eBags Blog

If you happen to live in Denver and were up yesterday for the 6:00 Morning News on CBS 4, you may have seen our very own eBagger Brad talking about holiday travel packing tips. Despite the early hour, Brad enthusiastically showcased some of eBags’ best selling bags including our packing cubes which are perfect for staying organized while traveling.

If you don’t live in Denver, or you’re like the rest of us and were asleep, you can watch it again in this video.

What do you think? Give us (and Brad) your feedback by leaving us comments on this post.

It is that time of year again.  Time to pack up some stuff and head out to visit the family.  Whether you travel for an hour in the car or days in planes, trains and automobiles, most of us will do some traveling in the next 6 weeks.  The funny thing is that my favorite travel accessory is not the main bag I use (or one of the many “secondary bags” that seem to creep into the pile).  Nope, the best thing that I ever did for myself was purchase a Wallet Bagg from Baggallini.  It is light-weight, flat and has just enough room to fit the credit cards, money and lipstick that I need, plus my iPhone, and camera.  You can wear it cross-body or slide it into just about any other bag that you have already packed to capacity.  Did I mention that it is thin?  It comes in 9 colors so that you can choose a basic color, or one a little more vibrant, like Tomato (red).  If you are not traveling this year, this would make a great present for someone who traveled to see you.  It will certainly make their return trip easier.

Finally. A cure for keeping your back cool while you are out and about. What is it? Glad you asked. A mesh lining with a suspended backpack. Let me explain. Rather than the entire pack rest on your back causing it to retain heat (and making you uncomfortably warm on your hike or other activities) these great packs allow air to flow between your back and the pack. Wow. It’s already making me cooler. Check these out.

Have you ever found yourself at the baggage claim carousel, staring at the sea of black suitcases, wondering which one is yours? You bend down and move several bags to read the luggage tag only to find out it doesn’t belong to you. While many travelers these days prefer to carry on, this is still an all too common scenario. Afterall, it’s nearly impossible to use only carry-on luggage when you go on long vacations, ski trips, and family getaways.

Want to avoid this frustrating situation? Here are some ways you can help identify your luggage faster and easier the next time you check it.

1. Use colorful luggage. One of the easiest ways to identify your luggage at baggage claim is if it isn’t black. Black is one of the most common luggage colors. Even blue and gray these days are becoming just as common so avoid these as well. Consider something in green, orange or pink or, even better, take a look at what’s available in fashion luggage and designer luggage for something that truly stands out.

 



2. Attach different luggage tags. If you already have luggage in a common color and don’t want to buy a new set, then the next best thing to help you spot your luggage quickly is to use luggage tags. Luggage tags, as you know, are important for identifying luggage because of the information they contain. However, tags can also help you find your luggage if they are unique in some way - colorful, different shaped, patterned, etc. If your suitcase came with tags, chances are they match which means the tags will be just as difficult to notice as your luggage. The good news is that luggage tags are inexpensive, so pick yourself up a set that stand out.

 



3. Luggage handle wraps are also useful. Often luggage on the carousel ends up upside down or in an odd angle where one cannot see the luggage tags. Sure you can turn the bags around, but you can also save yourself the hassle by using a luggage handle wrap. Luggage handle wraps serve a dual purpose - they can help make gripping the luggage handle a little more comfortable and they can help you find your luggage. Luggage handle wraps are also relatively inexpensive so if you’re not looking to replace your luggage right away, consider picking up one of these handy accessories.

 



4. Luggage locators are the high tech solution. The most certain way to find your luggage, even up to 60 feet away, is with a luggage locator like the ETA Luggage Locator. A small electronic receiver attaches to your suitcase while you hold a remote. The remote activates a series of beeps and flashes that show you where your luggage is. A luggage locator is also great for letting you know your luggage arrived at its destination before you even see it (a relief for those of us who have had our luggage lost in the past).

Have your own way of finding your luggage quickly? We’d love to hear about it. Comment on this post with your ideas.

Need a great gift idea for the Photographer in your life? Or are you the Photographer and you are looking for that special something to help add some sanity in the organization of all of your gear? Might I suggest the Lowepro DMC-Z? This little guy is a dream when it comes to Memory card organization. I personally use mine for my Compact Flash memory cards, and it has pockets for up to 6 cards! This is perfect for shooting large events and weddings when you want to keep your cards organized and you know you will be filling several cards before you can download your images and re-format your cards.

Interior pockets keep your cards organized.

