Your guide to international carry-on luggage

When traveling in North America which carry-on you need is simple; a domestic carry-on (22’’-14’’-9’’) is accepted by all the major carriers. However, things get murkier when traveling overseas. While many luggage makers sell international carry-ons there are no set carry-on sizes that each airline takes and very few rules regulating sizes overseas.

If you are flying direct overseas or using connecting flights, things nowadays are fairly simple. IATA Resolution 302 states that whoever the marketing carrier is (the company that you booked your flight from) their baggage rules must apply to all legs of your trip. So if your ticket says United, American, or any other major US carrier then your domestic carry-on will suffice. If you are booked on a major international carrier, refer to their website and follow their guidelines.

Things get murkier if you have multiple legs of your trip booked separately, especially if you will be using overseas regional jets.  Each regional airline overseas has a different standard for what qualifies for a carry-on and most have weight restrictions that really limit what you can pack in your suitcase. Please make note of any weight restrictions before packing and I recommend always having a luggage scale.

So if you are going be using regional overseas carriers you might have to rethink how you pack. My best recommendation is to consider not using a carry-on at all. For example, if you are going for several weeks and using several regional carriers, then a 25’’-26’’ suitcase plus a backpack, tote, or wheeled tote might be a perfect solution for you. You will have to check a bag either way so a smaller personal bag might be all you need to keep emergency items in.

For student’s studying overseas I really like convertible backpacks, especially ones without wheels. They can be carried either like a backpack or a shoulder bag and have cinches that allow the bag to be adjusted to your specific needs and they usually weigh less then wheeled bags. My current favorite is the Lite-Gear Travel Pack. It can hold as much as a conventional carry-on and only weighs two pounds.

Finally, as always, less is more when it comes to packing for your overseas trip. Consider taking less then you usually pack, especially when it comes to shoes and accessories. You will be doing a lot of walking so plan on taking your most comfortable and easy to use clothing and shoes. The good news is planning for your trip in advance will help avoid nasty surprises on your trip, and that is something we all can appreciate.

 

Back to School Backpack Guide

At Irv’s Luggage we love The North Face line of backpacks; especially for students. They have to carry around books, electronics, gym clothing, lunch, school supplies and many other items so a quality backpack is a must-have item. The reason we recommend The North Face is because the quality of materials and the affordability they offer is unparalleled. However, they do offer many different lines of backpacks so selecting the right one can be difficult. Below are a few tips to help you out.

The first step is to pick a size. Generally, The North Face divides their backpacks into two sizing categories, medium and large. In the medium category (30 liters or less) the top sellers are Jester, Pivoter, and Borealis. We recommend the Jester or Pivoter for students who only have to carry a few items with them, because those backpacks use lightweight but less durable polyester materials (see this blog for explanation of materials). The Borealis is a good choice for the student who wants a durable all nylon backpack but doesn’t need the size of the large backpacks.

The most popular large backpacks (over 30L) are the Recon, Surge, and Router. These are perfect for students who have to haul all their books and gear back and forth every day. All three packs feature all nylon construction for extra durability. One thing to consider, if the student is going to be carrying a laptop with them, is that most backpacks are designed for 16’’ or smaller. Only the Surge and Router can fit a 17’’ laptop, so check the dimensions of the laptop before you buy.

Once you have decided on the line, the last decision is color. Black is often very popular because it is very neutral and doesn’t show any dirt. If a student is just using the backpack to get back and forth to school then black might be a good choice. However, if a student has to carry the backpack all day to class then a color will help them to know which bag is theirs, because black is so common.

Because of the quality of The North Face, I recommend that you pick out one that you think will be happy with throughout high school. The backpack, chosen wisely, should be a companion during this journey in life and maybe even the next. School is hard, let’s make going back as easy as possible.

College Luggage and Backpack guide

It’s the time of year every parent dreads; sending your kid off to college. First-time students will need items like backpacks, duffels, and other travel items. All this packing might seem overwhelming at first. However, a bit of planning can prevent the dreaded last-minute panic. Below is a handy guide of what you might need for the new college student.

Backpacks

A backpack in college can serve a very different function than they did in high school. The days of having to carry all your books and lunch to school are over. The college student won’t have to carry as many books but they probably will want to carry a laptop to class and study groups. Make sure that any backpack you buy has a padded compartment for a laptop. The North Face backpacks have been popular with college students for many years, and still standard issue at many college campuses. For most fashionable students, brands such as Kipling or Knomo might fit their style. For the student who wants to major in business, backpacks that are designed for professional use will be perfect to use for internships and job hunting.

The Weekend

One famous college tradition that hasn’t changed in many years is the road trip. Students will need a bag for coming home or visiting friends at other college campuses. Weekender bags are very popular because they are lightweight and because their designs can hold lots of clothing and accessories. Small, non-wheeled duffels are popular too because of their structured look and durability. If a student will be mostly traveling by plane to get home a carry-on suitcase might be a more practical idea.

