Ski resorts across the US and Canada are either open or getting ready to open for the new season. As cooler autumn temperatures set in, the snow starts flying at higher altitudes and begins packing the slopes with beautiful snow. In a matter of weeks, skiers and snowboarders will start traveling to their favorite ski resorts to get their adrenaline rush as they enjoy their favorite winter sports on the snow-covered slopes.

Winter sports enthusiasts carry a lot of gear with them in order to enjoy the challenges of skiing and snowboarding. They have to be ready with their skis, boards, boots, poles, goggles, jackets, clothing, and other accessories. They have to make sure that they are protected from the extreme temperatures and that their equipment can withstand the rigors, thus eliminating injuries and accidents.

Another important concern for skiers and snowboarders that they must address is the protection of their equipment during transport. Winter sports equipment is expensive and because of the size and shape of most equipment, it is cumbersome to carry. Consequently, the need for good bags to store and transport their equipment is a priority. LuggagePoint.com offers several different types of ski bags and snowboard bags that can accommodate equipment of various sizes along with other snow sports gear.

High Sierra Element Ski Bag and Boot Bag Combo

The High Sierra Element Ski Bag and Boot Bag Combo is a dual purpose bag that allows a skier to carry it all. The rugged Duralite construction is made even tougher due to a water-resistant coating. The ski bag will hold a pair of skis up to 200 cm while the boot bag holds a pair of ski boots up to size 13. The ski bag has a 3/4 length zipper with one end that can be folded to secure shorter skis. It also features self-repairing, nylon coil zippers. The ski bag measures 14 inches in height and 79.5 inches in length while the boot bag measures 15.25 inches in height, 10 inches in depth, and 16 inches in length. These two bags only weight a combined 10 pounds which makes them great for use when flying. Not only will they protect your skis and boots, but their lightweight will assist you in keep your total bag weight under 50 pounds to avoid additional fees.

For snowboarders, LuggagePoint.com offers the High Sierra Element Snowboard Sleeve, which is a simple, protective bag for your board. The Snowboard Sleeve will hold a snowboard up to 170 cm in length and it features full-length nylon coil zippers. It also has long webbing handles for comfortable carry and is water resistant to protect your board from the elements. The snowboard sleeve is made with water resistant, 600-Denier Duralite and has a dimension of 18 inches in height and 67 inches in length. This lightweight bag offers great protection for your board, easy of carry, and is inexpensive too!

High Sierra Element Snowboard Sleeve

Another important piece of luggage that will be ideal for a weekend ski getaway is the 36″ Wheeled Drop-Bottom U.S. Ski Team Duffel. This cleverly designed duffel allows any winter sports enthusiast to store a great deal of gear in it. It has large u-shaped main compartment that is roomy for clothing and other gear. The drop-bottom lower compartment has hold-down straps and zippered mesh pocket that is ideal for organizing your stuff or for storage ski or snowboard boots up to size 13. The zippered divider panel between the upper and the lower compartments may be opened to create two end pockets that are ideal for separating and organizing gear. Small items can be stored in a zippered front accessory pocket as well. It is equipped with a telescoping handle and inline skate-style wheels with corner protectors.

U.S. Ski Team Wheeled Duffel Bag

So wherever you may be headed this winter, before you take off to hit the slopes, make sure you get all of your necessary snow sports equipment bags from LuggagePoint.com. Don’t forget that we offer FREE shipping on orders over $49 and you’re protected by our 110% price guarantee too!

Strict airport screenings, a part of the security measures adopted after the September 11, 2001 attacks, are aimed to minimize the threats to the security of air travelers all over the USA. Travelers are thoroughly screened before they board their planes and their luggage x-rayed and screened before being loaded into the plane. However, passengers with medical conditions and disabilities and the medical equipment they carry with them, have to be given special consideration as they go through the airport screening process. Such special considerations are necessary in order to not jeopardize their health and endanger their life or to not make their travel an unpleasant one due to the various screenings they have to endure.

