India, Aug. 24 -- I have a soft spot for lightweight luggage, and I am not going to pretend that looks do not matter. So when the Provogue Cascade arrived in Timberwolf Grey with Burnt Orange accents, I was immediately excited. It looked like the sort of suitcase I would expect from a fashion-focused luggage brand such as Nasher Miles, rather than something sitting in the budget section.

Then I actually started using it.

I took the Cascade to Coorg for five days, across four flights, a five-hour cab ride from Mangalore to Virajpet and plenty of peak monsoon weather. After testing more than 25 suitcases, I have learnt not to get carried away by a pretty exterior. The good news? At its price, this one makes a very convincing case for itse...