How about a fancy cabin bag that appears to be moving when you are standing for your boarding pass or awaiting your boarding call in the lounge? All sorts of suitcases make an appearance these days. Some are modular, some reminiscent of the icons, and some throw in an optical illusion to put fun to your airport look and those timeless halts. And for the latter, we are sold!
Designed and developed by Germany-based RIMOWA using high-end anodized aluminum, the suitcase is a fancy variant of the company’s original carry-on. Aptly dubbed Original Cabin Optical, this suitcase in RIMOWA’s words “redefines boundaries.” This is done by “creating” an “illusion of the iconic groves disappearing.”
In simpler words, the famous RIMOWA suitcase is made with a shimmering effect achieved by a brushing technique that gives the suitcase the illusion of movement. The Cabin Optical’s anodized aluminum exterior has an alternating brushed finish to create this illusion: so, when you are at the airport or in the hotel lobby, people could mistake your suitcase to be moving even when it’s standing beside you.
Such illusion happens because of these specially brushed groves that with the change in light and perspective create the illusion of movement. This interesting optical motif is not only limited to the exterior, interestingly RIMOWA carries it to the inside of its limited-edition Cabin Optical. Here the jacquard lining is directly woven with geometric patterns for a similar effect.
The Cabin Optical is available in 35 litter carry-on sized dimensions making it – according to the company – apt for three to four days of travel. The suitcase itself is pretty lightweight, weighing only 9.5lbs, and comes with a stage-free telescoping handle, RIMOWA’s Multiwheel system with cushioned axles, and Flex Divider.
It is strictly limited-edition of just 2,002 examples. The number is only chosen for its palindromic nature and has no relevance to the year, which I earlier thought to be the case. Currently available for pre-order, with sales beginning November 7, the special silver Cabin Optical will set you back $2,050. If you are not ready to shell that kind of money, you can pick the suitcase in your choice of silver, emerald green, black and titanium for $1,430.
Goldfinger will rekindle so many memories in numerous 007 fans. The cars, the music, and the one-liners of this first Bond blockbuster, and perhaps to date, the most revered James Bond movie, live on with us since the 1964 film was released. Now, to mark its 60th anniversary, Globe-Trotter has made a limited-edition suitcase collection that all bond fans would want to lay their hands on, if their budget permits that is!
The James Bond Carry-On Trolley Case is inspired by the gadget-packed Silver Birch Aston Martin DB5 and the grey and white glen check three-piece suit in which Bond drove the DB5. The modern luggage with hints of the iconic past will be released in an exclusive limited edition of 60 examples only.
Globe-Trotter is a team of highly skilled artisans based in Herefordshire, England. Reckoned for their handcrafted suitcases and travel accessories, their ways of manufacturing and machinery date back to the Victorian era, a glimpse of which is apparent also in the Goldfinger 60th Anniversary Numbered Edition Carry-On Trolley.
Globe-Trotter has made the suitcase worthy of James Bond from vulcanized fiberboard panels, a material first invented in the 1850s, with properties stronger than leather and as light as aluminum. Replicating the DB5’s Silver Birch finish from the iconic movie, the suitcase, on four wheels, has a gloss metallic silver exterior accentuated by black leather trims for the straps and on the corners. Reportedly, the leather corners are molded on Victorian press machines over five days for their form and strength.
Things are equally engrossing and detailed on the inside where the fabric lining is digitally imposed with Bond’s three-piece glen check suit. The co-branded leather patch is engraved with ‘Goldfinger Sixty Years’ and the Globe Trotter logo with the individual number of each case. The branding also carries on multiple places on the exterior.
The James Bond Carry-On Trolley suitcase weighs 4.2kg and measures H55cm, W40cm, D21cm. Owing to the size and character, this can be your ideal partner on flights if you have £3,895 GBP (approximately $5,000) to shell for the cabin bag. Available to pre-order, the cases will begin shipping in mid-late October with a choice of three license plate charms on James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 in the UK, France and Switzerland.
