Feature: More Packing Tips
A bag, a folder, and three rolls. Sounds kind of like the beginning of a spy novel set in a bakery, doesn't it? But fear not. It's merely a grandiose hook to lure you into this humble little column. This week, I'm serving up some intriguing recommendations from readers for products they say make their lives on the road a little easier.
By the way, a quick disclaimer: Neither of the readers quoted this week are affiliated with the companies that make the products they recommend.
A Bag
"After having a job where I traveled a lot, I realized a good notebook bag really made a world of difference," writes Gregory J. Graham, an independent consultant in Kanata, Canada. Graham's bag of choice: Swiss Army Brands' Victorinox WebMaster, which offers "excellent quality," expandability, a convenient mesh water bottle pocket, and "what is probably the world's most comfortable shoulder strap," according to Graham.
The WebMaster also includes a padded computer sleeve that accommodates a notebook with a 15-inch or smaller screen, a legal-size fan file system, a clip-on mobile phone holder, and a zippered pocket for a newspaper or an umbrella. The nylon bag measures 17 inches wide by 13 inches high by 6 inches deep and expands to 8.5 inches deep.
The black ballistic nylon Victorinox WebMaster was recently selling for $150 at the Luggage Source; the site also sells a leather version for $314.
Graham says the WebMaster compares favorably to similar bags from Tumi but costs less. For example, the Tumi Large Expandable Brief With Computer Case, which measures 17.5 by 14 by 6.5 inches, retails for $395.
Swiss Army Brands offers a tracking system to help locate your bag if it's lost or stolen. (You must register to participate.) Also, the company used to offer a free Laptop Protection Program that reimbursed WebMaster owners for $1500 if their notebook was stolen within one year after they purchased the bag. Many of Swiss Army Brands' online retailer partner sites, such as The Luggage Source, still mention this perk, though others, including Ebags.com and Swiss Army Brands' own site, do not.
A Swiss Army Brands representative said the protection program was discontinued about six months ago. However, the company is still honoring the program for any bags currently in inventory that contain a Laptop Protection Program registration card inside, the company says. Hint: If you want the protection plan, buy the bag from an online retailer that still promotes it. Of course, it's possible the retailer simply hasn't removed the protection plan reference from its Web site, so there's no guarantee.
The WebMaster's only downside, according to Graham, is its weight (about 5.5 pounds). "If you don't like shoulder straps," he advises, "leaving the strap behind saves you over a pound in weight."
My two cents: While many people prefer shoulder-strap bags or computer backpacks, any notebook bag without wheels can be burdensome to carry after a while. For comfort's sake, I prefer wheeled notebook bags.
The WebMaster is large enough to accommodate a 10-by-15-inches Eagle Creek Pack-It Folder 15, which is essentially a packing folder with mesh covers and Velcro closures that keeps your clothes together and relatively wrinkle free (at least in my experience). Graham says one Pack-It Folder 15 fits perfectly in the WebMaster's file section. The Pack-It Folder lets Graham travel overnight with one bag, because in it he can fit a shirt, tie, polo shirt, khakis, underwear, and socks. For longer trips, Graham says he's "ready for anything the next day," even if his checked luggage is lost.
"Best of all," he says, "if you go to a meeting and open your bag, no one sees your boxer shorts. Your clothes are discreetly packed inside the sleeve."
I own a Pack-It Folder as well, and I recommend them because they organize clothes nicely and help prevent them from wrinkling. The Pack-It Folder ($24) comes in various sizes and colors, and you can find it at Eagle Creek.
A Folder
Te Smith of Santa Cruz, California, spends at least one night a week on the road for business and rarely travels without a File Pac ($25) from Levenger Studios. The Levenger File Pacs are zippered, nylon folders designed to contain up to 1 inch of letter-sized papers and other items. Each File Pac measures 12 by 10 by 1.25 inches and features a mesh see-through top so you can easily identify its contents.
Smith "loves the nylon/mesh folders for organizing projects. Throw in folders, brochures, and tiny bits of paper, then zip it up and throw it in the travel bag. There's even a little pocket in front for my airline and hotel frequent traveler cards."
Though they're a bit pricey, Smith says she has "tons" of File Pacs, and they're "worth their weight in gold."
Up to two File Pacs can fit inside a Levenger Traveling In-Box ($30), which is designed to accommodate multiple files for large projects.
And Three Rolls
Levenger's Jelly Rolls are another of Smith's essential travel accessories. Made of leather, Jelly Rolls are cylindrical in shape and designed to save suitcase space while holding a variety of items. "Since they're round, you can tuck them into odd corners," Smith explains. Jelly Rolls come in a set of three for $70 and vary in size. "I use one for my computer mouse, cords, and adaptors; one for vitamins; and one for extra batteries," she adds. The Rolls come in black and toffee (though the Web site displays only pink, a color that wasn't available when I checked recently).
More Baggage Claims
What's your favorite notebook bag or packing accessory? Send me details.
Hungry for more packing tips? Browse my previous columns about notebook bags and packing for business trips: "Packing Tips," "Hands-On Guide to Notebook Bags," and "Notebook Bag Buyers' Guide."
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