How to Choose the Right Laptop Case to Travel With

Traveling is a way of life for some, while others travel only occasionally for business or pleasure. Whatever the reason for your travel, a laptop is often at the top of the list. There are many laptop cases and bags to choose from to ensure that your laptop travels safely.

The important thing to do is assess your needs and shop for a case accordingly.

1.      Fashionable laptop cases. If style is your thing, then you’ll be wanting a laptop bag that reflects your personal style; something with detail, perhaps a bright color. Cabrelli  and Knomo make women’s business bags that marry style and function effortlessly. You can pick a bag that suits you and feel confident that you will have the features and convenience you need as well.

2.      Rolling laptop bags. This is an essential feature for many people who find their bags get too heavy with a laptop and work files inside. Rolling cases are easy to handle and take stress off the neck, back and shoulders. Samsonite and High Sierra make rolling business cases and rolling laptop backpacks that will give you the room you need for all of your essentials.

3.      Leather laptop bags. For a more polished and professional look, you might opt for a leather bag. Nothing feels as elegant as a leather briefcase. In addition, leather is durable and rugged and can withstand years of use. Oftentimes, leather bags look better with age. They take on a well worn patina that leather lovers covet. For the best leather bags available, you must look at Hartmann, Kenneth Cole Reaction and Johnston & Murphy.

Top 10 Travel Essentials For the Holidays

Holiday travel is coming!  Here are our Top Ten Essentials to have in your luggage when you head out to the airport or on the road.  We cover a wide array of items from RFID blocking accessories to TSA approved laptop bags.  Are you prepared?

• Packing cubes are essential whenever I travel.  They are versatile in organizing/compressing clothes, functioning as a travel kit, consolidating souvenirs, and so many more applications.  They also act as a 2^nd barrier if something spills in your bag, adding just that extra level of protection and peace of mind as well.  Eagle Creek offers packing cubes that are just perfect to fit in luggage and hold your belongings.

 

 

 

 

 

• A speedthru laptop bag/case will make getting through TSA easier.  No fumbling around with your netbook in your carry on or messenger bag, a speedthru laptop makes accessing your electronics so much easier.  And it frees your hands up from holding your laptop while in line; easy in, easy out, easy through, and you can get to your shoes, belt, spare change, etc. a lot easier.

 

 

 

 

• TSA approved travel bottles allow you to bring some of the comforts from home with you, without risk that TSA might toss your amenities.  Travelon makes travel bottles sized to TSA security specifications; these bottles hold your shampoo, body wash, or any other liquids you may need from your home bathroom.

 

 

 

 

•  An expandable lightweight luggage carry-on, such as the Lucas Vortex Lite, is easier to carry than most other bags due to its lighter frame, but it can also save you on checked baggage fees!  4 Wheel Spinner luggage is easier to maneuver than other wheeled luggage, making the entire piece high on mobility, low on overall cost to you.  Carry more, spend less, and an even lower risk of your checked bag getting separated from you!

 

 

 

 

 

•  A luggage scale is another way to combat luggage fees, by addressing any weight limits for your airline.  The Victorinox Digital Luggage Scale is a good option to use when you want to avoid overweight luggage fees.  You can save yourself a few dollars and especially some time by testing your luggage before you leave for the airport, and meeting the necessary guidelines.

 

 

 

 

 

• A great anti-theft bag (especially the anti-theft bags made by Travelon) can be invaluable in this day and age.  Thieves employ more and more sophisticated methods to take your information or possessions, and you have to travel smart to be prepared for such instances.  Gain peace of mind that your personal electronics and items such as wallet and passport are kept safe in a slash-proof, RFID-protected, and securely fastened cross body bag or something similar.

For more information on RFID/Anti-Theft, see Travelon’s video on this anti-theft bag here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGehipX9hF4&feature=share

 

 

•  An RFID wallet is less visible than an anti-theft bag, but no less important to your safety.  It will keep your ID and personal information protected from IR scanners and other devices intended to pick up your info while you are unaware.  Definitely a great purchase if you don’t own one yet.  It would also make a great gift for someone else!

