Keep Calm and Carry Your Bag On

Tired of paying hefty fees for checking your bag? With airlines charging anywhere from $20-$50 for your first checked bag, many travelers have made the switch to a carry-on bag, even for longer trips. Plus you can head out of the airport as soon as you disembark the plane, rather than trudging down to baggage claim to wait for your luggage.

Irv’s Luggage has been giving expert advice to travelers for over 72 years. Read on:

• While 4 wheel spinner cases are popular and convenient, 2 wheel cases give you more interior packing space. With a 4 wheel spinner, in order for the case to meet the overall allowable carry on dimensions, the case has to be smaller to allow for the 4 wheels. Takeaway: buy a 2 wheel carry on, gain more interior packing space and save BIG on baggage fees AND time.
• Softside vs. Hardside? Softside every time, for added space and flexibility in packing plus the convenience of having outside pockets. Most softside cases we sell have USB ports for charging your phone – you don’t need a hardside case for that!
• Packing cubes and packing folders have revolutionized the way we pack.
  • Save a substantial amount of space by organizing your items and packing everything in a packing cube or folder.
  • Packing folders are perfect for larger items like pants, or folded shirts. The wings fold in for maximum compression.
  • Buy cubes with compression zippers that further compress your clothes saving additional space in your case.
  • Using Ziploc bags in your luggage? Invest in packing cubes made of durable material and quality zippers because they will last forever, they stack better in your luggage, your clothes will be less creased and they’re easier to access.
• Bringing really bulky items, like sweaters and jackets? Check out Compression Bags – different than compression packing cubes.
  • Compression Bags are made of durable plastic. You load your bag, seal the top (usually these have Ziploc tops), and then roll the bag squeezing out all the air. Using your body weight and rolling the bag on the floor will give you the best results.
• Bring interchangeable wardrobe items that give you multiple outfits.
  • Choose basic pieces that work together and reduce the overall quantity of what you bring while still having options to change up your outfits.
  • Wear your bulkiest shoes or boots on the plane and pack the smaller pair in your carry on.
• Invest in a compact toiletry kit with multiple pockets for keeping things organized.
  • Use TSA compliant bottles or buy travel sized toiletry items.

So many carry ons to choose from – how do you choose?? I’m going to break it down and give you my top 3 favorite bags.

1. Briggs & Riley Baseline Domestic Carry On: at 22”, this carry on is the largest size you can take on the plane, giving you the most amount of space. The features and overall design of this bag are second to none; hanging section and a flat roomy interior. This is our best selling carry on, hands down.
2. Travelpro Crew VersaPack Max Carryon: This New collection from Travelpro is expandable, has garment bag features so you can hang items if you choose, and offers various zip in organizers to make this versatile bag perfectly suited to the way you travel.
3. Eagle Creek Expanse Hauler Convertible Carry On: This amazingly versatile carry on is perfect for the traveler that is moving around a lot and needs to have a roomy, lightweight bag along for the ride. This carry on converts easily to a backpack, with padded backpacks straps. Tuck the backpacks straps in and use the padded shoulder strap. Grab handles all around the bag make it easy to grab & go. Insanely great pockets everywhere.

With hundreds of travel accessories to help make your trip easier, more comfortable and more efficient, Irv’s Luggage is your 1 stop travel shop.

IRV’S LUGGAGE JOINS NATIONAL LUGGAGE TRADE-IN CHARITY INITIATIVE FROM BRIGGS & RILEY

Irv’s Luggage joins with Briggs & Riley for a trade in event to benefit local charities.

Mount Prospect, IL – FEBRUARY 11, 2016 … Irv’s Luggage joins Briggs & Riley’s national charity initiative “A Case for Giving,” taking place in both of our locations at 2200 S. Busse Rd., Mt. Prospect, IL and 3139 Dundee Rd., Northbrook, IL from February 11– February 29, 2016, benefiting two local charities, Journeys, The Road Home and DCFS of Illinois, as part of a nationwide cooperative effort.Briggs & Riley’s “A Case for Giving” works in cooperation with more than 250 retail partners to get your gently used rolling bag to someone in immediate need in local communities around the country.  “A Case for Giving” salutes more than 100 charity partners of Briggs & Riley’s retailers including Ronald McDonald House, Treehouse for Kids, Make A Wish, Goodwill and local women’s shelters, men’s homes and coalitions for the homeless.  Briggs & Riley is known for innovation, dependable durability, and service that have earned them a fanatical and loyal customer base of frequent travelers who demand bags that perform.

