Air Passengers Start Wearing Their Luggage

Scottevest SeV Chloe Hoodie

MSNBC: In an effort to avoid checked baggage fees, many passengers now try to pack everything they’ll need for a trip into carry-on bags that can fit into an airplane's overhead bins.

For now, most domestic airlines don’t charge for carry-on bags or for coats, purses and other small personal items. But few travelers would be surprised if more airlines began following the lead of Spirit, Ryanair and some other budget airlines, which do charge fees for carry-ons.

It may already be — unofficially — happening. In what George Hobica, founder of travel website Airfarewatchdog.com, terms a “relatively new trend,” some airlines are getting aggressive about weighing carry-on bags.

“Hawaiian has a 25-pound weight limit and actually weighs bags at the gate, snatching away bags that weigh more and charging a checked bag fee,” said Hobica. “EVA Airways has a 15-pound limit, and several other airlines have limits as well. It's touted as a safety precaution, of course, but it's also a sneaky way of extracting fees for carry-ons.”

For passengers not willing to take a chance at getting dinged with a last-minute charge, there’s another option: wearing your luggage.

At the San Francisco-based chain of Edwards Luggage stores, co-owner Randy MacKenzie said the line of iPad-compatible vests, hoodies, jackets and trench coats from SCOTTEVEST, each with between 20 and 30 built-in pockets and compartments, is a big hit in the “luggage you can wear” category.

"We started selling the SCOTTEVEST two years ago and we've sold hundreds. The product continues to resonate with travelers as it becomes more and more challenging to get through airport security and important to utilize valuable packing space."

For parents trying to carry both a baby and a bulging diaper bag, the convertible Go-Go Babyz “Sidekick” is a diaper bag that doubles as a wearable baby carrier.

And then there’s the Jaktogo, a carry-on bag that can be worn as a coat. (Other versions include the Dresstogo and the Ponchotogo.)

Invented by John Power, an Irish-born engineer who was determined to find a way around carry-on limits imposed by the budget carriers he frequents in Europe, the Jaktogo has 14 various-sized pockets designed to hold more than 30 pounds of clothing, gadgets and gear.

“It’s certainly not a fashionable item you’d wear around town,” said Power. “And we won’t be showing it off in Paris or Milan. It’s ‘boarding-gate’ clothing that’s all about practicality and thriftiness.”

Suitcases That Power Your Gadgets

Eco-Traveler Briefcase

MSNBC: There’s power packing — filling your suitcase with exactly what you need — and then there’s packing power.
 

If your gadgets run out of juice when you’re on the road, you might be a candidate for powered luggage that not only transports your devices but charges them while you’re traveling.

“Powered bags are a current travel trend,” said Michele Marini Pittenger, president of the nonprofit Travel Goods Association. “And as our wired society becomes more aware of the availability of powered bags, I believe the demand will grow."

Some companies, such as Voltaic Systems and Eco Traveler, offer solar-powered bags, backpacks and briefcases that produce and store power to run phones, cameras, laptops and tablets. These are popular with hikers, bikers, cyclists and eco-travelers who want to operate electronics off the grid.

But many business and leisure travelers — and their gadgets — spend most of their time indoors and out of the sun, in museums, meetings and airports or on planes, trains and in cars.

Those travelers are the target audience for a new collection of powered bag called, appropriately enough, Powerbag.

"While on the road, it's easy to leave charging cords at home or at a hotel. And you might struggle to find an outlet at the airport before take-off," said Ron Ferber, President of RFA Brands, creators of Powerbag.

The Powerbag line of backpacks, cross-body messenger bags, tablet bags, slings and wheeled travel bags each have a built-in charging system that can charge up to four mobile devices at once. The bag can be turned on and off and, when plugged into the wall to recharge its own onboard battery, is smart enough to know you’d like your connected devices charged first.

Of course, if you know you can charge all your gadgets on the go, you may be tempted to bring along a few extras. And that may weigh your luggage down.

