitcase rolls better
Four wheels, two wheels, or none. What each wheel type costs you in volume, money and effort.
2026-09-07
Toiletry bags and the 100 ml liquid rule
What counts as a liquid, how the 1 litre bag rule is enforced, and which pouch designs survive a decade of travel.
2026-09-07
Travel adapters, voltage and USB-C: what to buy
Plug types, 110V vs 230V, and why a cheap adapter can destroy a hair dryer.
2026-09-07
Travel pillows: memory foam, inflatable or nothing
Which neck pillow shape suits which seat, and why the classic horseshoe usually fails.
2026-09-07
TSA locks, tags and luggage scales
Which small accessories genuinely prevent disasters, and which are sold to nervous first-time flyers.
2026-09-07
Cabin size rules: what actually counts as carry-on
Airline cabin limits vary more than most listings admit. Here is how to check dimensions, weight and one-bag rules before you order a case.
2026-09-06
Hard shell vs soft shell suitcases
Polycarbonate, ABS and nylon cases compared by weight, protection, packing flexibility and repairability.
2026-09-06
Do packing cubes actually save space?
When compression cubes earn their weight, when they are dead weight, and how to use them in a carry-on.
2026-09-06