Rideable motorized suitcases are odd products, even more so when adults are the ones riding on them. They look more like fun toys for kids, but strangely enough, such products are in low supply or even non-existent. Of course, the dangers of sitting a kid on a moving vehicle, cute as it may be, can be frightening, but that doesn’t mean the basic design of a ride-on suitcase doesn’t have merits, especially if it doesn’t have motors in the first place. This unusual suitcase for toddlers takes that idea and gives it a little twist, giving it some other utility even when already boarded on the plane or train.
There are plenty of suitcases with colors and decorations catering to kids, but strangely enough, the majority of them aren’t exactly designed for kids. They function more like miniature suitcases for adults with zippers that are difficult to use and compartments that are difficult to access without having to first lay the suitcase down. That might just be a hassle for grownups, but it’s nothing short of a chore for kids, not unlike being told to clean up their closet.
Jetkids is a ride-on suitcase truly designed with a young child in mind, and not just because of how fun it seems to sit on top of it. Instead of a zipper that opens from the front, this suitcase has a top cover that can be easily lifted to reveal the contents inside. The cover itself is actually a container as well, suitable for smaller items or things that the child or parent needs to access immediately.
That’s because this cover can be flipped over and placed on top of the suitcase, acting not only as a sort of desk but also as a leg rest or bed. The idea is to place the suitcase in front of the child’s seat on the plane, extending the area they can sit or even lie down on. And when the child is on the ground and about, the suitcase also offers a place for them to sit down and, if needed, be pulled by their family or guardian.
This unusual yet useful design does limit Jetkids, which was also marketed under the name Stokke Bedbox, to a certain age range that allows them to sit safely on the suitcase. It’s still an interesting design that really puts the ease of use and comfort of the child in mind rather than simply shrinking a product made for older people.
Some people might have fantasies of traveling frequently as part of their job, not realizing how tiring and tedious it can quickly become. Never mind the fatigue that actually comes from traveling, the stress of packing and wrestling with suitcases might be enough to make many people cry out in frustration. There are many ways to ease the pain when traveling regularly, and part of the strategy is having a well-designed and reliable bag or suitcase to store everything you need, especially for a one-day trip. That’s the kind of need that this concept design tries to address, and it’s taking inspiration from one of the most popular makers of watches, calculators, and electronic pianos.
Designer: Harshita Kaur
Casio’s brand spans multiple products, including musical instruments, calculators, and both analog and digital watches. The latter category has become iconic of Casio’s design language, particularly with its geometrical forms and overlapping shapes. It’s a language that is applied to this suitcase concept that tries to offer a smarter way for frequent travelers to secure their belongings for one-day business trips.
This business-minded purpose is easily seen through many of the tech-savvy features that the AeroEase concept proposes. For example, the front pocket is a laptop sleeve that can be easily accessed with a push of a button. Security is provided by an NFC lock that can be accessed via a smartphone using biometrics like a fingerprint. There’s also a small display panel on top that shows critical travel information at a glance, including the weight of the suitcase.
The very shape of the suitcase itself is also quite eye-catching, eschewing traditional designs where the front half is often a single material piece. Instead, the front pocket looks like a distinct part that protrudes from the body of the suitcase, while the four corners of the suitcase have bumpers that take inspiration from Casio’s iconic G-SHOCK rugged watches.
While the AeroEase’s design is indeed quite distinctive, there might be some aspects that raise concerns, especially about the durability of such a suitcase. That display, for example, could break with impact, which isn’t uncommon in during rough rides. Those bumpers could also easily snag against other items in cabins or overhead storage, which could cause some issues for the owner or other travelers. With some refinement, these concerns could be addressed, hopefully offering a less stressful experience for working men and women who often find themselves on long overnight travels.
Chess is a game that spans centuries and while the basic mechanics haven’t changed much, it has taken various forms over the course of its very long history. Chess sets today come in a variety of styles, from cheap plastic to fragile class, from classic designs to abstract geometric shapes. Some sets, usually the expensive ones, are kept safely at home, while others go wherever their owners go, ready to challenge a fellow enthusiast at a moment’s notice. Rimowa, best known for making premium luggage and bags, is trying its hand at striking a middle ground with a high-quality aluminum chess set housed in a signature Rimowa case, ready to travel and make you the envy of all your chess colleagues.
