Suitcases: questions and Band 8 answers

It really depends on the trip. If it’s just a weekend getaway, I’ll grab a sturdy backpack. But for longer holidays abroad, I always take a medium-sized suitcase on wheels because it's much easier to manoeuvre through busy train stations and airports.

I definitely go for hard-shell cases with four spinner wheels. They protect fragile souvenirs much better than fabric ones. Last year, I bought a bright yellow one simply so it would stand out instantly on the baggage carousel at the airport.

Yes, unfortunately. A couple of years ago, the airline mislaid my main bag on a flight to Edinburgh. It took nearly three days to turn up at my hotel, so I had to rush out and buy basic clothes and toiletries. It was quite stressful.

For me, durability and weight are the main factors. Airlines are so strict with weight limits these days, so I look for something lightweight yet sturdy. I usually check reviews online and test the handles and zips in a local department store.

Definitely hard-shell. Soft fabric ones might have handy external pockets, but hard cases offer far better protection against rough baggage handlers and wet weather. When I travelled during the rainy season in Japan, my belongings stayed completely dry inside my hard case.

I'm a notorious over-packer, to be honest. I always convince myself that I’ll need three different jackets or extra pairs of shoes 'just in case'. In fact, on my last holiday, I barely wore half the clothes I crammed into my bag.