Chicago, IL–It was all about the luggage at the Travel Goods Show last week. Manufacturers heard airline passengers and adapted their bags to fit multiple airline requirements. Huge bags are out, because airlines weigh baggage religiously and charge for anything over 50 pounds. The new popular checked bag is 30 inches, has four wheels for easy movement, and a variety of lightweight materials. The world’s lightest suitcase, the IT O 2, is made by Landor and Hawa, and its carryon size tips the scales at just under 5 pounds. It features an aluminum handle within the fiberglass frame and high-density poly- nylon case.
Many other manufacturers–RIMOWA, Victorinox, Antler— are touting their 4-wheelies made of hard, lightweight-yet-strong virgin polycarbonate. That’s virgin as in not recycled plastic, which may cause stress fractures. The RIMOWA rep encouraged me to jump up and down on the side of the suitcase and even though it bent, it popped right back up. Antler’s wavy design in the bag seems most stylish, while Victorinox offers one of the best polycarbonate values. Heys USA even makes a 30-incher that has an electronic scale in the handle so you’re certain it’s not overweight.
My very first rollaboard bag was the original TravelPro, designed by an airline pilot more than 20 years ago. TravelPro’s still making amazing rollaboards, and indeed they supply the luggage for most airline crews. If you’re hankering for your own TravelPro–something similar to the TravelPro that George Clooney carried in the movie Up in the Air–check out the TravelPro European Sweepstakes, going on until March 31. Good luck!