“We are very pleased to re-introduce ‘A Case for Giving’ for its second year, and we expect to be even more successful and to exceed the 2,000 bags collected for the needy last year during our first luggage trade-in program,” said Briggs & Riley CEO Richard Krulik.  “The idea was sparked by conversations with foster care leaders who made me realize what a wonderful added purpose our products can have,” Krulik continued.   “We’ve put our support behind making sure that those in need can transport their belongings securely, whether it be a child leaving foster care, or a woman getting out of a shelter, or a family who must travel for medical treatment.”

A CASE FOR GIVING – HOW IT WORKS:

Think about a gently used rolling bag you own.  It might have even been sitting for years gathering dust in a closet.

Bring your used bag into Irv’s Luggage between February 11^th and February 29^th, 2016.

Receive $100 credit on a new Briggs & Riley bag if you donate a used Briggs & Riley bag, and a $50 credit on a new Briggs & Riley bag if you donate a used bag from another brand.

Leave your used bag behind knowing it will bring joy to someone who needs it.

Veronica Resa from DCFS in Illinois said, “Thank you for your generous offer to donate used luggage to children in the care of DCFS. As you can imagine our need is great and ongoing.”

Irv’s Luggage is both honored and humbled to be able to contribute to two worthy organizations working to help those in need.

About Irv’s Luggage

Irv’s Luggage is a family owned and operated business serving traveler’s needs since 1947. Irv’s Luggage has two retail stores in the Chicago suburbs as well as a premier website with over 15,000 items spanning 150 brands, making us the destination of choice for travelers, students and business people throughout the United States and Internationally.

We stock the best brands you can buy including Briggs & Riley, The North Face, Samsonite, Delsey, Hartmann, Bosca, Travelpro and many more. Irv’s Luggage prides itself on providing expert, up to the minute travel and baggage advice as well as superior customer service. In addition, Irv’s Luggage offers competitive pricing every day and will never be undersold!

Irv’s Luggage has the largest onsite luggage repair center in the Midwest. Luggage, handbags, business cases and leather bags can be dropped off for repair at either of our Irv’s Luggage locations or you can ship your bag to the Irv’s Luggage repair center via UPS. Whether it is a broken wheel, torn zipper, or a handle that needs repair Irv’s Luggage offers a complete and competent repair by trained luggage technicians.

We hope you will support small business in the US and shop Irv’s Luggage!

About Briggs & Riley Travelware

Briggs & Riley is the international brand of luggage and business cases whose fanatical customer base speaks loudly in the two way dialogue that embodies the company’s mantra – Engineered for Reality, Guaranteed for Life.™  Briggs & Riley’s main focus is making sure travelers are equipped with a durable product and a dependable relationship required for today’s travel realities.  Owned by US Luggage LLC, a privately owned and operated family company with headquarters on Long Island, New York, Briggs & Riley and its parent company are acclaimed for innovations such as the first ever wheeled luggage, a differentiating Outsider® handle, the first compression/expansion luggage, and backing every bag they make with an unconditional lifetime performance warranty, the only one of its kind in the industry.  Briggs & Riley collections and products can be found in North America, the UK, Japan and China at more than 600 fine specialty retailers, select high-end department stores and online, with online ordering and a store locator at http://www.briggs-riley.com.

Locations:

Irv’s Luggage

3139 Dundee Rd.

Northbrook, IL 60062

847-205-5585

 

Irv’s Luggage

2200 S. Busse Rd.

Mt. Prospect, IL 60056

847-437-4787

 

Top 10 Carry On Bags

Are you going somewhere for a weekend getaway soon? You’re going to need a carry on luggage bag, but there are hundreds of different carry on bags so which one should you get? I’m going to try to make your decision easier by narrowing your choices down to ten.

