Give Your Luggage an Upgrade

Posted on February 18, 2012 in Accessories, Tips, Travel.

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Next on the stylistic upgrade list, is choosing your luggage. Don’t scoff. I know it seems like this is totally insignificant, but it doesn’t take that much effort to turn something every other guy ignores into a chance for somebody (hopefully hot) to say “look at that guy.” And sometimes that’s all we need to close.

First, decide what you need it for and how many pieces you want to purchase. If you mostly take weekend trips, just grab a cool carry-on bag and be done with it. It’s inexpensive and easy.

To be completely covered, you’ll need something to check-in and carry-on. These don’t have to match. In fact, I prefer it if they don’t. This is one of those situations where you don’t want to show how much effort/thought you put into the decision. Yes, putting effort into not looking like you put effort is sort of dumb. But, it gets results.

So, here’s how to ditch that black roller bag.

Weekend Bag
For a carry-on, I’d go with a duffle-style bag. I really dislike rolling bags as carry-ons. There’s just no style in the look. And if you’re going on a weekend trip you really shouldn’t be packing too heavy.

Typically, you want to go with a durable fabric option like leather or canvas, because it will age well. I tend to stray away from ballistic nylon, even though it’s super durable. It just doesn’t look as good.

Fossil actually has some cool looking bags. This leather bag from them has an amazing price for genuine leather and it’s got an absolute classic style that you can’t go wrong with. Go with brown as the patina and wear from traveling will impart some great character.

This is my weekend bag that I use extensively. It’s perfect. It has a nice masculine style yet is really easy and comfortable to carry around.

It doesn’t get manlier than this. Hell, the canvas is called “Fire Hose canvas.”

Checked Luggage
For a large check-in bag, I prefer ones with a harder outer shell. They protect your things from just about any punishment the airports dish out. I also find that a large one is perfect for keeping my sportcoats/suit jacket wrinkle-free.

Just make sure you get one with four spinning wheels and heavy duty clasps or zippers (these usually are the first things to go). I lugged one around Italy one summer that only had 2 inline wheels and hated myself about 1 minute into my trip.

Here’s one from Muji that I really like. Great price with a perfect simplistic design.

This Samsonite is a solid no-nonsense option with a pleasant price.

Tumi is on the high-end side but their luggage is virtually indestructible.

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