Security screening at airports allow travelers with medical conditions to bring in their liquid prescription medication (in limited quantities), drinks, and other supplements that are necessary. These include juices, liquid nutrition, and life-sustaining liquids such as blood products. When the liquid products are in quantities in excess of the 3 ounce-limit, it must be declared with a TSA officer before they are allowed on board an airplane. These declared liquid medications and other liquid products needed for a disability or a medical condition must be packed separately from the other items that are submitted for x-ray screening.

Equipment, devices, and tools needed by a person with disability or medical condition are allowed to pass through the security screening at airports. These may include items such as wheelchairs, ambulatory support devices, prosthetic devices, monitors, medical equipment and supplies that are needed on a round-the-clock basis, as well as oxygen bottles, augmentation devices, respirators, and other necessary items. Travelers with medical conditions and disabilities are also allowed to bring in items that are intended to augment the body for medical or cosmetic reasons such as mastectomy products, prosthetic breasts, bras or shells containing gels, saline solution, and other liquids that are normally allowed for regular healthy passengers.

Travelers with hearing and visual difficulties must inform the TSA officers of their conditions in order for them to receive the necessary assistance. These travelers will be guided along the way until they are able to board their airplanes.

Traveler with hidden disabilities must explain to the screening officers their conditions so that they will understand why a person may move slower than others or why the person needs additional assistance.

Many airports in the country have been provided by the TSA with the new CastScope screening system that provides security officers at airports with the means to ensure that casts or prosthetics do not contain any concealed threat. The screening can be done in such a way that the dignity and privacy of the disabled passenger will not be sacrificed or compromised.

Despite the heightened security screening activities in airports throughout the country, travelers with medical conditions and disabilities can board their airplane without too many additional discomforts that are normally expected from going through airport screening. Travelers with medical conditions and disabilities may make their air travel even more pleasant by reviewing the requirements and guidelines of the Transportation Security Administration at www.tsa.gov prior to their trip.

People travel a lot during the holiday season that covers Thanksgiving to New Year and when it comes to what people try to bring through the airport checkpoints, we have seen and heard about everything. People try to bring into the plane as part of their hand-carry luggage home-cooked food that they want to share with the relatives they are going to visit or items from their destination that they found to be really interesting which they want to take home. When you pass through the airport checkpoint, you will notice travelers being held on the side and being examined or questioned for a myriad of things they are attempting to carry with them.

When passengers are found to be carrying items that are prohibited on their carry-on luggage, they are given the option of putting them in their checked luggage, mailing them home, or simply discarding them. The airport checkpoints are teeming with trash bins that will be the final resting place for most of these items.

Scenes at airport security checkpoints sometimes border on the hilarious. You can just imagine a passenger arguing with security screeners as he tries to bring into the plane not-so-pleasant-smelling food items which they claim to be part of their diet. And what about the family that insists on bringing a birthday cake on-board because they want to celebrate a family member’s birthday during the flight?

To avoid being pulled aside at the airport security checkpoints and be subjected to further screening, passengers should check first with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for the list of prohibited items that they must not carry in both their checked luggage and carry-on luggage. The easiest place to access this information is at the TSA’s own website, www.TSA.gov. There are many items that are prohibited for carry-on luggage but may be allowed in your checked bags and at the same time, there are items that are prohibited for both checked luggage and carry-on luggage which consequently must not be carried at all.

While some items may be allowed to be carried into the plane as a carry-on, there could be additional restrictions or screening. Remember the case of the cake-carrying family? Cakes and pies may be brought through the security checkpoints. But people need to bear in mind that they are subject to additional screening (just pray that the screener does not poke his finger through the cake to check for hidden weapons).

Gifts carried by passengers are subject to additional screening also. But remember, leave them unwrapped. Screeners may have to unwrap the gifts for them to take a closer look so it’s a good idea to leave them unwrapped during your travels and just plan on wrapping them once you have reached your destination.