For those situations, a powered bag from Live Luggage may come in handy. Created by Clive Hemsley in Great Britain and only available online in the United States, the hard-shell suitcase doesn’t power your gadgets but instead has power-assisted wheels that automatically kick in when they sense a curb, an incline or a set of steps.

“It’s really only for the serious traveler,” said Hemsley. “The reason we developed it was because carrying luggage up hills is seriously bad for your health.”

'Amazing Race' Host Hawking Travel Gear

Jaunted: Do you know how to tell when a celebrity's career is slowly going down the drain? When they develop of clothing line or a perfume. That's a big warning sign. Licensing your name is also worse (ah hem Donald Trump mattresses), so when we heard that Amazing Race's host Phil Keoghan is hawking his own luggage line, we got scared for him and, as it turns out, rightly so because he's about to start selling it on the Home Shopping Network (HSN).

The collection is called "Phil Keoghan NOW" and Phil will apparently be sharing his “tips and tricks” on HSN on November 11th at 2 AM, 1 PM and 8 PM EST and November 12th at 9 AM and 6 PM EST. Both the 20" spinner luggage and the packing system are $129.95 each, while his packing system is $79.95. We'd hope, however, that any serious travelers out on the road as often as Phil (or even not nearly as often) would have already found a sturdy, stylish case right for them. Hey, even Target has some nice stuff in its travel aisles these days Victorinox, for example).

If you're curious or just a hardcore Amazing Race fan, here's a quote straight from Phil on why he's now making baggage:

NOW stands for ‘No Opportunity Wasted’ which is my personal philosophy for living each day as it was your last. I took my first overseas trip when I was two and I have been traveling around the world ever since. After millions of miles on the road and visiting more than 100 countries, I have designed and tested a packing system that will ensure you are ready to take on your next big adventure.

Travel Gear: Headphones for Kids

The Other View: Hey TOV moms and dads, your friendly neighborhood Valkor has just the thing for you and will change the way you take those long trips with the little ones or even relax at home. The folks at Kidz Gear have just what you need to keep the little ones quiet in the back seat or on the couch; introducing Kidz Gear Wired and Wireless car Headphones for Kids.

First the Wired Headphones, which are just a standard pair of headphones, lightweight with small cushioned earpieces for the comfort of little ears and an adjustable volume control and headstrap.

Next up are the Wireless Car headphones; the ear cups are bigger than the wired version, with power and volume controls on the right ear, and are capable of being used at home as well as on the road. At home you would have to buy the separate receiver, hook it up to any television and BAM! the youngins can watch their favorite movies or play their favorite games. But the headsets themselves are capable of going wireless on the road if your in-car entertainment system has wireless capabilities.

So after thorough Val-cave testing, inviting the nieces and nephews of the Valkinator to try out the headsets, how did they the headsets fare?

The good:
Not as bad as I thought. First off both headphones proved to be most comfortable to the little one's ears. And surprising they also fit on my big melon with ease and very lightweight. But the Wireless design scored more "love points" because of the bigger ear cups and to the little ones they seemed to think they fit better. Sound quality wasn't too crazy, actually a bit too soft for my ears but for the brats… oops I mean kiddies, well they enjoyed the quality. The wireless set worked great and wasn't too glitch in terms of steady sound. Setting it up was quite simple and overall sound quality was much of the same as the wired. And that's a plus because I don't think most parents want their kids thumpin heavy bass in their little ears.

The Bad:
Since these are headphones made for little ones, there isn't much to be critical about them as I would an adult pair. Kidz Gear set out to make a pair of headphones that's suitable for the little ones and they've succeeded in that respect.

The Ugly:
Rugrats in the Val-Cave wanting to watch South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut and the beating I received for letting them watch the first ten minutes. I mean come on they watch the show on television, how was I supposed to know? Hehehehe.

