How to travel in style: finding compact and fashionable luggage

You want your luggage to be compact, durable and easy to manage. This will hit home even more if you’re struggling with some behemoth bag from 1995, watching someone else skip the baggage check line and effortlessly wheel their belongings straight from security to the overhead compartment.

“The focus is on hassle-free travel so you can enjoy the great experience,” said Bill Bridges, manager at Colorado Baggage Co. at Cherry Creek Shopping Center. “Today’s traveler wants to carry on as much as possible to avoid checking luggage. When they do check, weight is a major consideration.”

The way we travel has been forever changed since 9/11. Tightening security rules and regulations have triggered the development of new products. Lightweight polycarbonate has become the material of choice for many, and these new creations offer four wheels (that move in all directions) for functional, easy traveling in style. Sustainable, recycled fabrics also are becoming more prevalent in a variety of products. Colorado Baggage Co. offers a huge selection of the latest and greatest in luggage, as well as accessories, to suit the needs of today’s travelers.

“We provide more than just great travel product,” Bridges said. “Our mission is to provide travel solutions for the unique travel situations that our customers face on a daily basis.” Some of the top brands available include Rimowa, Tumi, Victorinox, Briggs & Riley, Thule and Osprey.

According to Bridges, there are several different types of travelers today, each with his or her own travel needs. “Stop and ask yourself a series of questions,” Bridges said. “’How often do I travel?’ ‘What mode of transportation needs to be taken into account?’ ‘Do I mainly travel for business or pleasure?’ ‘Who am I, and what do I need to create my comfort zone when I travel?’”

Here are some suggestions that are sure to fit the bill, no matter how long you plan on being away.

The Quick Day-Tripper – A black leather satchel from Tumi is perfect for storing the essentials while also making a great fashion statement. Briggs & Riley has an expandable laptop brief from their @Work collection for those 24-hour quick trips. Or, if a quick, action-packed adventure is the call, Eagle Creek offers a perfect lightweight duffel that can convert to a backpack.

The Business Traveler – Nothing beats the Tumi Alpha collection for the business person on the constant go. Accent those business needs with tough, beautiful leather briefs from Johnson & Murphy or a business backpack from Victorinox. Meanwhile, everyday function on the road with dependability comes from Briggs & Riley Baseline. You can accent these workhorse products with the @Work briefs to speed you through airport checkpoints.

The Jetsetter – The great fashion, function and diversity of size from Rimowa’s Salsa Deluxe can’t be beat. Choose from a 32-inch destination piece or a four-wheel rolling tote in colors that are sure to accent your mood for any destination. How about the exclusive British racing green color or an elegant red?

The “On Holiday” Traveler – The Victorinox Werks Traveler 4.0 collection offers high-quality ballistic nylon with 30-percent weight savings over traditional full-frame bags. The Briggs & Riley Transcend collection combines lightweight expandable travel tools with great pocket features. The company’s 30-inch duffel in cranberry red, paired with a 27-inch expandable traditional piece, will keep you going for many days.

The Action/Adventure Traveler – Eagle Creek, Thule and Osprey offer product from rollup duffels to wheeled convertible backpacks. The fabrics are tough and durable, meeting the needs of those traveling from Africa to Antarctica.

As far as accessories go, Colorado Baggage Co. offers an entire wall dedicated to necessities, security and comfort. For example, check out Pack-It from Eagle Creek. This handy system is great for keeping things organized and easy to pack.

Travel is a daily experience – from navigating the urban landscape of Denver to traveling around the world. Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, the best part is the knowledge gained through new experiences. While we can’t answer the question of “Where to next?” we want to be sure you get there in style.