All mySimon Luggage Shopping Picks

If you are the woman carrying the Acme Made Trixy laptop tote bag this morning in San Francisco's SOMA district, we apologize for stalking you. We were just trying to get a better look at your bag, and the little "Acme Made" tag was so small that we couldn't read it from a respectful distance. We admire your taste in bags, especially after looking this one up. The Trixy is actually 3 bags in... more

You know how there's been an explosion of handbags in stores recently? It seems the same thing is happening with backpacks. And some of them are outrageously expensive. All the average college student these days needs is a backpack that 1) holds a laptop and a lot of other stuff, 2) is built to last, and 3) doesn't cost a month's tuition. Which is why we like the Samsonite University backpack. It's got a... more

What's even harder than traveling with kids in tow? When those kids you're towing are in turn towing their own suitcases. Enter Trunki kid suitcases. Made from the same hard plastic as adult-sized luggage, Trunki suitcases not only have enough room for all your kids' clothes and toys, but they also double as sturdy and safe ride-ons for kids ages 3-6. So you can grab the long leash strap and pull both kids and... more

Every time we travel, we find ourselves standing around the baggage claim carousel wondering a) "Why didn't we just bring a carry-on?" b) "Why did we buy black suitcases?" and c) "Is that one ours?" The answers are, of course, a) we overpacked again, b) we weren't thinking, and c) no. Sound familiar? Then check out Heys' "exotic" bags. The 20" frameless hardsided suitcases are small enough to carry on board but loud enough... more

The problem with so many laptop bags is their size. And weight. And price. And appearance. OK, so we have a few issues ever since we bought a "cheap" Targus laptop briefcase at Ross Dress For Less and found it more trouble than it was worth going through airport security, whacking people in the aisles on the plane, and maneuvering that and a suitcase through Grand Central Station. Next time we travel we're taking this... more

If you've ever dropped your iPod, iPhone, or MacBook and watched in slow-motion horror as it descended to the pavement, you should check out Speck's line of SeeThru cases. Made of translucent hard plastic, the cases protect your electronics while giving you full access to all the controls (so you don't have to take the case off to check your email). The SeeThru cases for iPods and iPhones have holsters that also work as... more

Was that you we saw on the train this morning, with your laptop wrapped up in a flannel pillowcase inside a paper grocery bag? We'd like to suggest a sturdier, more dignified option: The Skooba Shuttle laptop backpack. It's made out of lightweight, weather-resistant ballistic nylon and can hold up to 30 pounds of laptop (and groceries). Air-filled cells in the laptop compartment absorb shock, the padded back panel and shoulder straps make it... more

What's the point of having an ultraportable laptop if you carry it around in a bulky, heavy bag? Built NY, the people who made those cool wine bottle totes, makes laptop bags out of the same neoprene they use for coral reef divers' wetsuits. The stuff is only 5mm thick but it's soft, sturdy, shock- and water-resistant, and protects your laptop from bumps and bruises. Built NY even made their laptop bags attractive,... more

Ditch that boring black umbrella (ella, ella) in favor of something a little more colorful. We're partial to these Marimekko umbrellas. The Finnish company's popular prints from the 1960s and 1970s have made quite a comeback in the last few years. (Keep an eye out for the upcoming spring Marimekko line at H&M!) The umbrellas come in several sizes, including a compact style that fits easily in handbags/briefcases. Prices start at $22. More more

The Wall Street Journal has a weekly feature called Catalog Critic. Last week the editors reviewed packing cubes, of all things. They looked at several different brands, including Lewis N. Clark, Eagle Creek, and Victorinox, but gave eBags' packing cubes their Best Overall rating, saying the eBags 3-piece sets have "generously sized cubes (with) all the right features, from zippers with pulls to a meshed top panel to ensure proper ventilation. Best of all,... more

Keen, the maker of those comfortable walking and hiking shoes and sandals, has a new line of "Hybrid Transport" bags. The bags feature recycled aluminum hardware and rubber that's leftover from the production of Keen shoes. We wouldn't exactly call them "green" bags, but they're definitely a step in the right direction. The Oswego bag is a unisex vertical shoulder/messenger bag with an adjustable padded shoulder strap, 2 side pockets, and a flap-over... more

Got baggage? Right. How about luggage? This 3-piece luggage set from Traveler's Choice includes a 25" spinning upright, 21" rolling upright, and 15" utility tote, all of which are made out of lightweight polycarbonate/ABS materials for maximum impact resistance (read: cranky airline luggage handlers). The suitcases offer push-button aluminum handles, top and side handles for easy lifting, and full interior linings. The suggested retail price is $599, but you can get the set for... more

When we heard they were making Crocs backpacks and messenger bags, we made jokes about ugly-but-comfortable bags. But we've been forced to eat our words, because these bags look really good. They're made out of durable nylon, with padded backs and straps, internal organizational pockets, detachable cell phone holders, and even MP3 player pockets with holes for your headphones. Kids can personalize their backpacks by putting jibbitz in the 3 molded rubber holes... more

Sometimes you feel like a nut and want to throw your laptop in your backpack; sometimes you don't, and would rather carry it like a briefcase. You can do either with the Skooba Skin. This sleek, padded laptop case goes from tote bag (left) to sleeve (just flip the flap over and the hidden Velcro tab holds it down) and back again, without any zippers, buckles, rivets, clips, or hardware. You can also use... more

CNET just gave very high marks to the Timbuk2 Soma laptop case because it offers "both the durability of a messenger bag and the slim lines of a briefcase." Made out of ballistic nylon with a waterproof bottom, the conservative but attractive bag has an internal molded laptop compartment, lots of space for files and personal items, and straps long enough so you can carry it on your shoulder. Available in 2 sizes and... more