This handy carrier has a nice velcro strap on the back so you can conveniently wear it on your belt! (I prefer keeping it in an outside pocket of my camera bag, but to each his own.) No more searching through all of the compartments of your messy camera bag. No more wondering which are the 2 cards you already used, and which cards have space. I would not do a shoot without it.

The Lowepro Sling Shot 100 AW

I recently spend 12 days abroad photographing with a non-profit group in the countryside of Western Mongolia. Aside from trying desperately to pack light while bringing photography equipment, (Light and camera do not go hand in hand) my clothing supply took the hardest hit.  I did not want to skimp on my photography gear. Not when I was about to take the trip of a lifetime, and I wanted to properly document it with my Nikon D700 all without checking any bags.  Packing light meant that my carryon was packed to the brim with clothes, toiletries, granola bars, a sleeping bag liner, a winter hat, gloves, and various other items in anticipation of their cold climate. My camera bag qualified as my “one personal item” that was my remaining option for bags being carried on.

While in the countryside of Mongolia, my camera bag became my day-bag as well. It held my D700 body, 2 lenses, 2 flashes, a zip-lock bag of batteries, a flash diffuser, 8 extra Compact Flash memory cards, an ipod, and enough granola bars to suppress my appetite during the day. It even has a built-in lens cleaning cloth and a rain fly for unpredictable weather. All of this in the compact Lowepro Sling Shot 100 AW. I wouldn’t take another trip without it, and I HIGHLY recommend it to any SLR photographer with extra flashes/lenses to carry. You can easily change the position of the interior partitions to custom fit your gear.

Perfect compartment for granola bars! That's me on the right with my bag.

Packing cubes. You may have heard of these wonders, but do you know what packing cubes really are and what they can do for you? If not, read on.

Packing cubes are handy packing aids that help you maximize space and simplify packing your luggage. They’re basically zip up pouches that are designed to fit in your luggage and keep things from being jumbled around and generally disorganized. Some packing cubes, like those from eBags, come in a variety of colors and sizes and include features such as mesh top panels for ventilation and visibility.

There are many reasons why you would want to use packing cubes on your next trip. They…

• Separate dirty clothes from clean
• Keep outfits together and organized
• Help you stay organized and help you find items easily
• Keep different family members’ items together if you share bags

  Learn more about the various uses of packing cubes in the video below:

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I don’t know about you, but I have enough pajamas, socks and Holiday Sweaters to last me for years! Save yourself from another year of disastrous Holiday Gifts and put Tommy Bahama luggage on your list this year - it’s my favorite brand of the moment!

Admittedly I’m a bit of a luggage-a-holic, and I’m always looking for sometime cool and funky that makes me feel good but Tommy has really hit the spot for me. The luggage is a little bit different and funky so you can see it coming round the luggage carousel but not so much so that you’re embarrassed to be seen with it. I particularly like the Embroidered City Bag. I can always fit everything I need into it, and Tommy logo on the side reminds me of the summer… and I’m clinging to summer for as long as I can! I also have the 26″ Wheeled Duffle… this thing is tremendous. I swear I could fit my kids in it (if I had any!)

So join me in a protest against bad holiday gifts and get yourself some Tommy Bahama luggage… it’ll bring a smile to your face every time you use it.

Who doesn’t love to get away for the weekend?  Whether it’s to the beach for sun and sand,

up in the mountains for a weekend hike, or off to Vegas for a party with friends…we have the

perfect bag for you.

Here are my 3 favorite weekenders!

1.	This is one seriously cute weekender.  Jane Marvel is all about fashion and affordability.  Her prints are truly one of a kind…she has several to choose from. This Jane Marvel Duffle Weekender is not only cute, but it’s priced right too!!
2.	Love Love Love this bag!  The colors are perfect for any Fall excursion.  This bag is from the brand 1154 Lill Studio which has an amazing assortment of unique fabrics.  You are sure to be a one of kind with this Paula Weekender.
3.	I know this bag may be a little bit more expensive than the others…but it is worth every penny. This Patent Leather Weekender by Elaine Turner is all about sophistication and style.  Who wouldn’t want to carry this bag for a weekend getaway in New York City?

The world famous Brazilian Artist Romero Britto has just exclusively released a line designer luggage. It truly is unlike anything the art or travel world has ever seen. What is even cooler is that eBags has been chosen to be the ONE AND ONLY place you can get it. That’s right, we are the only place in the WHOLE WORLD. We just think it might be the coolest thing since the messenger bag made its debut.

This hard-sided luggage features the exact designs of Romero Britto. His artwork has been featured all over the world, from European castles to Bentley cars. It truly is a first of its kind!