TrustyPony » Luggage & Bags

Lady Lindy Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bag by Bobarra

Berit Thorkelson — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:04:37 +0000

Familiar with checkpoint-friendly laptop bags? They’re bags designed in a way that allows them go through airport security while your laptop remains inside—no more removing the computer and placing it in a separate bin. We can all appreciate reduced airport hassle, right? Options for this style of bag started out pretty business-oriented, and then along came this pretty thing. Pretty, but hard-working, with built-in helpers including interior pockets, key holder and an attached clear quart-sized bag for your similarly checkpoint-friendly mini toiletries.

Lapsac good-looking ladies’ laptop bag by Nanda Home

Berit Thorkelson — Mon, 11 May 2009 15:58:29 +0000

Why oh why must laptop bags be black and businessey? This is one welcome exception, coming in four different color-design combos, none of them black. It also happens to be machine washable, reasonably priced and outfitted with a waterproof nylon interior with smart zippers and slots. You’re welcome.

Earth Day Giveaway! Upcycled Drink Pouch Tote by Terracycle CLOSED

Berit Thorkelson — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 12:04:09 +0000

Schools and non-profits get two cents for each juice pouch they turn over to Terracycle, which scours, sorts, then double-stitches them into bags. Last year alone, 42 million pouches were saved from the landfill and made into funky, durable bags like these—great for overnights, camping supplies, beach necessities and more.

Incidentally, the story of the young “eco-capitalists” behind Terracycle is fascinating enough to warrant its own TV show, Garbage Moguls, which debuts on Earth Day (Wednesday) evening on the National Geographic Channel. The company was founded by a Princeton student so taken by a friend’s worm box that he quit school to make all-natural, all-organic worm-poop plant food packaged in used soda bottles. Products created from and packaged in waste are Terracycle’s thing, and their ever-expanding product line now includes kites made from cookie wrappers and the juice pouch tote above.

And hey—good news! You can win that earth- and travel-friendly Drink Pouch Tote by leaving a comment on this post before 9 PM CST this Tuesday, April 21st. Anonymous comments and those without a valid email address will be disqualified. The winner will be chosen at random and announced on Earth Day, April 22nd. If I don’t hear from the winner within 5 days, a new one will be chosen. Please enter/comment only once per giveaway. Good luck!

World’s Lightest Luggage: Sub-0-G 23-inch Carry-on by Landor & Hawa

Berit Thorkelson — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 12:12:11 +0000

So check this out: Crazy-light luggage—as in 5 pounds for this carry-on size—just now hitting the market. At the Travel Goods Show, I picked it up with just my one pointer finger, no problem. It’s made of mountain-tenting fabric covering a fishing-rod-style fiberglass frame. As is the necessary deal with ultra-lightweight (and therefore stripped-down) luggage, the interior’s very basic, though there are built-in shoe pockets. Pretty inexpensive, too.

Chica Rosa Pull-Tab Mini Clutch by Escama Studio

Berit Thorkelson — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 12:19:34 +0000

My latest gear roundup, Born-Again Bags, is in the current issue of Frommer’s Budget Travel. It was tons o’ fun to track down the latest in green carryons, but one of my very favorites got cut at the last minute. So, here it is, this great little clutch made out of pop-tops crocheted together in all sorts of colors (bamboo shown here). I use mine as a purse organizer that makes my business cards, pen and lipsticks easy to find and to transfer from bag to bag. I love that I can just remove it from the bag, as I did recently before hitting the town in Vegas, and bam! It’s a fancy stand-alone clutch. All designs are more refined versions of what’s apparently a common souvenir in Brazil, where the owner took inspiration while on vacation. All Escama bags are made in Brazilian women’s cooperatives—you can see the ladies’ profiles and send the maker of your specific bag a thank-you email via Escama’s website. You’ll likely feel inspired to thank. I get compliments on mine all the time.

Interdepartmental Mail Laptop Sleeve by Kena Kai

Berit Thorkelson — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 19:56:40 +0000

Apologies for my extended absence, folks. I’m back! And I give you, direct from the 2009 Travel Goods Show, my new crush, this lovely white-leather laptop sleeve—sleek, but with a sense of humor. Fun to schlep around; fun to close. I heart it so much that I’ve developed a use for it beyond travel, one that plays into my ongoing quest to integrate both more organization and more relaxation into my daily life. My new goal: End the day by turning the laptop off and placing it, on my empty desktop, in this beauty. A laptop sleeve that inspires me to be a better person? Now that’s true love.

I’ll be back with more on Monday. Promise.

19-inch Jelly Bean Trolley by Hideo Wakamatsu

Berit Thorkelson — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:36:21 +0000

Yum—new compact candy-colored hard-sided luggage from my number one favorite luggage designer. The perks on this one include a built-in TSA-friendly lock, four 360-degree-swivel wheels and a clam-shell interior, half of which can be zipped off with a mesh panel. I love my similarly wee Hideo. It’s perfectly long-weekend-sized.

Bonus: Type in the coupon code “trustypony” upon checkout at Flight001 and get 15% off the Jelly Bean.

Covert Carryon 2-in-1 suitcase

Berit Thorkelson — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:49:25 +0000

The idea behind this new piece of luggage: Roll through the airport with your one allowable suitcase, then zip the duffel off on the plane to store, within easy reach, under the seat in front of you. The leather-meets-canvas design nicely differentiates it from your standard black bag.

Underseater Carry-On Bag by Travelon

Berit Thorkelson — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 13:16:00 +0000

Not only did you manage to go carry-on only, everything fits under the seat in front of you. No harried wresting of anything out of the overhead bin upon debarkation for you. Pow! Pimped out with features including a matching easy-pack tote and a zip-out exterior water-bottle holder.

Obama silhouette illustration bag by HappyFamily

Berit Thorkelson — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:43:17 +0000

Happy Inauguration Day!

Let the world know that you, too, are ready for change.