Travel bag or suitcase – which is the better solution?

11 Aug.,2025

 

Travel bag or suitcase – which is the better solution?

When you're planning a trip, you're spoiled for choice because there's a huge range of luggage to choose from. But what's the right choice for you: a travel bag or a suitcase ? Both have advantages and disadvantages. The key is that the luggage you choose is of high quality and will accompany you perfectly on your trip.

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The question of whether to use a travel bag or a suitcase naturally depends on how you plan to travel. If you have a lot of luggage and travel a lot, a sturdy suitcase is often the better choice. Cheap suitcases have the disadvantage that they quickly lose their shape or offer you less comfort than a high-quality model.

Suitcases or travel bags: What can the hard-shell suitcase do?

Suitcase & hard shell – this duo is unbeatable and is still one of the most popular ways to transport luggage comfortably. Large suitcases with hard shells in particular are a real must-have for those who travel a lot and have to take a lot of luggage with them.

The history of hard-shell suitcases began with a bulky monster that was difficult to transport...

... Today, suitcases can be big, but so can comfort. Suitcases with 4 wheels are particularly popular, as they can be moved like a trolley and are therefore perfect for a quick run to the train station or the airport terminal. The question of whether to use a travel bag or a suitcase is not even an issue on some trips, because if the weight of the luggage is high, only sturdy suitcases can offer real safety.

When choosing between a travel bag and a suitcase, you must also remember that suitcases come in different sizes , but not every model can be taken into the passenger cabin of the aircraft. If the suitcase or trolley has a maximum height of 55 cm , it can be taken on the plane as hand luggage. However, a piece of luggage with a height of 75 cm is also popular and is then checked in as cargo and transported in the cargo hold.

The advantages and disadvantages of suitcases at a glance

When choosing between a travel bag and a suitcase, there are advantages and disadvantages. Basically, you also have to decide whether you want a hard-shell suitcase or whether you prefer a soft model . The latter consists of a flexible outer shell that expands, similar to a travel bag, but in the typical suitcase shape.

Even if you no longer have to choose between comfort and space when choosing between a travel bag or a suitcase, the typical travel suitcase still has its advantages and disadvantages. The advantages are probably already obvious to you:

  • Suitcases are easy to transport

  • Built-in locks provide security

  • Hard shells protect your luggage reliably

  • You will find a large selection on the market

  • the compartment layout makes packing easier

But there are also disadvantages , especially in terms of weight. Unlike a backpack or a travel bag, the suitcase is already heavy as a raw product . In addition, the purchase costs are higher than for a piece of luggage made of fabric, such as a backpack or a travel bag. However, if you buy a quality product, you will be able to use it for many years or even decades .

Travel bag or suitcase – when the trolley becomes an alternative

Sometimes the choice between a travel bag or a suitcase isn't even necessary if you opt for a third alternative , the trolley. It is available in numerous versions, as a business trolley, as a travel trolley or as a practical trolley for children.

A trolley is always a good choice if you don't have too much luggage with you and the choice between a travel bag or a suitcase is therefore unnecessary. Modern business trolleys, for example, have the capacity for your laptop and a few pieces of luggage and are therefore perfect if you want to spend an overnight stay away from home (for business) and a travel bag or suitcase would take up too much space .

However, there is also the classic suitcase trolley, which can offer more space. This is a suitcase on wheels , which is also known as a trolley. Before you make your choice between a travel bag or a suitcase, take a look at what other alternatives there are.

Travelling with a backpack – that’s also possible

Travel bag? Backpack? Which is the better choice? If you are only travelling for a short time, the question of whether to use a travel bag or a suitcase is often not an issue, as you do not need a lot of luggage. In this case, a backpack is the ideal piece of luggage, as it can be carried comfortably on your back.

If you use a backpack , you can fit a lot of luggage in it and still avoid having to travel with a travel bag or suitcase. This is particularly practical if you want to take your luggage with you frequently, for example because you are constantly changing accommodation during a trip.

