Review: High Sierra
EL103- Elevate 34 inch Drop-Bottom Wheeled Duffel
The airlines make it harder and harder to travel with enough clothing and accessories to make the trip enjoyable. High Sierra Sport, a leader in travel luggage, seems to always be looking for ways to improve their luggage. They have come up with a 34" wheeled duffel that only weighs 8.8pounds! We weighed one of our older bags from another company and it weighed 20.6 pounds! The difference alone makes this a piece to look at. But they haven't given up any of the quality they are known for.
This piece has special built-in high density foam structure that helps maintain the bag's shape while minimizing weight. It's large drop bottom compartment is perfect for shoes, and the zippered divider panel between the upper and lower compartments can be rolled up and secured to create one large compartment.
The recessed, telescoping lightweight aluminum handle system, along with the inline skate-style wheels inset in protective corner-mounted housing allows the user to comfortably wheel this bag for long distances over a variety of surfaces. This bag went to Denmark and with the soft sides, made it easy to pack into their small cars. Function, style, and versatility describe this company.
Kahuna 70
This is not just a hydration pack- this is a put everything in it and go for the day pack. There is a main compartment with a thermo-silver insulation and a 2-liter water reservoir and bicycle pump sleeve. The reservoir opening is easy to fill and accepts most brands of water filters. It has a convenient hands-free reservoir pressure valve. For colder adventures it prevents the water from freezing in the tube thanks to the insulated water tube.
For the bicycle or climbing enthusiasts it has a tuck away mesh sport flap perfect for a helmet. There is an MP3 player pocket, a reflective loop that holds a bike LED blinker, and a bicycle tool organizer.
Very comfortable with an airflow padded back that wicks moisture and adjustable shoulder straps.
Whether hitting the trail for a quick hike or an all day excursion, this is hydration pack is ideal.
Compass 3-in-1 Bag
This combination bag provides maximum storage space combined with amazing versatility perfect for extended travel. This is two packs that can zip together or be used separately with a total weight of 6.8 pounds. Our tester used this on a week long trip where she was going multiple locations and doing various activities. She first went to a gathering where she was staying on the second floor of an old hostel.
The main pack holds 3295 cubic inches. This has backpacking system that made it comfortable to walk up the stairs including padded shoulder straps, removable, adjustable aluminum frame bars that can be bent to fit the contour of your back, load-lifters, and a padded waist belt that stores out of the way when not in use. With the removable padded should strap, you can carry this bag on its side.
The removable day pack was perfect for separating those items needed for day hikes, ready anytime, or to be used as a carry on in plane travel. This can be worn in front for security, or zipped on the larger bag to be considered only one piece of luggage. Both pieces fold up flat to fit under beds or stored in tight spaces.
Wheeled Double Adjustable Snowboard/ski Combo BagAs we age, travel becomes more difficult. We are constantly looking for the best way to carry our oversized, items like skis and snowboards. Especially with the cost of renting equipment, and the fees with the airlines, we want a bag that protects our equipment, but is large enough to carry what we need. This bag is awesome!
It has a fully padded main compartment to hold two snowboards or a snowboard and two pairs of skis, plus it features a zippered front accessory pocket, a tow handle with extra large padded handle and an adjustment system to size the bag according to the size of our gear. This means the length can go from 150cm to 205cm.
As far as comfort, the padded handles, long webbing handles that can be used as a shoulder strap, the rigid structure around the wheels and plastic-molded rub rails protect the bottom of bag from abrasion, and the inline skate-style wheels with corner protector make traveling easier than ever before. It is obvious that High Sierra Sport Company is dedicated to making travel comfortable, and with the multiuse, long lasting.
Sherman BagThis bag seems to fit all the requirements for a person on the go who needs more than the minimum stuff. The large capacity zippered main compartment can be organized in multiple ways, even including the necessaries for an overnight stay.
The adjustable protective lid, with slash pocket gives you ready access for small items. It is nice to have Velcro closures along with the more sturdy buckles. Deluxe shoulder pad with media pocket attachment loop and the comfortable grab handle lead to quick access.
The easy-access padded computer compartment holds most 17" (screen size) notebook computers. The neoprene organizer panel with removable key fob. and multiple storage pockets, including a zippered side pocket big enough to hold a 1000ml water bottle when not being used for accessories such as a power supply adds to the versitility. We all need to work on staying hydrated with our busy lives and the mesh water bottle pocket holds another 1000ml bottle. Removable deluxe media pocket holds various sizes of cell phones, PDAs and MP3 players.
