---

Duffle Bags

---

Patagonia Maximum Legal Carry-On

I still haven't ditched my durable but dysfunctional travel backpack for something geared toward frequent airport usage. While there are other great products which fill a similar niche the Patagonia MLC (Maximum Legal Carry-On) may have an edge with it's internal floating compartment.

... convenience and functionality in a soft-sided suitcase that holds three to five days' worth of clothes and still meets ultrastrict airline carry-on size requirements. Hidden, ergonomic shoulder straps quickly convert the MLC to a backpack for mad dashes through terminals. A new "elephant ear" zippered panel and external pockets for airline tickets, passport and cell phone provide easy, one-handed access. An internal floating divider/compression panel and water-resistant laundry locker separate good from bad. Coated fabrics (1,680-denier ballistics cloth nylon and 150-denier polyester) deflect rain and sleet.

Link.

Continue reading »

---

Emmedi Travel Bag

The new Emmedi range from Mandarina Duck brings lightweight and comfortable design, and blends it with classy yet contemporary style. Combining the raw design and materials that made the 'Workbag' range so popular, and bringing a refreshing feminine touch, the bags in the Emmedi line will no doubt be a huge success.

Great bag and despite the proposed 'feminine touch', a bag I could see myself carrying on the next weekend excursion.

Mandarina Duck Emmedi Travel Bag

---

Mooks Urban Overnight Bag

Though the brand isn't targetted to old fogies like myself this duffle from Mooks looks like something I would use for a weekend away. It has a large interior compartment with zip closure and vecro flap, perfect to quickly throw some gear into before I head out the door. A couple of handy pockets keep the essentials within reach. Made with cotton canvas with leather trim the Mooks Urban Overnight Bag should last for years. You can find it at Rushfaster.

Continue reading »

---

Paul Smith Canvas Holdall

A handsome bag designed by Mr. Stripes for short stays or for enjoying a relaxing weekend at the Raffles. Made from cotton canvas flags (in China btw) with soft leather handles and accents. More here.

---

---

Mandarina Duck Double Shoulder Bag

Part of the Double range, this large horizontal shoulder bag has hidden extendable double handles, so that it can be carried in hand or worn as a shoulder bag. It's unique and practical design follows in typical Mandarina Duck fashion, continuing to lead the market in innovative design.

The handles could be cool or a curse if you carry heavy gear. I've always loved the design and build of Mandarina Duck bags. Now if only they would innovate on price as they are a bit expensive to be an impulse buy on my meager earnings.

Available at Rushfaster. Photos via Rushfaster.

Continue reading »

---

Porter Space Invader Bags and Wallets

A new line from Porter to premier next year. I dig the hip bag.

Tokyo based Yoshida & Co. are no stranger to collaborations with video game properties. Yoshida's Porter line has had a long standing relationship with Sony, resulting in a long line of PS Pictogram cases in which PlayStation Portables can be crammed. The pricey Porter line is going to be further extended in 2008 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the release of Taito's Space Invaders. [kotaku]

See the new line here. Thanks to Jean Snow who also shares my enthusiasm for Porter.

---

MEC Duffle

My family arrived home from their long sojourn in Canada and after they all had gone asleep I had the opportunity to check out the MEC duffle bag that I mentioned a while back. So far I'm quite impressed. Great seams, zippers, and pretty solid through-out. I do like the fabric used in the Trager better but at the price we paid for this I think we have nothing to complain about. One downside of a duffle this large, and of this quality, is the ability to completely fill the space without any worry of breakage. It gets heavy! Full this bag weighed 65 kilos making it an exhausting haul without a cart (I got tired carrying from the car to the house). Only$32.00CAN for the large one at MEC.

---

Swedish Military Overnight Bag

Found this on Kiosk but haven't been able to find it elsewhere. I would love to buy one of these (was $65.00). They had this to say about the bag:

For those undercover, into the night excursions....
Seeing this bag at an arport luggage carousel I was very interested. Immediately upon asking, people recognized it to be the Swedish military bag. It was not the easiest thing to find but Swedes love to practice their English and soon I was on the phone chatting away with this person and that person and tracking it down.

Found here.

---

---

A practical duffle bag

About 10 years or more ago prior to leaving for Asia we bought a massive wheeled duffle from Eddie Bauer - I hadn't really gotten a clue with packing light and I think I probably thought they didn't sell decent clothes other here. The bag is so big that I think we have only used once since that first trip. Too impractical. Well this past trip home with 2 kids and all the clothes that they will be given when they get there we decided to haul out they old bag. Unfortunately in Taiwan neglect often brings growth of all kinds of things and the bag with it's thin film of mold and rot is destined for the recycling bin. My wife not being one to want to spend any more money on a bag than she absolutely has too (opposites attract?) sent me an email asking my opinion on this bag from Sears Canada.

Trager doesn't seem to be making duffles anymore so a quick search reveals these practical duffle bags from MEC. They are made of 370g 1000-denier nylon, reinforced with extra-wide 7.5cm webbing. Feature durable full-length #10 YKK zipper on top of bag, a contoured shape and side-zip pocket, heavy-duty D-rings for the included shoulder strap, and side-grip trunk handles. They have received good reviews and should stand up to the rigors of air travel. Up to $32.00CAN at MEC.

---

Samsonite Scope Yellow Duffle

Here's an option if you are looking to ditch that boring black bag when traveling. The Samsonite Scope Yellow Duffle, designed by Marc Newson, will allow for easy identification across the liggage turnstile. Has an expanded foam bottom shell for structure & protection, a middle zip which allows the duffle to lay flat for easy packing, and a wide EVA shoulder patch. $170.00US. Via Uncrate.

---

Canvas Duffle

I prefer the simplicity of bags like this. Forget bags with micro pockets for every conceivable gadget or item, through your gear in and sort it out later. Made with washed cotton canvas this duffle available from J. Crew should look and feel great for ages. $49.50US.

---

Bally Leather Duffle

Though Carl Bally was originally enthralled with the concept of mass producing his products - he thought the idea of mass producing thousands of high quality shoes a sign of progress and modernity. But that was 150 years ago. The focus of the Bally line today is very much on topflight quality with detailed stitching and top-notch materials, as evidenced by the company's footwear, accessories, and clothing. The Bally Acapul is a beautiful travel bag. In dark brown and made with calf skin, it generally retails for $1195.00US. Bally site.

---

Gucci Duffle Bag

I seldom write much about products such as this and tend to favour more sporty or utilitarian designs. Though I do love leather bags, this is likely less to do with choice than with the simple fact that I don't see myself having the money to spend on a bag from Gucci. This is a beautiful bag, perfect for that weekend getaway in Monaco. This duffel comes with double handles and zip-top closure with lock (and the Gucci logo everywhere). 20.5 x 8.7 x 14.6 inches. The chocolate guccissima leather with silver hardware will cost $2150.00US. If you like this bag you might want to check out the Medico bag as well.

---

Onela Flight Duffle 

Many of us can only afford naugahyde rip-offs of the Onela Flight Duffle but that doesn't mean we can't look and dream. Those of you who can go out buy this bag - please don't gloat. From the catalogue, "Rich natural vegetable tanned aniline cowhide. 3 external pockets and 4 internal pockets. Shoulder strap. Zipper closure. 55x23x36 cm. It's available in chocolate and white for $375.00US from Alpha.

---

---