Getting There and Back

If you are going by car then boxes and large duffel bags will suffice. However, if your student will be flying back and forth to school things get trickier. Wheeled duffels are a popular item due to their easy storage (they will fit under most beds). Luggage can be used too but take up more room in small dorm rooms. The next question is size. Duffel bags 34’’ and smaller usually will work with airline regulations as long as they are less than 50 pounds. Larger sized and overweight bags will usually incur extra costs so be careful if you are trying to minimize costs.

Final Thoughts

When I first went off to college over 25 years ago, my family and I had to buy and pack everything I would need to furnish my dorm room. With the advent of the internet and e-commerce now, things can be ordered beforehand and shipped to the school on the day they will arrive. This will save you from having to physically bring everything and speed up the moving process. Sometimes things do change for the better.

Hello Muddah Hello Faddah: A Summer Camp Duffel Guide

It might still be cool outside, but summer is not far away. For many kids, this means summer camp time and for parents, time to shop for a duffel. There are many choices and below is a handy guide to simplify the process.

Sleeping under the stars

The first step will be to determine what your camp’s guidelines are. For the classic overnight camps, where the kids will be transported by bus, most camps will require a large non-wheeled duffel bag. In this case the recommendation will be a 40’’or larger duffel bag. Being non-wheeled, it will still be easy to store and your child will be able to use the same bag year after year.

Game on

For specialty camps (such as sports camps), or in the situation where you will be driving your child to camp directly you might want to consider purchasing a large (36’’ or larger) wheeled duffel. The advantage of using this type of duffel will be the maneuverability that having a bag with wheels will offer. Imagine having to carry a 50 LB bag hundreds of feet!!! While a wheeled duffel isn’t quite as easy to store they will usually still fit underneath a bed.

Learning is fun

Older kids nowadays often go to academic camps which are hosted on college campuses. These camps tend to be shorter in duration, but might require flying to your destination. A wheeled duffel is still a good idea for these students; however, you will have to keep in mind airline regulations which are typically 62’’ (this is determined by measuring a bag adding together length plus with plus height) and a max weight of 50 LBS. If you go over this size or weight you might be hit with significant fees by the airlines. If your child needs to take more, then it might be cheaper to ship some items ahead.

Those who fail to plan plan to fail

Camps almost always provide a packing guide that lists what your child will need for the summer. Once you purchase your bag do a practice pack to make sure everything fits and do it well in advance. If organization is an issue, packing cubes can help. Last minute packing is no fun and finding out the bag you purchased isn’t correct can lead to unnecessary panic. I would try to have your list complete and the practice pack done at least 3-4 weeks in advance.

Final Thoughts

One final tip is summer camp isn’t the time for your son or daughter to bring out their new fashions. Old clothes will be nice and comfy and if they get ruined or misplaced they won’t be missed. At the end of the summer your kid can just throw them away rather than having to repack their items. Remember, simple packing equals more time for fun.

 

 

The IT gifts for everyone

Summer is here at long last. It means afternoons at Wrigley, boat tours on the Chicago River, nights grilling on the patio, and full on party season. Don’t you feel like your social calendar is always busiest this time of year? It’s like everyone saved up all their celebrations until now, and it’s madness. The temperatures rise and everybody wants to let loose. We have Father’s day, graduation, birthdays, engagements, weddings and they all seem to fall in these three months under that scorching summer sun. The only thing you have to think about is whether or not you packed your sunscreen. Well that and the gifts you need for every event. We’ve all been through the cycle and have ended up with that quick and easy gift card because we left it to the last minute. Worry not- we have your back. Whether you’re heading out to that engagement party or father’s day brunch, we have the ultimate IT gift to bring with you.

 

The event: Father’s Day brunch

The gift: Andrew Phillips leather tie case

The event: college graduation party for your niece

The gift: Victorinox charisma tote

 

The event: high school graduation party for your nephew

The gift: High Sierra sportour backpack

 

The event: engagement party for that couple finally getting hitched

The gift: Royce wine carrier

 

The event: your best friend’s birthday bash- poolside mimosas required

The gift: Amy Butler for Kalencom everything bag

 

The event: thank you’s for your bridal party

The gift: PurseN travel bag

 

The event: thank you’s for your trusty groomsmen

The gift: Osgood Marley leather money clip

 

The event: extra special birthday for him- the type he doesn’t announce

The gift: David King weekend leather duffel

Something you need that didn’t make our list? Let us know, and we’ll send the perfect idea your way!