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Sometimes an electric wall outlet just is not available while you’re out and about, or you have to recharge while on the move and cannot afford to sit still for 2 hours waiting for your device to charge.  A mobile charger/battery pack is an invaluable item to carry with you, to get your electronic device charged when you might need it the most.  In a pinch, you could reach who you need when you need, and that’s one less worry for you in an emergency! Irv’s Luggage offers a wide variety of tech accessories.

 

 

•   A waterproof bag for your iPad, cell phone, or any other electronics can handle inclement weather, accidents, spills, nature, the oceans, life and adds one more protective layer for devices necessary to you when you travel.  You wouldn’t have to be mindful of what’s in your pockets when caught in a downpour or dropping your phone in the snow, it would all be tucked away and secure in a sealed waterproof container.  There are a lot of preventable accidents that can disable one’s electronics while abroad, be ready for some of them and ultimately save yourself the expense and trouble of a replacement.

 

 

 

 

•  Personal organizers work much like the packing cubes, only a more proportionate size for what you need in it. A jewelry organizer would keep your earrings, necklaces, rings, and other assorted accessories together and matched up in one place without risking losing them in a baggie, dropping them somewhere, or breaking while sitting in your suitcase.  Toiletry kits are a necessity for keeping your bathroom amenities in one place and packed together tightly, rather than have your shaving kit or hand mirror sliding all over the inside of your luggage and at risk to spilling or breakage.  Everything is so much easier to find, keep track of, and travel with peace of mind regardless of how your luggage may shift.

 

 

 

 

These 10 items are our top picks for what to take on vacation.  They’ll make traveling more organized, efficient, smoother, less worrisome, and add to the overall experience for veteran and rookie travelers.  You can worry less about certain details and definitely enjoy and focus on where you are, what you’re doing, and the family you’re spending time with.  While you can’t always predict what will happen on a trip, these accessories will make sure you’re more prepared and organized for whatever may happen.

Kenneth Cole’s Messenger Bag Takes Briefcases to a New Level

Say goodbye to clunky, bulky briefcases.  And say hello to the briefcase of today — the Kenneth Cole messenger bag.  Those awkward, hard-to-carry  briefcases your dad or grandfather — or even you — carried are now as extinct as the dinosaurs.  If you still have one, burry it or donate it to the Luggage Hall of Fame.  But do not use it.  Grab yourself the Kenneth Cole Messenger bag at Irv’s Luggage and you will feel like a new person. The Leather Risky Business Messenger Bag from Kenneth Cole has a sleek, urban look with room to hold all of your business essentials.  You can look professional and stylish with either the brown, tan or black leather messenger bag. This bag if perfect for any and all situations.  Whether you are sitting in a boardroom closing deals or just hanging at the coffee shop catching up on work, the leather messenger bag has an important feel yet casual look as well. The adjustable, padded straps add extra comfort as you go from meeting to meeting.  All your important files and documents easily fit into the roomy main compartment. Lift the flap and the bag opens wide for even more convenience.

The Kenneth Cole Briefcases – Leather What’s The Bag Idea Computer Messenger Bag is perfect for keeping a laptop safe as you travel to the office. This laptop briefcase makes carrying your laptop simple, with its own padded compartment. Important papers and files will stay neatly organized in this bag too. Never worry about missing an important phone call.  This messenger bag features an easily accessible outside pocket to hold cell phones.  The zippered pocket will keep your cell phone safe too.  Make this bag yours.  Get it monogrammed at Irv’s Luggage.  This is just one more way to add flair and personality to your bag. There are dozens of other great-looking Kenneth Cole briefcases with handy features to help you stay organized and calm.

Sometimes all you need is your iPad.  Leave the larger messenger bag at home and tuck your iPad into the lightweight,  Kenneth Cole iPad Bag. While it  perfectly fits an iPad, there is also room for other things such pens and paper. The rear exterior pocket is handy for frequently used items.  Kenneth Cole always makes its bags in the finest of materials.  This bag features full grain, Italian leather, which gives the bag a classy, expensive look but not the expensive price tag.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top Guide to Packing Luggage for College

Ah Graduation season! High School seniors everywhere are throwing their caps and gowns to the floor, clutching their diplomas and will soon be heading off to colleges all across the country. When the time comes to leave the nest, be sure that your student is fully prepared for even the most unexpected situations. You never know what adventures might occur! Here is your new guide to preparing for and packing luggage for college.

