Best luggage belts and straps

TRAVEL belts or straps might not be your thing, but I can assure you, they are well worth the extra minimal cost. On a holiday to Spain a few years back, the zip on my medium-sized overweight case broke and luckily I didn’t lose my contents. The two-hour flight from London to Barcelona was not that long, but when it fell out onto the luggage carousel, I knew I had nothing to worry about. The long belt and heavy duty strap held things together. If I had not put them on, it could have been another story.

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Heavy duty straps can be very durable

There are plenty of belts and straps on the market with each one having something different to offer. What I look out for is a luggage strap that is heavy duty, which means strong enough to endure the journey. Some straps have a max force tension of over 400lbs.  The strap also has to be long enough and easy adjustable. In my experience one that is between 40 to 74 inches (100-188cm) long and 2 inches (5cm wide) is adequate. A quick release buckle is also preferable. If you pick a colour, it’s always good to go for one that is bright and easily recognisable. The rainbow one is quite popular so you might want to go for another colour which is more identifiable. There’s nothing stopping you getting personalised luggage straps. When you are waiting to find your suitcase on the arrivals carousel, there’s nothing more frustrating than having to see your luggage go round twice before you find it.

Belt up your bags together

Another way of keeping your luggage in check is to buy a tension belt. These can be multi-purpose and not just be used as luggage straps. They are typically made from polyester fibres and are rust resistant. Quality straps are usually rigorously tested and good companies usually refund your money if they don’t live up to the hype. A decent strap or belt can also help prolong the life of your soft or hard suitcase and be another line of defence to hold things together if your zip breaks. If you have more than one bag or suitcase, you can also strap them together, which makes them more easier to transport.

Give your luggage extra protection

Suitcases all have locks whether they are fitted on the suitcase or those ones that you have to buy as additional add ons, but it’s always good to be extra cautious. If you overload your suitcase, then it’s good to firm up the case with a strap if there is something fragile or moveable inside. I compare it to having a strong belt to hold up your trousers. No belts or straps are totally unbreakable and on occasions the plastic buckle may snap, but on balance most can last for years. You can always ask for a refund if things go wrong. Let me know about your experiences with luggage straps and belts. Which ones do you use? Your knowledge might make someone’s holiday trip that much better – so your opinions and views are valued.