 

1. Samsonite L.I.F.T. 21″ Expandable Spinner (20.5″ x 15″ x 7″; 7 lbs)

Samsonite is made with high quality materials and is one of the top luggage brands at Irv’s Luggage. This Spinner Boarding Bag received several reviews at Irvsluggage.com and they are all five stars. There is a lot to like about this bag.  It has four multi-directional spinner wheels which allow 360 degree upright rolling so there is no weight on your arm. Integrated into the bag is top and side carry handles.  It includes tie down straps that keep the bag’s contents in place.

 

 

 

 

2. Delsey Helium Aero Carry On Expandable Spinner Trolley (21″ x 14.5″ x 10.5″; 8.4 lbs)

The Helium Aero Spinner Trolley from Delsey has many great features. This hardside upright is made with 100% polycarbonate which is good because it makes the case durable enough to keep your travel items safe and it makes the case lightweight too. The spinner wheels rotate 360 degrees to assure multi-directional rolling. Do you need to buy a TSA lock for your trip? You don’t need to worry about getting one if you have this carry on bag because a 3-dial TSA accepted combination lock is built into the case.

 

 

 

3. David King Vacquetta Leather 20” Large Duffel (12” x 20” x 12”; 3.5 lbs)

Your carry on bag doesn’t need to have spinner wheels and several technology features. A simple duffel bag can work great as a carry on bag. David King has some good duffel bags. This 20” bag is made with durable and long-lasting vacquetta leather and has a roomy main compartment with a u-zip closure. Don’t worry that this duffel won’t have enough pockets for your small items. It has front and back zip pockets and two side zip pockets.

 

 

 

4. Olympia Casual Sports 22” Rolling Carry On Duffel (22″ x 13″ x 9″; 6.7 lbs)

Maybe you don’t take many weekend trips and don’t want to spend a lot of money on a luggage bag you plan to use only a few times. This rolling carry on bag from Olympia is less expensive than the other bags on this list, but it has enough good features to make it a good carry on bag. The main compartment is roomy and with eight pockets, it shouldn’t be difficult to pack all of your essential items.

 

 

 

5. Wenger SwissGear Scan Smart Backpack (18.5″ x 15″ x 8.5″; 3.5 lbs)

Backpacks are great carry on bags for short trip. This Wenger laptop backpack should have all of the features you need. It has Scan Smart technology that allows you to travel through airport security without having to remove your laptop from the backpack. In addition to the organizer and accessory pockets, the backpack has pockets for a water bottle, sunglasses and mobile phone.

 

 

 

6. Briggs & Riley Torq International Carry On Spinner (21.4” x 14.3” x 9.4”; 8.9 lbs)

At 8.9 pounds, this Briggs & Riley spinner is not one of the lightest carry ons on this list, but it has many great features. It has a scratch resisting hardside case that will protect your belongings including a laptop and iPad. The gusseted, zipperless design sits flush with bag when closed, allowing an easy fit into the overhead compartment. The wheels are recessed double spinners for a lower center of gravity and effortless 360 degree navigation. Fodor’s named this carry on as one of the best carry on luggage bags for 2013 on their website.

 

 

 

 

7. Lipault Paris 2 Wheeled Foldable 22” Carry On Packing Case (22” x 14” x 8”; 5.33 lbs)

This Lipault carry on case has a feature that none of the other carry on bags on this list has: it can fold. If your biggest problem is that you have no room in your closet to store a carry on, this case fixes that problem because when it is not being used, it can fold up and go under your bed. It also has some good features that include two inline wheels, several zippered pockets, a combination lock and two interior adjustable straps for your clothes.