Bedroom: More than one set of sheets (they’re going to get dirty and will not be washed for weeks, I thought I should warn you up front) comforter, pillows, pillowcases, under bed storage – they are more useful than you know and will not only hold belongings that aren’t currently in use like sweatshirts but they make the trip home that much more organized – blankets

Clothing: T-shirts, long sleeve shirts, sweatshirts, tank tops, pants, jeans, khakis, shorts, sweats, socks, underwear, hangers, work out clothes/athletic clothes, dressy clothes, pajamas, gym shoes, flip flops, walking shoes, dressy shoes

Snacks: Fridge, microwave, cereal, Mac and cheese, “easy foods” like Ramen noodles; and of course you can’t forget utensils such as knife, fork, spoon, plate, cup, mug, bowl and paper towels

Bathroom: Towels, shampoo, soap, body lotion, toothbrush, toothpaste, shower caddy, washcloths, hamper, contacts, contact solution, glasses, special soaps or creams

Computer & Electronics: Computer/laptop, cables, printer, printer paper, mouse, mouse pad, ink, surge protector, Flash drive, extension cord, phone cases, phone charger, laptop cases/bags, laptop charger, iPad cases/bags

Cleaning supplies: Dish soap, laundry soap, vacuum, air fresheners, sponge and all purpose cleaner

School supplies: Backpack, Calendar, lamp, envelopes, stamps, pens, pencils, highlighters, dry erase board/markers, wall hooks, erasers, white out, glue, paper clips, stapler, 3 hole punch, sharpener, post its, rubber bands, ruler, scissors, staple remover, tape, calculator, index cards, notebooks, notebook paper

Miscellaneous: Quarters, change, ATM card, credit card, driver’s license, first aid kit, TV, DVD player, DVDs, video game systems, video games, paper towels, pictures from home, flashlight, sports equipment, alarm clock, umbrellas, men’s wallets, women’s wallets, handbags, camera case, dopp toiletry kits and cosmetic kits/cases

Now all of these items are super important for when your student is at school, but what about when you have to send the belongings (oh, and your kids too) to school and then pick them back up again? You’ll need some heavy duty travel bags to carry all of that “stuff” and you won’t find a better selection of luggage, travel accessories or duffel bags to travel back and forth with from school than from Irv’s Luggage.

If you’re in need of luggage to send with your college student, take a look at any of our TravelPro Luggage pieces, especially the Crew 8 series. They were designed with pilots and flight attendants in mind, meaning they’re super sturdy) and they have a great price tag that won’t make you cringe (like tuition bills might!) But if you’re looking for something less traditional, a duffel bag is the way to go. It will not only make weekend trips home much more organized (just throw everything in the bag, zip it up and get home!) but depending on the size of the duffel you can either roll it behind you and carry it over your shoulder for extra security. Our David King duffels make a great gift and are the perfect addition to any traveler’s wardrobe.

No matter where your student is going to college or how much they’re planning on taking with them, you will know they will be prepared for any situation with these planning tips. Now if we could only guarantee they will use them…Happy Learning!

Best All Around Bags Leather Duffels & Laptop Messenger Bags

Leather, I love leather!!  Leather is a great material for so many things! It is sturdy, dependable, long lasting and resistant to everyday dust and dirt. Always fashionable, dresses up any outfit and leather bags always seem to be in style.  In particular I am a huge fan of leather duffel bags and leather laptop messenger bags; I have both and cannot say enough about them, they serve so many purposes!!

Leather Duffel Bags are great for weekend travel, the gym or as an all around great carry-on luggage piece. Sometimes when I am carrying a book, water bottle and a sweater, I will even use a leather duffel as a handbag!  Leather duffel bags are so versatile!!  Some great choices and top selling leather duffels include:

• Passage 2 Vaquetta Leather 18” (765550) and 21” (765540) Duffel Bags – Both of these are great choices depending on what size you are looking for.  A nice feature of the 21” bag is the additional pockets on the exterior for extra storage and organization.
• David King Leather Two Pocket Duffel (302) – A top seller from David King, this 19” leather duffel has a large main compartment, two gusseted pockets on the front, large end pockets and an adjustable removable shoulder strap.
• Korchmar La Romana Expandable Duffel (L1185) – An absolutely stunning duffel, the crème de la crème of duffel bags.  The La Romana is made of full grain glove soft pebble grain cowhide trimmed with full grain oil tanned saddle leather, fully lined and comes with an adjustable, removable shoulder strap. A higher-end expandable duffel but you will definitely be getting your money’s worth with this one.

