The Difference Between Polycarbonate and Aluminum Suitcases on the Road

December 11, 2018 Erica Ho 5 minute read

Perhaps all the fuss around aluminum suitcases really comes down to is this: How much into status symbols are you?

Bags Gear Reviews Sponsored

Review: Away’s Daypack Is the Picture Perfect Consultant Bag. (Giveaway!)

November 26, 2018 Sponsored Post 4 minute read

This sponsored post is brought to you by Away.

Bags Business Gear Reviews

The Everlane Modern Twill Single Snap Backpack Is a Great Buy for the Price

May 22, 2018 Erica Ho 7 minute read

In the four years since we reviewed the Twill Weekender, Everlane has rolled out a full line of bags, backpacks and weekenders.

Bags Business Gear Reviews

The Incase EO Travel Backpack Actually Lives Up to the Hype.

May 3, 2018 Erica Ho 9 minute read

So, the Amazon reviews are correct. In case (pun clearly intended) you were wondering.

Bags emergency Gear Guides

Here’s What To Do When Liquids Explode Inside Luggage

April 26, 2018 Erica Ho 1 minute read

No, no, not that type of liquid explosion that the TSA likes to talk about all the time. I’m talking about the times you unzip a bag, and there’s gunk. Everywhere.

Bags Gear Reviews

The côte&ciel Saar Small Might Be the Fairest Bag of Them All

January 2, 2018 Erica Ho 7 minute read

It’s certainly not every day that a man stops me in the street to compliment the backpack I’m wearing.

Airlines Bags Flights Gear Technology Travel

Stop Freaking Out About Bringing a Smart Suitcase Onboard

December 6, 2017 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Despite recent news smart suitcases are being semi-banned from planes, most people will still be able to bring their smart gear onboard an aircraft. God, you and your Instagram.

Asia Bags Gear

Quick Spotlight on the Most Interesting Japanese Bags Brands

December 4, 2017 Erica Ho 1 minute read

At Map Happy, we have a special affinity for Japanese craftsmanship.

Bags Gear Technology

Should You Switch to a Smart Suitcase?

August 3, 2017 Erica Ho 2 minute read

On paper, it seems like a great concept. But fragile computer parts and banged up suitcases sound like a cocktail for disaster.

Airlines Airports Bags Reference Charts

Here’s What Airlines Will Compensate You for Lost Luggage

August 1, 2017 Alisha Steindecker 1 minute read

There’s one thing that all airlines appear to agree on: reimbursement for lost baggage. Because there are laws.

Bags Gear Trip Planning

The Only Features You Should Look for in Carry On Luggage

July 5, 2017 Erica Ho 2 minute read

Don’t be distracted by shiny TSA locks and built-in battery packs.

Adventure Bags Gear Reviews Trip Planning

Review: The Patagonia Stormfront Is One Badass Bitch Backpack

March 16, 2017 Erica Ho 3 minute read

Do you know that moment when you are thinking, god, my backpack is completely covered in mud and there is THOUSANDS of dollars of gear inside but we are going to hose it off with a blast of water like nobody’s business?

Bags Business Gear Ladies Reviews

Review: The Lo & Sons T.T. May Not Be the Perfect Work Tote You Think It Is

February 8, 2017 Erica Ho 6 minute read

Lo & Sons has revolutionized women’s handbags with its combination of style and function the last few years, but sometimes even companies fall victim to their own success.

Bags Features Gear Opinion Trip Planning

These Are Some of the Coolest Bag Brands You’ve Never Heard of (2017 Edition)

January 19, 2017 MH Staff 2 minute read

Be prepared to salivate. Because my eyes are drooling.

Bags Gear Reviews Trip Planning

Does the Lo & Sons Cambridge Deliver as a Decent Weekender for Men?

November 8, 2016 Erica Ho 5 minute read

I’m starting to learn that the perfect bag doesn’t exist—its actually about finding the ‘good enough’ bags out there.

Bags Gear Ladies Reviews Sponsored Trip Planning

The Lo & Sons Seville Bag Can Be Any Color You Want It To Be

February 1, 2016 Sponsored Post 4 minute read

This sponsored post is brought to you by Lo & Sons.

It changes colors, like a chameleon. Color me sold.

Bags Features Gear Packing Trip Planning

The Best Gifts and Gadgets for Serious Travelers

November 29, 2015 MH Staff 2 minute read

Sadly, not every item we covered in last year’s gift guide made it to the list this year. Some just broke along the way and ending up being sad disappointments. This, unfortunately, includes our beloved Muji suitcase and Bellroy Travel Wallet.