Overall Kidz Gear has a couple of winners in my book with the Wired and Wireless headphones for Kids. They look great, feel great, and quite honestly the kids love em. To you adult TOVers out there I say give your kids the best for their ears and pick up one or both pair of headsets for different situations such as Home, on the road, or air travel; the kids will enjoy the fun of enjoying their favorite movies and music, and you'll enjoy the peace and quiet. Out of TOV 5 stars, I give Kidz Gears Wired and Wireless headphones 5 star perfect and it's been Valkor and mini-valkorites tested and TOV approved!

Valkor out!

Travel Gear: Go Gear Travel Tubes

Drug Store News: Cool Gear has introduced new liquid travel containers that are ideal for air travel.

Go Gear travel tubes are made of squeezable BPA-free silicone material and feature easy-to-fill wide-mouth bottle openings for simple liquid transferring and dispensing, Cool Gear said. Go Gear products are available in 1.25-oz., 2-oz. and 3-oz. sizes, meeting airline-approved guidelines for the size of carry-on liquids. Additionally, Go Gear products come with write-on sticker labels to help users identify contents, and are available in turquoise, green and magenta.

Go Gear now is available nationwide at Walmart and also will be available at CVS/pharmacy. Prices range from $2.97 for individual tubes to $8 to $10 for assorted 3-packs.

Travel Gear: LifeStraw Portable Water Filter

Gadling: As a gear reviewer, I see a lot of different travel and outdoor products come across my desk. Some are unique and useful, others are shameless derivatives of products that have come before them. I've seen a few pieces of gear that are truly ingenious, but many more that are just down right whacky. It isn't often that you get a new product and immediately realize that it has the potential to change the world. That is exactly what we have in the LifeStraw, a water purification system that is inexpensive, simple to use, and highly effective against preventing the contraction of waterborne diseases.

One of the biggest threats to the health of people living in developing countries across the globe is a lack of clean water. In fact, according to water.org, nearly one billion people on our planet do not have access to clean drinking water. The LifeStraw was developed as a direct response to this growing crisis and is meant to be a cheap, yet effective, way to prevent the spread of disease in countries where waterborne illness is prevalent. The filter has already been put to good use in a number of developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

The LifeStraw is simplicity at its finest. It really is just a straw, albeit one with a sophisticated filter built-in. That filter makes all the difference however, effectively removing 99.9999% of all waterborne bacteria including E coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella and Salmonella. It also blocks 99.9% of waterborne parasites as well, including Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium Parvum. That makes it a handy item to have in your pack when you're traveling through regions where clean water is a commodity.

Like any other straw, you simply dip the LifeStraw into a water source, including straight into a river or pond, and sip the liquid through it. The filter system takes care of all the nasty stuff and will even filter out particulates from the water, although too much dirt and silt can cause the straw to get blocked. When that happens, you simply blow air back through the system to clean out the filter and then continue using it as normal.

Backpackers and adventure travelers will find the LifeStraw to be an excellent emergency water purifier, although it isn't likely to replace purification systems such as those from SteriPen, which allow you to clean liters of water to use in bottles or hydration packs. The nature of the straw means that it isn't the most efficient way to get a drink while on the move, although it is a great, cost effective option for those whom that isn't a concern. The LifeStraw weighs just 2 ounces, is very sturdy, and costs $19.95, which makes it a great back-up option for those "just in case" scenarios.

At the beginning of this story I mentioned that the LifeStraw is a product that could potentially change the world, and while it has its benefits for travelers, I was speaking more so of what it can do for the developing world. The device is able to filter more than 260 gallons of water over its lifespan and because they are so relatively inexpensive, they can be easily distributed throughout the third world. In those places, it has the chance to improve the health of the people that live there in a dramatic way, potentially extending their lives and preventing the spread of disease. The developers of LifeStraw are so convinced of its potential in those environments, that it has an option to donate the product for use in developing nations.

The LifeStraw has been around since 2005 but is just now becoming available to purchase in the United States and Canada. For anyone traveling to destinations where the quality of the water is questionable, it is an extremely useful piece of kit to have in your pack.