A travel backpack of appropriate size should have a volume of 45 to 70 liters so that the luggage can be loaded with clothes and other items. To keep things comfortable, it is helpful if the backpack is divided into different compartments . If you want to take your laptop with you on the go, make sure that there is an additional padded compartment .

Backpack as an addition to travel bag or suitcase

If you have decided between a travel bag or a suitcase when travelling by plane, you still have hand luggage . After all, you are not only allowed to leave your luggage in the hold, you can also take one piece of luggage on board . A travel bag or suitcase is only possible here if the dimensions specified by the airline for hand luggage are adhered to.

An alternative is a backpack, which of course also has to have the right dimensions. There are special hand luggage backpacks that are optimized for use on airplanes . However, as long as the dimensions for the permitted hand luggage are not exceeded, you can take any backpack with you on the plane and have your travel bag or suitcase loaded into the cargo hold at the baggage check-in instead.

Backpacks are perfect for a hike or a city trip . Whether over hill and dale or through the old town: you always have enough space for your most important belongings.

The backpack has its advantages as a piece of luggage:

  • Travel bags or suitcases can sometimes stay at home.

  • The purchase is cheaper than other pieces of luggage.

  • Always have a transportable piece of luggage, even when on vacation.

  • The starting weight is extremely low.

However, the backpack also has its disadvantages:

  • It is a permanent strain on the back when carrying heavy luggage.

  • It offers less protection to the luggage due to soft material.

The travel bag with wheels – the hybrid for your travels

Are you having a hard time deciding between a travel bag or a suitcase and just can't decide which piece of luggage to choose? Maybe you don't even have to, because a travel bag with wheels is a hybrid with the advantages of both options. It's important that it's a sturdy travel bag, because if you're not carrying it over your arm but pulling it on wheels, it needs stability and solid material.

In general, travel bags are extremely flexible, you can find them in numerous visual variations and sizes. So it's not just about deciding whether to get a travel bag or a suitcase , but also about which type of travel bag is best for you.

Basically, a cheap travel bag is often a bad buy because it is exposed to a lot of stress and if the material is of poor quality, it can quickly show signs of wear. But if you look for discounts from high-quality manufacturers, you can also get a cheap travel bag that still offers maximum quality.

The advantages of a rolling travel bag in check

You can easily carry a small travel bag over your shoulder or arm; it hardly weighs you down. If the travel bag is large, it will be more difficult to transport it through the airport or to the train. The choice between a travel bag or a suitcase is often made based on comfort, because a robust travel bag is quite heavy and difficult to carry.

But maybe in the future you won't have to choose between a travel bag or a suitcase if you use a travel bag with practical wheels. This innovation makes it possible for you to transport your luggage comfortably . You have all the advantages of a trolley and can still travel with a travel bag:

  • the rolling travel bag is light

  • Transport is much easier

  • You have plenty of storage space for your luggage

  • the fabric is stretchy and flexible

In conclusion, this piece of luggage is perfect for travelers with a lot of luggage who have to choose between a travel bag or a suitcase and who prefer a travel bag.

Conclusion on travel bags or suitcases: No general recommendation possible!

There is no general answer to the question of whether a travel bag or a suitcase is the right choice, as every vacationer has their own needs. For the family's large luggage, a hard-shell suitcase is still the luggage of choice. If, however, you are only going on vacation for a weekend, a small travel bag is sufficient.

However, the decisive factor when choosing is always that the products are of high quality. Bargains from cheap manufacturers are cheap to buy, but travel bags and suitcases can quickly become defective if the quality is poor . Regardless of whether you are buying a backpack, travel bag or suitcase - if you save on luggage, it can have negative consequences. You usually make such an investment once and can then benefit from it for years.

ODM Vs OEM In Bag Manufacturing: Most Complete Guide

If you are making bags, I think understanding ODM vs OEM is really important. This is especially true if you plan to use custom handbag manufacturers for your business growth. I believe knowing these models helps your brand.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Luggage Manufacturer.

With OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing), you give your own bag designs to the manufacturer. Then, experts make the bags exactly as you’ve instructed. I feel this gives you a lot of control. On the other hand, with ODM (Original Design Manufacturing), you pick from bag designs the manufacturer has already created. You can usually make small changes, like adding your logo or making minor adjustments.

However, regarding ODM vs OEM, what are the main differences and advantages and disadvantages of the two directly? How should you choose? Don’t worry, let’s take a look. This article will analyze the advantages and disadvantages of ODM vs OEM and the best practices for you. Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

Key Differences Between ODM vs OEM 

1. Design Ownership and Control

OEM: You keep complete control over your bag’s design. The manufacturer will follow your specific instructions. They work closely with your creative ideas, which helps give your product a unique identity.

ODM: The manufacturer’s own team creates the design. You choose from their existing collections. These collections usually follow market trends, not your specific brand style.

2. Customization Options

  • OEM: With OEM, you can change almost every detail. This includes materials, hardware accessories, colors, and packaging. This option is ideal if you need products made for your brand’s specific needs.
  • ODM: You usually choose from designs that already exist. You can make small adjustments, like where to put a logo or minor features. Your options for changes are fewer compared to OEM.

3. Time to Market

OEM: Because everything is made new from your drawings, making the product takes longer. I’d advise you to expect a longer wait before your bags are ready to sell.

ODM: This process is quicker. The designs are already complete and have been tested. You can get your products to the market faster by picking a design from the manufacturer’s catalog and making small changes.

4. Ownership Structure and Rights

  • OEM: Once you pay for the production, you own the finished products. The manufacturer cannot sell or copy your designs. I believe this gives you true ownership.
  • ODM: The manufacturer keeps the rights to the design. They might offer similar bags to other customers. This can affect how exclusive your product is.

5. Level of Design Customization

OEM: You get bags made exactly to your specific instructions. I recommend this for complete customization.

ODM: You adjust parts of designs that already exist. This means your customization is partial, not total.

Pro Tips:

” For ODM vs OEM, From a market agility perspective, consider ODM if speed to market and cost efficiency are critical, especially for emerging brands; leveraging ODM’s ready-made designs with minor customizations can significantly reduce development time and upfront investment while still allowing some brand differentiation. ” 


———— Weiming Tao, Design, manufacture and export of handbags, leather goods, duffle bags and backpacks for multi-industry brands

Pros of OEM in Bag Manufacturing

  • Cost Efficiency

Partnering with an OEM bag manufacturer lets you cut down your initial investment. You don’t need to build and run your own factories. So, you can put money into key areas like marketing, design, or growing your sales channels. I see this as a smart way to save money, especially for smaller orders. It helps you keep costs low and manage your budget.

  • Specialized Expertise

With OEM bag manufacturing, you get access to expert makers. These manufacturers have years of experience in the bag business. In my experience, these partners help you with many things. This includes choosing materials and using modern production methods. They can also help you add new, creative features to your bags. This makes your products unique in a competitive market, and I believe it keeps your brand’s special feel.

  • Quality Control

OEM makers have high quality standards. They apply these at each step of making the bags. So, your bags will always meet the agreed specs. This ensures your design ideas stay intact. This gives you top-quality, dependable products. This is true even for complex designs that you might not be able to make yourself.

  • Customization & Branding Opportunities

OEM manufacturing lets you make special bags. These bags can be made just for your market’s needs. You control all design details. You can choose branded parts, special packaging, and unique final touches. This much customization makes your products different. It helps you get an edge when considering ODM vs OEM.

  • Fast Turnaround Times

Working with an OEM gets your products to market faster. I like this aspect. This is great if you launch seasonal items. It’s also good for quick fashion trends. Quick delivery from OEMs means your stock is always new, and I find it helps match what customers are looking for.

Downsides of OEM for Bag Making

① Problems with Quality Control in OEM Production

A big challenge is keeping quality the same. If you use OEM factories overseas, quality control can get tricky. I recommend you set up good quality checks. You also need to talk often with your makers. If you don’t, you might get bad batches. This can mean expensive fixes, product returns, or a bad name for your brand.

