What do I need to consider when buying a suitcase?

[schnapps]

Ok, daft question, but I've never owned a suitcase and don't want to impulse buy and it fall apart at the airport, or some other such disaster that could result from me buying the wrong type!

Basically, I need the biggest suitcase I can find, on wheels because I'm a wimp. What else do I need to consider? What is the biggest size available? Should I get hard or soft? Any particular material I should buy/avoid? Any special features to look out for? Particular brands to go for or avoid? Where's the best place to buy?

I won't be using it egularly so doesn't need to the best quality or most hardwearing, and it needs to be as cheap as possible!

Any suggestions?

Okay, first of all, don't buy the biggest because many airlines won't carry anything over a certain weight (think it's 35kg) and you have to take two cases in this case. Hard sides are good and either buy one in a weird colour or paint something on the side to find it easier on the baggage carousel.

Reinforced zips are helpful, as are zips combined with straps so you have two way closures if you see what I mean - saves your knickers being exploded all over the check in area.

Personally I like Samsonite luggage and have a very elderly set which has travelled more widely than me (thanks to BA consistently losing them) been chucked around and still looks great and works.

Avoid anything with portruding corners or handles though - they get sheared off really easily and the airlines don't cover those bits.

Don't get hard it just adds to the weight

Debenhams often have good deals on suitcases

buy cheap as the airlines can damage cheap or expensive to the same degree in my experience.
I expect to have to replace at least one out of three for each return trip and am rarely disappointed

Ooo, thanks for all the suggestions. Any ideas about what is a good size to aim for?

30 inches max. Don't know where you are based but there is a samsonite outlet store at Bicester village and I think down in the portsmouth outlet centre too. Or supermarkets during the summer are a good bet.

Definitely check the weight of the case before you buy - some of ours (26", soft-sided ) weigh about 6kg empty

We have just bought some Revelation wheeled holdalls, same capacity but only weigh 2.5kg.