Guest post from WanderDude
I had the chance to use the Briggs & Riley 20 inch Upright Business Traveler while in NYC for business (4-day trip). At first I was skeptical, not because the bag doesn’t have great features, but because it just “looked too wide” to take on an airplane and put in the overhead bin. Additionally it looked too small to accommodate an extra pair of running shoes.
Boy was I wrong. This bag is *seriously great* for business travel.
Order the Briggs & Riley 20 inch Upright Business Traveler – Ballistic
As a 20″ bag, the Briggs & Riley Business Traveler easily fit into the overhead wheels-first and I didn’t have to put it in “length-wise” as I originally suspected.
The width is used to accommodate the garment sleeve embedded in the suitcase lid. This is a seriously cool feature. The garment bag zips up and essentially disappears within the lid of the bag. I was able to bring two suit jackets without them coming out in a “wad”. When I got to the hotel my suits went from the bag to the hotel closet in 10 seconds flat.
I often bring sneakers along with my dress shoes while I travel so I can run or get to the gym while on the road. This bag does not have a separate compartment for shoes – which I consider a *genius* feature. My other bag, the Timbuk2 Checkpoint, has this feature and gets 5 out of 5 stars for vacation travel. But the fact that I could expand this bag allowed me to bring my shoes and bring home gifts for the family. I give this bag 4 out of 5 stars for business travel.
This bag is pricey – about $380. The features are great, but for this money I want a little more. What would make this bag a cinch for 5 out of 5 stars? Here is my wish-list of features for this price point:
4 wheels:Â One on each corner so I could wheel it upright.
Shoe pocket
Twistable handle
Padded outside pocket that will hold 17″ laptop
Handle on all sides
Customizable wheels (like the skateboard wheels on the Timbuk2 Checkpoint)
Order the Briggs & Riley 20 in. Upright Business Traveler – Ballistic
Travel Well,
Beth
Related links:
WanderGear: VentureSafe 20L from PacSafe
WanderGear: SteriPEN Traveler
WanderGear: Carry-on Luggage Roundup
WanderGear: Zeal Sunglasses
WanderGear: Tops from Moving Comfort
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Emma Tom says
Great post! I’m a big fan of Briggs & Riley suitcases but haven’t tried the piece you reviewed above . Although the bags are more expensive than some other brands, I’ve always thought the price was worth it because of Briggs & Riley’s Lifetime Warranty. One of my B&R bags got ripped by an airline last year so I sent it back for repairs and it came back looking brand-new! All I had to do was pay for shipping to the repair center, which was such a small price compared to buying another piece of luggage. I don’t think any other luggage companies offer that guarantee so for me, their luggage is definitely worth the price.
Frances Schwabenland says
I will be heading to Peru next month to photograph a couple getting married and then a couple renewing their wedding vows after 50 years! I have a great deal of photography equipment and am always looking for something that will help to make travel the pleasant experience it is meant to be! Thank for this chance!