DVDO's Mobile HD Travel Kit

Slash Gear: If you travel a lot and need a portable charger that you can take with you to keep your gear juiced up and you also like to stream media from your phone to a larger screen, check this out. A company called DVDO has a new product that has debuted that is an all-in-one MHL-HDMI adapter and multi-charger for gadgets. The adapter has wired HD connectivity with a HDMI output.

The device is designed to eliminate the tangle of cables that often goes with working on the road. The device will send a HD signal out to a TV, projector, or computer screen and allows the TV or projector remote to control a MHL-enabled smartphone or tablet for hands free operation. The TV or projector connected to the device has to support HDMI CEC for the remote control function to work.

The DVDO Mobile has an integrated 20-inch USB-A connector and an 8-inch micro USB connector as well. The HDMI cable is 36-inches long and the adapter can connect to computers as well to allow data transfer between the connected devices and a computer. That means you can charge, sync, and shoot video out to other devices with one gadget. Pricing is unknown at this time.

Lamborghini Bags & Luggage Made From Carbon Fiber

Auto Guide: Lamborghini is always on the cutting edge of what’s new and exciting. So it isn’t a big surprise that the company has taken its accessories line in a new direction. Its new line of bags and luggage is made from carbon fiber – the same material used to make planes, cars and boats.

In Lamborgini’s new collection, there are three different styles to choose from – Travel, Messenger, and Envelope. Each style features hand-stitched leather with palladium-finish galvanized brass accessories, hand-mounted studs, and cotton lining. They boast diagonal graphite reflections that are highlighted by the carbon fiber.

“The uniqueness of these products is not by chance, each one has been carefully studied and is one-of-a-kind, entirely made by hand by craftsmen who carry out each phase of the process,” said Stefan Winkelmann, president and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini.

The Carbon Envelope bag retails for €850, which comes out to around $1,230US, while the Carbon Messenger bag sells for €1,050 (around $1,720) and the Carbon Travel bag costs €1,450 ( about $2,100).

The Definitive iPhone/iPad/Computer Travel Charger?

Gizmodo: This is the new Energizer iSurge Travel Charging Station. It has a built-in 30-pin iPhone/iPod dock connector, 2.1 Amp USB port for fast charging of iPads and other USB devices, three surge-protected AC outlets and an integrated nightlight.

And on top of that, the plug rotates 180 degrees. Sadly, the plug doesn't seem to support other international socket standards, so you will still have to carry an adapter if you travel out of the United States. If it supported multiple countries, it would have been absolutely perfect.

$60 in October.

Travel Gear: Sandless Beach Mat

Daily Mail: It's the most unwanted souvenir you may take home from a trip to the beach - the sand. But for those fed up of finding sand in their sandwiches - and in more uncomfortable places - help is at hand thanks to a hi-tech beach mat.

The mat - the design of which was originally developed for military use. It is made from a state-of-the-art material that filters out grains of sand. It was first created for the Armed Forces to keep off the dust when helicopters land and take off.

Now the £40 ($64) invention is available to buy online to ensure beach-goers no longer have to suffer grit in all the wrong places.

The 'Sandless Beach Mat', measuring 36 square inches, is made from two layers of 'patented woven polyurethane' that filter sand to the beach as soon as it falls onto its surface.

The material, which is available in orange and blue, acts as a one-way filter so grains stay underneath the fabric. The mat also eliminates dirt, dust, and water, ensuring an always-clean surface. Each corner has a metal ring so it can be grounded with a stake and it's small enough to fold into a travel bag.

Trish Hammond, a spokesman for U.S. online shop Hammacher Schlemmer, where the product is available, said: 'The rip-stop polyurethane construction resists splits and tears. The bound edges will remain flat and the mat won't absorb moisture, preventing mould and mildew.'

Smartfish Offers "Mouse Pouch"

CNET: Not everybody has fingers glued to a touch screen these days. Some folks still like to travel with a portable mouse for a satisfyingly retro computing experience. Mouse lovers are often faced with the challenge of finding an appropriate mousing surface when on the go. Knees and gunky coffeehouse tables don't offer an optimum experience, and it's times like those when you want your own mouse pad with you.

