Custom luggage is luggage that is made to order for a specific person. It could be made in a specific color or pattern, monogrammed, or out of unusual materials. The ability to easily identify luggage in a crowded environment, making a distinct fashion statement, and having luggage designed for one’s specific needs are all advantages of custom pieces. The cost, difficulty of repair, and difficulty of adding to the collection are all disadvantages of custom pieces.
The ability to quickly locate a specific piece of luggage when traveling is the biggest benefit of having custom luggage. Because the luggage will be distinct from the rest of the luggage coming down the conveyor belt, there should be some time saved while waiting for it to pass through baggage check. Rather than searching every black piece of luggage that passes by to see if it is the right one, custom luggage owners can tell which one is theirs right away.
For many people, custom luggage is also a way to show off their personal style. They can express themselves in a different way by departing from the traditional plain dark luggage. Custom pieces are a reflection of the owner, whether they use a wild fabric, neon color, or something other than the standard rectangular shape.
Another advantage of owning custom pieces is their functionality. When creating a custom piece, the owner can collaborate with the manufacturer to ensure that it meets his exact requirements. If the owner travels with a lot of electronics, for example, his luggage may include compartments for extra cords, chargers, or headphones. When traveling with jewelry, a false bottom may be designed into the luggage so that the jewelry is not visible when the luggage is opened.
While there are many advantages to having custom luggage, there are also some disadvantages. The cost is by far the most significant disadvantage. Standard luggage is widely available at discount and department stores, and a carry-on piece can be purchased for as little as $20 US Dollars (USD). Custom luggage, on the other hand, can cost upwards of $1,000 USD per piece, making owning an entire set prohibitively expensive.
In addition to the initial cost of custom pieces, it may be difficult to get the luggage repaired if it is ever damaged. A warranty is usually provided by custom manufacturers, but if the damage was not caused by a manufacturing defect or if the warranty has expired, the piece may be too expensive to repair. Also, because a regular repair shop may not be willing to work on custom pieces, the overall repair time may be longer because the owner will need to return it to the original seller and schedule the repair.
Because custom pieces are often made of one-of-a-kind materials, it may be difficult for the owner to add to his collection later. Many custom luggage manufacturers recommend purchasing a full set at once to avoid the problem of later being unable to find the same materials, but this may not be possible due to cost. Even if the owner purchased a complete set, lost luggage does happen, making custom luggage replacement more difficult.