With the multiple reflectors and the comfortable padded shoulder strap, our reviewers realized this could also be used as a messenger bag although we don’t exactly see ourselves being messengers in NYC whizzing through traffic.
28" Expandable Wheeled Upright
Our reviewer has been using this bag daily for the past 4 months to transport clothing and accessories from one location to another. It has held up amazingly well under the circumstances which include dragging it up and down stairs on a regular basis. This is where the lightweight but sturdy construction comes into play.
The interior of the main compartment is very large, considering that it’s a 28” bag, and it’s expandable to another 2.5 inches of space. Because it’s so large, the internal tie-down straps are a good feature to keep items from moving around when it’s less-than-full.
Since the bag is moved so often, we’ve had ample opportunity to use the in-line skate wheels and have been most impressed with their performance and durability. There are two padded handles to carry the bag either vertically or horizontally and both are extremely comfortable to use.
The zippered compartment in the top of the bag also has a mesh pocket to hold smaller items in place while on the go. Given the size of the bag and it’s sturdy construction, it’s very light and doesn’t add much to the overall weight. Like many of High Sierra’s designs, it’s lightweight, stylish, practical, very easy to use an holds up well to constant use.
If you are like I am, then you will pack your travel bag until it is full; one more pair of shoes, another jacket, another book! And then you arrive at the airport, and low and behold it is over 50 lbs - and you have been slapped with a $25 overweight fee! Well, I found the perfect bag that is large enough, but you can pack it full and not exceed 50 lbs!
The 30- inch wheeled duffel from High Sierra is a travel duffel that can also be quickly changed into a backpack with hidden straps that convert in seconds! Its large U-shaped compartment allows for easy access to just about the entire space. It also has 2 top loading side pockets that allow you to keep a large space organized and easily accessible, as well as a zippered front accessory pocket.
The inline, skate style wheels with corner protectors make this bag one of the easiest to roll I have ever tried. It stayed balanced even on cobblestone streets and uneven sidewalks!
This bag is perfect for all of your adventures, and the styling is impeccable as well!
With tons of storage space for your gear, a multi-pocket organizer for accessories, and a MP3 player pocket to keep your tunes nearby, this bag is sure to tackle whatever terrain the airport-or the back of the SUV-brings.
It's three bags in one! Use it as a wheeled bag, a backpack or as a day pack, and meets airline carry-on size requirements with front day pack removed.
Large main compartment with side-hinged door and interior clothing hold-down straps, There are hidden padded backpack straps stored behind the zippered padded back panel. It features inline, skate-style wheels with corner protectors, and a locking, telescoping handle.
ATGO-Carry on backpack with removable daypack
Just when we think, High Sierra can’t get any better, they do! Our tester has used the older version of the carry on backpack with the removable daypack for a couple years and it was all she needed for a four day trip. Now, the ATGO series is lighter, with great styles. How great is it to not have to carry the daypack in the airport, but then have one when you get to your destination and want to go hiking or all day shopping? When not full, the daypack can fit inside the suitcase.
ATGO-26" Expandable Wheeled Duffel
This is the perfect mid sized suitcase. It has the lighter weight which makes it easier for women to lift. Because it has a zippered liner panel between the upper and lower parts of the suitcase and each side is about the same width, we found the perfect way to use this suitcase is to open it all the way flat and pack each side. Then, when reaching your destination, if you don’t feel like unpacking, you open it flat again and can readily see almost everything in the suitcase.
ATGO-32" Expandable Wheeled Duffel
We are all so aware of the 50 pound limit for a suitcase, now even with international travel. We found that we can pack it full and is right at that fifty pounds. Although this suitcase if quite light, the durability is astounding. The recessed, telescoping aircraft aluminum handle system with locking mechanism and the inline skate-style wheels in protective corner-mounted housing keep the bag rolling true. If you find you have more stuff than you thought, for a car trip, you can expand the suitcase to make it even bigger. If you ever get stranded, or need to walk on an uneven surface, all the ATGO series have hidden backpack straps so you can carry them. Our tester could have used this when she got stranded in Nepal’s airport!
...Fiftysense Product Review Panel