Portable chess sets do exist, but the most common design you might see is a thick wooden board that folds in the middle to transform into a miniature suitcase for the wooden pieces. It’s practical and, to be fair, a bit sustainable, but also terribly uninspiring. Nothing lights a chess enthusiast’s fire better than a captivating and elegant chess set, one that embodies the long-lasting legacy of a game that had enchanted and beguiled even monarchs.
The new Rimowa Chess Attache is both a homage to the classic chess design but also a rejuvenation with a more modern aesthetic. Each chess piece is crafted from black and silver (for white) anodized aluminum, emblazoned with a laser-engraved Rimowa monogram. The board, though made of wood, is wrapped in leather materials and has magnets that keep the pieces steadily in place until you or your opponent is ready to make the next move. That board’s aluminum frame also bares Rimowa’s logo, signifying its place in the brand’s selection of premium products.
Of course, this wouldn’t be a Rimowa product if there is no travel container involved, and indeed, a major part of the Chess Attache’s appeal is exactly that attache case. The small suitcase’s rounded edges and ribbed faces carry the hallmarks of Rimowa’s iconic design language. Inside, the chess pieces like in compartments cut out from foam and a suede-like microfiber, securing them in place until the time comes for them to be taken out and played. A delicate protective leather layer then sits in between the pieces and the magnetic wooden board that’s secured to the attache with premium leather straps.
Of course, there’s also plenty of Rimowa branding to be found inside, from the black leather lining down to the monogram-engraved snaps of the leather straps. Every inch of the design screams luxury product, and it’s probably good that a metallic lock system is integrated directly into the case’s shell. Whether it’s the chess set itself or the case that carries them, this Rimowa Chess Attache elevates not just your game but also your traveling experience.
Envision a suitcase that’s not just for your belongings but transforms how you travel—introducing the Mishatu Voyager Smart Suitcase: a product born from a meticulously executed Kickstarter campaign that redefines travel. Far from being just another piece of luggage, the Mishatu Voyager symbolizes the perfect blend of advanced technology, innovative design, and practical functionality.
Crafted by a diverse and skilled research and development team, the Mishatu Voyager isn’t merely about storing clothes – it’s about elevating your travel experience to be smoother, more enjoyable, and undeniably stylish. Let’s dive into the journey of the Mishatu Voyager and discover how its eye-catching design and intelligent features make it an essential companion for any travel enthusiast. Buckle up as we unpack the Mishatu Voyager – a suitcase reimagining the future of travel, one journey at a time.
Design: Where Elegance Meets Durability
At the heart of the Mishatu Voyager’s allure is its design, which masterfully merges aesthetic elegance with lasting durability. The suitcase’s minimalist white exterior is more than just stylish – it’s a modern statement in travel fashion. This clean and sophisticated design choice not only boosts its visual appeal but also establishes it as a fashion-forward choice for savvy travelers. Its robust polycarbonate shell is critical, offering resilience against the rigors of travel and keeping the suitcase looking pristine over time.
Despite its compact 20-inch frame, the Mishatu Voyager impresses with a generous 33-liter capacity, weighing 12 pounds. This addresses the everyday traveler’s dilemma: efficient packing without compromising space. Its dimensions, 20.67×13.98×9.25 inches, are tailored to meet airline cabin requirements, making it an ideal carry-on. This thoughtful design balances size with capacity, catering to practical travel needs while maintaining a sleek profile.
Functionality is woven into the fabric of the Mishatu Voyager’s design philosophy. Features like Auto-Follow Mode, Assist-Uphill Mode, and Cycling Mode are seamlessly integrated, enhancing travel convenience and efficiency while preserving the suitcase’s stylish exterior.
Auto-Follow Mode: Your Personal Luggage Assistant
The Auto-Follow Mode is a feature that allows your suitcase to act as your personal assistant on wheels. Using advanced sensors and a remote control system, it can follow you autonomously, providing hands-free movement and relieving you of the physical burden of carrying your luggage. This feature is especially helpful in crowded airports and stations, making navigating through the crowds easier without worrying about your luggage.
Uphill Assistance: Making Every Journey Effortless
Navigating inclined paths or hilly terrains is a breeze with the Mishatu Voyager’s Assist Uphill Mode. Activated with a simple tilt, it propels the suitcase effortlessly uphill, addressing a significant pain point for travelers and making the physical aspect of travel more comfortable.
