On a recent trip, I found myself delayed at an airport in Baltimore and passed the time studying other people’s luggage. I discovered that many of my fellow travelers were dragging around stuff that looked like it dated back to the Nixon era — wobbly-wheeled carry-ons, battered backpacks and tote bags with broken zippers
Air travel is tough enough these days without weighing yourself down with outdated gear. If you’ve got any old clunkers in your closet, you might want to take a look at new merchandise arriving on the market this spring.
At the 2016 International Travel Goods Show held in Las Vegas earlier this month, manufacturers introduced ultra-lightweight bags with more packing space, integrated RFID-blocking technology, built-in luggage tracking devices and USB ports, and a range of fun items for tiny travelers.
“This year’s show was packed with innovative problem-solvers across the board,” says Michele Marini Pittenger, president of the Travel Goods Association. “And 2016 was definitely the year of smart-luggage 2.0. The products that made a splash as prototypes last year have either hit the market or will be shipped within the coming months, tweaked after a year of testing and traveler feedback.”
Like the Trunkster (trunkster.com) a lightweight carry-on that might be the next best thing to a personal travel assistant. The bag features a zipperless, roll top opening; removable battery with USB charging port; integrated digital scale to insure against overweight bag fees; GPS location tracker; and smartphone app. Available in basic black, the 22-inch Trunkster retails for $355.
Kids on the go got plenty of attention, with offerings like the Scootie, $99, and the Cruizer, $69.99. The 8-pound carry-on Scootie has a fold-out, wheeled scooter for making tracks through the airport, while the Cruizer is a four-wheeled, pullable, ride-on suitcase for smaller children. Scootie is available at target.com Cruizer is available at sears.com.
Some products won awards for more low-tech solutions to everyday travel problems — like the lack of counter space for cosmetics in hotel bathrooms. The ORGO Lite, $39, (everythingorgo.com) is a simple-but-genius travel case with fold-out panels that extend over the edges of a sink, creating a handy space for toiletries.
Travel product companies also offered products to make things more comfortable for those of us shoehorned into economy seats. The Cloud Sleeper ($29.99 to $39.99) is an inflatable pillow for your fold-down tray that allows you to relax in a forward position. There’s an opening in the pillow so you can use your mobile device or read a book while resting your head on it. (The Cloud Sleeper will be available this spring at Hudson News airport locations and other travel retailers.)
Worried about keeping your belongings safe? The Slingsafe LX250 Tote ($65) is loaded with anti-theft technology, including stainless steel webbing embedded in the bag’s fabric, wire slash-guard strap and RFID-blocking pocket to help protect your ID and credit cards from hacker scanning. Available at travelsmith.com.
Don’t show up at that business meetings in a wrinkled shirt. Compression Packing Cubes by Genius Pack feature stretch mesh cubes that allow you to fit more into your suitcase — and keep clothes neat and organized. (The large cube holds as many as 13 dress shirts.) A three-piece set of small, medium and large cubes is $38 at geniuspack.com.
Just because you’re camping doesn’t mean you have to be off the grid. Other new products on the market this spring include the BirkSun Boost Solar Pack, $100, (birksun.com). The waterproof backpack has a built-in solar panel that generates enough power in 30 minutes to give your phone a 10 percent charge. Add-on accessories include an external battery, Apple Lightning cable and a micro USB cable.
