Luggage Travel Blog

So the oldest kid is traveling on a school trip to Washington next week. Admittedly, although he is traveling for 6 days, I didn’t think he’d need a large suitcase. He’s just not ‘into’ clothes and would probably wear the same clothes every day if his evil mother didn’t make him change daily. So, really for his trip any small carry-on bag should do. However, I was proven wrong again. Clearly, I had not planned for all the non-clothing items that a boy of 13 would need. My real concern was not the size of the bag, but the weight. The school has carefully coached us, that any weight over the airline’s weight limit would result in fines and extra costs. Since this little excursion is already costing me a fortune, I’m leery of another $50 or $100 charges in fines (the rest of the family would like to eat this month). So, now I am on a mission to track down the lightest weight luggage that I can find. Here are the top three lightweight luggage options that I found:

First, Delsey Helium luggage. Wow, even the name says ‘lightweight luggage’. How light is helium…I’ll have to ask the kid – he’s taking chemistry. Anyway, Delsey Helium Luggage comes up high on my radar. There are a bunch of Delsey collections: Helium Breeze, Helium Pro, Helium Pilot and even theDelsey Helium Pro H-lite. This is great, durable lightweight luggage. Most of the Delsey line is expandable and given all that the kid needs to pack, expandable luggage is a good thing.

Second, in the area of lightweight luggage is the ultra lightweight luggage from International Traveler, called Sub 0 – G. This is the ultimate in lightweight luggage. The 26-inch Upright weighs a mere 5 lbs and 10 ounces. The 22” carry-on weighs in a just 4 lbs 6 ounces. Wow. This luggage has a bit of an unusual appearance… it looks more like a box with wheels. No rounded edges; the handle looks like it belongs on a shopping cart and it comes in only a few colors. Here’s a little fact from the International Traveler media folks: “The average weight of a conventional lightweight 26" suitcase is 13 lbs. – 30% of your total allowance. The SUB-0-G 26" suitcase is 5.6 lbs. only 12% of your allowance”. Lightweight luggage makes a difference!

Last but not least, Antler Luggage offers several luggage series that are being touted as lightweight: Antler Aeon Air, Antler Camden and the new Antler Translite. Hmmm. Never heard of Antler? Antler luggage is big outside the United States. It made its U.S. debut in the spring of 2009. Mention Antler luggage in Europe and you’ll get lots of familiar nods. Here in the U.S. the name, Antler Luggage, is just starting to gain recognition. Antler offers both a hard sided luggage collection and several soft-sided luggage collections that are very lightweight. Pick your style!

So, I still don’t know what the kid is packing in his case this weekend, but it’s probably not too many clothes. Electronics- Yes. Clothes and toiletries, not so much. In case you are interested, I chose the Delsey Helium Breeze in black. It’s expandable, ridiculously lightweight and the kid likes it. If any one sees a boy dressed in the same clothes day after day next week in Washington, he’s probably mine!

Looking for good carry-on luggage or carry-on duffel?  One brand that I’ve been impressed with is Athalon Luggage. ‘Lightweight and super strong’…durable… those are the words used to describe every piece in the Athalon Luggage collection. This is not a large luggage collection. But Athalon is extremely well made. And, it seems that they’ve thought of every special travel convenience when they designed their luggage. These bags are designed for rigors of travel…designed to withstand all that the airlines and schlepping through airports can dish out.

Athalon recently introduced their Graffiti collection, with wheeled duffels, backpacks and laptop cases.  The Athalon Graffiti collection looks like a roadside graffiti artist designed it. The design is reminiscent of the 1980’s. And, for those of you who want something a little less flamboyant, Athalon offers its entire collection of wheeled duffels in: blue, rust, lime and the traditional black.  Athalon Luggage started manufacturing luggage in Denver, Colorado in 1973. Since then, Athalon Luggage has been a favorite among those who want luggage that performs well, is durable and will last a lifetime. Good job Athalon!  Keep on rolling….

