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.

Designer Luggage – Great Value for Fashion Conscious Traveler

Do you love traveling, but you want to do it in style? That is no problem – just bring your most fashionable designer luggage with you!

There is a great selection of designer luggage online that is offered at a great value, including hardside uprights, carry ons, and luggage sets. Due to the wide assortment of fashion luggage that is available, including brands like Nicole Miller, Tommy Hilfiger, and Jenni Chan, you will some difficult decisions to make. Take a look at your options!

If you’re looking for fun and lightweight designer luggage that comes at a great value, take a look at the options offered by International Traveller. With the International Traveller Skulls collection, you have found a great way to express yourself, plus you will have the benefit of super lightweight, spinner luggage at great prices.

If you love the look of patent leather, you will love the beautiful luggage from designer Kathy Van Zeeland. This luggage features glazed finish PVC, the Kathy Van Zeeland signature logo and spinner wheels for easy rolling through any airport.

Lastly, there is the Kenneth Cole Luggage collection, which is not only stylish and fashionable, but also features innovative, lightweight design. Kenneth Cole Reaction Luggage has a sophisticated look and feel, pockets for all of your essential travel items, spinner wheels, and many more features that will make you love your luggage.

In today’s world, luggage does not need to be boring, black and lifeless. With the designer brands available today, you can choose the one that most reflects your personal style while not compromising on the important features, like spinner wheels, interior organization and lightweight design.

Visit Irv’s Luggage and choose from the selection of luggage pieces offered for sale and enjoy your trip!

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!

 

Top Hardside Luggage – Samsonite Fiero

 

The Samsonite Fiero Hardside Luggage Collection is one of the newest arrivals at Irv’s Luggage. As a Samsonite Luggage brand, there is a lot you should expect. Given the quality of other Samsonite hard sided luggage as the Winfield 2, Silhouette Sphere, L.I.F.T collections, Fiero Hard Side Luggage carries on the legacy of quality, durable hardside luggage that Samsonite has come to personify. Reengineered spinner wheels, a diamond textured 100% pure polycarbonate hardside luggage shell, TSA-approved lock, super lightweight construction, and expandable functionality certainly make these hard sided cases a confident buy for any traveler.

If you’ve never been sure why spinner wheels are so important, see here:

 

The hardside luggage is composed of a polycarbonate shell; it’s “diamond” pattern helps prevent scratches and scuffs. That is common with hard side luggage, and Samsonite wants to ensure that your case will hold up under whatever conditions you encounter. Seeing your checked bag visibly deformed or squished, possibly scratched/torn would be a thing of the past. The spinner wheels and lighter weight make hardside luggage easier to move and pull alongside you rather than behind you, so you’re not tripping up fellow travelers or getting your handle/hardside luggage caught on a corner. You may pack a lot for your trip, and the lighter weight of the luggage itself and the spinner wheels help you stay on the move regardless of the contents (within reason!) Expandability allows for room for almost everything from laundry bags to electronic device chargers, so that no necessity is left behind. Or so you can bring back plenty of souvenirs.

Hopefully, the Fiero hardside luggage would limit mad dashes because you ran late dragging a heavy non-spinner wheeled case. Hopefully, the Samsonite Fiero hard sided luggage will save you on additional baggage fees because they fit everything you need. The Samsonite Fiero is available in 20”, 24”, and 28” to ensure you have just enough room for any kind of trip and hopefully, you look as good and flawless while traveling, as your scratch-preventive polycarbonate hardside luggage should.

 

Rimowa Luxury Luggage and Cases

 

Rimowa Luggage has a reputation of invention and luxury. Metal trunks were a Rimowa first in 1937, and Polycarbonate luggage started with them in 2000. Both safe and gorgeous in form, one could travel like a celebrity with a Rimowa case, whether it was from the Salsa or Topas Collections.

 

 

 

Combining high-quality polycarbonate, aluminum, and some of the most durable fabric and parts available, Rimowa luggage offers unmatched mobility and security. Rimowa’s signature ribbed shell has proven time and again how protected one’s belongings are from impact and the elements, and the external pockets on a Salsa Deluxe Cabin bag add to its utility. When purchasing a Rimowa bag, you can rest assured that your luggage will be intact wherever you go, and that your belongings are safe regardless of the conditions. The Australian Outback, for example was no match for a Rimowa case.

Weather resistant and waterproof, Rimowa has it all in a variety of sizes and colors, the better to show that form and function go hand in hand. The Salsa Collection alone has the Deluxe and Air variations, all of which are available at Irv’s Luggage. Additionally, you can find Rimowa Luggage carry ons, spinners, wheeled upright cases, and business/laptop cases from 22”-32”. When you decide to go big, you can choose to go big with us and be confident the case you pick is worth the investment. Check our Rimowa Luggage section and see what would be a good fit for you!

