About Packing Cubes (Athalon, Eagle Creek)

I recently traveled on business to Philadelphia, PA for Irv’s Luggage.  The City of Brotherly Love, the birth place of the nation, all sorts of history just permeating the 5th largest city in the United States (who knew?)  Not known for the biggest population or overwhelming skyline, Philadelphia is however a city of firsts.  Rather appropriate, as this was my first true business trip.

But before I even got on the plane, I had to pack.  I needed to plan for casual, business casual, extra shoes, toiletries, business collateral, and anything else I might pick up along the way.  I needed a plan.

In recent history, I’ve become a big fan of packing cubes.  They fit together nicely in my luggage, keep my personal effects (from clothes to electronics) sorted, and overall just make keeping track of everything so much easier.  I find myself worrying less about if I packed all the socks I brought with me or that all my shirts are together.  I know, because using the packing cubes (in my case I use the Athalon variety pack) helps me eyeball everything instead of having to dig for what I have left.  Irv’s Luggage carries other styles from Travelon and Eagle Creek, so count on a variety of options to choose from, and each one worth it.

The key to the packing cubes (as any seasoned traveler might tell you) is rolling your clothes properly and tightly (refer to the video).  You can fit plenty of shirts and pants as opposed to bundling all your clothes loose and hoping they stay in one place.  Shoes can go inside your bag and a packing cube will make sure nothing gets on your other clothes (and that everything easily slides together.)  A carry on bag or an expandable luggage case all of a sudden has a lot more capacity than you originally thought.  You do it right, you just might save $25 on a checked bag fee.

The best part about having all your belongings organized?  Less time worrying about your stuff and more time spent on taking in the local sights –

 

 

 

Favorite Travel Accessories

As I continue with “staff picks”, I decided to address another important part of Irv’s Luggage’ business, travel accessories; I interviewed our chief accessory buyer, Andrea, who has been in the luggage business for over 39 years. Andrea talked about her four most popular and favorite travel accessories:  Luggage Tags, Luggage Locks, Money Belts, Luggage Straps and Adaptor Plugs / Converter Kits.

Luggage Tags: Andrea’s favorite luggage tags are En Route.  Not only are En Route tags easy to use, they also work very well and don’t break easily with their stretchy straps. En Route luggage tags are also very bright and colorful, just what travelers need to help identify and distinguish their luggage from the rest of the pack.

Luggage Locks: Regarding luggage locks, Andrea recommends combination locks and feels the three dial locks are the easiest to use.  Her favorite brand LCI, Lewis N Clark, have been a mainstay for Irv’s Luggage over the years.  Lewis N Clark locks are TSA approved, very rugged and dependable just like the company who makes them.

Travel Security Wallet: Andrea’s favorite brand of money belts and other travel security wallets is Eagle Creek Luggage. The Eagle Creek travel wallets are very durable, have great attention to detail, wonderful locking mechanisms and in addition, Andrea says Eagle Creek is now trying to go more “green” with their products, another great reason to buy Eagle Creek.  Best of all, Eagle Creek is a good solid company you can depend on!!!!

Adaptor Plus & Converter Kits:  Once again, Andrea has to go with LCI, Lewis N Clark, for the best adaptor plugs and converter kits.  LCI has been on the market for many years,  they are very dependable and know the business of converting and adapting energy!!!!

Check out these and all the great luggage accessories at Irv’s Luggage today!