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Going In Style Luxury Travel Luggage By Jennifer Miner Jun 01, 2007 12:00 AM A A The best vacation can be less than perfect without the best travel gear. Shopping for luggage isn't exactly fun, but the best quality luggage for any trip is important. Luxury travel designer luggage should be hardy enough to stand up to the bumps and scrapes of a trip, yet also attractive enough to make its owner proud. Frequent travelers all have a trial-and-error period with luggage (no more LeSportsac for me!) before finding the best luxury luggage for their travel needs. When choosing the best travel luggage, one must consider several things. Upscale travel products with designer labels may instill a sense of pride as it rolls down the baggage claim, but luxury brand luggage may not hold up over time — and some pieces aren't even waterproof. Top designer luggage that is the equivalent of a hothouse orchid, unable to withstand the vagaries of a vacation in the real world, does its owners no favors. The best leisure travel luggage must be hardy as well as handsome. Top quality luxury travel luggage: Swiss Army - Victorinox Swiss Army Travel Gear won first prize in the Travel Goods Association's 2007 Product Innovation Awards. The Hardside Collection, which won the prize, is the most durable, traditional, hard-sided luggage around. The high quality, soft Wheeled Overnighters and Mobilizer Ultra-Light Swiss Army luggage are known to withstand the tests of time and travel. Prices range from $175 for the Expedition Gear large duffel bag to $845 for the Tourbach Deluxe wheeled garment bag. Swiss Army travel gear can be found locally at upscale Northwest stores. For more information and store locations, go to swissarmy.com or call (888) 658-0717. Tumi - Tumi collections include leather, canvas and nylon luggage and carry-on bags, and are universally of a handsome design. The sturdiness of the luxury travel luggage is of the highest quality. Tumi's Theorem Collection won the second prize 2007 Product Innovation Award from the Travel Goods Association. The Ducati Collection is especially rugged. Prices range from $195 for the T-Tech Pulse Rector Sport small duffel overnighter, to $995 for the Generation 4 FXT large wheeled suitcase. Tumi brand luxury luggage is widely available throughout the Northwest. For more information and store locations go to tumi.com or call (888) 299-8864. Louis Vuitton - Sure, Louis Vuitton is a top luxury label, but this brand of designer luggage also holds up remarkably well. The Louis Vuitton monogram is a familiar sight among the luxury travel set, and with good reason: Instant recognition as owning a designer luggage set is important to some travelers. But the classic style of LV leather travel Keepall bags and luggage is complemented by their sturdy design and well-made shoulder straps and wheels. Prices range from $855 for the LV Monogram Keepall 45 duffel, to $5,550 for the Alzer Trunk, the classic monogrammed, hard structured suitcase with removable tray. There are two stores in Portland that sell LV: Saks and a Louis Vuitton store at 700 SW 5th Ave. For more information and store locations go to louisvuitton.com or call (866) 884.8866. Coach - Coach is famous for its high-end, best quality purses and handbags. The craftsmanship that goes into those bags also goes into Coach designer leather, nylon and canvas travel totes and luggage. The Coach Signature line is as recognizable as is the Louis Vuitton monogram collection, with a somewhat less gasp-inducing price tag. This is not cheap off-brand luggage by any stretch, but as the designer label goes, it is more affordable — yet also sturdy, well designed and beautiful. Coach luggage prices range from $198 for the Hamptons canvas flight bag to $598 for the Legacy leather cabin duffel bag. Bridgeport Village and Washington Square in Portland have stand-alone Coach stores. Stores are also located in Tigard as well as Portland and most Macy's. For more information and store locations go to coach.com or call (888) 262.6224. Kenneth Cole - Kenneth Cole Reaction business luggage looks great, and adds a touch of class to business travel. In no-nonsense black and muted colors, this designer luggage line is professional enough for work trips, and sturdy enough for some mild adventure and luxury vacations. It is a brand known for its simple, classic design — but its over-the-top names (Wheel Estate, Jack the Zipper, I'll Be Right Bag, etc.) add a little levity. Prices range from $150 for the Duff-inite Plans nylon duffel bag with leather trim, to $395 for the Wheel N Deal leather wheeled suitcase with matching travel kit. There are no authorized dealers or stand-alone Kenneth Cole stores in Oregon. However, the Northwest isn't completely bereft of this luxury brand of quality luggage. Washington has a Kenneth Cole store in Seattle, and a Kenneth Cole Outlet Store in Tulalip. For more information and store locations go to kennethcole.com or call (800) 536-2653. There are plenty of other designer labels and luxury travel luggage brands, but the ones listed here are tried and true: Good looking and long lasting, easy to clean, and as sturdy as needed. All the above luggage companies have reputable customer service, as well. The market for designer replica luggage, or cheap imitations of the real thing, is huge. However, the cheap knockoffs are never as well made or durable as the originals. Caveat Emptor! Going In Style Luxury Travel Luggage