Leather Laptop Messenger Bags are great for work for both male and female executives, a nice alternative to the traditional briefcase; also a wonderful bag to sport around town with your laptop in tow as a unisex cross body bag.  Leather laptop messenger bags are terrific, if you do not have one, it definitely is time; Kenneth Cole and David King have some great choices:

• Kenneth Cole Risky Business Leather Laptop Messenger Bag – The most popular Kenneth Cole, selling at a nice $100 price point!  Kenneth Cole sure has a way with leather and style while still keeping it affordable.  Kenneth Cole’s Risky Business is a fully lined, single gusset flap over style messenger bag with many organizational features and a sleek, modern appearance.
• David King Distressed Leather Laptop Messenger Bags the 6153 and the 6111 – Two great  distressed leather messenger bags from David King.  If you are looking for a hipper more laid back look, distressed is the way to go. With a padded laptop section, an inside zipper divided section and a great organizer both these messenger bags serve it up right

So if you want to purchase two types of leather bags to accommodate all your business, travel and everyday needs, the leather duffel bag and a laptop messenger bag are the perfect choices!  Check out these Kenneth Cole, David King and Passage 2 at IrvsLuggage.com today!!!

New Laptop? Time to get a new Laptop Case!

Were you lucky enough to get a new laptop for Christmas this year?  If you were, it’s time to buy a new laptop case to protect your new gift. Laptop cases have come a long way over the years… just as laptops have. The selection ranges from the ubba-urban neoprene laptop sleeves to the conservative yet classically styled leather laptop cases to the highly durable and wildly popular traditional nylon laptop business case. No matter what style of laptop computer case you are looking for, Irv’s Luggage has the perfect selection at the perfect price!

Here are my three favorites…
For the chic yet somewhat traditional business person… my top pick is the Victorinox Architecture 2.0 Trevi Expandable Laptop Briefcase (SAB 303223). This is a perfect laptop case for the up and coming business person (men or women) as it features dual main compartments and a a built-in Aero Sleeve™ padded computer pod with breathable window to help extend the battery life of your laptop. This is an expandable laptop case, and will hold a laptop up to 15” screen size. What I really like about this Trevi computer case is that it is lightweight, has pockets and files to hold all my stuff and its made of durable ballistic nylon. This has an adjustable, padded shoulder strap  plus durable carry handles which makes carrying this laptop case a breeze. The Irv’s Luggage price is $169.97 and this laptop case will ship for free!  A great deal on a great laptop bag. Check out all the Victorinox Architecture Laptop Cases at Irv’s Luggage!

Looking for a leather laptop case?  You can spend a lot of money on a variety of traditional leather brands: Tumi, Hartmann, Johnston & Murphy, Marc New York, but one of my favorites is the David King Leather Porthole Laptop Briefcase (DK BP 119). As one of the world’s largest importers of South African leather, David King Leather offers classic style, elegance and design features that make this leather laptop case very popular. Offered in black leather, café colored leather and tan leather (natural), the styling of this leather laptop case makes this a top choice. Designed to hold up to a 15” laptop, this David King leather computer bag weighs in at 5 lbs… so you know that it is durable. Irv’s Luggage offers this David King laptop bag at $127.97 and of course, it will ship free.

And, for just the ladies… the McKlein W Series Glen Ellyn Detachable Leather Laptop Wheeled Women’s Briefcase (MC BL 9436). What I really like about this women’s laptop case is that you can choose to either wheel it or carry it by the handles or a shoulder strap. Offered at Irv’s Luggage in a choice of colors, this women’s leather laptop case holds up to a 15.4” laptop.  Fun, durable, and definitely styled for the fashionable woman.