The Smartfish Mouse Pad Travel Pouch is an overachiever. It pulls double duty as a mouse pad and a zip-up storage compartment. The 9-inch padded neoprene surface is easy on your mouse while it's in use and protects small gadgets and accessories in its spare time. It looks a lot like a taco when it's closed, except that this taco can be packed with a scrumptious filling of electronics.

A small snap handle opens up to attach it to your briefcase, or you can just shove it in with the rest of the gear in your laptop bag. 

The Mouse Pad Travel Pouch will cost you $14.95 and comes in either black or blue.

RackTrap Introduces Improved Bra-Pocket

Examiner.com: The Racktrap™, the one-size-fits-all bra pocket – yes, bra pocket – that keeps everyday essentials safe in bras, including money, credit cards, Metro cards, ATM cards – even a key, has been given an upgrade. New Velcro® closures now allow women who travel extra security by holding boarding passes and driver’s licenses in the airport and hotel keys and cash while sightseeing. Even better: The Racktrap™ is designed to fit comfortably in any size or style bra.

“We’ve gotten feedback from women who travel and they have told us that The Racktrap™ is a great way to keep cash, credit cards and room keys safe while they sightsee, go horseback riding, windsurf and participate in activities,” says Jackie Saril, co-creator of the product that has been on the market for just two years. “One woman was mugged in Europe but The Racktrap™ protected her cash and identification.”

Designed by a trio of savvy marketing executives who got tired of choosing between lugging huge pocketbooks around for a night on the town or over-stuffing already full bras, The Racktrap™ allows women the convenience and safety to quickly access cash, credit cards and more without rummaging through a purse. In fact, you can ditch the purse, tuck essentials into The Racktrap™ and be on your hands-free way.

A practical, fun and inexpensive accessory, The Racktrap™ is available in a fashion three-pack of white, nude and black lace ($15.95); special edition gold ($7.95); and water-resistant sport version ($9.95) – with colors to match every bra and use. And . . . there is free shipping on orders within the U.S.

Let Your Luggage Carry You For a Change

Tired of standing in long lines at crowded airports? Walkin'Bag, a division of Swany America Corporation, makes a line of carry-ons and suitcases with built-in, fold-out seats that hold up to 300 pounds. No more sitting on the floor (or your luggage, thereby crushing everything inside.)

Walkin’Bag has been around since 1996 when CEO Etsuo Miyoshi, a polio survivor, took a chance on a developing a bag with "lean-on" capability. Walkin'Bag was invented to meet Mr. Miyoshi's own personal needs, and since then Walkin'Bag has become a visible manufacturer of travel bags worldwide.

So why not buy a Walkin'Bag and take a load off. Click here for their web site.

Flying with a Stroller Just Got Harder

Perry Hall Patch: Air travel with kids is anything but easy, but some airlines are making it even harder—especially for parents with strollers. Most have already imposed luggage restrictions or implemented high fares for bags, which create hardship for parents traveling with children, especially young children who require a lot of gear.

To make matters worse, last week American Airlines announced that strollers can no longer be checked at the gate, unless it is an umbrella stroller or fully collapsible stroller weighing less than 20 pounds.

I find this quite frustrating.

When I travel with my children, ages 4 and 16 months, it’s nice to be able to push them through the airport and have the stroller at our destination, especially if we're running late. And, quite frankly, between early morning flights and exhausting vacations, a stroller is a travel essential for my kids.

Apparently, United Airlines already had this rule in place, and other airlines are expected to follow suit.

So many passengers are carrying on bags to avoid fees that there is little or no room for large or over-sized strollers. At least the airlines are allowing strollers to be checked free of charge, but it still means figuring out how to get your youngsters to gate B32 without your stroller.

So, how will you cope with this new restriction? Personally, I’ll try to fly airlines that still allow gate-checked strollers. But I guess if push comes to shove, I’ll purchase two cheap umbrella strollers that can be gate checked, and either rent a double stroller at my destination or check my own. Of course, it seems absurd to make a parent travel with three strollers—but the rules are the rules.

