Travel Accessories You Should Take on Every Trip

Whether you are an experienced traveler or not, you will always require your trip to be as secure and convenient as possible. There are some travel accessories that you can take with you that will give you peace of mind. These items may be small yet they can play a large role in making your trip more enjoyable, safer and easier.

Packing Accessories

When you talk about packing accessories, these include packing cubes, jewelry holders and packing folders. Having these items will make packing and unpacking more organized and will actually save space in your luggage. You will never travel without them once you have used them! You can look at the best packing accessories for your needs today!

Anti-theft Bags

When you take your next vacation, you should keep your valuables inside of an anti-theft bag. Having one will keep all your important papers and documents safe while you are enjoying your destination. Actually, most travelers today make use of anti-theft bags for the peace of mind they give. Consider having one for yourself today.

Luggage Scale

Traveling is indeed a great experience but it can be costly. With a digital luggage scale, you will never have to pay overweight baggage fees again. The money you will save on baggage fees will certainly take your travel dollars farther! You will find a lot of luggage scales in the market today. You just have to find the best one for your needs.

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.

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 –

 

 

 

How to Beat the Luggage Weight Limit

A vacation is a luxury that is getting more and more expensive. Airline tickets alone are quite costly and can put a large dent in an already pinched travel budget. So the last thing one needs when traveling by air is the additional cost associated with overweight luggage, luggage fees. Below are some tips to help keep your luggage within the airlines’ allowed weight limits and thus avoiding this additional expense on your next trip:

• The best way to reduce your luggage weight is to buy lightweight luggage.  I know sounds pretty obvious but many people do not realize how much the weights of various luggage brands can vary.  Some of the lightest luggage brands on the market (that do not sacrifice quality) include Antler Luggage, Eagle Creek Luggage and International Traveller Luggage.

• Pack lightweight, versatile, washable clothing including Ex-Officio Travel Wear.  Choosing lightweight black clothing is an especially great choice because it can easily be dressed up or down and is terrific at hiding the dirt.

• Everyone has their favorite toiletry brands but using only travel size bottles that easily fit in cosmetic bags and toiletry kits is a must!

• Limit the pairs of shoes you bring (make sure they are comfortable too). Wear a versatile pair of shoes on the plane and pack only one additional pair (if you have to).

• Wear or tie around your waste a versatile coat or sweater and do not pack any additional ones.

• Bring jewelry, scarves, and ties to mix-up your wardrobe; leave all that additional clothing at home. Travel jewelry cases and tie cases allow for easy packing.

• Never bring a blow dryer as almost all hotels now provide them on site.

• Lay what you want to bring out on your bed and then put half of it back (only bring your absolute necessities and  favorites, you will be happy to wear them several times anyways).

• Buy a luggage scale and do not leave home until you are under the limit and please do it the night before so you do not miss your flight!

• Finally, the best way to avoid luggage fees is to pack light enough to only need a carry-on bag! I am sure many of you ladies are rolling your eyes right now, like that will ever happen; but remember less is more……or at least less expensive!!!

The more money you save on this trip, the more money you will have for your next one!!!  Ahhh traveling truly is the spice of life!!!

Happy lightweight trails from Irv’s Luggage!

Bombproof Luggage Set Goes on Sale!

Official Announcement:

Ladies and gentlemen, it is time. The day you have been waiting for is finally here. Drum roll, please…. Irv’s Luggage is happy to announce our Most Popular set of Bombproof Luggage is going on SALE! (Woohoo!)

Luggage fanatics of the world, this luggage set is one of a kind!! Coated in a special material to deter bombs from eroding the material, each piece of this set is equipped with a suiter and a 4-wheel spinner system for easy maneuverability even in the smallest of spaces. Plus, it boasts a soundproof shell encouraging you to keep all sorts of critters inside without hearing their constant scratching. (Would you really want to be bothered by scratching all day long? I know I wouldn’t!) Available in four different colors (Blue, Silver, Black and Neon Green) this 4-piece luggage set is sure to sell out!

Are you ready for the newest wave of airline luggage? I know I am!!

Alright, ok, I confess. We really aren’t selling bombproof luggage. I’m not even sure if there is such a thing. But we do have other really great products (luggage sets, carry on luggage, travel accessories, handbags and more) that you will want to check out in your search for new luggage this travel season.

If you are truly looking for a great luggage set, look no further than the Heys USA Hummer 3 Piece Spinner Luggage Set. Great for a man, woman or family of monkeys, this hardside set is lightweight, durable and easy to use, and will make traveling so much easier. Available in Black, Blue or Navy Blue, the Heys Hummer set shines with a gloss finish guaranteed to show off your sense of style. While this set isn’t bombproof or dent proof, it is specially priced for a limited time only. This is one set you will not want to pass by!