A pedigree that started in 1898, Rimowa continues to innovate as the choice brand of the world traveler and those who don’t put a price on safety and adventure. They gave the world the polycarbonate shell many other brands use today, but while there are many who followed by example, Rimowa leads by example. By choosing a Rimowa business case, spinner bag or carry on luggage, you purchase the history of a company that has worked tirelessly to bring their customers an unrivaled, safer, more secure, lighter and easier way to travel.

 

 

 

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.

Feel Like A Star With the Latest, Hottest Designer and Fashion Luggage

We all can feel like a Hollywood star. Check out the bright, bold and trendy designer and fashion luggage collections from Irv’s Luggage. These affordable luggage collections feature top name designers who have selected the latest colors and fabrics for suitcases of all sizes. Who said luggage has to be dark and blah? Spruce up your travel and let your true personality shine. Whether it’s the exotic leopard print bags from the Adrienne Vittadini Luggage collection or the bold striped luggage sets and bags from the Jenni Chan Luggage collection, everyone can be a fashionista. And everyone can be a luggage diva, regardless of your travel destinations.

Adrienne Vittadini has always been a popular name in fashion. It’s great news for travelers that she has now used her taste and style to design her own collection of luggage. The Adrienne Vittadini Matte Stingray 22″ Rolling Duffel lets you show your wild side, but still giving travelers the functionality they crave. This carry on luggage is the perfect size for short trips and weekend getaways. Your personal travel accessories will stay neatly organized in the bag’s many internal pockets.

 

Another excellent choice is the Kathy Van Zeeland Luggage collection. Kathy has gained a reputation in the fashion world for her eloquent designs and detailing. The Kathy Van Zeeland Bohemian 20″ Carry On Expandable Spinner is one of the sharpest carry-ons out there in the travel world. The glazed snakeskin-finished exterior is available in red or brown and it will continue to look glossy and sleek trip after trip. If you are looking for more bling, then you must take a look at the Kathy Van Zeeland Monte Carlo 28″ Expandable Spinner.

The silver luggage is embellished with silver studs and hardware on the front. This bag is so sharp you will look for an excuse to get away and use your bag.

Add some exoticism to your trip with the Kenneth Cole Reaction Savageur Collection. These pieces are available in 21” – 29” as well as a wheeled carry-on. The animal print exterior has been specially treated to provide protections from water and outdoor elements. While durable on the outside, the luggage is luxurious on the inside. The cases are all fully lined with plenty of zippered pockets to keep you organized. This bag certainly won’t blend in with the other luggage at baggage claim area. My favorite is the weekender.  Not too big.  Not too small, but just the right size for those fast and furious last minute getaways.

Still looking for more punch? Then the Jennie Chan Luggage is just for you. The vibrant, multi-colored luggage will boost your spirits even when travel fatigue sets in and you tire of airline food. You will never have to worry about having the right sized piece when you go to pack. These luggage sets include different sizes to give you the most packing options. The Jenni Chan Multi Stripes Collection 5 Piece Luggage Set even comes with a computer tote. You will wow your fellow travelers and become a trendsetter. Enjoy!

Luggage: Your Constant Companion

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” as the saying goes.  To me, it begins not just with a single physical step, but when you make the choice to go, and what goes with you.  Upright luggage, carry on luggage, ultimately it’s your best friend or your worst enemy if you choose poorly.  Your suitcase is your first traveling companion, before you’ve even decided on any people you’re going on your trip with.  It’s your most consistent and reliable companion at that.  Plans change, availabilities come and go, flights get delayed, but your luggage stays with you, except in the most extreme of circumstances.  It’ll hold your gear and keep it safe, might even be a chair in a pinch.  Choose wisely, and I suggest starting with Heys USA Luggage.  With their designs and reputation, you don’t have to look through too many luggage reviews to find one that suits you.

If you’re a traveler from outer space or someone looking for a weekend getaway, you might need expandable luggage or a leather duffel bag, and you want to be ready.  It’s a tenuous balance!  Too much, and it’s cumbersome.  Too little, and you’re turning your underwear inside out with another week to go.  Your luggage will be there for you to provide fresh clothes and the amenities necessary to make you feel human again where ever you go.  The expression to live out one’s suitcase isn’t just an offhanded statement, travel luggage is your home away from home, why not make the best of it?

Heys USA Luggage offers spinners, hardside cases, fun designs, even computer cases.  You can peruse our abundant selection on IrvsLuggage.com or visit us directly at our Northbrook or Mount Prospect locations.  That way, you get a personal touch from our knowledgeable employees that will help you find what you want, get what you need, and send you off where you’re going to go.  If your luggage has been through some tough times, we’ll take care of it with one of the largest luggage repair centers in the Midwest and it will look good as new.  You take care of your luggage and it will take care of you.

Our own repair center, serving crews and the community.

