HOW TO DECIDE

1. Unzip for more

If you’re a serial airport shopper, opting for an expandable case is no bad bet: pack down your cabin bag for security, before unzipping it to unleash extra capacity for duty-free deals.

2. Go hard or go soft

Baggage handlers aren’t known for treating luggage gently. Peace of mind comes in the form of hard ABS shells – but bear in mind this reduces their flexibility for cramming stuff in.

3. Head towards the light

With weight allowances tighter than ever, the last thing you need is your wheely number weighing you down. Opt for a polypropylene construction for lightweight sturdiness.

4. Divide and order

It’s worth looking into whether a case offers an unordered cavern or divides its space into segments. The latter is useful to avoid creased ties, but open is the way to go for shoe-carriers.