The Luggage Blog

One of Tumi’s newest collections is the Tumi T-Tech Polycarbonate and it’s all the rage!  Tumi uses a PC Plus polycarbonate, which is triple layered to provide great durablity.  These new cases are not only strong and sleek but they are lightweight and we all know how important lightweight is these day.  Especially since we don’t want to pay any overweight charges for our luggage.  This Tumi collection is reasonably priced from $375 to $495.  On top of all the great features, it has great organization as well!

View the Tumi T-Tech Polycarbonate on Luggage Online.

Sharon Laudenbach, President of LuggageOnline/Robinson Luggage shows how you can pack into one suitcase in order to save on second checked bag fees.  Overpacking is the biggest mistake that people make.  So here are some important tips that Sharon suggests:

• use pack-it accessories…they are key to organization and wrinkle-free
• pack your heavy, bulkier items on the bottom
• be sure to color coordinate all of your accessories to match
• use all space…such as packing accessories/socks inside of your shoes
• think LIGHTWEIGHT
• use a luggage scale before you leave for the airport to make sure you aren’t close to the 50 lb. weight limit

This UbU Jacket is the ultimate in travel wear.  It is a light weight, fashionable outer jacket for all your travel needs.  This jacket is reversible, so it can go with so many outfits.  Zipper closer, and has 2 outside pockets.  Fits right inside your day bag, for when you’re day tripping through Europe.  And the best yet, it’s washable; hand wash and flat dry.  Dries completely in 3 hours! 

Perfect For:

Any female traveler, especially the ones that tend to get a little “chilled” at night. 

Favorite Feature:

It’s reversible.  So I bought one that had the warm brown tones on one side, and classic black on the other.  What else could you ever need, especially on vacation?

Draw Back: 

Be careful.  Though the label states lay flat to dry, it doesn’t state, “DO NOT IRON”.  I made that fatal mistake, and actually ruined the jacket. 

Bottom Line: 

I think this jacket is brilliant.  No wrinkles, reversible, packs light & small and when hand washed, dries in just 3 hours!  A total no-brainer.

View the UBU Reversible Travel Jacket (2042RPTKI) on Luggage Online.

1) Try to carry-on

• When choosing a bag make sure it’s a guaranteed carry-on or you may pay fees.

• No, really! The airlines are checking what size bag you have.

2) If you must check

• Try to only check 1 bag per person

• You should probably pack in a 26” because most likely you’ll over-pack in a 30” and you don’t want those overweight fees!

3) Be sure to have your own scale

• Make sure you weigh your luggage before you get to the airport…so you don’t have to rearrange when you get there.

• If your bag is over 50lbs, it’s better to pack into 2 bags because it will cost a lot less than paying for overweight fees.

• Use travel size bottles…there is no need to bring big bottles, they will only make your bag heavier.

• Wear your heavier clothing and shoes on the plane, since it will only weigh your bag down if you pack your heavier items.

4) Don’t pack too much clothing.

• Pack ExOfficio undergarments, you don’t need many at all.

About ExOfficio products: 17 countries, 6 weeks, and 1 pair of underwear: the Give-n-Go Brief. This is the one pair that you want in your suitcase. It’s odor resistant and moist wicking.  Plus you can wash and hang it to dry, and you’re ready to go for your next adventure. ExOfficio clothing field-tested and approved by the African Wildlife Foundation.

• Be sure your accessories match all outfits, so you don’t have to pack a lot of accessories.

• Never pack more than 2 pairs of shoes, it’s unnecessary, takes up space and weighs your bag down.

5) Additional Important Tips to Remember

• Make sure you double check with your airline for a list of up-to date fees before your trip.

• Bring your own headphones, some airlines are charging for them.

• Bring your own snacks…checkout this list of tips for food and make sure the snacks that you want to bring are allowed (check with the TSA prohibited items list).

This Kipling 24 inch duffle bag is great for my travels between my apartment at college and home. I am only going home for a night or two at a time, so I usually only carry with me about two or three outfits, two pair of shoes, and occasionally a sweatshirt. In addition to clothing, I also toss in some toiletries and if i’m lucky enough to remember, my cell phone charger. The bag is easy to carry around, stylish, and allows me to pack fast!

Perfect For:

This Kipling Duffle Bag if perfect for the college student on the go or anyone looking for a comfortable light-weight bag for frequent use. The bag can easily carry 3 outfits so is not only good for weekend trips but week trips to sleep-away camp as well. This bag comes in numerous colors so its great for kids, young adults or the frequent flyer who wants to easily locate their bag at the airport. This Kipling bag is an extremely durable and lightweight nylon, like a parachute so it’s perfect for anyone looking for that lightweight bag.

Favorite Feature:

My favorite feature is, without a doubt, the exterior pockets! The pockets run from the base of the bag all the way to the top.  They give me plenty of packing space, allowing me to store my shoes seperately from everything else to make sure that they [Read more →]

With airline regulations changing all the time it is so hard to decide what bag to buy. All airlines are charging fees if bags are overweight (most over 50 pounds) and some are now charging for EVERY bag you check. So now the dilemma is, which way do you go and what is the best way to be able to take the most on your trip while being charged as little as possible?

Let’s start with this. If you can get a 22″ wheeled carry-on bag, (or a 20” for international travel), that does not have a lot of structure to it and only take what can fit into that bag, you will be in great shape. Just remember if you pick this option you can only take liquids that fit into a quart size plastic bag.

If you can not handle that limited selection of clothes and shoes, your next best option is a lightweight 30″ wheeled duffle or a 28″ suitcase that only starts out at about 10 pounds, which is a lot less than most brands. I use the Eagle Creek Centerline 28″ suitcase and I love it! One time we were going away and I had all of my things packed into a 26″ older upright suitcase that started out heavier and when I put it on the scale it was over 50 lbs. I then took all of my things out and put it into my Eagle Creek suitcase and I had no problem! I think you will find the weight to be such an advantage to you. The organization is nice and the quality is excellent! Now, why don’t you give it a try!