Consumer Tips And Product Advice

Hauptstadtkoffer Luggage Review

October 26, 2018

Hauptstadtkoffer Review

Having carried around my plain old soft-case suitcase for years, I finally had to admit defeat on a recent multi-week trip to New York. Not only was my suitcase starting to look a little rough around the edges, but the frustration of trying to drag it with its faulty wheels and hold it upright to stop it from tipping over became too much. Clearly, suitcases had come a long way since I’d purchased my first bag several years ago, and my outdated option no longer did the trick.

I accepted it was time to upgrade my luggage and set about doing some research to find the best suitcase for traveling. I wanted to invest in something that was good quality but wasn’t going to require a small personal loan to pay for. It soon became apparent that a luggage set was going to be the best value option – plus, there’s a certain appeal of having a cohesive, stylish luggage set as you make your way to your destination.

When I finally decided to trade in my old bag and upgrade, it left me wondering why I hadn’t done it so much earlier. It certainly made navigating the airport much more pleasant and I love the look of my new case! I also decided to opt for a hard-shell case, which has given me a lot of peace of mind about carrying my beloved camera equipment through the airport and leaving it in the care of the airline staff.

Gone are the days of just throwing all my belongings into my case and hoping for the best. My new suitcase is much better organized, which means everything is easier to find, and I can fit more in (perfect for when I can’t choose between two pairs of shoes). Finally, it’s great to have a suitcase that’s up to date with modern TSA standards so I no longer have to choose between leaving my bag unsecured, or risking damage if it is opened by baggage handlers or security.

So, what bag did I settle on?

Delsey Helium Aero Review: Surprisingly Spacious

October 15, 2018

Adam Lewis

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This article is a review of a specific Delsey Luggage suitcase, a company we have covered in the past. This particular model, the Delsey Helium Aero 29 has been very popular as of late, so we decided to feature it in its own review article.

Delsey Helium Aero Review

The trend in luggage seems to be hardsided luggage these days. While most people will admit hardside suitcases can appear cold and lack visual appeal, Delsey has put a twist on the design that a lot of people seem to like.

Liane Corbin wrote an article on Delsey Luggage earlier in the year that a lot of readers seemed to enjoy. In that piece, Liane talks about some of the best tips to keep in mind while targeting a suitcase set to buy. Aside from obvious protection, which of course is the number one priority when it comes to your valuables, surprisingly it’s the wheels and handles that are equally as important when purchasing a high-quality suitcase for finding value. The handle and wheels are the first things on your suitcase that could break, so investing in luggage with quality features is a great first step to get the most shelf life out of your purchase.

Delsey has made a conscious decision to create luggage with high-quality elements, even if the customer isn’t fully aware that they need them as much as they do.

The Delsey Helium Aero 29 is lightweight and durable. It is made of 100% Polycarbonate, which is a material that is extremely resilient to cracking or breaking, with a deep metallic finish. Polycarbonate is a soft material that flexes with the goal to absorb impact when thrown or dropped. This material is also present in contact lenses. It’s difficult to scratch polycarbonate easily, which makes it a perfect material for hardside suitcases.

As I already mentioned, the design of Delsey’s suitcases not only has curve appeal but come in made options and colors to choose from. There are over 9 different color and size options to choose from, all have small design differences, but an overall branded look by Delsey.

Best Travel Blanket for Flights

October 12, 2018

Mike Patch

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Best Travel Blanket

Although they say getting there is half of the fun, it’s not very enjoyable to be part way through a flight and absolutely freezing. Not only does it make for a very unpleasant flight, but it can also stop you from getting crucial hours of sleep, meaning you arrive at your destination feeling tired and grumpy.

Some international airlines do provide blankets for long-haul flights, however, they’re often not terribly comfortable, not to mention that it’s best not to think about how many people have used them before you! Honestly, when do they wash those things? Even if that doesn’t bother you, there’s certainly no guarantee that a free blanket will be provided for you as there is sometimes a limited supply. Instead, do what I do, pack a travel blanket. You’ll be surprised how often you use it.

Be Proactive: Get a Travel Blanket Before Your Flight

Well-crafted travel blankets ensure that your temperature is regulated perfectly (working to keep you warm when needed, as well as cooling you down if necessary) and that you are comfortable in flight, all at an affordable price.

The best travel blankets have a number of other uses as well. Of course, they’re great for different types of travel like on buses, trains, and boats as well as flights. They can also double as picnic blankets or pillows in a push, or replace hotel linens that look just a little bit questionable. All in all, it’s no wonder that frequent travelers swear by a good quality travel blanket as one of the travel essentials.

Not sure which to go for? Here are our two favorite travel blankets for the serious traveler who wants to stay warm and comfortable:

What to Pack for a Cruise: Travel Advice

July 27, 2018

Lara Morrison

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What to Pack for a Cruise

My heart beat with anticipation as our shuttle made its way to our departure port. The excitement of a first cruise, the knowledge that I would soon be in a small floating city on the high seas, brought out my inner traveler. When I started preparing for this trip, the last thing I wanted to think about was what to pack.

But that’s just part of the pre-trip fun! Depending on what sort of cruise you take and where you will be sailing, choosing your wardrobe and what to pack for a cruise only lends itself to the excitement.

To be on a huge ship where you can look out onto the endless blue water, and not feel hardly any swaying, is a unique experience. The sun shining down on crystal waters where the rays bounce up from the ocean; it’s truly like being in another world. Then I watched as my floating hotel approaches the shore at some exotic destination. And the best part? I got to visit several fabulous destinations without schlepping my bags. The scenery keeps changing, and yet your stuff stays in one place. Genius!

Travel Tips: How to Decide On Where to Go Traveling

June 27, 2018

Adam Lewis

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How to Decide On Where to Travel?

As one who makes traveling a priority, people often ask me how I decide where my next trip will be. Well, that is a loaded question! Answering it includes many factors. Among them: how much time do I have? What’s my budget? Are there currently good deals on a place I’m interested in? These and many more questions invade my mind when choosing where I’ll go next.

With the advent of social media, the world seems to have shrunk dramatically, but I assure you, it still has quite a bit of surface area to cover! If you have limited time to see the world, it pays to make your choices wisely. Destination fads come and go.

The current hot destination seems to be Iceland, and everyone is flocking there. But are YOU really interested in going to Iceland? If not, don’t bother just because your cool friend at the office went.

What I Look for in a Destination

What are your interests? Hobbies? Are you a history buff? Go to Washington D.C., Rome, or Petra to name a few. Are you a shopaholic? New York, Paris, and London are perfect for that. For the outdoor lover, the options are pretty much endless. Chances are you’ll find a place to go pretty easily if you do any daily news reading and have a healthy curiosity about the world.

As for myself, I love the outdoors – activities such as hiking, camping, spending time in the mountains and along the water. Where I live in the Pacific Northwest is great for that. So when I have limited time, I’ll steal away for the weekend to somewhere within 300 miles, which makes it easy to plan a quick trip. But when I want to branch out, I like to research my next destination based on the activity I’m interested in.

Pinterest is a great starting point for my travel planning. In recent months, travel bloggers and the industry, in general, have exploded on Pinterest, with tons of great ideas to get the adventure juices flowing. From there I can access a wide range of resources that will further help me in planning my next trip. I’ve found that simply Googling an interest or destination casts too wide of a net and I have to sift through a lot of unnecessary web hits.