And what about your turkey? What’s Thanksgiving dinner without a turkey, right? TSA regulations do not specifically prohibit cooked foods being carried on, such as turkeys. But, to play it safe, and so as not to waste your precious Thanksgiving dinner, please check with the airlines first to see if they will allow you to check in and fly your turkey.

Autumn is not only a beautiful time of the year to be out on the course, it’s also not crowded which for many of us makes a round of golf much more appealing. Golf is a wonderful sport that allows you to not only get in a little exercise and enjoy the company of your friends and family, but to enjoy the beautiful scenery around you. With fall officially upon us, the air is a little cooler and crisper and the scenery is changing from green to beautiful yellows, oranges and browns.

One thing every golfer understands is the need for good, quality equipment (it always makes the game just that much better). Golfers are a picky lot…we like what we like! We have favorite balls, gloves, clubs, shoes…the list goes on and on. This is even true when it comes to golf bags. There’s nothing worse than a bag that is uncomfortable to carry or one that doesn’t have good storage or organization. Your day on the course can be a frustrating and uncomfortable one without the right kind of bag.

At LuggagePoint.com, we understand the importance of a golf bag. We have a great variety of bags that are well suited to golfers of all types. If you enjoy playing shorter, executive style golf courses, a smaller bag such as the Wellzher 2.5 Sunday Bag is just the ticket. It’s light and easy to carry on those courses where you don’t need a full set of golf clubs. It’s also perfect for those of us who like to drop in on the driving range and just need to carry our drivers or wedges for a little practice.

Whether you enjoy walking the course and carrying your bag or you prefer to ride in a cart with your partner, we have golf bags to suit your need in various styles and designs. Don’t forget, at LuggagePoint.com your purchase is protected by our 110% Price Guarantee. So, shop with confidence and get the gear you need to make your days out on the course enjoyable!

Using public Wi-Fi to connect to the Internet is a frequent occurrence these days – whether you are traveling, working from your favorite coffeehouse, or at your public library. The use of public Wi-Fi is now commonplace for most of us and most everyone has grown comfortable with its prevalent availability. While there are many advantages attached to public Wi-Fi, it’s important to be aware of certain security issues that need to be addressed when using it. The name itself should be a clue…PUBLIC (unsecure)…not private (secure). Because there are people out there waiting to take advantage of public Wi-Fi users who are not savvy about protecting the information on their computer, we thought it would be prudent to put together a list of tips for safeguarding your information and how to use public Wi-Fi wisely and safely.

You need to be very careful when sending information (data) over public Wi-Fi networks because it is usually completely insecure unless you take proactive security steps on your own. Public networks don’t provide encryption between your mobile device and nearby access points, so it’s up to you to implement a form of end-to-end encryption between your laptop and the server that you’re communicating with on the other end. In spite of the potential for security breaches, there are several simple steps you can take to keep yourself protected when you connect to the Internet using a public wireless system:

1. Turn off file sharing on your computer. This will prevent ‘snoopers’ from reading through the documents on your computer.
2. Ensure that your e-mail login and e-mail transfer uses SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption. If not, hackers can easily read your e-mails as they’re flying through cyberspace. If you are unfamiliar with setting up SSL encryption, ask for help from your organization’s help desk, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or from your software vendor.
3. If you must make a purchase over the Internet using a public wireless service, be sure to only use secure (SSL) Web sites when placing credit card orders. Most sites offer SSL, but not all of them. Without the use of a secure site, you’re broadcasting your credit card numbers to potential hackers in the area. You’ll know you are using a secure site if a little icon that looks like a lock appears on the status bar of your Web browser. It should also show up directly in the url as https:// (that little ‘s’ is the difference between secure and unsecured).
4. Don’t forget your firewall. A firewall blocks hackers from infiltrating your system and keeps it free from viruses and spyware that can steal your personal information, passwords, and financial data. Firewall software exists within both Windows and Mac OS X, although many people have complaints about the firewall in Windows Vista. The firewall built into Mac OS X is actually very good. Windows users who want to find a good, free solution can go with Zone Alarm Free. If you are a Mac user and you’re looking for additional protection, you should check out Little Snitch. Firewall programs are also part of any anti-virus software that you may have purchased for your computer (Norton, McAfee, or AVG for example).
5. Speaking of virus software, make sure it is up to date. Whether you use AVG, Norton, McAfee, or another program update it religiously and especially before taking off on an extended trip where you will be using multiple public Wi-Fi hotspots. (more…)

