Before Your Balloon Fiesta Trip: Give Your Luggage a Test Run

The time to discover a stubborn zipper or a wobbly wheel is before departure, not while you’re trying to leave for Albuquerque.

If you’re planning a Balloon Fiesta trip, take your luggage out of storage early. A short inspection can help you decide whether the bag you already own is ready to go.

Start with an empty bag

Empty every pocket and check the lining for forgotten items, spills, and damage. Look over the exterior, seams, and attachment points.

Clean the bag according to its manufacturer’s instructions and let it dry before packing. Don’t apply a cleaning product without checking that it suits the material.

Check wheels and handles

Roll the empty bag on a suitable surface and look for obvious wobbling, sticking, or damage. Extend and retract the telescoping handle without forcing it, then inspect the carry handles.

If something feels loose or doesn’t operate normally, investigate before relying on it for the trip. A packing accessory won’t solve a mechanical problem.

Work through the closures

Open and close the zippers and inspect buckles or other fasteners. Make sure fabric isn’t catching in the zipper path.

After packing your planned load, check again. A closure that works when the bag is empty may struggle if you’ve packed too much. Remove items rather than forcing it shut.

Refresh the identifying details

Check your luggage tag and its attachment. If you want a more recognizable visual cue, the Lieber’s Luggage Lab Zia Luggage Tag is $6.95.

Our translucent tag features the Zia symbol in a design inspired by the New Mexico state flag. Choose a color that stands out against your bag. Sol, Red Chile, Turquoise, and Cactus Bloom are among the options.

It’s a visual identifier, not a tracker. Confirm that luggage is yours before collecting it, even when the tag color looks familiar.

Test the packed setup

With your intended load inside, check that you can move and lift the bag comfortably. Keep essentials you’ll need during the journey accessible.

If you’re flying, compare the packed bag’s dimensions and weight with the requirements for your airline and booking. A bag’s name alone doesn’t establish whether it meets those requirements.

Our take

If your luggage works well and fits your plans, keep using it. If something needs attention, give yourself time to compare options instead of making a rushed decision on departure day.

See the Lieber’s Luggage Lab Zia Luggage Tag online, or stop by Lieber’s Luggage at 6515 Menaul Blvd NE in Albuquerque with your luggage questions.