Irv’s Luggage Highlight – Atlantic Compass Unite Expandable Spinners

The Atlantic Compass Unite Expandable Spinner from Irv’s Luggage is an impressive line of luggage.  It is full of features, perfect for family travel  and people on extended stay vacations.  The Features:

• Link2Go™ system connect luggage back to back with Velcro straps and roll two pieces with just one hand, or comfortably roll four pieces at once!
• 360-degree 4-Wheel Spinners
• Durable crash-guard wheel housings, skid bars and corner guards
• Built-in zippered wet pocket
• Adjustable interior hold-down straps
• Removable hanging laundry or shoe bag
• Locking retractable handle has two stops at 38” and 41”, providing a comfortable grip for users of different heights
• Integrated accessory clip on top carry handle

The best part is the Link2Go™ system; you can attach two pieces of Atlantic Compass Unite spinner luggage together and roll them as one piece.  The spinner wheels assure the upright movement of the luggage, so you can keep one hand free or for your child if they travel with you.  For parents and travelers on the go, this is one way to make life much easier rolling through an airport.

Regardless of size, a carry on with Link2Go will fit against a larger piece with Link2Go technology.

 

 

 

 

The included laundry/shoe bag helps keep your clothes separated as necessary, and the accessory clip makes for an extra hand when needed.  Atlantic Compass certainly thought of everything with this spinner luggage, and it shows.   Also an expandable luggage, you’ll have the space you need for what you leave with, and what you bring back.

 

Factor in the tough poly fabric and 10 year warranty, this is an innovative and useful piece for all travelers.  The Atlantic Compass Unite Luggage is available in 21″, 25″, 29″, and tote sizes at our guaranteed low prices, make your summer travel a lot easier when you travel united.

Spring Break – Wheeled Duffel Bag-stravaganza

 

Spring Break is a modern tradition where people get together with friends and family to just get away after thawing out from winter. Just pick up and go away for a week or 2 where you enjoy the sun, lounge around on a beach with a cool beverage, and let the waves lap at your feet.

Make sure to not only pack what you need, but that you pack enough! Large wheeled duffels can help. If your travel luggage wasn’t big enough to accommodate enough clothes for a week or 2 and your amenities, you’re going to run out of clean clothes very quickly before you get home!

High Sierra offers a number of different wheeled duffels to suit your needs.  From the AT3,  AT6 and many more you have wheeled duffel with high capacity, a good number of pockets, inline wheels to keep you moving, and all at a great price from Irv’s Luggage.  Also highly durable, a High Sierra duffel bag is going to keep your possessions safe through some of the toughest conditions.

 

 

 

Ogio also has a wide selection of wheeled duffels as well, in particular the Radica which is one of our top rated and best-selling brands.  Expandable, lined with pockets, easy to move and carry, Ogio duffel bags are another fine choice for an extended Spring Break away from it all.  The durable 1200 x 600D Poly material will keep your stuff together, and protected where ever you travel.

 

 

 

Once you arrive at your destination, it’s always handy to keep track of everything as well.  Between packing cubes and hanging organizers keep all your amenities and clothes carefully organized and stowed away.  With Irv’s Luggage you have a variety of choices, from Travelon, Eagle Creek, Baggallini, Athalon, and more.

Spring break should be fun and a fond memory, as all trips should be.  With our help and these products you can take a load off your mind when it comes to how you’re going to fit everything and where all your stuff went.  Instead, worry about when you can catch the sunset off the beach, or when your tour of the islands leaves.
Make a memory!  And please feel free to share on Facebook!

Leather Backpacks and Leather Messenger Bags

Irv’s Luggage carries not just suitcases, but a variety of luxury leather products as well.  Some of our more popular luxury items are our leather backpacks and leather messenger bags. We have a vast array of cowhide, Napa, and  full grain Colombian leather accessories to fit your preference and style, in a variety of capacities and functions.  Regardless of being on safari or going to a board meeting, you’ll find something distinguished, durable, and useful where ever your travels take you.

 

LeDonne Leather is one of our signature brands at Irv’s Luggage, and the Le Donne Distressed Leather Multi Pocket Backpack is a full grain leather backpack, has a multitude of pockets, and outfitted with straps built for comfort.  You would be hard pressed to find anything of similar capacity and utility that looks as unique as this bag.  Well-received by other customers, and you can have it too.

Le Donne Leather Backpack

If a backpack is not your style, we have a vast selection of Leather Messenger Bags – and David King carries one of our best.  The David King Vaquetta Leather Flapover Messenger is a leather messenger bag that will hold a 15″ laptop securely as well as other important documents.  The Vaquetta Leather has a stylish look but also a plush  feel to complement the comfortable adjustable shoulder strap.  A magnetic clasp assures access to your personal items while still keeping them in place.   An additional pocket on the back of the bag also helps for any additional items you may pick up.

David King Leather Messenger Bag

Piel Leather is one of our best selling brands, and with good reason.  A number of their products have great ratings, paired with the wide variety of styles they have available, from laptop messenger bags and laptop backpacks, to stylish handbags.