Say it With Airport Codes

Terminal U: They say you can tell a lot about a person by the places they choose to fly to.

New York-based brand Air Wear is inspiring jet-setters with a favorite destination to show it, with travel gear featuring their city name of choice, its latitude and airport code.

It is like joining an “elite club”, explains Air Wear’s founder, Jason Solarek, whose brand is based around the philosophy “you are where you go”.

Solarek took his inspiration from his earlier years as a newspaper reporter where he would often travel frequently. It was a time, he says, when he wanted to “share his pride” for his hometown in Rochester (NY).

“Airport codes signal that you are in the know. People see the signal you’re sending, nod, and think, ‘so that’s where you’ve been,” he says.

Air Wear products also tap into the idea that there is a story to tell behind every airport experience or destination – whether someone would like a memento of a special holiday spot or a reminder of home.

“For the popular cities, such as LA, the palm tree shirts are cliché. We are offering a new keepsake with high novelty value,” says Solarek.

With airports becoming destinations in their own right (Singapore Changi airport is just one example with a cinema, spas, gardens and museum), it is perhaps no surprise that the mainstream crowd are choosing to make a statement by wearing their favourite airport name on a baseball cap, or slung over their shoulder.

Travel journals, mugs, tote bags, t-shirts and stickers can also be rubber-stamped with any airport code, whether it’s something familiar – Orlando (MCO),  exotic – Galapagpos (GPS) or obscure -Qinhuangdao (SHP), China.

Ckick here for their web site.

Travel Gear: Toothpaste Tablets & Blankid Buddy

USA Today: Don't you hate trying to cram your toiletries into those quart-sized plastic bags?

As a dedicated carry-on traveler, that's what I do on virtually every trip. I often end up leaving out stuff like liquid makeup, and when I go where sunscreen is needed, it's always tough to squeeze in.

So an offbeat product -- Archtek toothpaste tablets -- caught my eye, as it did those of the editors of Travel Goods Showcase at the recent travel goods exhibition in Chicago. It's the official publication of the Travel Goods Association. There were about 90 new products on display, the publication says, about 50% more than last year. What that says to me is that the travel industry is getting healthier, and manufacturers have confidence that folks on the go are ready to buy.

Back to the toothpaste. It's in chewable tablet form and can be used without water. Put tablet in mouth, then brush as usual. It's available on the Archtek website ($3.25 for 60) or at retailers such as REI. The concept of dry toothpaste isn't new: I remember toothpaste powder in a can, favored by my mom,which I once spilled all over a suitcase.

Winner of the travel goods show's "Buzz Award" for best offering in the show's New Products Pavilion was the Blankid Buddy (video below) voted by buyers and media attendees. The animal-shaped travel accessory can be a backpack, blanket or pillow. Choose from Pailou the Panda, Lula the Ladybug or Makemba the Monkey ($29.99 suggested retail price).

Company Says Graffiti Luggage is Hip

The National: If you are a regular business traveller, "graffiti" and "suitcase" are probably two words you do not envision in the same sentence. It is possible that a valet has never uttered the words: "May I carry your graffiti-chic suitcase, sir?"

That is, until now. Tumi, a U. S. manufacturer of luggage, backpacks and bags, recently launched a range of business travel suitcases adorned with colourful graffiti designed by the New York urban artist John "Crash" Matos.

Crash grew up in the South Bronx and began his art career at the tender age of 13, spray-painting subway cars and dilapidated buildings. His art has been described as a "visual link" between street life and the rest of society.

Aside from the irony of having someone called Crash design suitcases for travel by planes, trains and cars, does the business traveller want to turn up to that important meeting looking as if he had a run-in with paint-wielding vandals? Tumi clearly thinks there is a market here. The company's launch of the graffiti suitcases coincided with its support of Art Dubai in March. Crash has designed four suitcase styles, and only 1,000 pieces of each style have been produced, as well as a one-of-a-kind iPhone case.

