You likely don’t pay any attention to the wheels on your rolling luggage, but they’re probably the first things to break down from the wear and tear of constant travel. Whether you have new or old rolling luggage, you’ll make your luggage-hauling life a bit easier by simply switching to wheels that can stand a beating.
I learned this tip from flight attendants who happened to be in the same store when I was shopping for a new bag. They told me they’d switch to inline wheels (skateboard ones may work, too, depending on your luggage) to instantly improve the bag’s durability. The reason is, the manufacturer’s wheels suck so bad, break easily, or constantly get caught in little crevices, rocks, debris, and low curbs. Inline wheels, meanwhile, are designed to roll through the streets, unfettered.
You can find these wheels on Amazon and a few video tutorials on replacing your wheels here and here. Make sure you have the right size by measuring the diameter of the manufacturer’s wheels and comparing the specs of your replacement. Unfortunately, this tip isn’t useful for people with spinner wheels.
Read more: Switch Your Luggage to Inline Skate Wheels for Better Durability