Like many, I have used and abused and re-used my old luggage and
suitcases for a great many trips. But
eventually, things wear out and break and it has been high-time for me to
purchase new luggage for a while now.
After all, as a travel advisor I do like and need to travel quite a bit!
And then along comes brand-new Props, just in time. Sleek, modern, durable – this is not your
parents’ or your grandparents’ luggage.
Far from it!
We all only want to travel better, lighter, easier these days,
right? And so it was refreshing to
recently discover Props, a new luggage product and company which clearly aims –
and succeeds – to address and accomplish these exact common travel goals.
Props is a valuable investment in your next trip away, but also in
benefitting you with never before considered resources and conveniences that
you will quickly find that you cannot do without. The main and most obvious being the novel and
unique leg system. Just imagine (and I
tried out) this useful bonus that comes as a part of your bag, only with Props:
1)
The Props built-in leg system elevates
your bag off of the ground, or off of your lap.
No more balancing your laptop on your lap, and finding your own legs
falling asleep as you cross your legs over each other time and time again,
while you try to finish some emails and work while at your airport gate or
during a delayed flight announcement!
2)
The Props legs make for an included
and guaranteed (self) luggage rack upon check-in to your hotel or cruise ship
cabin. No more bending over to access
your clothes or travel items packed away in your case. No more worrying about mites or beg bugs dormant
in the carpet or corners of your room, which you might possibly end up bringing
home with you; no more concern over
fumigating or replacing your luggage – for such previously mentioned fears and
concern – upon return from an ‘exotic’ destination.
Plus, I found that the novelty of the Props leg system – particularly in
public – just makes you look so very cool and sophisticated, since the concept
is so new as well as eminently useful and cleverly thought out.
The legs are hidden and retractable, thus hardly taking up any packing
space at all!
Props has a strong and hard outer shell, for safety and durability. And a further benefit of this is that it has
very defined dimensions. Yes, it does
have a second zipper row for extending the packing space a bit more, as many
suitcases do. But when not utilizing
this feature you can trust and rely on Props’ dimensions to perfectly meet
those of most all airlines’ carry-on size requirements, which are getting more
and more strict these days. Every single
time I have flown over the past two years I arrive at the boarding gate only to
find the gate agents sizing up the carry-ons and having passengers be forced to
see if their specific bag will fit in the (remarkably tight) carry-on ‘cage’ example
– and a great many do not, due to travellers’ overzealous packing and frequent avoidance
of paying to check their luggage. This
wastes everyone’s time, and being called out can be quite frustrating as well
as embarrassing. With Props I felt much
more confident and reassured on this subject.
To be perfectly honest, as slick as Props looks and is, I find that I
miss the handy use of additional pockets and alternative (outer) pouches to my
carry-case – such as for papers, passports, keys, gum, or other small items – something
that Props simply does not have, on purpose, for aerodynamics. In fact, it is just the one and only main top-lid
opening to the main interior compartment with Props, and this sole access can
take some getting used to. But, again,
this just makes Props more exacting and reliable with what and how much you
want to be packing and bringing with you on your trip. As mentioned above, no unexpected resulting bulges
or distorted dimensions.
Of course Props has four 360-degree spinning wheels, meaning you do not
have to lean your case over to drag it behind you if you don’t want to. And the wheels are remarkably silent too. This is the first ever case I have used that
has this modern convenience, if you can believe it! Even though I have seen many travellers utilizing
this benefit for themselves for years and years. And it is a joy and dream to use!
Props cases are sleek and with muted and simple (often darker) colour
schemes. However, other than the
impression that you have one of the newest and most modern pieces of luggage
out there, I have some concern that your Props could get lost in the shuffle of
Baggage Claim if you choose to check it?
Not unlike so many other bags.
The thing is, so many bags look alike these days and just do not stand
out, even to the owner’s own naked eye, especially when you’re tired after a
long and dreary flight. Therefore, I
would observe that you might wish to tie a bright ribbon or bow or other
identifier to your Props as a strategy so that it more readily stands out to
you?
Though if this is of particular concern to you, I would direct you to either of
the Ice or Ivory coloured Props cases, which do stand out far more than the
more mat Graphite or Midnight options.
I have to admit that I didn’t use the 3-digit combination lock system,
as I really never do worry about – nor have I ever encountered – theft from my
bag during travel, whether I have checked it or not. But apparently this lock system is all
officially TSA-approved? This seems
quite remarkable to me! The TSA have a
special key to unlock your Props to check through it should they need do, which
doesn’t damage the lock or your case.
And here is something else to make note of:
Props is a new company that is has a woman as CEO and Founder. This fact definitely worth highlighting and
celebrating!
Now, if I can just get a handle on being able to downsize my packing on
trips to avoid checking a bag – so as to travel solely with my Props, for
instance – as so many of my family and other travel colleagues are able to do
and always boasting about!
A worthy goal
these days.
As Props suggests, “Travel smarter, not harder! “
Disclaimer:
Props gifted me one of their cases
to try out and travel with, and to write and share an honest review. No influence nor pressure has been made to
alter or condition my responses portrayed here.
All opinions are my own.
Matthew
Vaughan
How To
Travel Best
Keen to grab your own Props? Check out
their main website at www.PropsLuggage.com.
And we have a special and exclusive offer for you! Upon purchase online, key in our exclusive
discount code of HOWTOTRAVELBEST20 at check-out for 20% off of the purchase price. My gift to you!
Note that Props are only sold and charged in US dollars, and shipping (free shipping within the USA!) is only within the 50 US states, as well as according territories and
possessions.