"The professional business traveller is seeking accessories that will seamlessly combine the ultimate in functionality, quality and design," a spokesman for Tumi said. Whether you are going off on a long holiday, a weekend or a day-trip, the company has the graffiti-adorned case for you. The collection includes a 20-inch international carry-on, a 25-inch medium case and a 29-inch extended-trip case.

They do not come cheap though, with the smallest size packing a punch at Dh2,385 (US $649). Lucky then, that no one is likely to steal it.

Dodging Airline Baggage Fees

Vancouver Sun: Bugged by the airline baggage fees you’re getting hit with because (a) your luggage is overweight or (b) the suitcase won’t fit in the overhead bin or (c) both? Lighten up.

That’s what problem solvers in the travel-goods industry continue to do, from trimming the size and weight of suitcases to stitching up lightweight travel clothing, according to Michele Marini Pittenger, president of the New Jersey-based Travel Goods Association.

"It’s all about dodging airline fees because overweight charges of $100 make lightweight key," Marini Pittenger said, adding that checked-bag fees also are driving innovation in the carry-on business. "People don’t want to pay to check a bag. They also want to keep it with them."

So how does that translate into luggage? "Those very large cases that you used to see at the airport, the big 31- and 33-inch cases? They’re giving way to 24- and 26-inch cases," Marini Pittenger said. "Twenty (inches) is becoming the new normal as aircraft overhead bins become smaller," she said of carry-ons. "So what we’re seeing is a lot of 20-inchers, 21-inchers with 22 being the max."

Not only are suitcases becoming smaller, but designers also are tweaking construction elements by using lighter-weight materials "so it’s easier to hoist over your head and into the overhead," Marini Pittenger said, adding they are rethinking hard-sided suitcases.

"Pretty much the lightest luggage out there right now has a hard shell. They make hard-sided luggage that you can pick up with your pinky finger it’s so light," she explained, citing Antler USA. While at Landor & Hawa "we’re finding hard-sided luggage with gussets and expandability."

The lightening up of the travel-goods industry isn’t limited to luggage, judging by the briefcases, backpacks, wallets, clothing and totes on display among the 40,000 items from 215 exhibitors at the recent Travel Goods Show.

The sometimes rugged-looking, light, easy-care clothing at ExOfficio now includes women’s lace-trimmed undies. Hummingbird’s E-Case line of lightweight, waterproof cases offers electronic gadgets protection while allowing users to touch and talk. And RFA Brands Powerbag line of messenger bags, totes, backpacks and briefcases are outfitted with onboard batteries to eliminate the need to pack separate chargers and cords.

"Anything we can do as an industry to take a traveller’s stress away," Marini Pittenger said, "is a good thing."

Travel Gear: Solar Powered Luggage

Do you frequently travel by motorcycle and have trouble keeping your electronics charged? Motorcycle products company Nelson-Rigg has the answer for you.

The company's Solar Series Luggage is made to help keep your devices charged and working even after long days of riding. The SLR Luggage has a built in solar panel that uses natural sunlight to charge a removable battery pack that can fully charge a cell phone up to 3 times before needing to be recharged itself. It can also charge iPads and other devices.

The SLR Luggage has a 100% waterproof rain cover and includes a lifetime "No Hassle" warranty. It's available as tank bags, tail bags, saddle bags or backpacks.

Click here for the product page.

Travel Gear: Eagle Creek’s Pack-It Complete Organizer

This all-in-one, pack-and-hang solution fits perfectly into a 22" carry-on. It folds into itself for one compact package. The organizer measures 13.5" x 10" x 6" deep when folded, and weighs only 12 ounces empty. MSRP: $40

Features:

- Three interior zippered mesh compartments

- Swivel hook for versatile hanging options

- Zips closed for compact carrying

- Quick-grab handle

- 2-way zippered opening

- Workmanship and materials are guaranteed against
defect or malfunction for the life of the product

Click here for the product web site.