Bags Gear Packing Trip Planning

These Are Probably Some of the Coolest Bag Brands You’ve Never Heard of

October 19, 2015 Erica Ho 2 minute read

I spend a lot of time around bags, thinking about bags and searching bags. I even once asked someone across a plane aisle what bag they had. That was kinda awkward.

Bags Gear Misc.

Get Free Travel Gear By Testing It on the Road for Us!

October 8, 2015 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

The only thing I might love more than traveling itself are things that enable me to travel. Bags, packing cubes, swastika power adapters, travel spice kits, bla bla.

Bags Gear Trip Planning

The Five Essential Bags Every Serious Traveler Needs

April 6, 2015 Erica Ho 3 minute read

If you’re gonna jetset around the world multiple times a year every year, you’re going to need some serious gear.

Bags Gear Reviews Travel Trip Planning

The Cenzo Duffle Delivers a First-Class Bag at a Fraction of the Price

March 19, 2015 Erica Ho 5 minute read

This bag makes me want to go and book a Singapore Airlines First Class suite and then drink so much champagne that the flight attendant has to drag me off at the end of the flight. And I would totally do that, if it didn’t mean I’d have to declare bankruptcy after.

Bags Culture & Science Gear Misc. News

Don Draper Would Have Loved This Vintage Hartmann Suitcase

March 5, 2015 Erica Ho 1 minute read

I was visiting my parents this weekend when I ran into a serious problem: I could not find a bag to bring back all the stuff I had bought. So they went hunting in the closet to find something, while I worried they would shove me with something akin to an embarrassing grocery bag.

Bags Gear Reviews Travel Trip Planning

The Herschel Bowen Travel Duffle Is a Solid Weekender

December 8, 2014 Erica Ho 4 minute read

There are lots of weekend bags out there. The Herschel Supply Bowen Travel Duffle happens to be a good one out of the many, many mediocre ones.

Bags Features Gear Trip Planning

The Best Gifts and Gadgets for Travelers on the Road

December 2, 2014 MH Staff 7 minute read

If I get another travel journal this year, I may possibly gag. Get anything me off of this list, though, and I’ll have to wife/husband you.

Bags Gear Reviews Travel Trip Planning

The Everlane Weekender Only Looks Good. That’s It.

November 20, 2014 Erica Ho 4 minute read

Make no mistake, the Everlane Weekender is a classy bag. This is something I’d get for my boyfriend… and then later sneak out to the airport with while he’s sleeping.

Bags Gear Ladies Reviews Travel

The Lo & Sons O.M.G. Wants To Be the Ultimate Weekend Bag (and Kinda Is)

November 13, 2014 Erica Ho 8 minute read

There aren’t many choices for great overnight bags for us ladies out there: by the time we reviewed the O.G and the O.M.G., I was ready to throw everything in a duffel and call it a day. (Nothing wrong with that.)

Bags Business Gear Leisure Packing Trip Planning

Should I Travel With a Suitcase or Backpack?

October 16, 2014 Erica Ho 5 minute read

The differences between traveling with a suitcase and backpack are vast. What you should reach for when it’s time to pack up the belongings can differ depending on the trip and what you’re looking for in a bag.

Bags Gear Packing Travel Trip Planning

Reasons You Shouldn’t Buy a Black Suitcase

October 6, 2014 Erica Ho 1 minute read

Do you actually enjoy spending time at the luggage carousel waiting for your bag? Then, by all means, please buy a black suitcase.

Airports Bags Flights Gear Security Travel

Lay Carry-On Suitcases Headfirst on the X-Ray Belt

September 22, 2014 Erica Ho Less than a minute to read

Little did I know most airport security procedures prefer you lay your suitcase lengthwise—handle going in headfirst—along the scanner belt.

Bags Gear Packing Reviews Travel Trip Planning

The REI Stuff Travel Bag Is Collapsible and Fantastic

May 22, 2014 Erica Ho 3 minute read

It’s weird that I’ve owned several versions of this bag, but all the better to judge the latest version of REI’s award-winning daypack.

Adventure Bags Gear Leisure Packing Popular Posts Travel

The Travel Basics: What Size Backpack Do I Need?

January 13, 2014 Erica Ho 3 minute read

Chances are, you’re going to need something a little bit bigger than what is in the picture unless it’s for a day trip. When it comes to hitting the road, the key is to find a bag that isn’t too small or too big.