Guide

Keeping a set looking new

Vegan leather and genuine leather both hold up to years of travel, but they want different care -- treat them the same and one of them will show it.

Do: wipe a spill off right away with a damp cloth, let a case air-dry fully before zipping it shut, wipe down the zippers if they've been near sand or salt water, and let a genuine leather piece breathe between trips instead of leaving it sealed in a packing cube.

Don't: machine-wash or tumble-dry any of these -- the seams and hardware aren't built for it. Don't leave a case in a hot car or direct sun for long stretches, don't force an overstuffed zipper shut, and don't store a genuine leather bag in a plastic bag long-term; it needs air.