Everything You Need to Know About Luggage Wheels

Luggage wheels are an essential feature for any bag that will be large, awkward, or heavier than a few pounds. That said, all wheels are not created equal, and their style, type, material, and quality can make a significant difference in the practicality of your baggage.

The better the wheels, the happier you will be with your luggage as a whole. If they jam, break, or stick easily, then you will be dissatisfied with the entire bag. Fixing or replacing wheels can be expensive, so travelers are often advised to consider the quality of this feature to make sure that they're getting the most for their money and the greatest satisfaction from what they buy.

There are four primary things to think about when you consider the wheels on any piece of luggage. These factors should help you to make the decision as to which baggage is best for you, especially when you've already narrowed it down to a small number of potential pieces.

1. Material – if you want the very best wheels on your luggage, then look for those made out of polyurethane. This is a form of plastic that is flexible and highly resilient. Other forms of rubber and plastic will create too much resistance when rolling or will wear down too quickly. Bags that have in-line skate wheels are usually considered to be the very best as they are made out of polyurethane, are hardwearing, and are durable.
2. Maneuverability – just because the wheels on the bag are made out of the right material, it doesn't mean that they will be practical in terms of the way that they move around. Remember that you will be filling your luggage with your belongings (which changes the weight of the load) and pulling it across a number of different surfaces, from floor tile in airports and train stations, to concrete sidewalks and asphalt roads and parking lots. Baggage with good quality in-line skate wheels equipped with proper ball bearings which will prevent jamming and ensure that the wheels will turn about smoothly. This tends to be the type of wheel found on the best quality bags on the market. The number of wheels (two versus) four, will make a difference to the maneuverability. Spinners (four wheels that can turn 360 degrees) will give you much more ease of movement than two wheels that are fixed for only forward or backward motion.
3. Fastenings – have a look at the way that the wheels are actually attached to the luggage case itself. Screws are preferable to rivets for two primary reasons. The first is that their hold is much stronger and more solid. The second is that if a screw should fall out or break, it can be replaced, while rivets cannot be repaired.
4. Protection – luggage, especially bags that will be checked on a plane, train, or bus, has a rough life. This explains why you'll get more years out of wheels that are protected in some way. The top form of protection for them is corner protection, though only partial protection is better than none. High tech plastics and other hard materials are preferable.

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