Capacity
The total volume of the bag, usually, includes all regular pockets (including external ones).
A large volume allows you to put a lot of things inside, but it significantly affects the dimensions, weight and price of the product itself. Therefore, when choosing, you need to strike a balance between capacity and convenience.
It is believed that a volume of
25 – 35 liters will be quite enough for the things one person needs for a trip lasting 3 – 4 days. More detailed recommendations can be found in special sources.
At the same time, we note that even with numerous things, a large bag is not always the best option. In some cases (for example, if several people are traveling), it is more convenient to buy several products of a relatively small volume and divide the luggage between travelers.
Now on the market there are such volumes of bags:
small - up to 50 liters,
medium - from 51 to 75 liters,
large - from 76 to 100 liters and
huge, whose volumes exceed 100 liters. At the same time, you should not forget that there are also
travel bags for hand luggage, as well as an even smaller version
of hand luggage for low-cost airlines.
Zip
The location and design of the zipper that closes the main compartment of the bag.
— In the middle.
Classic straight zipper separating the bag into two even halves. A simple, inexpensive and fairly reliable option. The main disadvantage of such zippers can be called the fact that it is more difficult to load large things through them than through D- or U-shaped fasteners.
—
D-shaped. Lightning, passed around the perimeter of the bag, on three sides — two short and one long. Having completely unfastened such a zipper, you can flip the “lid” covering the bag compartment and get convenient access to the internal volume of the main compartment. The U-zipper provides similar functionality (see related paragraph), but this option is considered more suitable for traditional bags and is more popular in them.
—
U-shaped. A three-way zipper, similar to the D-shaped one (see the relevant paragraph), but skipped according to a slightly different principle — along two long sides of the bag and one short one. Quite a specific option; it is mainly used in bags of original design that can be used as backpacks.
Number of external compartments
The number of additional external compartments provided in the bag.
Compartments differ from external pockets (see the relevant paragraph) in larger sizes — they usually occupy the entire side of the bag. Thus, rather large items can fit in the
outer compartment, and it will be easier to get to them than when transported in the main compartment. One of the most popular applications for such compartments is the transportation of travel change of clothes, for example, for a train trip.
Number of external pockets
The number of external pockets in the design of the bag.
The advantage
of such a pocket is the ability to get to its contents without opening the main compartment of the bag. External pockets are especially handy for storing relatively small items that need quick access, such as documents, toiletries, first aid kits with the most important medicines, etc.
Number of internal pockets
The number of internal pockets in the design of the bag.
Such pockets are especially convenient for storing small valuables: things are located inside the main compartment of the bag, under the main clasp (or even a lock) and at the same time they are not lost among other contents of this compartment.
Side handles
The presence
of small handles on the sides of the bag, usually at the ends. Such handles are mainly designed to carry the bag together: it is inconvenient for one to hold on to them, but two people can take it from both sides without any problems. In addition, the side handles can be useful for pulling a bag out of the boot of a bus, from the third shelf on a train, etc.
