Samsonite
Cosmolite Spinner
The lightest bag reviewed here, Samsonite has crafted this new little roller out of thermoplastic material unique to the brand. It’s a good-looking piece and the curved shell offers solid protection. The mono-tube handle is well thought-out and can be adjusted to different lengths depending on your height. There is also a handle on the side so you can pick it up and go – as it’s so light and small, this is a real option.
The four wheels are multidirectional and easily swap from being pulled along behind to being rolled upright, while the interior comprises two compartments with ribbons to keep clothes in place. There is no specific place for a laptop, although you could put it in the zipped pocket in the interior compartment – the solid shell would protect it from any knocks.
It’s small but I managed to pack lightly for four days, although if you are taking suits this would not be the case. Depending on the surface, the case rattles a little when it is not full, but this is the only fault I could find. Available in black, silver, red and blue. RA
Contact www.samsonite.co.uk
RIMOWA
Salsa Air Multiwheel IATA 52
This funky metallic suitcase comes from fashion luggage brand Rimowa. The Salsa Air range is made from its lightest polycarbonate yet, and comes in Ultra Violet, Inca Gold and Aquamarine colours.
At first glance, the bright metallic colour seems a bit gaudy, but you get used to it and once it has been bashed about a bit, I’d imagine it would look a lot better. While it appears completely solid, the structure is actually a little flexible, which makes zipping it very easy. There is a combination lock, and inside, it has a number of compartments, useful for keeping toiletries in place.
Rimowa has patented its wheels, calling the design Multiwheel – they are very responsive, managing corners with ease, but could perhaps do with being a little bit larger, to cope better with lumps and bumps in
the pavement.
The only real negative was the T-bar handle. It was awkward to grip and felt uncomfortable after pulling it for only a few minutes. Overall, however, it’s very light and the quality is high. ST
Contact www.rimowa.com
VICTORINOX
Werks Traveller (WT-20)
This bag comes in red with black detail, as well as in plain black. The build quality is good and the handle swivels so the bag can be pulled at different angles. There are also some straps under the outside pouch that can be pulled up to secure a bag, coat or newspaper on the top, against the handle, along with a built-in clip to hang a bag from the back. Two external compartments can store documents and a small laptop.
Inside, there is a zipped mesh pocket for small items and, my favourite feature, a removable suiter in the lid of the bag. It comes with an ingenious three-way hanger that holds a pair of trousers and a suit jacket (folded around the trousers), helping to prevent wrinkles. There are also straps to hold clothes in place. The downsides are that the mono-handle does not feel as sturdy as those cases with two upright shafts, and I didn’t find it easy to balance my extra bag on it. JG
Contact www.victorinox-bags.com
TUMI
Lightweight Slim International Carry-On
“That’s a nice bag,” someone said as I walked through departures, and Tumi’s lighter option is certainly an attractive piece of kit. Tumi president and chief executive Jerome Griffith says, “Aesthetically, our products are classic, timeless designs that complement an individual’s wardrobe and style rather than overpower it,” and that is reflected in the understated looks and clean lines of this bag.
Made from ballistic nylon, it has in-line skate wheels and an aluminium and rubber handle that adjusts to two lengths and zips away neatly. There is a large compartment on the outside that could hold a laptop if it was in a sleeve, along with a section for documents. A further compartment in the lid is good for underwear, and there are two smaller zip sections in the body of the bag. It glides along smoothly and can comfortably hold enough for a two- to three-night stay – my only quibble was that I found the nylon marked quite easily. MM
Contact www.tumi.com
KNOMO
Serra Trolley
Once again, Knomo’s stylish design goes hand in hand with the practical. The Serra looks great (I tested the red bag but it also comes in black) – a nylon quilted waterproof case with patent crimson leather detail – and it turned a few heads as I strolled along. The bag is compact and lightweight, so is easy to pull around – it glides silently behind you and you can gracefully nip between people who are coming your way.
The Serra Trolley does not open out fully, which some people might not like, but for an overnight trip (or two nights if you pack well), it is perfect. There’s a main compartment with organiser pockets as well as a front zipped pouch. Inside it is quilted in pink and has a sturdy padded section for a 15-inch laptop.
