Why The Color Of Your Luggage Could Make Or Break Your Trip

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Choosing a suitcase is not always as easy as it seems. Many factors must be considered to find the perfect fit, including durability, size, and price. However, one airline warns that the color of your luggage could actually make or break your trip. That's especially true if you tend to check your bags when you fly. Dark neutral colors like black, gray, and navy are popular choices for luggage. For this reason, it's all too easy to pull the wrong bag from the carousel, especially if it's the same brand as your own. Or, even worse, someone else may swipe your black hard-shell suitcase and make a run for it without you even noticing. Choosing stand-out colors is the best way to ensure your luggage remains easily visible at baggage claim.

This particular warning comes from the Ireland-based budget airline Ryanair. In a statement, the airline writes, "Make it easier to spot your checked-in luggage on the carousel, especially if your luggage is black, navy or grey (like 99.9 percent of the population). Add a colourful luggage tag or ribbon to the handle so that there's no confusion on arrival."

A dark suitcase may be sophisticated and sleek, but if you're a frequent traveler, it's asking for trouble. While airlines do owe you when they lose your luggage, and travel insurance plans often provide coverage for missing luggage, having your belongings stolen at the start of a vacation is undeniably frustrating. A brightly-colored or personalized bag is an easy way to make your travels smoother. 

A solid bright color may be just what you're looking for, but luggage is available in all sorts of bold patterns and prints. There are even companies out there that will customize a suitcase with a photo, making your bag almost impossible to mistake for anyone else's. However, adding a few other personal touches can make it stand out even more. If you don't want to shell out for new luggage, attach a bold-colored strap, identification tag, or tape to give it a distinctive feature. Contrary to Ryanair's advice, some airport workers warn that tying a ribbon to the handle should be avoided, as they often get caught in the machinery, causing delays and possible damage to the suitcase. 

Another option is to use handle wraps to make your luggage visible. For example, the Gowraps Neoprene Luggage Handle Wraps for Traveling on Amazon come in a five-pack of various neon colors. There are adjustable straps like the Bilion 4 Pack Luggage Straps, which are also available in bright hues. For something more practical, consider a luggage cover that protects your suitcase from scuffs and scratches. The Explore Land Travel Luggage Cover Suitcase Protector on Amazon comes in all kinds of sizes, patterns, and colors. 

While there are various benefits of soft-sided luggage, a hard-sided bag can be personalized with stickers — for example, you can cover the bag with stickers from all the places you've visited, like stamps on your passport. However, soft-sided bags can be adorned with stylish patches. Of course, you can always ditch your suitcase and opt for a small carry-on instead — there are many clever ways to pack just one carry-on for a week-long vacation. However, if checking a bag is unavoidable, it's worth taking the extra time to make yours stand out.