Looking for good carry-on luggage or carry-on duffel?  One brand that I’ve been impressed with is Athalon Luggage. ‘Lightweight and super strong’…durable… those are the words used to describe every piece in the Athalon Luggage collection. This is not a large luggage collection. But Athalon is extremely well made. And, it seems that they’ve thought of every special travel convenience when they designed their luggage. These bags are designed for rigors of travel…designed to withstand all that the airlines and schlepping through airports can dish out.

Athalon recently introduced their Graffiti collection, with wheeled duffels, backpacks and laptop cases.  The Athalon Graffiti collection looks like a roadside graffiti artist designed it. The design is reminiscent of the 1980’s. And, for those of you who want something a little less flamboyant, Athalon offers its entire collection of wheeled duffels in: blue, rust, lime and the traditional black.  Athalon Luggage started manufacturing luggage in Denver, Colorado in 1973. Since then, Athalon Luggage has been a favorite among those who want luggage that performs well, is durable and will last a lifetime. Good job Athalon!  Keep on rolling….

Okay, I'm about to date myself, but do you remember that scene from Back to the Future when Marty jumps back in time, meets his mom's teenage self, and she's convinced his name is Calvin Klein because she saw it on his underwear? That gag garnered big guffaws in the theater, simply because EVERYONE knows the name "Calvin Klein!"

It's true internationally. I remember walking through the night bizarre in Chiang Mai seeing t-shirt after gymbag after jean bearing a big CK or with the name Calvin Klein emblazoned across the front -- sometimes spelled correctly, sometimes not. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If that's so, Calvin Klein must be blushing.

The brand is a big name for a good reason. They are more than a clothing company, but a lifestyle and design company, and now they also offer luggage! Calvin Klein bags are clean, classic, and aesthetically functional--pretty much just what you'd expect from the name. Crafted of ballistic nylon, the luggage styles come in mostly natural hues.

Right now, Irv's is offering every Calvin Klein bag at a huge discount. You can save up to 60% on bags from either the Soho or Thompson collections. I'm partial to the Soho collection, partially because it comes in a really pretty dark green, but also because of the minimalist design. That's not to minimize the Thompson collection, though, which comes in classic silver or black, and is also sleek and chic.

At these discounted prices, you win either way. And if you ever travel back to the past, and are lucky enough to have your luggage with you, the laughs and confusion you'll cause your historical hosts are limitless! Be sure and pack fresh underwear.

If you haven't heard of Antler Luggage, you're probably not from the UK!

A huge brand 'across the pond,' Antler Luggage has just made its way to US shores with an exclusive Irv's Luggage deal. You won't find them with another US retailer! We're pretty psyched about it here at Irv's, so I wanted to tell you a little about the brand to get you pumped too.

Antler Luggage has a long history going all the way back to the 1870's when founder, J. Boultbee Brooks, was selling leather goods on the cobbled streets of the Midlands. After the horse he was using died, he switched to a "safety bicycle," which was anything but comfortable bumping over those cobblestones. To save his own rumpus, Brooks invented a seat for the bicycle that was made of leather and steel springs. Bike seats would never be the same again! The seat was an instant success, and catapulted Brooks to renown, soon accompanied by a line of saddlebags and panniers. In 1920, Brooks's son dove further into the luggage market with leather covered ocean liner trunks, and automobile trunks. A fan of the outdoors, it was the son who came up with the "Antler" name and stag's head logo.

In 1930, the company hit another milestone introducing the first ever softside suitcase covered either in patent leather, or the innovative Rexine coated cotton material. Over the years, the company continued to innovate, introducing new ideas in luggage, such as the 1960's "Airstream," a combination hardside/softside bag that was an early precursor of the concept and a best seller, and changing the shape of rollercase luggage in the 1990's.

