 |
|
BANG FOR THE BITE
Eco-luggage is durable, looks great and doesn't contain carcinogenic chems. If only the price tags weren't so heavy.
COCKTAIL FACT
About 1 in 150 U.S. air passengers suffered a mishandled (delayed) bag in 2006. (We could swear there's some underreporting going on.)
| SAVE TO MY BITES |  |
FORWARD TO A FRIEND:
RATE THIS TIP:
How useful is this tip to you?
(5 is the highest)
home › tip library › Green Luggage
Has your baggage got some baggage of its own?
The Bite
It's likely. Most luggage contains eco-unfriendly materials that make us wanna avoid the baggage carousel at all costs. Luckily, we've got greener alternatives in the bag.The Benefits
- They've got the look. These picks are cute, so you'll wanna carry on, each and every flight.
- Healthier materials. Our picks contain less chromium and PVC (polyvinyl chloride), which let off cancer-causing chems during production, than most bags.
- Durable materials. While PVC is undoubtedly durable, so are eco-friendlier hemp, nylon and vegetable-tanned leather.
Personally Speaking
As it turns out, most of the Biter team uses recycled (read: used) luggage we got from second-hand shops. Most contain PVC, but next time we're in the market, Hartmann Tweed bags are the luggage we'd all love to lug.Wanna Try?
- Hartmann Tweed Collection - the Belting leather is vegetable-tanned, which means it doesn't contain chromium ($425-$825).
- Patagonia Wheeled/Duffel Bags - sporty and strong nylon duffels with retractable handles ($95-$360).
- Pure Sativa Wheeler Luggage Case - you can't smoke it, but this wheeler's all hemp ($178).
- Ecolution Exploration Bag - water-resistant hemp duffel with lots o' pockets ($98).
May 22,2007
Sponsor
All editorial suggestions in this tip are the result of testing and a preference for the tip topic. No advertiser has paid to have its company referenced in the tip. For more information, please read our Editorial Policy.
Martha is Magic
I'm the type of person who always has to check luggage, even if I'll only be gone for the weekend and it's summer (meaning no heavy, ungainly coats to stuff into my bags).
Have any of you seen the Martha Stewart episode where Martha packs her suitcase? The woman's got talent. Somehow, she's able to fit about a month's worth of clothes and toiletries into a regular-sized piece of luggage. Amazing.
I'm headed back to Orange County for a long weekend for my sister's graduation in a couple weeks, and I'd love to be able to carry on. To all the master luggage-packers out there: got any tips for me?
-Toshio...off to see how much stuff I can fit in my backpack...
Biter Comments...
I recently discovered "Nautigear", quality made bags from excursion duffles to gorgeous handbags made with recycled sailcloth! They are basically waterproof(except zippers), and very functional! I have 2 duffles, an open tote, and a great handbag! Check out www.nautigear.net!
Hi! Sorry, I tried to enter a blog about Nautigear, but sent you a comment instead, however, I am a master packer, and I love to carry a Lot too! Get a medium wheeled bag that will fit as a carry-on. Some have an extra expandable zipper, and I like that. Roll your clothes tight, and cover the entire bottom of your suitcase with rolled clothes, then work upwards, creating layers of rolled clothes. Then sit on your bag to zip if necessary. This may sound obsessive, but it works! I usually slide underwear & socks, all flat in the front zipper pocket, if possible. So, how do I submit a blog related to the daily tip??? My e-mail is tjrogge@in-tch.com. Thanks!
Roll all your clothes (rather than packing them flat) and choose the clothes you'll take based on minimizing the number of accessories you'll need to pack (e.g. shoes that can be worn with multiple outfits, one sweater or jacket that goes with everything you're taking).
This may take some time, so clear your schedule for an evening!
First, lay out all the stuff you want to take with you on your bed/floor/wherever is big enough.
Second, get rid of half the stuff. And I mean HALF, not a few things here and there - be brutal! And be honest: will you really need that nice but impractical jacket or pair of pants that will probably wrinkle in your suitcase anyways?
If what's left still won't fit into your carry-on, repeat Step 2.
Good luck!
Remember that there are new liquid restrictions with carry-ons. You have to have travel size bottles (3 oz. or less) for all your liquids and gels, and they all have to fit in one quart size bag. Then you have to take this bag out at the security checkpoint so it can be scanned alone. I think this is a big hassle, so I have checked all my luggage since this came into effect. Have a fun trip!
Vaccum bags are awesome - they're like giant heavy duty ziploc baggies that you can put your clothes in and then suck out all the air between the folds and gaps, rendering your items much smaller than they would normally be. I also use gallon-size ziplocs for this purpose for smaller items like socks. Also, just remember that you will have access to laundry (I know Orange County has laundromats), so avoid bringing more than you need of the same type of item. Even better, bring clothing items that are really versatile. As for toiletries, just pack the items you absolutely can't live without, and in the quantities you need, nothing more.
search for change clothes game
I am a frequent long-weekender, and my favorite money saving, waste reducing travel accessory is the Fill + Fly Bottle Set from www.flight001.com. You can fill them with your favorite products and not worry about buying travel-size products all the time. Reuse them over and over, and they are carry-on approved so you don't have to worry about your shampoo getting tossed at security because it's an ounce over the limit. Also, since I tend to carry around entirely too much make-up, I like to buy the palets that have a couple different colors/products so all I have to pack is one or two compacts rather than a zillion different bottles and tubes. Benefit has a couple different mini-kits that are fantastic.
PHOTO ALBUMS
Posted by: Pam | May 22, 2007 at 02:18 PM