Now, what if you like to travel “light” and don’t need a full set of luggage? (No, stuffing your two TSA required carry ons full of crap you picked up along your travels is NOT considered traveling light!)If you have to travel using only two carry on bags, you should look at the Kathy Van Zeeland Expandable Carry Ons. Designed in nine different patterns, this carry on luggage will stand out in a crowd and make everyone wonder just where you got that luggage! Plus it comes with a spacious interior and is expandable securing extra space not only for your clothes but for goodies you buy along the way.

Finally, one of the most important things to remember when traveling is travel accessories. You’ll need a distinctive luggage tag just in case you have the exact same luggage as someone else (I can guarantee you will!) Packing accessories and Dopp kits are also great space savers that help give even the most disorganized person some sort of order when packing. And don’t forget your travel wallets. You never know what or who you might encounter on your travels (Lions and tigers and bears, Oh My!) Having a security or RFID wallet will keep your mind at ease, even when you’re busy exploring.

Use these tips as you will, but let us know how they work out for you! And if bombproof luggage ever becomes available, I promise Irv’s Luggage will be the first to let you know!

10 Must Have Luggage Accessories

Avid travelers know that investing in a great piece of luggage is a key component of successful travel but they also know having the right luggage accessories to accompany this great piece of luggage is crucial to hassle-free travel as well. After consulting with several world travelers and top luggage experts the following list was compiled of the ten must have luggage accessories in 2012:

1.  TSA Approved Lock – With airline security being tightened throughout the world and the chance of encountering a luggage thief always a concern, a high-quality TSA lock that can be unlocked as well as re-locked by security personnel ( so your belongings continue to be secure even after going through security).
2. Luggage Tags – With the paper tags provided by the airlines susceptible to being lost and thus your luggage being lost too; a good, sturdy, colorful luggage tag that will also help identify your luggage on the carousal is a must for all kinds of travel.
3. 3 oz. Bottle Travel Set – A bottle/container set that includes of a variety of 3 oz. bottles to choose from, that will allow you to carry a limited numbers of liquids on-board as the TSA now dictates.
4. Luggage Scale – Even though sometimes you feel like bringing everything but the kitchen sink. Keeping your luggage within the weight limits required by the airlines, so as to not rack- up exorbitant  baggage fees, makes having your own personal luggage scale to weigh luggage while at home or on the road (before arriving at the airport) key!
5. Laptop Sleeve – Some business travelers may bring a laptop business case as a carry-on but many travelers will not, so a laptop sleeve to protect your computers is of critical importance.
6. Dopp Kit – A well designed nylon toiletry bag with great organizational features including a hook (to hang your bag in the shower or by the sink); and while leather is considered a more luxurious material, a well designed nylon bag that is water resistant is a far better choice when taking your “personal essentials” on the road.
7. Packing Folders & Packing Cubes – Packing efficiently is critical due to baggage fees and the desire of most travelers to have wrinkle-free clothing. Packing cubes and folders can help make this happen!  Another added benefit of using these handy packing aids is the less likelihood of bed bugs creeping into your clothing while sitting in a hotel room, due to the zippers and velcro closures keeping the little critters at bay.
8. Garment Sleeve / Bag – Some luggage pieces are designed to be suiters but many are not!   A garment sleeve is great for packing suits and dresses for that all important meeting or party on your trip.
9. Shoe Sac – Shoes have all sorts of dirt, chemicals and germs on them, so keeping them separated from your clothes and personal effects is very important.
10. Hide-Away Tote Bag – Rarely, if ever, does someone go on a trip and not end up purchasing some kind of additional “stuff” that needs to be packed in an already over- stuffed suitcase for the return trip home; thus, having a hide-away, collapsible, tote bag as a catch- all for all those additional “treasures” is perfect!

Winter Luggage Clearance Sale Still Going On!

One of my favorite winter pastimes is window shopping in downtown Chicago on Michigan Avenue. While I try not to spend money and just take in the sights, that doesn’t always happen and I splurge. It might not always be good for me (or my wallet); but it is fantastic for retailers who have Winter Luggage Clearance Sales! Here at Irv’s Luggage we have snagged some unbelievable winter luggage clearance deals for our customers and can’t wait to share them with you.

The luggage industry is unique because there is no single “type” of buyer. There are dozens of reasons to purchase luggage – from business trips to traveling for pleasure to sending a gift to a loved one – and what one person may love, another may not be very fond of. One great luggage brand that transcends these types is Kathy Van Zeeland Luggage. Their name recognition, sturdy construction and super cute patterns lend flair to every piece of luggage they create and ensure that the consumer is carrying a very unique bag. Lucky for you, we have just reduced the prices of the Bohemian and Exotic Edge spinner collections! Order yours during this Winter Luggage Sale before they are gone!

Another fantastic deal we have going on right now is with Hartmann Luggage. Anyone with some knowledge of the luggage world will be able to tell you that Hartmann is one of the best made and most well-known luxury luggage brands around. Their craftsmanship is one of a kind which is why their collections stand the test of time. Plus, they stand behind their products which is an important note. As a special winter clearance, both the Intensity and Stratum collections are on sale now.

