HELEN RAE LUGGAGE

Reviewed by Scott W Clemens

My Helen Rae carry-on is billed as the bag for busy women travelers. Why it would appeal to one sex more than another I can’t say, but after five trips with it I can say that it’s one of my favorite bags, even if it doesn’t quite conform to its advertised strengths.

I have only two reservations; first that it’s sold as a carry-on, and second that the front padded laptop pouch is too small for a 15” laptop. Those of us who travel a lot often try to travel with just a carry-on, thus avoiding the long wait for luggage to appear on the carrousel, or being lost altogether. However, these days many international airlines now limit the weight of a carry-on to 16 pounds. While this Helen Rae bag is lighter than most (under 10 lbs), a week’s worth of clothes, sundries and a laptop will bring it over the limit, which negates its value as a carry-on.

Since most airlines allow for one carry-on and one laptop bag, it would be better if the laptop pouch detached, thus making the carry-on light enough to pass muster. And these days it should really accommodate up to a 17” laptop.

Now, as to its strengths, it has many:
• Helen Rae is one of the most durable bags I’ve owned.
• It has a carrying handle on top and on the side.
• It has four sturdy wheels that turn in any direction, making it easy to stand up and wheel through the long lines in the airport.
• It has “feet” on one side so it can be set on the floor off of the wheels.
• If you do use it as a carry-on, you’ll find the plastic-lined sundries pocket on the front of the bag useful, not only to keep the occasional mess contained, but also to keep handy that bag of liquids you must show to security. The pocket opens from both the inside and the outside for easy access.
• It has a zippered expansion panel.
• Most unusual of all are the velcroed removable shelves, which allow you to compartmentalize your packing.
• The only thing that puzzled me was the plastic suit bag with hanger that is difficult to fit in the bag and seems outside the purview of a bag this size.

Most of my carry-on bags have been quickly beat-up, and though my Helen Rae bag is billed as a carry-on, I usually check it, so it’s subject to rough handling. Never-the-less, after five trips my Helen Rae bag looks new. It’s not the cheapest bag on the market, but given its sturdy construction and thoughtful design, it should last you for years and years.