Wheels, cool accessories put a new spin on suitcases
Life’s on a roll, thanks to innovative new wheeled bags. The following products have been tested by the author and may be available in area stores. Prices do not include shipping.
Wheels away
McKlein R Series bags: Wheels are helpful for lugging heavy loads, but they can make bags heavier and awkward to maneuver in crowded spaces or bad weather. McKlein has an ingenious solution: business cases and backpacks with detachable shells that contain the wheels and retractable pull handles. Use the bag with the wheels when needed; otherwise retract the handle into the shell, unzip the bag from the shell and carry the bag by its handles, shoulder strap or backpack straps. What to do with the shell? Carry it separately in the included nylon cover or put it in a checked bag for use at your destination. Bags are available in leather or ballistic nylon.
McKlein R Series bags with removable wheel/handle shell start at $150. To find a store, contact McKlein, (877) 625-5346, www.mckleinusa.com.
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Desk to go
AJ Prindle mobile desk: Waiting time can be more productive with this carry-on-size wheeled bag that has a fold-out plastic desk. The desk pops open from the back of the 22-inch-high bag, with the upright bag functioning as one set of legs and collapsible legs attached to the desk anchoring the other side. The desktop holds up to 55 pounds -- from computers and files to the kids’ toys and coloring books. Measuring 22 by 14 by 9 inches, the expandable polyester bag has a telescoping handle, zippered padded laptop compartment, a roomy interior and zippered outside compartments for files, cell phone, tickets and keys.
Mobile Desk with laptop compartment (10061) is $159.95; without laptop compartment (10291) $139.95, from AJ Prindle, (866) 774-8278, www.ajprindle.com.
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Ladies’ choice
Travelon Overnight Insider: This wheeled duffel includes a cosmetics organizer and a cleverly compact configuration. Measuring 17 by 10 by
11 inches, the duffel has an easily accessible U-shaped opening when unzipped. On the inside of the flap is a zip-off cosmetics organizer with a spacious zip compartment and large plastic pouches to hold full-size personal care products. The organizer has a nylon mesh tab for hanging on a bathroom hook. There’s also a separate jewelry roll with three zippered pockets. Two zippered outside pockets are for books, tickets and a water bottle. The duffel can be wheeled using the retractable handle, carried vertically or horizontally by the built-in handles or carried as a shoulder bag using the padded detachable shoulder strap.
Overnight Insider in ballistic nylon is about $130. To find a store, call Travelon, (800) 537-5544.
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Straight and narrow
Samsonite Silhouette 8 SideRoller: It makes sense that luggage manufacturer Samsonite would find a way to make a wheeled bag steady enough to handle while you’re rushing through airports or navigating narrow aisles. The new Silhouette 8 SideRoller can be wheeled the usual wide-side way with two in-line skate wheels. When faced with narrow spaces, flip it on its side and additional wheels turn it into a svelte 10-inch-wide side-rolling wonder. (The telescoping handle works well either way.) The bag has a built-in combination lock, see-through mesh inside divider, removable suit bag and three zippered outside pockets. At 23 by 15 by 10 inches, it should pass as a carry-on on most large planes but may need to be checked on aircraft with smaller overhead compartments.
Silhouette 8 SideRoller in black or steel blue ballistic nylon is about $190. To find a store, contact Samsonite, (800) 262-8282, www.samsonite.com.
Shop, don’t drop
Traveler’s Choice Newport Rolling Shopper: This sturdy polyester tote on wheels is great for carrying purchases through city streets or country markets. Padded shoulder straps make hefting the bag upstairs easier, and an outside zip pocket is handy for stashing maps, city guides and tickets. The retractable pull handle zips under cover when not in use, and the bag folds flat enough to pack in a large duffel when not needed. Double zippers make for secure locking. The bag is tough enough to ship as checked luggage, and it meets most carry-on limits at 22 by 15 by 9 inches stuffed.
Newport Rolling Shopper (RT-0100) in navy, black or red is about $30. To find a store, contact Traveler’s Choice, (626) 961-9096.