Cycling Mode: Adding Fun to Functionality
The Cycling Mode of the Mishatu Voyager offers an additional layer of convenience and innovation. At the heart of this feature lies a hidden gem: two ergonomic pedals that elegantly pop out from beneath the suitcase’s sleek exterior. These pedals are not just an engineering feat; they transform the suitcase into a comfortable seat, allowing you to take a break wherever your journey takes you.
Imagine the convenience of unfolding the pedals on your suitcase to take a break, savor a snack, or relax and soak in your surroundings. This distinctive feature elevates the Voyager Smart Suitcase beyond a mere travel accessory; it becomes a portable oasis of comfort.
Whether you’re at the airport awaiting a flight, pausing during a city excursion, or need a brief respite in a hectic travel itinerary, the Mishatu Voyager seamlessly conforms to your needs. Its thoughtful, user-centric design transforms the suitcase from a basic travel necessity into an adaptable travel ally, merging practicality with a dash of elegance.
Removable Battery: Compliant and Convenient
Compliance with airline regulations is ensured with the Mishatu Voyager’s removable battery, which is necessary for air travel. This battery doubles as a portable power bank, keeping your devices charged on the go.
One-Click Find Function: Never Lose Sight of Your Luggage
The one-click find function is a boon in crowded spaces, helping you locate your suitcase quickly. This feature is invaluable in busy travel hubs, offering peace of mind and reducing the likelihood of lost or stolen luggage.
App Integration: Complete Control at Your Fingertips
The Mishatu Voyager’s dedicated app enhances your control over the travel experience. With features like real-time tracking, remote control, anti-loss mode, and customizable settings, it caters to the tech-savvy traveler, offering a more secure and personalized journey.
Final Thoughts: A Revolution in Travel Gear
The Mishatu Voyager Smart Suitcase is an all-in-one solution for today’s travel challenges. Its blend of innovative features, such as auto-follow, assist uphill, and cycling mode, with practical elements like a removable battery and a dedicated app, positions it as a leader in travel gear. These features enhance the travel experience and address the practicalities of modern journeys, from security to mobility and convenience.
After being stuck indoors for so long because of COVID, people have started traveling again en masse and with such intensity that the term “revenge travel” was coined. Whether it’s just across the country or to another one, people have started to remember the feeling of freedom that traveling produces. At the same time, however, it also reminds them of some of the stress involved, particularly when it comes to packing and anxiously waiting for their bags to appear on the luggage conveyor belt. Truth be told, it’s probably impossible to completely get rid of all those negative emotions, so every little thing that lightens the mood can help. This design concept, for example, doesn’t make packing easier or make time go faster, but it adds a rather playful flavor to your suitcase that might give you joy, or even make you drool, every time you see it.
Designer: Yujeong Shin
Most travel bags are designed with greater emphasis on functionality and durability, especially for suitcases that can never escape rough handling and tumbling on flights or cruises. Of course, that doesn’t mean they can’t be made to look beautiful or visually interesting, especially when aesthetics also add value to the product beyond just appearances. With the right choice of materials and thoughtful design, almost any type of theme can be used to make a suitcase look enticing without sacrificing its core features.
These pieces of luggage, for example, were made to resemble the rather famous appearance of sushi. In particular, they’re made with the dual tones of “nigiri” in mind, with white “rice” topped by a colorful ingredient, something that’s a bit easy to pull off considering suitcases are made of two halves in the first place. Associating suitcases with food might be an odd idea, but the motif is almost perfect when you consider how these rectangular containers on the airport conveyor belt almost look like sushi on food conveyor belts that are popular in Japan.
The designs cover three popular types of sushi, each with its own distinct colors as well as ridges unique to the flavors. The yellow egg (“tamago”) design has the usual spiral design you’ll see on such sushi, while both the brown eel (“unagi”) and orange salmon (“sake”) have raised waves that run across the top. Admittedly, there are more flavors of nigiri available, though the collection is oddly missing the equally popular red tuna (“maguro”).
