Smart tips for choosing a suitcase

Whether your wanderlust is satisfied by a worldwide jaunt or a quick getaway, odds are you've had a few struggles with luggage: deciding between a high-end set or a bargain bag, struggling with an unwieldy wheelie, or trying to determine which black suitcase is yours among the 50 at baggage claim.

With prices all over the map -- from $45 for a two-piece, roll- aboard set at Target to $1,195 for an expandable Tumi case with wheels -- choosing a bag can be nearly as daunting as choosing a destination. We asked travel experts, including Wendy Perrin of Condé Nast Traveler magazine, who logged 94,000 miles last year, to divulge their tips for finding the best bags:

GLOBE-TROTTING VS. DAY-TRIPPING

If most of your trips are short, domestic jaunts, your best bet is a 22-inch carry-on. But if you're taking a carry-on to far-flung locales, you should play it safe with a 20-inch bag, the maximum carry-on size allowed on many international flights.

MATERIAL MATTERS

"A material that's waterproof is important, because you just never know when your wheelie is going to be in the rain," says Perrin, who swears by the durability of ballistic nylon as opposed to polyester, leather or canvas.

WHEELS UP

Wheels are a literal breaking point between poorly constructed bags and their high-end counterparts. Steve Cohen, owner of Lane's Luggage in Washington, D.C., recommends ball-bearing wheels made of hard rubber.

THE WARRANTY QUESTION

Although most moderate- to high-priced bags come with a warranty, not all are created equal: Briggs & Riley's warranty covers all damage, including that caused by airlines; Tumi offers a five-year sliding warranty that covers airline damage for the first year.

COLOR CLUES

"If you want to get really good deal, look for the 'off' colors," says Chris McGinnis, business travel editor at YouMustBeTrippin.com. "The other benefit is that other people won't have that color, so you can find yours easily in a sea of black bags."

WHAT TO SKIP

If you need to maximize your carry-on space, steer clear of bags that are highly compartmentalized. "In a carry-on wheelie bag, it's best for me to have vast open space that I can fill however I want," Perrin says. Another thing to skip: bags you can run through security X-ray machines without removing your laptop. The TSA personnel may still ask you to take out your computer, so they're not worth the added expense.

BOTTOM LINE

Buying luggage is like buying real estate -- you want the cheapest house in the most expensive neighborhood. If you travel frequently, it's better to invest in one quality bag than two or three cheaper ones. Check out a few brands, then choose the least-expensive model that suits the way you travel.