For instance, you might find quality problems after the bags have already been shipped overseas. This causes delays and costs you more to run your business.

② Risks to Your Ideas and Designs

Working with an OEM means you share your unique designs and product details with them. From my experience, this greatly raises the chance of your designs being copied or your information leaking. Even if you use legal papers like NDAs and IP protection rules, I don’t think there’s full security.

I suggest brand owners stay alert. Imagine a luxury bag brand’s special design is made for other rival brands. This would badly hurt its uniqueness and brand worth over time.

③ More Money and Resources Needed Up Front

If you choose OEM, I’ve noticed you need to put in a lot of resources at the beginning. I believe this process takes much time and money for research, design, samples, and development. This is often more than with ODM.

For example, creating a new collection from the ground up can really push up your initial costs. This can cause money flow problems. I feel this is a big issue for new or small brands. It makes it tough for them to grow at the start, unlike the easier start you might get with ODM choices.

④ Longer Waits and Slower to Market

Because OEM production is very custom, The whole process usually takes more time. This covers everything from finishing the design to making the product. If you want to react fast to trends or seasons, these longer waits can put you behind others.

Delays mean you might miss good times to sell. This is a big problem in the quick fashion world.

⑤ Higher Costs for Making Products

From my observation, making bags with OEM usually costs more. The special details and custom parts that make your brand stand out also make production harder and more expensive. Even if you can sell your bags for high prices, The greater design and making costs can reduce your profits if you don’t watch them closely.

So, I suggest you think about these points when deciding between ODM and OEM. In my opinion, OEM gives you special designs and a unique brand look. But, you need to be ready for more risks, needing more resources, and constant watching to lessen any drawbacks.

Pros of ODM in Bag Manufacturing​

When choosing ​​ODM vs OEM​​ for bag production, ODM (Original Design Manufacturing) offers distinct advantages for brands prioritizing speed, cost-efficiency, and market responsiveness. Here’s why:

  1. ​Access to Specialized Expertise​​: ODM manufacturers invest heavily in R&D and trend forecasting, equipping you with innovative, market-ready designs. Their in-house teams understand materials, ergonomics, and production techniques, reducing your need for technical knowledge.
  2. ​Faster Time-to-Market​​: With pre-developed design catalogs, you skip lengthy prototyping phases. Select from existing styles, apply minor customizations (e.g., colors, logos), and launch products swiftly to capitalize on trends.
  3. ​Cost Savings​​: Avoid upfront expenses for design development, tooling, and sampling. This frees your budget for branding, marketing, or scaling production.
  4. ​Reduced Development Risks​​: ODM designs are already tested for manufacturability and compliance, minimizing quality issues. For example, a factory’s proven backpacks design ensures durability without costly trial-and-error.
  5. ​Collaborative Flexibility​​: While ODM emphasizes factory-led design, many suppliers allow adjustments like fabric swaps or hardware upgrades, balancing uniqueness with efficiency.

For startups or brands expanding into new markets, ​​ODM vs OEM​​ often becomes the pragmatic choice to minimize risk and accelerate growth.

Cons of ODM in Bag Manufacturing​

While ODM streamlines production, it also introduces challenges in brand differentiation and control. Key drawbacks to consider in the ​​ODM vs OEM​​ decision include:

  1. ​Limited Brand Identity​​: Pre-designed bags restrict customization, making it harder to stand out. Competitors using the same ODM catalog can flood the market with similar products, diluting your uniqueness.
  2. ​Quality Consistency Risks​​: ODM manufacturers set their own quality standards, which may not align with your expectations. A mid-priced tote bags might use thinner linings or lower-grade zippers to meet factory cost targets.
  3. ​Intellectual Property Concerns​​: The factory owns the designs, so identical bags could be sold to competitors. A survey noted 36% of brands struggle with differentiation when using ODM suppliers.
  4. ​Hidden Costs​​: While initial pricing seems low, expenses like logo embroidery, material upgrades, or expedited shipping can inflate budgets.
  5. ​Supplier Dependency​​: Switching ODM partners often means abandoning existing designs, forcing costly reboots. For instance, a brand relying on an ODM for vegan leather crossbody bags may face delays if the supplier changes sustainability certifications.

