Spring is on the way, and with it, Spring break, weekend get-aways, travels for weddings, graduations, even mother's and father's day. And, of course, there are people who travel for business every week. Whether it's business or pleasure, travel can be challenging. So these days a good rolling carry-on bag is a must-have to make the journey at least a little more pleasant and successful.
TravelPro is the creator of the original, Rollaboard® luggage. When I've watched luggage arriving on baggage carousels all over the world, the TravelPro luggage is always in the most pristine shape. My own TravelPro bags have been everywhere, and they've never disappointed. TravelPro may get bumped, beaten up and abused by the baggage handlers, but I've never seen one on at baggage claim that broken open or ripped.
ver the years, TravelPro has created new collections, and added new innovations to their rugged, attractive, bags. Last Summer The Advice Sisters reviewed a unique rollaboard bag just perfect for business travelers, the Travelpro Platinum 7 20" Expandable Business Plus Rollaboard that has two outside zippered pockets for easy access to things you need quickly, with one pocket that has extra padding for your laptop or net book and also provides easy access to it so you're not fumbling or opening your entire bag at the airport security line.
But now there's a new and exciting collection that will appeal to every type of traveler. The new Travelpro Maxlite® 2 Collection. This collection of hard-sided, rugged but lightweight luggage features durable, "honeycomb" framing system and EVA foam construction that's rubbed but lightweight. But the real star of these bags is the unique, Contour™ Handle Grip designed specifically for 4-wheeled spinner luggage. The new soft pad design of the Contour Grip lets you have more comfort and control when traversing the airport, and whenever you're going to be pushing the luggage for a longer period of time (e.g. subways or at your final destination). Although all rollaboard bags have an easy-to-pull top handle, the soft, contour grip and the four-wheel spinner) means you can push or pull the bag in virtually any direction) puts a lot less stress and fatigue on your shoulders, arms, hands and wrists.
Another thing that's great about this handle (and the pull-up metal rolling handle on all TravelPro bags) is that you can adjust the height of the handle to suit yourself. On these bags There is a telescoping handle system with two extension stops at 38” and 41” to meet the needs of travelers of various heights. You can push the handle back into the rugged, recessed "well" when you're not using it. Three other soft-grip, padded fabric handles on the top, bottom and one side of the bags make it easier to lift into an overhead compartment or a car trunk.
The Travelpro Maxlite® 2 Collection consists of spinner bags, plus totes and garment bags and duffels. All the spinners have superior design and bells and whistles you really want. There is true attention to detail on TravelPro luggage. The zippers are large and rugged. The stitching is smooth and well executed. There are small, rubberized "bumpers" on the sides, bottom and back of the bag to keep it from getting ripped or bumped. The bag expands 1 1/2" extra inches which is important if you have something lumpy (like sneakers) that don't quite fit, or you can't resist bringing home a few more souvenirs. The inner part of the bag has zippered pockets and adjustable "hold-down" straps to keep everything secure. The Maxlite 2 collection also features a built-in ticket pocket within the front pocket to provide quick access to a wallet, a passport, keys or boarding passes.
Advantages of a Spinner Bag: In case you're wondering why you'd want a spinner, and not just a traditional, two-wheeled bag (although TravelPro makes plenty of those, too), the main reason is versatility of movement. Spinner bags have four wheels mounted on castors that can turn in all directions, that means you can maneuver it with one hand in whatever direction you want the bag to go in. This is of inestimable help when you can't pull the bag behind you that well, such as when you're making your way to your seat through the narrow aisle of the airplane. A traditional bag can only be pulled, but the spinner can be rolled in the upright position, easily gliding through the plane without hitting protruding armrests or elbows. A spinner bag not only can be pushed in front of you or pulled behind you, it will "walk" beside you as well. The spinner wheels on these TravelPro bags are skater-style in-line wheels, with protective wheel housings. They're like a pair of inline skates for your bag (and you know how swiftly and gracefully inline skaters can move in any direction). There is just less fatigue with a spinner. *there are a few downsides--four wheels are bulkier than two, and if one gets out of alignment, it can through off the "gait" of the bag. Also spinners move so easily, they can roll downhill. Make sure you keep your spinner on a relatively flat surface, or you may find your luggage moving away from you!
TravelPro bags don't just perform well, they're nice to look at. Anyone who knows luggage knows that you're carrying something of quality. Since the TravelPro Maxlite 2 collection is priced less than some of the other TravelPro collections, it's a little luxury you can afford. TravelPro just builds better bags. When you need to really protect your valuables, you can count on TravelPro to keep them clean, safe and secure.
The Travelpro Maxlite® 2 Collection is available in ocean blue and black. The 20” Expandable Carry-on size Spinner I road tested was the blue color. It's a deep, subdued blue, but it will stand out in a sea of black bags. Whether you need, or want, to travel, this rollaboard will bring you satisfaction, maybe even joy! The suggested retail price for this particular rollaboard is $ 139.99.
About Travelpro: Travelpro International has been bringing good quality luggage to consumers for more than 25 years. The company offers a variety of innovative, high-quality luggage collections and computer briefs of all types. each collection focused on specific users and lifestyle demands. Travelpro was the winner of the 2009 and 2010 Leading Edge Award from Executive Travel Magazine for “The Best Carry-on Case.” Travelpro is celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the invention of the Rollaboard® throughout 2012.
Please visit Travelpro at www.travelpro.com for a full list of the latest products and retail locations.
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