Summer’s here and our thoughts are turning to holidays. It’s not long until the kids finish school for the big break, so now’s a good time to be pulling out the suitcases and checking they’re still good to go.

If you need to upgrade your luggage because it’s past its best, or simply because you fancy a change then there’s a few features to look out for.

Does the case have wheels? Most do these days, but spinner wheels are a cut above. It means they swivel 360°, which is a gamechanger when it comes to rushing through an airport. A telescopic handle also makes life so much easier, as do TSA locks, which mean officials can open your case if necessary without trashing it.

Inside, pockets are essential for separating out small items such as jewellery, while compression straps hold clothing in place. Individual top and bottom compartments keep shoes and clothes apart, and if the case is extendable, then you’ll have room to pack those souvenirs for the journey home.

On short trips consider luggage size. If you’re not paying for hold luggage then the bag must fit under the seat on budget airlines, to avoid a charge – and cabin cases too have limits.

No air travel, no size problem. There’s a gorgeous selection of holdalls and backpacks available that are just perfect for a few days away – and you can use them in your day to day, which is a big bonus!

Read on for our round-up of the best bags and suitcases for successful holiday travel this summer.

Rock Sunwave Large Suitcase in Peach, £110

The sunny shade of this suitcase screams summer and it’s large enough for all the family’s essentials. It’s also expandable, which increases the capacity from 120L to 136L, so there’s plenty of space to take home a bottle of the local brew or those must-have mementos.

Inside, there’s packing straps on one side along with a zipped pocket to keep small items safe, while on the other there’s a zipped divider and a separate large mesh pocket.

The outer is made from tough polypropylene, which is impact-resistant and built to last. There’s a TSA lock for peace of mind, a telescopic handle and eight spinner wheels, so even when it’s full, moving it is a breeze.

Also available in small and medium versions, or as a set of three. There’s also a wide choice of colours, including bright pink, light blue, lilac and a more sedate charcoal.

It luggage Eco Protect Medium Plus in Elephant Skin, £60

We love that the Eco-Protect is made from at least 70% recycled materials, so this suitcase is sustainable as well as stylish and practical.

It has eight 360° wheels for maximum manoeuvrability, a telescopic handle, and an extra grab handle on the top, which is incredibly helpful for dragging the suitcase from the baggage carousel.

There’s also a TSA lock and the case is expandable, with a total capacity of 104L, enough for two weeks in the sun.

Inside there’s compression straps on one side to keep everything in place and the other is separated by a zipped divider that incorporates a mesh pocket, so you can see at a glance what’s inside.

It weighs 4.14kg when empty and the soft grey shade goes with everything, so will complement your existing luggage collection. Also available in cabin size and large, or as a three-piece set.

Katie Loxton Soho Suedette Weekend Bag, £94.99

This deep chocolate holdall is perfect for a weekend away, whether that’s a city break or a few days in the country. It’s roomy enough for shoes and toiletries as well as clothes and essentials, such as your phone charger, power bank and skincare.

The padded top handles are comfy to hold, and the detachable cross-body strap gives an alternative carry option. A contrasting gold zip fastening, coupled with faux suede tassel zip pulls and gold metal hardware add to the luxe vibe. There’s even a matching luggage tag and the option to personalise the bag with your initials in a choice of embroidery colours.

This stylish yet practical weekend bag is also available in taupe, rose, cherry and black, and measures 50cm W x 28cm H x 25cm D. 

Tripp Cruise Dual Access Medium Suitcase in Forest Green, £69.50

This ingenious suitcase features a top-opening section so you can access contents without having to open the case fully. This is especially handy if you’re on a late flight and want to get to those night essentials, such as your toothbrush and PJs without having to unpack everything. It’s also invaluable for business trips, as you can keep cables and work essentials together, doing away with the need to carry a separate work bag. The case is made from durable polypropylene and features spinner wheels, a TSA lock, retractable main handle and two grab handles – one on the top and one on the side. Internally, the bottom section has luggage straps to keep contents secure, while the upper section features a divider with zipped mesh pocket. And there’s two extra zipped pockets in the top-opening part of the suitcase. It also has a capacity of 64L and is available in terracotta.

Wandrd Transit Travel Backpack 35L, £263

This is the perfect travel companion if you want to holiday light but want masses of features in your luggage. And there’s no need to check it into the hold as the Wandrd Transit Travel Backpack is carry-on size.

We’re of the opinion you can never have too many pockets. Who wants to be searching through clothes for earbuds, cables, chargers or snacks? With this backpack you don’t have to. There’s a separate laptop compartment, space for drink bottles, pen holders, a secure pocket for your passport, and even a hidden pocket for an Airtag.

The bag opens on three sides like a suitcase for ease of packing and unpacking, but there’s also the option to access contents from each side. Foam-moulded shoulder straps and a structured back panel ensure the backpack is comfortable to wear and it’s weather-resistant. It’s expandable, with a maximum capacity of 35L – that’s more than enough space for three to five days away. Also available in a 45L version and in a green colourway.