The sushi metaphor doesn’t stop there, however, and another aspect reveals a rather genius marriage of form and function. A strap wraps around the width of the suitcase, resembling the strip of seaweed (“nori”) used to hold the two halves of sushi together. This strap has an area for writing your information and saves you the trouble of having to buy a separate accessory for the suitcase. The sushi suitcase isn’t a groundbreaking new design that changes the formula completely, but it helps make traveling a bit more enjoyable and even fun, especially if you’re going to Japan.
When it comes to designing a space for our little bundles of joy, a crib that promises not only a safe and comfortable haven but a world of imaginative possibilities is a definite winner. Case in point, Schwan! Designed to make your baby smile even in their sleep, Schwan is far and beyond this idea. It ensures that every stage of your baby’s growth is met with excitement and comfort.
To that accord, this is a cradle that literally grows out of its essential idea of a cradle into one that doubles as a rocking horse or triples as a suitcase to be carried along when you shift base with your toddler. Beat that!
In its primary feature, Schwan provides a plush sleeping surface that delicately cradles your baby’s growing body. The ergonomic design ensures that your little one enjoys a restful sleep, night after night. But the magic doesn’t stop there.
As your baby starts to explore the world around them, Schwan transforms into a rocking horse: a delightful combination of entertainment and exercise. With a comfortable seat and handles perfectly sized for tiny hands to grip, this rocking horse feature becomes a source of endless joy. The gentle rocking motion not only brings giggles but also has a calming effect.
This safe haven for your child’s sleep and playtime adventures takes on yet another guise – that of a suitcase – with a simple flip and a few folds. The innovative crib becomes a convenient travel companion as foldable legs and a secure lid ensure that your baby’s essentials are packed away neatly, ready to journey.
As parents, we’re always seeking the best for our children. We want them to feel safe, cherished, and inspired. Schwan beautifully captures these aspirations, offering not just a cradle, but a whole world of possibilities with its image of a memory-maker on wheels!
Traveling has now become a full-fledged affair, since the terror of the pandemic has waned away a little, and we’re able to jet-set about more freely. My travel bucket is currently brimming with places I need to visit and make up for the pandemic-inflicted hiatus I had to take from traveling. But as any experienced traveler will definitely tell you, before you set off on your next adventure, you need to put together a collection of handy, reliable, and well-designed travel accessories. Great travel accessories are essential, they have your back in the most sudden and spontaneous of situations, providing you with aid and relief when you least expect it. And, we’ve put together a bunch of innovative and functional travel-friendly products that you need to pack in your suitcase for your next trip! From KODAK travel cases to an ingenious suitcase that doubles up as a bedside table – these products are the must-haves you need for your next holiday.
1. Mitchell’s Suitcase
This concept suitcase is really an intriguing one! It makes packing and unpacking a super simple and efficient process for travelers, especially if they’re staying in a tiny hotel room or Air BnB space. It is carry-on luggage that doubles up as a bedside table. It’s extremely helpful in case your room doesn’t have a bedside table.
Why is it noteworthy?
The product is designed so you don’t have to unpack everything when you arrive and repack them when it’s time to leave. It will be beneficial for cramped spaces and if you’re traveling from one place to another.
What we like
The suitcase/bedside table can also serve as a lamp
The storage is designed as drawers that will make it easier for you to access the items that you need at the moment
What we dislike
There is no option to remove the partition/drawer if needed
2. The Ringo Bottle
Combining the practicality of a water bottle with the convenience of a MagSafe-compatible iPhone stand, the Ringo Bottle quenches your thirst while turning your smartphone into a tripod on-the-fly.
Why is it noteworthy?
No more shaky videos or propping your phone against precarious objects—now you can FaceTime, create TikTok videos, and shoot IG Reels like a pro, along with the benefit of having glowing skin because you’re constantly hydrated!
What we like
Works rather intuitively without any adjustable clamps or grips
Is a handy little instrument to keep your phone propped up while you watch videos, take calls, or film viral content
What we dislike
Not sure if we can use the bottle cover/lid as a standalone tripod
3. The Taco Device
This concept started out with the metaphor or pun “Let’s taco ’bout it” and it evolved into something that actually uses the idea of the taco, or at least the shape of it.