Today, the brand continues to offer beautiful bags made of cutting edge materials, backed by a whole lot of testing and a seven year guarantee. Each design Antler introduces to the market is first tested under extreme conditions:

• Concrete drop test, fully loaded
  


• Locks operation are tested 10,000 times
  


• Wheels are tested over a 25km distance, fully loaded, using an uneven and abrasive surface
  


• Handles are strength tested under a load, 5000 times

Check out the four Antler collections Irv's is currently carrying. To sweeten the debut deal, every bag is at least 50% off of MSRP. Now THAT'S a debut deal!

Travelpro recently released the newest generation in their Platinum Collection. Platinum 6 takes durability to the next level, without sacrificing style. These bags are perfect for the frequent traveler, featuring chrome accents and leather touch points, and oversized skate-style wheels for easy rides over any terrain. Smooth molded corners make the bags less likely to snag or get beat up, and the insides are just as practically designed. The interior is fully lined with H2O Guard protective coating, and has an adjustable mesh clothing retention system. The collection also features a new flat folding Add-a-bag attachment system.

Just wanted to share the good news, and give you a few sneak peeks.

Happy travels!

Years ago, I set out on my first trip abroad, a wide-eyed college student full of naievity, but armed with that must-have tome of travel wisdom, "Rick Steves' Europe Through the Backdoor". Rick Steves wrote the first edition to that famous guidebook series 30 years ago. His guidebooks, and tour services (he also had a storefront business) focused on authenticity and value for a money, making him a favorite with student backpackers everywhere. He taught you how to travel and experience a place as a local, or as close to it as possible.

In 1991, Steves started producing TV shows about European destinations using his own funding, and gave them to public television stations for free. This generosity had its own rewards, though, as he was quickly made a nationwide figure, and business boomed. In 2005 he launched a weekly radio series focusing on world travel, and today, you'd be hard-pressed to find a travel junkie who doesn't know the name "Rick Steves".

Given his authority in the travel industry, it's only natural he should now have a line of luggage. Each piece was designed by Steves, showcasing 35 years of travel experience -- if anyone knows a traveler needs in a bag, he certainly should! The bags are crafted to be durable, practical, and inexpensive. Steves is a pro at packing light, and his bags back up that philosophy in functionality.

The Rick Steves Convertible Carry On in particular is vintage Rick Steves in design. It's perfect for an around-the-world backpacker, featuring internal and external compression straps that help to stabilize the load, has a zip expansion panel for changing loads, and easily converts from a suitcase that's airline travel friendly, to a comfortable backpack that's perfect for wandering around each destination city, looking for the best hostel.

Not every traveler is a backpacker, though, and the Rick Steves line has options for those folks too. He has Roll-Aboards in several sizes, each featuring convenient organization pockets, super tough, UV resistant shell fabric for durability and strength, smooth rolling wheels and non-slip handles, and honeycomb frames for light but strong structural integrity.

Rick Steves has a long history of encouraging people, especially Americans, to travel, and this new line of luggage is just the next step. Whether you're 20 or 80, Steves has guidebook, a bag, or just a way of looking at things that can get you out the door and on the road. In his words, "It's never too late to have a happy childhood, and age only matters if you're a cheese."

Happy travels!

Fun new bags!

Love it when I get to talk about a funky, cool new product. International Traveller has been making some beautiful hardside luggage for a while now. These cases are crafted of super lightweight ABS/polycarbonate and have a special expansion section so you get the flexible expansion of a softside, without sacrificing the protection of a hardside case. They also have curved internal aluminum handles that roll more easily, and corner transparent ball bearing wheels.

So what's new? They now come in giraffe print! And that makes me happy. It's the little things, you know?

What would Santa carry? As the big day approaches for the fat man's debut, I've been thinking about what the old guy uses these days to carry all those toys. Surely the days of the velvet sac are long past. Velvet's really not terribly durable.