Piel Leather Handbag

Whatever your choice and style, you have options upon options from some of the best designer brands out there.  Combined with our guaranteed low prices, be confident that when you shop with Irv’s Luggage, you’re getting the best brands at the best prices.

Urban Junket – Power to Go, and Green to Boot

Irv’s Luggage is proud to carry Urban Junket, good for the earth and great for those on the go!  Besides being made of recycled bottles, a number of Urban Junket bags have a twist:  they’re powered.

Correct!  Rather than risk your iPhone or iPod running out of battery and leaving you disconnected, give yourself every possible opportunity to never miss an important call by plugging your mobile into the powered bag’s power source.

Some quick notes on the battery back:

“POWERFUL & COMPATIBLE: The built-in battery pack will recharge a typical device for up to 10 days of partial charges or two full smart phone charges and is compatible with any USB or Micro USB-powered device including:

• smart phones
• mp3 players
• Bluetooth devices
• e-readers
• portable gaming devices
• The rechargeable battery DOES NOT charge a laptop

MULTITASKING: The Urban Junket battery pack can receive power & simultaneously give power to any compatible device. It can be charged from any standard electrical outlet or pull power from a computer. It takes about 45 minutes to fully charge the battery in the bag.”

Rest assured, when you have an Urban Junket bag with you, you don’t have to worry about your phone dying in the middle of a hike or a meeting.  Urban Junket Totes and Bags provide that one extra tool to help a person through the day, which helping the Earth to boot!

Irv’s Luggage carries a number of these beautiful and utilitarian bags, handbags, laptop totes, and more.  Great colors and features, not to mention lightweight to counteract whatever you might put in your own Urban Junket Tote.

The bags are functional, littered with compartments and pockets as you can see from this interior shot of an Urban Junket Robin Laptop Bag:

 

Undoubtedly Urban Junket can find a home with any audience, and at Irv’s Everyday Low Prices, you won’t break the bank getting your hands on one.  For your college student coming home for the holidays or your friend who never has their phone charged Urban Junket hand bags and totes make a great gift for the coming season, or a “Just Because” for yourself.  You just can’t argue with something that offers so much capacity, mobility, durability, and environmental awareness all in one brand. And boy, do they look stylish!

North Face Backpacks Take You From School To College And Beyond

The North Face Recon Backpack

When summer ends, it means school begins and time for a new backpack. What is wrong with my children’s backpack from last year?  Nothing.  But they tell me it is just not as exciting as the new North Face Recon backpack I can buy at Irv’s Luggage.  I think they may be right.  The colors are awesome.  With the Fiery Red Plaid and the Leopard Yellow, I will always be able to spot them from the carpool line or at recess. My kids love the comfy FlexVent shoulder straps.  The large compartment is perfect for all their books.  No excuses for leaving anything at school. (Well, I’m sure there will still be some.)  There is even room for their laptop.  It’s great to see student backpacks with style and functionality.  This year I don’t mind buying a new backpack. Leave it to those boys from North Face to know how to design a backpack.  After all, the company has been designing backpacks since 1968, when gas was only .33 cents a gallon.

Did you know you can use your North Face backpack to learn about geography?  The  company’s logo is the 1/2 Dome Rock at Yosemite National Park. Today the North Face logo — the 1/2 dome — is probably as recognizable as Mt. Rushmore. Let your kids show you where Yosemite is on the map.  Can you find it?  Just be careful.  Next summer’s trip maybe to Yosemite.

 

The North Face Jester Backpack

Don’t worry.  North Face has a backpack for everyone.  Snacks, gear, and travel items can all be easily stowed in the the large and roomy North Face Jester laptop backpack.  If viewing beautiful nature isn’t enough and you need your laptop,  this backpack can safely accommodate a laptop.  There is a handy front side electronics organizer too. Take your iPod and your phone and you’re ready to go.

 

College students are also flocking to buy the North Face Jester.  With 2015 cubic inches of space, students can pack all their books for class and eliminate extra trips back to the dorm. Students may not be skipping to class, but the lightweight design won’t slow them down either.

 

The North Face Surge II Backpack

My next trip I am taking the North Face Surge II backpack. As a travel bag, I can fit several days of clothes and toiletries.  When I arrive, I can unpack and easily use the Surge as my daybag. This backpack meets airline regulations for a carry-on even with its roomy size.  Travelers give this bag a thumbs up for the comfortable padding. It’s easy on the back.  The great inside pockets let you organize and find pens, maps and other small items.

TSA regulations require you to pass everything through airline security.  This can slow you down if you have to dig for your laptop.  With this laptop backpack, you can easily grab your laptop from the padded sleeve and breeze through airport security.  Every minute saved, lets you start your trip sooner.