LUG-Lugging It All Along

When my old wheeled computer bag died, I promised you a review of new wheeled computer cases/attaches.  Newest addition to my luggage collection comes from LUG, a quirky-but-trendy collection of colorful luggage, totes and bags.

It doesn’t take long to assess bag basics, although durability tests might take years (as with my DayMakers handbag).

So here’s the Good, Bad and Ugly – what I like or not about using this particular wheeled computer bag I got.  (Note that it was a gift, so I don’t have model name or number.  No, this was not sent to me by the company for product review purposes.)

Like: that it holds a lot!  Laptop, accessories, files and legal pads, more.  An ingenious side-entrance pocket is perfect for CD/DVDs in their jewel boxes.  Since I have an expensive set of brain entrainment CDs which cannot be downloaded (or play on my ’puter), the whole set and portable CD player fit into that pocket.  There’s a water bottle holder on the other side.

Dislike: vertical design means digging deeply, and stuff gets lost in the bottom.  The office supplies pocket has pen loops and pockets, but is a bit too tight for a real collection of doodads: paper clips and clamps, earbuds, phone recharger, Post-It Note pads, and that wild assortment of itty-bitty stuff in need of organization and accessibility.  The old wheelies did better on that score.  Zipper pulls have no holes to accommodate luggage locks, and there always comes a time when you need to zip up more securely.

Open for Debate: the extendable handle seems a bit flexible, which could be a worry.  Too early to say.

On the whole, it’s working for me at the moment.  For daily commuter use, it’s a cute, stylish, functional office on wheels.  For the really long haul, I just don’t know.

May your road rise to meet you – and your wheelies rise to the occasion!

Ann

Ai-yah! My Handbag Is Dying!

Another trusty on-the-road survival tool is dying - alas!  The handles of my trusty shoulder bag have worn out.  The microfiber fabric covering steel safety cables has worn through, exposing the metal cabling.

Unlike my poor wheeled computer bag which so recently bit the dust, this bag has served me for about four years.  I think four years of rough handling is pretty close to a record for long-term service for a handbag for me.  I really cannot complain about a shoulder bag which has done constant harsh duty for four years.  Especially since it only cost around USD80 to start with.  After all, a friend's USD1600 leather bling bag from some famous designer (which one, I've forgotten) died in half as much time.

I love a well-organized handbag.  Useless - and downright annoying - to me are "dump bucket" bags where everything goes in one compartment.  I prefer a bag with pockets for my cell phone, a safe space for my passport, and easy access to my ChapStick!  If I lose my keys in the bottom of a bag, I can go ballistic when I'm in a rush or under the gun (which seems like most of the time).

This bag has been the best organized of any handbag I've ever owned or designed myself and had made.  I had one many years ago which came pretty close, and never found another like it.  Until I discovered DayMakers. 

This is the large DayMakers travel bag with an excellent variety of pockets.  It holds my wallet (I might tell you about it sometime, as it has proven particularly well organized for the traveler), cell phone, phone recharger, digital camera (the point & shoot, not a DSLR with lenses), critical documents, and more.

What's really special about my DayMakers bag is the security features.  The handle and around through the bottom is stainless steel cable to protect against bag-slashers, pickpockets, and baggage thieves.  Other features help me feel more secure carrying it around.  And the microfiber fabric bag shows little wear - except for the handle where steel cable wore right through it.

Now they have a new model, quite similar in design to what I've been using for the past four years.  But Billy Norris, owner/designer for this Santa Barbara firm, has added RFID blocker technology to some of his travel handbags and other accessories.

So, I'm aiming to get some of these products and test them out.  I sure am happy with this firm to start with.  I wonder if they can make me - and you! - even happier?

May your road rise to meet you - and your bags rise to your expectations!
Ann

My Wheelies Died!

Phooey-ptui!  I need my little "office on wheels" - and the wheels died.  Just gave up the ghost, shredded to bits. 

It has not - to my mind, at least - seen excessively heavy or hazardous duty.  Neither TSA nor baggage handlers have gotten their mischievous mitts on it.  Yes, it gets used daily, but hardly any excessive duty or rough handling.  It goes from car to library, car to home, and has run over nothing rougher than carpet, flooring, concrete sidewalks and asphalt parking lots.  Not all that far for any trip, either.

So I'm very disappointed with this wheeled computer bag.  Granted, it was used when the previous owner gave it to me.  The zipper enclosing the retractable handle had broken, but that was no problem as far as I was concerned.  The bag itself showed little to no wear at all.  The wheels looked fine - and sturdy. 

I love all its little fitted pockets.  The front compartment holds all my "diddlies" - both phone rechargers, pens, recharger for AA batteries and a pack of 4 AA batteries, a small notebook for photo captions when I'm on a photo shoot, a deck of 3" x 5" index cards.  The center section is padded for my 'puter, and I keep a portable CD player, power supply for the laptop, and the computer security cable on the other side of the computer cushioning.  The back compartment holds a couple of slim file folders, a pair of legal pads, and odd papers. 

It just holds the essentials - your basic business equipment on the road or to the office.  It's not some big legal briefcase laden with massive legal briefs and petitions for a court.

But after only six months of daily use, the wheels have absolutely shredded.  I'm dragging it on the metal bearings inside the rubber (or whatever substance they use for wheels).

This is not a durable bag.  This is really unacceptable for any Road Warrioress who needs a traveling office.  It does not compute!  So I'm very unhappy with the makers, Western Pack, and sorely disinclined to choose any sort of bag from this maker.

The Road Warrioress needs bags which are durable and stand up to their heavy travel usage.  A bag which cannot make it to the office or library every day for a few months is not worthy of the long-haul traveler.

May your road rise to meet you - and long may your bags endure!
Ann