eBags Blog

What does ABS stand for? What is spinner luggage? Discover the answers to these questions and more in this glossary of common luggage terms.

ABS: A rigid plastic that is resistant to breaking, scratching, and wear.

Attaches: Generally these are hard sided, hinged business cases that are used to carry documents.

Ballistic Nylon: A tough nylon material originally developed for use in bulletproof vests. Very resistant to abrasions and tearing.

Camera Backpacks: Backpacks with specialized compartments designed to hold and protect cameras and camera accessories.

Carry On Luggage: Totes, luggage, backpacks, and duffels designed to be carried on board airplanes. Many are perfectly sized to meet airline requirements but be sure to check both the bag measurements and your airline’s baggage rules before you intend to travel.

Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bags: Laptop bags designed to meet specific criteria that the TSA has developed to help travelers speed through airport security without removing their computers from their cases. Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bag Criteria: 1. A designated laptop-only section 2. The laptop-only section completely unfolds to lie flat on the X-ray belt 3. No metal snaps, zippers, or buckles inside, underneath, or on top of the laptop-only section 4. No pockets on the inside or outside of the laptop-only section 5. Nothing packing in the laptop-only section other than the computer itself

Cosmetic Bag: A case or bag designed to hold makeup and other cosmetics and toiletries while traveling.

Denier: A term referring to the size of the filament or yarn used in fabric. A higher denier means a thicker fabric.

Duffels: Bags with a large compartment and top carry handle designed to be versatile. Duffels work well as gym bags, luggage, carry-on luggage, and sports bags and can come with additional features including wheels and shoulder straps. Duffels are also sometimes referred to as duffel bags, duffles, and duffle bags.

Fanny Pack: A bag worn on the waist designed to carry small items and daily essentials especially during travel, running sports, and hiking.

Garment Bags: Bags designed to protect and transport various garments (especially suits and dresses) during travel. Some may include additional features such as shoe pockets and toiletry pockets.

Hardside Luggage: Luggage made from harder, more durable materials including ABS, aluminum, and polypropylene.

In-line Skate Wheels: Just as the name suggests, developed for in-line skates, now used as luggage wheels for maneuverability.

Jacquard: Fabric where a pattern is directly weaved in or knitted in. Jacquard fabric often has a raised pattern effect.

Laptop Backpacks: Backpacks with padded compartments designed to hold and protect a laptop computer.

Laptop Sleeve: A padded laptop case that fits snugly around a computer and holds little other than the computer itself so that it can be carried in a larger bag such as a tote or backpack.

Nappa Leather: Soft, full grain leather made from unsplit animal skin - often sheep or lamb.

Packing Cubes: Cube-shaped bags designed to fit inside luggage and hold and protect clothing, shoes, and other small or large items. Packing cubes are great for preventing wrinkles, keeping organized, and fitting more clothing in each piece of luggage.

Padfolio: A binder (usually zip around) that provides a notepad, writing, surface, and several pockets for business cards, pens, and other papers. Perfect for use at conferences and during business trips.

Rollaboard (or Roll-a-board): A term coined by Travelpro but has come to refer to any wheeled luggage with a telescoping handle (particularly rolling carry on luggage).

Self-Repairing Zippers: Zippers that still function even when a few teeth are missing.

Spinner Luggage: Upright suitcases with four wheels for easy movement in any direction.

Suede: Leather treated to produce a velvet-like finish.

Suiter: Luggage with a compartment or hanger designed to hold and prevent wrinkles in shirts, suits, and dresses.

Toiletry Kits: Bags that hold all your daily supplies when traveling. Types of toiletry kits include countertop kits, hanging cases, cosmetic bags, manicure sets, and shave kits.

Top Grain Leather: The top layer of leather (leather is split into multiple layers before it is used).

Tote: Large, double handled bag with an open top and open main compartment.