As you know, we here at Adventures with Sarah are always testing out new packing techniques, packing hacks and different forms of baggage. We want to have the best travel experience possible, and help you to do the same on your own adventures around the world. Recently we have been testing out different rolling bags (check out Sarah’s videos here and here) and today we’re going to be looking at the IT Luggage brand range of rolling bags.

Why choose a rolling bag?

If you’ve been following us for a while you’ll be aware that using backpacks has been our top choice for travel, so why are we talking about a rolling bag?

Well, not everyone is able to carry a backpack comfortably, and a rolling bag has some advantages over a backpack in certain situations.

As well as it being easier on your back and shoulders to roll a suitcase rather than carry a backpack, you can fit heavier/bulkier souvenirs better and a suitcase’s durability makes it a better choice for protecting your possessions if you want to (or have to) check your bag when flying.

Think about the trip you’re taking, what you’ll be doing while you’re away and what is most practical for you. The main thing to remember if you go for a rolling bag, is to select one that is both lightweight and has durability – which is where IT Luggage shines.

About IT Luggage

The IT Luggage brand is a relative newcomer to the travel world. The company was originally founded in 1985 in the UK, inspired by the lack of luggage options at that time, and has been innovating ever since to make travel easier.

The brand has now expanded to multiple countries worldwide, and release new collections every year in a huge variety of colors and styles.

They are a great option if you’re looking for luggage that will last a long time but isn’t super expensive. Their ‘World’s Lightest’ range is especially impressive.

The different types of IT Luggage available

While IT Luggage are constantly coming up with new styles and designs, their designs largely falls into these categories:

Carry on luggage – Hard shell suitcases

Available in a few different cabin bag sizes, their hard shells come in a clamshell design with compression straps inside, so you open up the suitcase and have easy access to each side. Because of this, they are all on four spinner wheels for balance.

The hard shell bags also come with IT Luggage’s special extender, which unzips the entire way round the suitcase to maximize your packing space if needed – this extended section is fabric but sturdy.

Complete with a TSA lock (but no exterior pockets generally), these hard shell options look very smart.

Carry on luggage – Soft shell suitcases

Unlike the hard shell versions, you will find both four wheel spinner luggage and two wheeled options in the IT Luggage soft shell carry on bags range.

There are lots of different styles for their soft shell bags, some with a single exterior pocket, others with multiple smaller ones, some with wide handles and others with traditional handles, but all come with their compression system straps and lightweight frames that still have great durability.

Hold luggage

If you’re someone who travels with a larger bag, you can get your full set from IT Luggage. Four wheels or two wheeled luggage are both available in medium and large sizes as well as the cabin bag size, so you’ll definitely be able to fit enough clothes with all the extra space available.

IT Luggage quality

Regardless of the luggage style, there are some common features across all the IT Luggage travel bags.

Their special patented Infinispin spinner wheels are designed to reduce wheel damage and come with a 360° range of motion. The hard-wearing and resilient wheels can withstand a lot of use, the below picture is of an older IT bag that has been rolled around a lot of places and the spinner wheels are still in great condition.

Impact protection is built into all their designs and the quality of the zippers, inner linings, materials and accessories is very high. All their luggage come with a 10 year warranty to protect you, so they should last you a long time if looked after.

Which type of IT Luggage is right for you?

So now that you know a bit more about what IT Luggage options you have, how do you decide which rolling bag to go for?

Hard shell versus soft shell

The first thing to decide is whether you are going to go for a hard or soft shell suitcase. Hard shells generally look a little smarter and the clamshell style is helpful for organizing your packing, as well as offering a little more space with the IT Luggage extender section.

However they are not as light as the IT Luggage soft shell suitcases, so perhaps are better suited to those who do a lot of business travel or don’t plan on moving about much when you reach your destination.

One like this suitcase can be filled with as much stuff as you need for your trip with the clamshell set up and smaller pockets for your essentials, or this one which features a lock for security as well as an extender section.

 

A soft shell bag is generally more flexible, coming with an additional pocket or two to separate out smaller items and the soft materials used in construction making it easier to squeeze in one last item when packing.

They are also undeniably lighter in weight, especially the two wheeled bags options. This fact alone makes them the best carry on luggage selection for us when we’re going to be carrying the bag on a multi-stop tour.

You can go for a soft shell option like this with a traditional handle and dual front pockets with zippers, or one from the World’s Lightest collection such as this, which has a wider handle to expand the bag’s main space and pockets on the front for loose items.

Carry on or checked luggage?

While carry on suitcases are pretty much always our choice, sometimes this just isn’t an option. If you are potentially taking more belongings with you, or are traveling for a long time, a larger bag can be necessary. It can also be cheaper (and simpler) to pack things in hold luggage to take back home rather than thinking about shipping something from a store.

Most of the collections have the same design in multiple sizes, from carry ons to medium and large versions. The price of course reflects the size, but the features of the smaller ones are replicated in the larger versions, such as this hard shell option which would be great for a family trip. The soft shell versions like this are an excellent option for transporting your essentials on your travels.

However in almost all situations going for a carry on size bag would be our recommendation. You can always check a carry on bag if you want to, but you will be making your life so much easier.

If you’re worried about how you can pack enough for your trip in a carry on bag, be sure to check out our tips for how to pack light, what clothes to bring and more top picks for packing cubes and other space savers.

Carry on bag dimensions

One thing that you should always check in advance, is what the carry on dimensions are for your flights. Frustratingly these aren’t consistent across all major airlines, so always measure your luggage carefully – the dimensions include the wheels and handle.

IT Luggage’s carry on ranges come in a variety of sizes, some slightly smaller and others larger so if you are buying a suitcase for a specific trip, be sure to check the dimensions (and sometimes weight) that you will need to conform to before making your purchase.

In general the IT Luggage options hold up well against the most popular airline requirements, offering cases that can be taken on flights with Delta, United Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Emirates and more, especially with their lighter weight frame.

Looking for more tips on travel gear recommendations and how to pack efficiently? Our blog and YouTube channel has lots of useful information designed to help you have the best trip possible!