 

 

 

 

8. Victorinox Mobilizer NXT 5.0 22” Expandable Wheeled Carry On  (22” x 14” x 9”; 9.9 lbs) $259.99

The NXT 5.0 carry on from Victorinox has the features you would want every carry on bag to have. It has two front pockets for items that you can easily access without having to open the main compartment of the bag. If you need more room, it expands 2.5 inches for 29% extra packing capacity. You can carry your laptop inside the case and secure it with the Travel Sentry Approved luggage lock.

 

 

 

 

 

9. Travelpro Crew 9 21” Expandable Spinner with Suiter Luggage (21” x 14” x 9”; 9.3 lbs)

Do you want a carry on bag that has spinner wheels, expands, will last for a long time and is easy to maneuver? This Travelpro Crew 9 carry on is a luggage bag you should consider. It is made with microballistic nylon fabric with Duraguard fabric protection and has a removable suiter system.

 

 

 

 

 

10. Atlantic Compass Unite Wheeled Tote (13″ x 16″ x 8″; 6.1 lbs)

The last carry on luggage bag on my list is this wheeled tote from Atlantic Luggage. It is one of the smallest carry on bags on this list, but it has plenty of room for your accessories and has a front pocket for quick access to your wallet, iPod, keys and airline tickets. The high-sheen Poly fabric provides exceptional resistance to wear and tear. It might be too small for a trip that lasts more than a couple days, but it looks excellent for a one or two day trip.

 

Any one of these ten carry on bags should be great for a weekend trip. These bags and many more are available at Irv’s Luggage.

What is spinner luggage vs. suiter style luggage?

Spinner luggage refers specifically to the presence of 4 wheels on the case, allowing you to roll the bag in an upright position alongside you, instead of pulling the bag behind you. Standard rolling luggage has 2 wheels, usually in line skate wheels that offer a smooth glide, but can be more of a strain on the back and neck because you must pull this luggage along behind you. Spinner luggage stays upright next to you, with wheels that swivel as you change direction. Many people find spinner luggage to be easier to handle, with significantly less stress on the body.

Some of the top brands selling spinner luggage are Samsonite, Travelpro, and Victorinox.

Suiter style luggage is something else entirely. ‘Suiter’ refers to a compartment that is sometimes built into the case and sometimes removable, that allows you to hang garments to minimize wrinkling. This works well for suits, dresses, shirts and blouses because you lay the garments flat in the suiter compartment, and then fold it in half or in thirds, into the suitcase. This really does help reduce the wrinkling that occurs when you just fold garments and pack them in the case.

Spinner luggage can have a suiter compartment, and suiter bags can also be spinners. Briggs & Riley is a perfect example; they make luggage with the suiter feature as well as with spinner wheels.

Briggs & Riley Torque Polycarbonate Hardside Luggage

Briggs & Riley’s Torq International Carry On Spinner Suitcase provides a great solution for one of my biggest concerns about using 100% polycarbonate hardside luggage: the lack of a front pocket. Their carry-on version from the collection addresses the need for an easily-accessible front pocket that is common on most other nylon/cloth suitcases, but lacking from hardside luggage. 

Until I got a polycarbonate hardside luggage of my own, I had no idea how much I took that front pocket for granted. I no longer had a place to easily access my magazine, notebook, snacks, or anything else while at the airport terminal; I either had to put it in my personal item (which is already loaded down with my laptop, possibly souvenirs, or work-related collateral) or constantly access my carry-on by opening it up, making a huge production number out of simply wanting to read.

 

 

This video shows just how easy it is to now have some extra storage on the Torq Interational Carry On.

The Briggs & Riley Torq Carry On Spinner certainly has a great feature in that front panel for storage, but the rest of the collection in medium and large has plenty more to offer. The Briggs & Riley Torq International Collection focuses on global travel with numerous security features and organizational options. The 100% polycarbonate hardside body is just the beginning when you consider the Smartlink™ system strap you can use to transport two or more bags as one (saving you from dragging a suitcase with each hand, an integrated ID tag to protect yourself and your bags, a molded compression panel to keep clothing flat, minimize wrinkling, and prevent contents from shifting while traveling, and so many more features to protect and organize. Spinner wheels and the high level of quality you’d expect from Briggs & Riley is icing on the cake.