Would it be hard-sided or soft-sided? I'm thinking soft-sided because it's more velvet sac like, more familiar. Thankfully, today's soft-sided options are a little more sturdy, though. Here's a very Santa-friendly option--the Tumi T-Tech Adventure Large Wheeled Duffel. It's lightweight, but super strong, made with Tumi's quality construction, and even has reflective stripes for extra safety in the sleigh. Oh, and it comes in red. Can't have Santa running around with a bright yellow bag!

Santa is getting a bit old, though, so maybe something a little lighter would be in order. I'm sure hefting a bag up and down chimneys all night is pretty rough on the back no matter what age you are. The Delsey Helium Hyperlite 35" Rolling Duffel is a sweet option if that's the case. It comes in red, has a super large packing capacity, and has all terrain wheels that will give a smooth ride over anything, even (I'm presuming) rooftops.

Despite his years, I imagine Santa is a pretty happening, with-it guy. He'd have to be to know one gaming system and electronic gadget from the other these days. Maybe he'd decide to eschew the familiarity of a soft sac entirely for the space-age materials used in hard-sided cases. If so, the Samsonite F'Lite Hardside 31" Upright would be a handsome choice. It's big, has a wide-track wheel system with shock-absorbing wheels set wide-apart for maximum maneuverability over those tricky rooves, and the shell is strong, lightweight, and moisture resistant for cold snowy nights.

The Samsonite comes in red, naturally, but if Santa really wanted to buck the norm, perhaps he'd go with something like the International Traveller Shiny Moo Cow 27" Expandable Hardside Upright. It would still go with the red and white suit, but add a splash of interest on the side. Give the elves a little fun while they're packing up the sleigh? Just an idea.

Whatever bag Santa chooses to use as he slides down your chimney or sneaks through your window, here's hoping it's loaded with fun items for you and your loved ones....

                                                                                Merry Christmas everyone!

1. Tumi Alpha 22" 22022DH scored 87 points with excellent marks for durability, capacity, and convenience.




2. Victorinox Mobilizer NXT 4.0 22" 30340103 scored 77 points with excellent marks for durability, and very good for capacity and convenience.
   



3. Hartmann Stratum 22" 3520 scored 74 points with excellent marks for durability, very good for capacity, and good for convenience.
   



4. Briggs & Riley Baseline 20"U420NB scored 72 points with excellent marks for durability, good for capacity, and very good for convenience.
   



5. TravelPro FlightPro4 22" 8622 scored 67 points with very good marks for durability, good for capacity, and excellent for convenience.
   



6. Delsey Helium Fusion 22274 scored 67 points with good marks for durability, excellent for capacity, and very good for convenience.
   

I had a dream last night about a luggage party. All the coolest kids were there--Tumi, Samsonite, Travelpro. Even The North Face made an appearance, fresh from an expedition up Mt. Everest. It was the event of the year, everyone representing with their best wheels forward. There were a few stand-out moments.Jack Georges was on the phone half the night, closing some important deal with a big client in Berlin, and left early to fed-ex some important documents. Hartmann and Kenneth Cole got into an argument over the best way to avoid over-sized baggage fees, but Victorinox, always the peacemaker, stepped in, and all three headed to the food table for fondue, laughing about some story involving a pocket knife and an astronaut. Callaway Golf held a crowd of duffel bags transfixed for an hour, offering tips and telling tales about driving ranges across the globe. Lodis kept it low-key and chic, while Goodhope and Velocity did a rocking rendition of "Leaving on a Jet Plane" that brought the house down. Eagle Creek, JanSport, and High Sierra huddled in a corner swapping backpacking in Asia stories most of the night, while American Tourister wouldn't shut up about a recent trip to Paris.

The evening finally ended when the party was raided by a team of security officials armed with metal detectors and sniffer dogs. Apparently, a jealous closet organizer that wasn't invited to the shindig called in a noise complaint. Within 15 minutes, the bay went from stuffed to empty, with nothing but a few destination tags and a broken wheel or two left behind. Everyone's still talking about the party, though, swapping stories that get bigger with each telling. What does your luggage say?