Now, if you are looking for hard side luggage or luggage accessories that are unique and resistant to wear and tear, Pininfarina Polycarbonate by Bric’s Luggage is your go-to brand during our Winter Luggage Clearance. Lightweight and durable, these products come in a variety of sizes and colors to fit anyone’s luggage needs. There’s just one catch – they are specially priced for a limited time only, so order your favorite piece now!

These are just a few of the extra special deals with spinner luggage, hardside luggage and carry-on luggage we have going on right now at Irv’s Luggage. Why don’t you stop in or check us out online and see what else we can offer you today!

Luggage Accessories make all the difference

It’s 2:30 in the morning. You’ve just gotten off the plane at the Seattle-Tacoma airport after flying for more than 6 hours straight. You’re tired, hungry and getting impatient – the last thing you want to do is stand by that annoying carousel and attempt to figure out which piece of standard black luggage is yours.

After you stop cursing the luggage gods, you notice some pieces of wheeled luggage gliding past. First – standard black luggage. Not yours. Second – standard black luggage. Not yours. Third – standard black luggage. Again, not yours. But then you notice a two-piece luggage set, a bright cobalt blue color with two red luggage straps on each piece, coming towards you on the conveyor belt. As quickly as you saw the bags, they are gone – the owner swiftly picked up the pieces and left the baggage claim area in less than five minutes. In that one moment, you have made two decisions – one: you need to purchase some distinctive luggage and/or some travel accessories to go with your luggage and two: you will never take a late night flight ever again.

A few days after settling from your trip, the open luggage on your bedroom floor catches your eye. Yes, there is still laundry to be done; and no, you have no plans to do it right now; but you can’t help but think about how your current luggage made your recent trip more difficult than it needed to be. You begin searching the internet for luggage pieces and travel accessories that will help distinguish your luggage from someone else’s while still allowing for individuality and style to come through.

In your search, you come across some travel accessories that you recognize, but never thought twice about – luggage belts. The Lewis N Clark Quick Release Luggage Belt not only keeps your luggage closed securely but it comes in fun, easy to recognize colors. One of the easiest ways to make your bags your own when using luggage belts is to use multiples and attach them in a pattern or specific design so your luggage will be easily recognizable when you are waiting at the baggage claim. Just be sure to remember how you arranged the belts!

Another great way to differentiate your luggage from someone else’s is with luggage tags. This is slightly more difficult to accomplish than with a luggage belt, but as long as you can get close enough to the luggage on the carousel, it can be very helpful. Luggage tags have come a long way from their original days of a black luggage tag with a flap that covered your personal information or a black luggage tag with no flap. We offer luggage tags in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors and patterns. From your favorite hometown sports team, like the Chicago Bears, to a quirky design perfect for the artist or child in your life, geometric patterns and all, Irv’s Luggage has dozens of luggage tags ready to be added to your next purchase as the perfect gift extra.

Now, if you are feeling very bold in your luggage search, you can almost never go wrong with colorful luggage. One surefire way to make a statement and recognize your bags almost instantly is with pink luggage. Pink luggage seems to be one of the newest and brightest trends in the luggage industry and it comes in every shape and size imaginable. You can start with something low key such as the Titan X2 Flash 15″ Beauty Case or you can go all-out with pieces like the Caribbean Joe Newport 3 Piece Expandable Luggage Set. These pink luggage pieces will be sure to stand out among a sea of black luggage.

In your search for bold and bright luggage pieces to take with you on your next trip, be sure to check out the wide selection of travel accessories and distinctive luggage pieces available at Irv’s Luggage!

The Importance of Luggage Tags

Where does all that lost and unclaimed luggage in the United States go? Do the airlines have a silent auction at their holiday parties?  Is it used as bonuses for the baggage handlers? Is there really a Bermuda Triangle and is that where all that lost luggage has gone?

While all those sound plausible, the truth of the matter is much of this lost, unclaimed luggage goes to a company called Unclaimed Luggage, in Scottsboro, Alabama.

Unclaimed Luggage has exclusive contracts with many US airlines. Not only are many of the lost and unclaimed bags sent there but all their content is as well.

Below is just a sampling of the unusual and valuable things found and sold over the years:

• 40.5 carat natural emerald
• Egyptian Artifacts dating back to 1500 B.C.
• A special camera designed for NASA’s Space Shuttle
• 5.8 carat diamond ring
• A complete, neatly packed parachute
• Barbie Doll with $500 worth of bills inside her head
• Guidance system for an F-16 fighter jet valued at a quarter of a million dollars
• Rattle Snake
• Ruby valued at $13,000
• Swiss Army watch valued at $18,000
• Underwater Camera valued at $1,800

Over one million items pass through this store annually. Need I say more??? Buy luggage tags before heading out on your next trip!  Another tip….put a copy of your ticket inside your luggage too!

Happy and Safe Travels from Irv’s Luggage!