 

 

Prices for the Briggs & Riley Torq Collection starts at $479.00, available in Ruby, Cobalt, or Graphite (availability may vary depending on size of luggage purchased) in carry on, medium, or large. Given the simple solution of an external pocket for a 100% polycarbonate hardside carry on to address a smaller issue, you can be sure to handle any travel snafu, environment, or situation with this luggage when it comes to larger issues. And as always, enjoy free shipping with orders over $99. Give the gift of travel this holiday season!

 

Valentines Day Gifts for Him – Briefcases for Men, Carry On Bags for Men

Valentine’s Day is almost here, have you figured out what gift to get that terrific husband or boyfriend of yours?  Come on, it is a two way street, although they won’t admit it, they too look forward to feeling special on Valentine’s Day; but remember, no flowers for the guys either ;). (See blog dtd 1/31/12)

Read on to find some unique briefcases for men, leather wallets and a golf bag any guy would love.

The 2012 top selling men’s gifts for Valentine’s Day are:

1. Kenneth Cole Leather Briefcases – Sharp, stylish leather briefcases at very affordable prices from Kenneth Cole; including the very popular Show Business, Mind Your Own Business, Long Story and Flappy Gilmore styles!

2. Victorinox Swiss Army Men’s Leather Wallets  –  The Altius 3.0 from Victorinox Swiss Army Luggage is one of our top selling wallet collections and offers many different styles and designs including the best selling Barcelona and Athens wallets! The Antwerp Card Case has been a huge hit too!

3. Briggs & Riley Chocolate Luggage and Briefcase Collection – Briggs & Riley is the favorite brand of road warriors the world over, both for their fabulous luggage and briefcase lines too!  Check out these terrific chocolate brown Baseline and @Work pieces on closeout for that special business man in your life!

 

4. Johnston & Murphy Briefcases  –Quality high-end leather pieces with 150 years of  craftsmanship and know-how behind them;  Johnston & Murphy briefcases, American-made leather goods at their finest!

 

5. Hartmann Luggage and Wallets – The oldest luggage manufacturer in America, the Hartmann Luggage name is synonymous with reliability, superiority and excellence.  To really let your Valentine know you care, go with a Hartmann!!!

 

6. Athalon Golf Bags – The perfect gift for the golfer in your life who is also a big football fan, the Athalon NFL Golf Trunks and the NFL Wheeled Golf Cover Bags are sure to be a winner!
7. Crown Edition by Heys USA BioCase – The BioCase Collection is a technological innovation for luggage that puts biometric technology to work for you. Biometric technology requires fingerprint technology in order for you to access your bags. Whether you travel for business or pleasure, you can relax knowing that your valuables and important documents are safely secured in your BioCase. Biocase is made of 100% German Polycarbonate, and is nearly indestructible.

 

With Samsonite Luggage, limited funds can allow for unlimited options

Every morning on my way to work I see planes in the sky after they have taken off from O’Hare International Airport. Some days the planes are high up in the clouds, jetting through the air; other days they are making a swift ascent into the unknown, on their way to a far-off location. This morning I followed one plane in particular and started thinking – Where are the passengers traveling? How much did it cost to buy a ticket? And most importantly, how can I go too?

After I bring myself back down to Earth (and the traffic surrounding me), I realize that there is a lot of work that goes into not only reaching a final travel location, but planning the trip and organizing the details. While I don’t have the time or the funds to travel (darn those college loans!), I love to read about different destinations through books and magazines, especially on the topic of traveling on a budget. Some of the greatest articles that I have read give quite simple advice: purchase discount luggage from reputable retailers, such as Irv’s Luggage; look for carry on luggage or luggage sets with a great warranty from brands such as Samsonite Luggage, Travelpro Luggage and Briggs & Riley Luggage; and pack for the elements because anything can happen.

For most consumers, when you finally decide to purchase luggage for your trip, you want to look for a piece or pieces that will hold up to the elements (or airline damage) but won’t break the bank. Two of the most sought-after brands of luggage today are Samsonite and Travelpro. Samsonite is a household name for a reason. Each of their luggage collections offers something unique for the consumer whether you are looking for lightweight luggage, spinner luggage or colorful luggage for a distinctly individual feel.

