Veteran road warriors know a flimsy
garment bag can be both a pain to carry and a wrinkle factory for
freshly pressed suits. But luggage makers are catching on, and
several brands are improving their products for easier toting.
“Garment bags have really had an amazing face-lift,” says Michele
Pittenger, president of the Princeton, N.J.-based Travel Goods
Association. “You’re seeing garment bag sections integrated into a
wheeled upright piece. They’re also more compact to meet all the
carry-on size requirements.”
A prime example of this transformation is the SkyRoll,
originally a garment bag that rolled up into a duffel-like shape
but recently premiered with a new twist. Say hello to SkyRoll on
Wheels, in which the garment carrier wraps around a wheeled
suitcase. It retails for $149. (703) 849-1492;
www.skyroll.com
Zero Halliburton, already famous for its aluminum-coated
luggage, released a soft, wheeled garment bag this past June. The
22-inch bag folds in half and easily can be carried or pulled. It
retails for $475. (801) 299-7316;
www.zerohalliburton.com
A companion for those prone to excessive packing, Boyt’s
Walk-In Closet Wheeled Garment Bag is a massive 12 inches thick and
has compartments to spare. The company sells two versions of the
bag, with different materials and features, retailing for up to
$320. (888) 289-2698;
www.boyt.com
A more traditional yet very classy carrier comes from Tumi. The
sturdy and elegant T3 garment bag (pictured above) is designed to
be carried on top of a wheeled suitcase. The bag retails for $325.
(800) 322-8864;
www.tumi.com