To mitigate these risks, vet ODM partners rigorously, negotiate exclusivity clauses, and blend ODM with limited OEM strategies for core products.

Best Practices for ODM vs OEM in Bag Manufacturing

☑ For OEM Partnerships​

  1. ​Define Clear Objectives upfront​​: Specify design details, materials (e.g., full-grain leather vs recycled polyester), and quality benchmarks. For example, luxury brands often require OEM factories to meet ISO certifications.
  2. ​Protect Intellectual Property (IP)​​: Use NDAs and legally binding contracts to secure ownership of designs, patterns, and innovations. This is critical when outsourcing patented features like anti-theft zippers or modular compartments.
  3. ​Choose Specialized Partners​​: Partner with OEM manufacturer of leather bag experienced in your niche (e.g., vegan leather handbags, travel luggage). Verify their capacity for scalability and compliance (e.g., REACH, OEKO-TEX).
  4. ​Prioritize Quality Control​​: Implement third-party inspections, pre-shipment sample approvals, and defect rate agreements (e.g., ≤1% defect tolerance).

☑ For ODM Partnerships​

  • ​Maximize Collaborative Design​​:

Work with the ODM’s R&D team to tweak existing designs (e.g., adding branded hardware or ergonomic straps) while leveraging their trend-driven catalogs.

  • ​Differentiate Strategically​​:

Customize pre-designed bags with unique elements like eco-certified fabrics, limited-edition prints, or signature packaging to stand out in saturated markets.

  • ​Involve Suppliers Early​​:

Share your seasonal launch plans upfront to align production timelines. For instance, ODM factories can pre-source materials for a spring pastel handbag collection.

  • ​Balance Control and Speed​​:

Set clear guidelines for quality (e.g., stitch density, weight tolerance) while allowing manufacturers to optimize production methods for cost-efficiency.

  • ​Expand Market Reach​​:

Use ODM suppliers’ regional expertise to adapt designs for global markets. Such as a crossbody bag designed for European consumers might resize compartments for Asian market preferences.

Pro Tips:

” From a product development standpoint, when choosing ODM vs OEM, prioritize OEM if your brand strategy relies on unique design innovation and intellectual property ownership, as this model ensures full control over the product’s specifications and exclusivity in the market. ” 

———— Eric Flores, Footwear, Handbags and fashion accessories sourcing professional

Conclusion

Are you trying to decide between ODM vs OEM​ options for your bag manufacturing business? We can help you figure it out. I suggest you contact us. We can give you expert advice that fits what you need.

Do you need custom handbags? Or are you searching for custom bag manufacturers? I recommend you reach out to us at [ protected]. You can also visit our website at leelinebags.com. As, what I believe to be, the best bag manufacturer in China, we’re ready to assist you. We want to help you find the ideal solution for your bag manufacturing.

Recommended Reading:

How to Minimize Handbag Production Waste: A Step-by-Step Guide

How To Manage Lead Times And Production Schedules For Handbags?

10 Trusted Bag Manufacturers In Turkey​

FAQs

Q1. How does ODM vs OEM impact minimum order quantities (MOQs) in bag manufacturing?
ODM suppliers often have lower MOQs since they produce standardized designs, while OEM projects usually require higher MOQs to justify the cost of custom development and tooling.

Q2. What are the typical lead times for ODM vs OEM bag manufacturing?
ODM lead times are generally shorter, as the designs are pre-developed, whereas OEM projects can take several months due to custom sampling, prototyping, and approvals.

Q3. How does ODM vs OEM affect intellectual property protection in the bag industry?
With OEM, your custom designs are protected and exclusive to your brand, but with ODM, the manufacturer retains design rights and may sell similar products to other clients.

Q4. Can I switch from ODM vs OEM as my bag brand grows, and what are the challenges?
Transitioning from ODM to OEM is possible and common for scaling brands, but it requires investment in design, development, and new supplier relationships, which can be resource-intensive.

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