A holdall is a highly versatile soft-sided bag designed to ‘hold all’. The bags started gaining in popularity in the sporting world, but are now increasingly common in other fields. The only place where they have not completely taken off (yet) is in the world of airline travel. Here people are opting for highly maneuverable, hard side suitcase designs that offer more protection for their contents. Having said that, as more wheeled holdall options come onto the market, we anticipate seeing more of these bags appear in the hands of travelers – particularly for cabin luggage.
When you are choosing a holdall to purchase make comfort and size your primary considerations. Check that the carrying handles are the right thickness (thicker straps, supplemented with curved shoulder pads, are the most comfortable) and length. It’s always a good idea to choose a model with adjustable straps.
If you are planning to carry your laptop or other electronic equipment, such as an ebook or tablet, in the holdall then find a model that has a padded organizer pocket of the right size and shape. Its also an option to slip your laptop in a protective sleeve (ideally TSA approved your USA travel) and simply slip this into the holdall. A reinforced bottom to teh bag is also idea for carrying heavy items.
Consider purchasing a model with four spinning wheels that can move in any direction. Four wheels is always better than two when it comes to maneuverability. But check to see that the wheels are built into the framework of the bag, rather than just glued onto the outside.
For durability, consider a model that is reinforced with ABS side panels. These wont add much to the overall weight of the bag, but will do much to add strength. In addition choose a material with at least 800 denier thread count. There may also be some models that offer a rubberized extra protective layer to ensure the bag is completely impervious to moisture and to minimize scrapes and scratches.