Anywhere Everywhere - A Guide to Travel by Alex Beauchamp

the world is always new with so much to say

Luggage I couldn't travel without

When I first began my travels at 18, I did so with two very old, huge suitcases that were literally falling apart and had an old, small leather handle. Being in the petite side, trying to navigate turnstiles at the tube, running to catch trains, and checking in at the airport with such big, unmanageable cases was a nightmare.

It took me years of trying different types of luggage from backpacks to weekenders to suitcases to find the perfect set. Now, I literally couldn't imagine leaving home without them.

The first peice of luggage I love and recommend to everyone is the Victorinox Mobilizer NXT 4.0 22" Expandable Wheeled Upright Suiter ($399). For the past 3 years, this has been my carry on bag on over 300 trips. It has never let me down and still looks brand new despite all the banging it might incur.

Why I love this is because it meets carry on requirements (22" x 14" x 9.5")which means that I can get a couple weeks' worth of things inside and still be allowed to take it on the plane. This is a lfie saver to me.

The 80mm inline skate wheels and 3" aircraft-grade aluminum, comfort grip handle (which locks in various heights to accommodate the small to the tall) on this are top notch. I tried several different handles/wheel combinations but this was the most comfortable and sturdy. It handles rough terrain without flinching, never falls over even with other bags stacked (and it does have the Interlok Attach-a-Bag system which easily stores and secures an additional bag on the front). The front pocket is the perfect size for my 15" laptop and protective sleeve. Made with ballistic nylon and self-healing zippers, the construction is top-notch and relatively light. And the fact that it can expand an additional 2.5" (or 30% more space) is brilliant (although when extended, it doesn't fit carry-on requirements).

For some, this might seem on the pricier side but once you buy this, you will never have to buy another suitcase because the construction will literally last a lifetime. If it doesn't? Don't worry, there's a lifetime guarantee.

I picked up an additional bag because I was taking a two month trip and needed more space but didn't just want to expand the rolling bag and put it under the plane. I always like to have a large carry-on so that I never have to worry of losing things I couldn't do without (clothes, toiletries, camera/computer gear). So I needed a second bag that would be easy for me to carry along side my rolling bag but also stand up to the wear and tare of being put under the plane (or in a crunch, be a great carry on bag, too). Since I already owned a great wheeling bag, I didn't want another as pulling two wheelers can often be tricky. I needed something with straps, something sturdy, something with space yet not as large as my wheeler.

I looked at a lot of different brands and was actually leaning towards something on the more fashionable, fun side such as Orla Kiely's great weekenders. Those bags would be great for once in awhile travel or as a dedicated carry-on for smaller trips. But I needed something that could withstand a lot of travel, hold at least a week's worth of close and could be a carry on or checked.

Since Orla Kiely and Victorinox were in the same price point I decided to purchase the Victorinox Mobilizer NXT 3.0 Standard Issue 2-Zip Expandable Overnighter ($199) because of all the features and the proven quality. The Overnighter has 3 different ways thanks to a removable, padded shoulder strap, dual haul handles with a unifying leather handle wrap and zip-away padded backpack straps. This feature allows me to easily carry the bag or attach it to my rolling bag which is perfect since there's nothing worse than trying to juggle luggage whilst running for a flight!

What I also liked about this bag was that it also was expandable by 2.5" in case I picked up things on the trip (which always happens!). It also had a suiter which I love (the roller also has this but it's nice to have it in a second bag, too) that stays in its own compartment. It has several other compartments including a felt-line sunglass pocket and key pocket - perfect for carry on! Overall, the weekender is roomy enough to carry a weeks worth of clothes but small enough to not be cumbersome if I just needed something for the weekend.

And I can't help but love the fact that they both match and I have a go to "travel set" which just makes trip preparing and packing that much easier.

Because I work on the go, having a great laptop bag is important. If I'm travelling with my roller bag, I simply use a sleeve (Victorinox, BuiltNY or MetroLite II Steel Blue laptop case) to protect the computer and then put this inside my roller bag outside pocket. For day trips or business meetings, the Brenthaven ProLite II Case for 15-inch MacBook Pro more than suits my needs.

Most computer bags lack organizational pockets, places for all the chords, space, comfort and durability. This has all of that at an affordable price. The girl in me wanted a more feminine, "pretty" bag but found that most of them weren't easy to carry when loaded up with gear nor were they durable enough for travel. Brenthaven's ergonomic handles and padded removable shoulder strap are comfortable even when the bag is fully loaded with everything I need and then some! It also has a special strap which allows me to attach it easily and securely to my rolling bag - another bonus point. Combine that with a lifetime guarantee and I feel like my purchases (computer and luggage) are protected.

These are definitely investment pieces. It might be tempting to buy a cheap suitcase but you end up paying a different kind of price either with a sore shoulder, back, wrinkled clothes, destroyed luggage or lack of room/organization. If price is a concern, buy online and look for online discount coupon codes. I bought both pieces from eBags (since they had a promo for free shipping + 15% off + free returns if I didn't like the bags) and found discount codes by doing a Google search for "eBags coupon." You can try this with other etailer's, too.

If you have an old, ratty suitcase that makes travel hard or a backpack that isn't so great for your back, consider upgrading your luggage. Make sure you read a lot of reviews, think a lot about how you travel and find one that suits your style and needs perfectly. Only buy once is my motto as is travel happy!