With their quality luggage craftsmanship, unique shape and moderately priced pieces, the Samsonite xSpace spinner collection offers consumers many great features in one compact piece. With a large packing capacity, durable spinner wheels for easy maneuvering, the SamGuard Protection which resists stains from oil, dirt and water and a Travel Sentry lock to protect all of your belongings, priced at only $132.99, the Samsonite XSpace Spinner 21.5 Expandable is one product that will live up to your high expectations.

Travelpro has also created multiple luggage collections but is best known for their luggage and briefcases for the business traveler. As a frequent traveler, you want luggage that will stand up to your varied schedule and isn’t weighed down by fancy additions. You also want a piece that is checkpoint friendly, making it easier and safer to get your computer through airport security, while still being lightweight and durable. Each piece that Travelpro makes keeps the consumer in mind.

Travelpro Crew 8, the latest update to the Crew series, brings a new perspective to luggage. The Crew 8 has the packing capacity that is perfect for a carry on bag and includes a large zippered front pocket providing storage for laptops, newspapers, sweaters and any last minute items before leaving for the airport. The carry on piece also has a removable suit sleeve with patented padded foam bars for wrinkle-free packing and a smaller ticket pocket providing quick access to a wallet, passport, iPod®, keys and your airline tickets. With these essential additions, the Travelpro Crew 8 22″ Expandable Rollaboard Suiter will securely hold all of your personal belongings while you travel to that all important meeting.

Now that I know there are many luggage options available to me ranging from cheap luggage sets to designer luggage; from blue briefcases to brown briefcases and every color in between; maybe I can find a way to get on a plane and travel with the new luggage set I’ve purchased from Irv’s Luggage!

Chicago Bulls Just Love Briggs & Riley

Yesterday at Irv’s Luggage Northbrook store, the Chicago Bulls bought 26 pieces of Briggs & Riley Baseline luggage; The Briggs & Riley Baseline 21” Carry On Expandable Upright and the Briggs & Riley Baseline Wheeled Wardrobe!

Thanks Chicago Bulls!

Everyone just loves Briggs & Riley! Not only an exceptional brand of high quality luggage, Briggs & Riley offers  a  “Simple as That” Guarantee;  if your bag is ever broken or damaged, regardless of how it happened, they will repair it free of charge—simple as that!

Irv’s Luggage, a big fan of the Chicago Bulls and a big fan of Briggs & Riley!

Briggs and Riley – Best Value with a Lifetime Guarantee

Pete Silverman has been selling luggage for over 24 years; not only does Pete sell luggage, he has been managing luggage repair centers for over 24 years as well, where an average of 900 bags pass through the door annually. Now this is a guy whose opinion matters when it comes to selecting luggage; and time after time when asking Pete which luggage is the best, his reply is always the same, Briggs & Riley.

Per Mr. Silverman, if you are an avid traveler, for business or pleasure, spending many nights on the road, Briggs & Riley is the only way to go:

• The quality is superior. Although Briggs & Riley offers a lifetime guarantee, rarely, if ever, are repairs needed. If you have any trouble with your Briggs & Riley luggage, there are absolutely no questions asked; the bag is simply repaired or replaced, free of charge.

• The designs are superior.  Briggs and Riley continue to strive to make the most intelligent user friendly, bags on the market: lighter & stronger, wrinkle free packing, speed thru security features and more.

• The diversity of the bags is superior.  Briggs & Riley makes over 70 different bags to suit many different customer needs; Baseline for the road warriors, Transcend for the leisure travelers, @Work for accomplished professionals and Verb for the tech savvy.

In Pete’s opinion, “Tumi and Hartmann, while in a similar price bracket, do not offer nearly the value.” Briggs & Riley has a “simple as that guarantee”; Pete Silverman has a “simple as that answer” when it comes to the best luggage for the money, Briggs & Riley!