Why is it noteworthy?
The translation device is shaped like a taco and will be used by both the speaker and the listener. It’s actually like one of those two-way cup devices that you may have used when you were young (or at least those of a certain age) but now using digital technology.
What we like
Makes communicating more fun and functional
What we dislike
The shape, while good for holding, is not designed to catch sound correctly
4. Kodak Luggage
Designed as a set of three bags ranging from a small carry-on to a medium cabin/check-in case and a large check-in case, the Kodak luggage is a clever reinterpretation of the ‘Kodak Moment’ – the company’s famous slogan.
Why is it noteworthy?
Instead of photographs, however, the luggage focuses on travel, helping you create memorable experiences that are worthy of photographs. In doing so, Kodak still manages to be an integral part of the memory-making experience, but in an absolutely new way.
What we like
Available in 5 colors, they’re distinctly different from other travel cases we’ve seen just given their color palette
What we dislike
The luggage does not include any means of personalising them, which could be a missed Kodak moment as there is no way to include our photographs on the luggage
5. Easy Journey
Easy Journey is a great product for traveling parents with young toddlers who need to be moved around in a stroller! The designers at Taizhou University integrated a stroller into a hard-shell travel case, resulting in Easy Journey. It has sufficient space to store your luggage and features 3 pairs of 360° wheels. When used as a travel case, it stands vertically, resting on 4 wheels on the bottom. However, when you want to use it in stroller mode, Easy Journey flips onto its back, with an extra pair of wheels popping out of the hardshell case’s interiors.
Why is it noteworthy?
The front (now the top) of the case opens up to reveal a rather comfortable baby seat, taking under a minute to use and set up. Easy Journey is perfect for parents with young kids, although one can make the case that the product has a relatively short lifespan once the kid outgrows the stroller.
What we like
Doubles up as a stroller and a travel case
Ideal for parents with young kids
What we dislike
The safety/strength of the stroller is currently undetermined
Most people have dreams of traveling places for pleasure, enjoying the sights and sounds of a bustling foreign city, or catching the sun at some beach. Those fantasies often come crashing down when it comes time to actually start packing, turning preparations into one of the most stressful parts of any travel that requires more than a few days of clothing. Fortunately, the fun starts after, but the stress returns the moment you’re returned as well. Unpacking and cleaning up is already tiring, but putting away an unused suitcase can be a hassle if you don’t have spacious storage for it. The Jollying Pebble eases part of that burden by offering a suitcase you can almost stow away anywhere, and it looks pretty jolly to boot!
Choosing a suitcase to buy can be a bit stressful already. You have to choose the perfect compromise between size and portability, having to mind where you’d keep the suitcase when it’s not in use. If you could have all of those, it would definitely be grand. Fortunately, you can, at least with this design whose simplicity belies its ingenuity.
The Jollying Pebble uses a collapsible structure to make the suitcase body more flexible in how much it can carry and how flat it can be when empty. Two hard shells form the front and back (or top and bottom, if you will) that sandwich a layer of durable textile that can expand or fold down as the case may be. The idea is that the suitcase simply collapses and flattens itself to more than half its size, allowing you to keep it in narrow spaces like under the bed or even inside a closet. There have been expandable suitcase designs before, but the Jollying Pebble takes it further in both size and build.
Being collapsible doesn’t mean that the design skimps on quality and durability. In addition to the extra-tough shells and water and tear-resistant textiles, the Jollying Pebble also comes with smooth, noiseless wheels, a zipper that goes all around the body, durable pull and carry handles, and a standard TSA combination lock. There are also straps on each side that hold the suitcase in its collapsed state so that it doesn’t suddenly expand just because the two sides start rolling away from each other. Even better, there’s also a stand that keeps the suitcase itself in place and can be used to proudly display the suitcase.
The Jollying Pebble is more than just convenient and easy to use, it also looks fun as well. Available in a variety of pastel colors, the suitcases truly look like jolly pebbles. Almost all parts are color matched as well, including the included stand, though the black zippers, wheels, and handles provide a pleasant contrast as well. With such a design, the Jollying Pebble creates an atmosphere of fun and play that makes even the act of packing and unpacking more enjoyable.
