'Tis the Season

Simple Blottoe Bag

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Whether you're responsible for the punishment your luggage routinely takes, or if you leave that job to the airlines, you know the importance of rugged, dependable bags. Eagle Creek is so confident in the durability of its Exploration System luggage that the company offers a "No Matter What" repair policy on every piece in the line. That's right. No matter what damage the ORV Trunk receives, no matter the reason, Eagle Creek will repair it for free. And that's a great thing, because you'll keep and use this bag for the rest of your life. Here are the highlights. Even when packed to a mere fraction of its full capacity (a whopping 7,000 cubic inches), the Cordura-fabric duffle stands up on its own; the water-resistant, locking zippers keep everything inside safe and dry, and a separate, seam-sealed compartment separates any wet or muddy items from the rest of your clothes. It weighs just over ten pounds, which is light for such a big, feature-loaded bag. And, FYI, if you're looking for more of a gear trunk, rather than strictly a travel bag, you might want to wait a few months for the spring 2008 launch of the Take 2 ORV Trunk 28 ($320). This unique wheeled piece is actually two bags that zip together to provide a solution for separating dirty gear from clothing. The gear bin portion can be wiped or hosed out. Perfect for those who really put their luggage to the test. ($250; www.eaglecreek.com)

You have to be a fairly strategic packer to travel with just a carry-on in these days of the 3-1-1 rule (three-ounce bottles of liquids or gels that fit into one one-quart-sized plastic bag). But the Filson Wheeled Carry-On is such a worthy guilty pleasure, that you'll try your best to make it happen. Filson is famous for making products of durable, wind- and water-resistant Cotton Tin Cloth, and this carry-on is no exception. The main compartment is lined with the broken-in looking Tin Cloth, as are two inside zippered pockets. The bag is primarily constructed of oil-finished, industrial-weight rugged twill that's treated with paraffin wax for maximum water repellency. The straps and handgrips are made of vegetable-tanned genuine bridal leather, and the zippers are brass with leather pulls. Just to reiterate, it's a worthy guilty pleasure. It may not be the only bag you'll ever need, especially if you're not a concise packer. But never fear, Filson makes medium, large, and extra large rugged twill luggage that you'll equally covet. ($445; www.filson.com)

Slashproof shoulder straps. Tamperproof zippers. Snatchproof anchor clips. These features may sound like overkill for a daypack, but when you have your passport stolen in a foreign country for the first time, you'll realize why luggage security is such a no-brainer—which is why the TrekSafe 100 is such a revelation. PacSafe's famous eXomesh panels protect sections of the bag that are vulnerable to being slashed. Yes, that really happens in some places. Its straps are embedded with slashproof, stainless steel wire, the zippers are tamperproof, and anchor clips let you secure your pack to a chair or table leg while in a busy café or overnight train. Plus, the main top compartment of the pack opens from the rear rather than the front to foil slick pick-pockets who rifle through your belongings while your back is turned. Thankfully, these added features don't add a lot of weight; the 1,220-cubic-inch TrekSafe weighs in at a mere two pounds. And they don't add a lot of heft to the price tag, either—even though most of us travelers know that piece of mind while on the road is priceless. ($85; www.pacsafe.com)

Those looking for the perfect minimalist shoulder bag, meanwhile, should focus in on Simple's Blottoe Bag. A no-frills bag with smooth lines and a classic cut, the Blottoe is a down-to-earth version of the messenger bag, with a main storage space containing a small pocket for an MP3 player (with a tiny hole nearby that you can stick your headphones through) and a long zippered pocket on the outside. And for those who tend to carry way too much stuff on a daily basis, you'll be shocked how easy it is to find individual items in the Blottoe—no more rifling through five different sections to find your keys. It has a trendy, casual look and feels comfortable over the shoulder. Plus, it's eco-friendly, as it's made of organic cotton and linen and recycled plastic bottles. ($75; www.simpleshoes.com/bags)