The retractable brushed aluminium T-bar handle is wrapped with padded leather and feels solid. There is a magnetic clasp on the grips so you can connect them when pulling the bag along. Knomo bags also have a unique ID code, which after you register it, will help identify your bag
if you lose it and someone honest finds it and lets the company know. FC
Contact www.knomobags.com
Delsey
X-pert Lite
This cabin luggage will be the favourite of those who love to shop and are always running out of space in their luggage. Its newly patented break-in retarding “Secure Tech” zip, which looks like a double zip, is not only difficult to temper with but is also strong and will not pop open under pressure. The bag also has an expandable function.
The design is more practical than fashionable but it is very sturdy and feels comfortable to use. It is made of resilient glass fibre and the TEFLON and polyester surface makes it stain resistant and waterproof. The two-wheeled cabin baggage rolls smoothly with corner mounted wheels.
There are two spacious compartments. The front compartment can fit a laptop and paper documents, its padded top guarding the computer well. The inner compartment has two zipped pockets and polypropylene elastic straps to keep clothes in place.
The handle is nicely padded, making it easier to carry the bag. The extendable handle, which can be adjusted to two different lengths, nests within the top of the bag in such a way that it will not break easily. The cabin baggage comes in grey, blue and brown. SS
Contact www.delsey.com
TOP 10 PACKING TIPS
1. Make a list of what you need and keep it for future trips so you can tick things off easily.
2. Plan your outfits – don’t take spares – and choose crease-free clothing wherever possible.
3. Pack the corners – the middle takes care of itself.
4. Rolling up clothes makes it easier to fit things in, but if you are worried about creasing, fold things neatly and place them in flat.
5. Place deodorant and bulky items in your shoes to save space. Make use of hotel toiletries rather than packing large bottles.
6. Pack an extra bag to carry home papers and mementoes.
7. Don’t lock your checked bags except with TSA-approved locks. That way, if your bag is selected for random screening, agents will not have to break the lock to get inside.
8. Buy a wheeled suit bag – you can simply hang your suits and shirts inside and then take them out at your destination. They are pricier and have to be placed in the hold, but save a lot of time on folding and pressing. Alternatively, invest in a suit carrier to place inside your luggage, such as Contura’s (visit www.timothytravelgoods.com).
9. Let the professionals pack for you. In London, Blossom and Browne’s Sycamore (www.blossomandbrowne.com) offers a “jet-set travel service”. Hand over the bag of clothes you want to take, and they will return it with its contents laundered, ironed and properly packed. Or try upmarket concierge service Practical Princess (www.practicalprincess.com).
10. Use packing cubes (see panel, next page) to separate items. “They create an organised and efficient space,” says Jerome Griffith, president and CEO of Tumi. Visit www.tumi.com to view Griffith’s video The Business of Packing.
ACCESSORIES
Give your bag the finishing touch with one of Tumi’s smart leather luggage tags. Priced at US$36, they hold a business card or other form of ID and you can have them embossed with your initials for free at the company’s London Piccadilly store. And as they come in eight different colours, including topaz, carnelian, green, red and yellow, you’ll have no trouble spotting your bag. Visit www.tumi.com
Keep everything in its place with Travel Wardrobe Care’s packing products. The range fits inside your suitcase and is designed to keep your clothes organised and crumple-free. It includes a set of three packing cubes for underwear and accessories, a large cube for bulkier items and a folding pack for business clothes. The pieces are made of soft grey nylon and are lined in satin with a mesh top for easy visibility. There’s also a wet bag for swimsuits. Prices from US$7. Visit www.travelwardrobecare.co.uk
Slip one of World Connect’s range of Swiss-designed travel adapters in your bag to stay plugged in on the road. The Skross World Travel Adapter Three (US$48) is suitable for most two-pole, three-pole and grounded plugs of protection classes one and two, allowing you to connect in more than 150 countries. The Skross World Travel Adapter Two and USB charger (US$49) enables you to power up two devices at a time. Visit www.swisstravelproducts.com
Aspinal of London’s Classic men’s wash bag (US$129) is a stylish way to store your grooming products. Coming in black, cognac or tan, it is handmade in English bridle leather with contrast saddle stitching and lined in wipeable silk. Visit www.aspinaloflondon.com
REVIEWERS
FC – Felicity Cousins
JG – Julian Gregory
MM – Michelle Mannion
RA – Rania Apthorpe
SS – Sara Spaeth
ST – Sara Turner