Summer Travel with Spinner Luggage by Samsonite & Heys

Are you looking for a new luggage set and cannot decide what to purchase? Try Spinner Luggage! A simple definition of Spinner Luggage is: A luggage case on four wheels that can easily move and maneuver in any direction. During the last few months we have spoken to hundreds of people in and out of the luggage field about their favorite brands and uncovered their favorites. Numbers One and Two on their list? Samsonite Luggage and Heys USA Luggage.

Spinner Luggage is made in a variety of sizes from small (19” airline carry on size) to medium (24” case) and large uprights (28” case) and even larger to accommodate extensive trips and is quickly becoming one of the most sought after types of luggage to travel with. Whether traveling by car, airplane, boat or train it is almost impossible not to notice a fellow passenger toting new pieces of spinner luggage or even spinner luggage sets around with them.

If you are in the market for durable spinner luggage with a name you can trust, look no further than Samsonite. Samsonite Luggage has come out with a new collection of spinners, Samsonite Hyperspace. Complete with 5 different sizes of luggage, Samsonite Hyperspace Spinner Luggage  is the next generation of luggage. With large main compartments, a fully featured interior, four dual spinner wheels and Rugged Poly/Nylon Blend Fabric that is both dirt and water resistant, this a suitcase you will use forever.

Another great style of spinner luggage comes from Heys USA. Heys USA Luggage is known for their hardside cases which are durable and eclectic – perfect for the traveler with a big personality! Available in a variety of shapes, silhouettes and colors, Heys USA offers dozens of luggage options with a wide range of features including a built-in TSA-accepted 3-digit combination lock, deluxe tie-down straps to provide additional support for your clothing during travel and a fully lined interior with clear-view multi-use organizational pocket for ease of packing. This is one luggage brand you will not want to miss!

Whether you are planning on traveling for Memorial Day Weekend or throughout the summer travel season, know you can travel in style with the Spinner Luggage you found at Irv’s Luggage.

Traveling Soon? Tips for buying good luggage!

After six weeks of frequent airline travel (six airline trips in six weeks) I’ve been in a lot of airports and seen a lot of luggage.  I worked for Irv’s Luggage for over five years and now have a new job and travel quite a bit. Over the last six weeks of traveling I acquired an entirely new perspective on airline travel and more importantly for Irv’s Luggage, a brand new perspective on luggage. I guess that I have now been upgraded to a frequent flyer, as the flight attendants now know my name.  Traveling with good luggage can make a huge difference in your trip and a huge difference in how you feel about traveling.

Three things to consider when purchasing new luggage.

First, how do you travel? Do you check your bag or are you more of a carry-on luggage person? For me, I really like a carry-on, cabin bag. I had to wait this past Sunday, while one of my traveling companions  waited for her large, wheeled checked bag came off the airline carousel.  The wait wasn’t terrible, but how do you find your bag among the sea of black bags?  Impossible. Plus, no matter how pristine the luggage is when  you check it, it comes out smashed, dirty and often something is damaged or scratched.  So whenever I can, I carry my luggage on board. My choice for the best carry on luggage? Easy: Briggs and Riley 21 inch wheeled carry on bag. Durable, easy to wheel and made of ballistic nylon, this rugged carry on is my first choice for a carry on bag.  And, good news, right now the Briggs & Riley Baseline 21″ Carry On Expandable Upright Chocolate – Discontinued  is on sale at 35% off.

Second, warranty. Let’s face it, luggage gets damaged…frequently. Look for luggage that offers a lifetime warranty, or a ‘no questions asked’ type of warranty. Briggs & Riley was one of the original ‘lifetime luggage warranty’ companies, and now many luggage manufacturers offer either lifetime warranty or a ten year warranty.  Hartmann Luggage, Samsonite, Victorinox, High Sierra and even Eagle Creek offer wonderful warranties.  And, should your luggage get damaged… first, if the airline damaged the bag, then stop at the ticket counter immediately and file a claim.  Second, Irv’s Luggage offers luggage repair on virtually every major brand. So, if you need luggage repair for wheels, zippers, handles, or seams, bring it to Irv’s Luggage for all your luggage repairs – no matter what the damage is.

Last, thought… right now spinner luggage is hugely popular (vs. the typical two – wheeled luggage).  My preference of spinner luggage verses the traditional wheeled luggage: spinner luggage.  Spinner luggage is easier to wheel in an airport, down the center aisle of the airplane and virtually everywhere. And, if your luggage gets damaged, and you lose a wheel, you still have three others!  I love my new spinner luggage. If you want something other than Briggs (see paragraph above) I am also a huge fan of the new Samsonite Hyperspace Spinner 21.5″ Expandable Upright (SM 47166). Offered in black, teal and pink, this is rugged, spinner carryon luggage is spacious, durable and lightweight.

Back on the road again on Friday to lovely Memphis. This trip, my Samsonite Hyperspace will be traveling with me!