Sara Miller Green Birds Cabin Case, £159

The bird motif and colours on this suitcase are so vibrant and fun, they have already put us in a holiday mood! Just look at the engraved Sara Miller London zip pulls, a gold logo on the front and gold bird emblem on the back.

But this case is not only beautiful, it’s practical too. Spinner wheels and a retractable handle ensure optimal manoeuvrability, while the TSA lock means you don’t have to worry about security.

Inside, the lining continues the leaf pattern on dark grey fabric. Both the top and bottom sections feature zipped dividers and a combination of zipped and elasticated pockets, so there’s lots of space to separate out smaller items. The bottom section also incorporates compression straps to keep clothing in place.

It has a capacity of 29L, so enough for a long weekend or even a week if you pack strategically, and it’s designed to fit with Ryanair’s cabin bag requirements.

Mountain Warehouse Voyager 35L Wheelie Rucksack, £59.99

Travelling light is a breeze with this wheeled rucksack. The 35L capacity means there’s enough space to pack for a few days away, and the lightweight polyester fabric means it’s not going to be too heavy to carry.

There’s a front pocket for essentials such as your phone and passport, a separate laptop pocket, and a main compartment. There’s also elasticated mesh pockets on the side of the rucksack that are big enough for a water bottle and snacks, while compression straps not only keep everything tight, but offer extra security across the main zip fastenings.

The rear pocket opens to reveal padded shoulder straps, and this panel folds down, covering the wheels and cushioning your back. There’s a grab handle on the top and another on the bottom, while a top pocket opens to reveal a telescopic handle for use in conjunction with the wheels.

Antler Icon Stripe Cabin Case in Mist Blue, £185

This polycarbonate cabin case has a 38.4L capacity, and is designed to fit the luggage requirements of European airlines.

We love the pale blue colourway, and the iconic Antler logo on the front. The spinner wheels mean the case is easy to move on hard floors and carpet, while the multi-height telescopic handle boasts a comfort grip that’s easy on the hands.

There’s a handle on the top and another on the side, so grabbing your case from the overhead locker is simple; there’s also a TSA lock for security. Inside, the bottom section features compression straps and a zipped pocket for small items. The top section has a zipped divider incorporating two mesh pockets so you can see contents at a glance.

Available in seven other shades, including moorland pink, taupe and buckthorn red.

The post Get packing with our luggage round-up appeared first on Checklists.

Do check in on the kids

Kids will happily while away an entire day if left to their own (ahem) devices. But overdoing screen time can lead to physical problems such as eye strain, neck pain, and sleep disruption, while potentially causing developmental delays in language, creativity, and social skills. For small children, the World Health Organisation recommends no screen time for kids under two and no more than one hour per day for two- to four-year-olds. Setting parental controls on your children’s devices will also help protect older kids from harmful content and encourage a gentle digital detox.

Don’t sleep with your phone

If you’ve ever left your phone charging on your bed at night, you are not alone. 74% of Brits charge devices in their bedrooms, say HR Fire and Safety, who warn that leaving gadgets with lithium-ion batteries charging for long periods can not only reduce your device’s lifespan, but it can also present a major fire hazard. Caused when the heat from your phone is trapped under flammable materials such as pillows and duvets, the London Fire Brigade reports an average of 24 fires each week resulting from overcharging. Save on scares by vowing to charge your phone on a hard, non-flammable surface instead — and always unplug when you’ve reached 100%.

Do stick to the 20-20-20 rule

The nation’s daily average for consuming screen-based media is now almost 7.5 hours, according to the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising, so it is no surprise that many of us complain of having sore peepers. The remedy? Optometrists recommend resetting your vision by taking a break from your screen every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Obviously keeping a timer and tape measures to hand is a little extreme, but simply looking away from your screen regularly to focus on something far away should do the trick.

Don’t shun software updates

Some devices seem to demand software updates more often than Madonna demands a new wardrobe — but remember these annoying notifications are there for good reason. Offering new features, fixes for viruses, and performance improvements, software updates also include new security features which will protect your data and solve known flaws that attackers can use to compromise your technology. The easiest way to stay up to date is to enable automatic updates on all your software and always install promptly when notified. The National Cyber Security Centre is also a great place to start for those needing a quick crash course on software how-tos.

Do look after your battery

Finally, if you suspect that your battery is draining too quickly, it may be time for a little check-up. Small changes like lowering your screen brightness and disabling push notifications can save oodles of energy, as can turning off Wi-Fi when it isn’t needed to stop your phone from constantly searching for a connection. Still at a loss? Try checking your daily usage summary in the battery section of your phone’s settings. You may discover that app you installed two years ago — and haven’t looked at since — is an energy vampire.

The post Five gadget dos and don’ts well worth considering appeared first on Checklists.