On a daily basis, Lauren navigates the ins and outs of interiors – whether it’s offering tips on how to perfect a garden bar or trying out viral kitchenware.

Being just 55cm in height, this Upright Cabin Suitcase will fit into the strictest of cabin regulations and offers a TSA fixed combination lock and 2 smooth rolling wheels. With a soft carry handle on the side and a second one on the top, the suitcase can also be carried comfortably.Scoring 81/100, this soft shell case was named the GHI’s best expandable model and the lightest soft shell option. I bought this suitcase for a 3 week tour holiday involving long-haul flights, internal flight and coach transfers and a crowded bullet train journey. The difference in weight is fantastic and, as I'm now 20 years older, I'm finding it much easier to handle.

Having travelled the world routinely on business, had multiple gold frequent flier cards simultaneously, and owned Tumi, Travelpro and other premium brands, I've finally settled on Samsonite as my luggage of choice. This makes a great opportunity to grab a top-performing suitcase from a big name brand with a good discount in time for your summer holidays. The 4 wheels are very stable and enable the suitcase to be either pulled by the integrated handle or pushed along. Compared to hard-shell cases, the fold-out main compartment takes up much less space when the case is open.But my last family-size softshells - bought in 2004 - finally gave up the ghost this year after sterling service on all holidays across a number of continents, so a replacement set was needed. The pull out aluminium tow bar is reassuringly rigid and positive in action; the wheels simply glide effortlessly whether vertical or tilted; even the side carry handle is well thought out, being highly comfortable, yet distributing the strain to the frame, rather than the side of the case. With high quality hardware and made from trendy looking materials with a two-tone appeal, this 66cm Medium Expandable Suitcase also offers an expandable 67. Flexible cross-tension straps with push-in fasteners are designed to ensure that the contents of the suitcase don't get mixed up.

As I say again and again here at Luggage Review, cheap luggage is more expensive in the long run – as quality suitcases last for years.The Samsonite Base Boost Spinner 78 cm is a practical all-rounder for private and longer business trips. As yet I've not found an explanation of how to reset the combination lock, but I guess I'll figure that out (since found the instructions behind the warranty). Rigid, semi-rigid, ultra-light or super resistant: here are trolleys that are accepted as hand luggage by all major airlines.

The spinner wheels are effective and hopefully robust - they do take quite a hammering if, like me, you drag the case round city streets as well as airports. Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Particularly practical and user-friendly are the 4 wheels that allow the Samsonite model to turn 360°. If it is your first soft-shell (or front opener) then packing cubes work wonderfully with this setup. Finance is provided by PayPal Credit (a trading name of PayPal UK Ltd, Whittaker House, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond-Upon-Thames, Surrey, United Kingdom, TW9 1EH).Lauren has a BA in English Literature and Journalism and has worked in various editorial roles across Southeast Asia and North America.