Fall is right around the corner and everyone is looking for fun filled, indoor activities that provide a good alternative to outdoor exercising in order to keep in shape through the winter season. This season, experience the health and lifestyle benefits that Yoga offers. From breathing exercises, to stretching, poses, and meditation, Yoga is the ultimate total body workout that focuses not only on physical endurance but mental and spiritual training.

Yoga is not just for the rich and famous. There are now many local health clubs throughout the US that are offering Yoga classes. It provides you with a holistic approach to wellness, by focusing on the three fundamental attributes; mind, body, and soul. Yoga doesn’t just put an emphasis on strenuous physical exertion but promotes the strengthening of the body through resistance training and stretching too.

The amazing thing about yoga is that it doesn’t require a lot of equipment to get started. You do however need the basics which are essential for every Yoga program. Comfortable and breathable clothing is crucial for a successful yoga session. You need clothes that cling to the body but provide you with enough breathing space, as yoga can be quite intense. You also need a yoga mat so you can stretch comfortably. And, of course you’ll need something to carry your mat, towel, water bottle and other accessories in too.

Picking the right Yoga tote bag should be a fun and easy decision. Your bag must be spacious enough to fit your mat, towel, and yoga wear all in one. Yoga tote bags are very helpful in organizing and keeping your session accessories together. But you also want to make sure that your tote is fashionable as well. At LuggagePoint.com, we carry several top of the line, high quality yoga tote bags. Here is an overview of some of the exciting yoga bags offered at LuggagePoint.com:

The T:KUU Sweaty Stuff Yoga Bag is a cargo style tote that has a sleek cylinder shape that is not only chic but is specifically crafted to carry an extra compartment for sweaty garments. This tote bag comes in a unisex design with a subtle leather look and comes with its own custom bungee towel holder and water bottle pouch. If you are the type of person who likes everything to be organized then this Yoga tote bag is a perfect match for you.

Yoga aficionados will certainly enjoy the storage comfort and ergonomics that the Sherpani Extra Large Yoga Messenger Bag  has to offer. This stylish design offers a spacious main pocket that can accommodate everything from yoga accessories, to gym clothes, and toiletries. It comes with its own protective storage unit for wet items (perfect for that swimsuit or sweaty yoga wear). The Sherpani Yoga Messenger Bag comes with its very own state of the art reflective stripe to its shoulder strap for added safety in low light conditions.

If matching your ensemble is a top priority then stash your yoga accessories by going hip and stylish with the Modern Union Oxygen Yoga Mat Bag. One of the best designs when it comes to Yoga Tote Bags, the Modern Yoga Mat Bag is versatile and spacious, allowing you to store more than your average yoga supplies while looking fabulous in one of its designer fabrics. This creative bag has bottom straps to carry your yoga mat or could also be used for your jacket or umbrella. The Modern Union Tote Bag is ready for everything and even comes with a laptop compartment.

This fall and winter don’t miss out on the opportunity to experience an enjoyable, rewarding exercise regime by joining a yoga class. After signing up for your class, be sure to check out the great bags offered at LuggagePoint.com. Prepare for the ultimate yoga experience by picking the right accessories and purchasing one of the most functional and stylish bags available.

Fall is here! Whether you like it or not, cooler, wetter weather is upon us. One might say that this shift in climate influences everything, trends and lifestyle included. Take a fashion smart thinking approach to fall weather by donning a fashionable and functional umbrella. Don’t wait until it’s too late and you’re standing out on the sidewalk unprotected and wet.

Umbrellas are the ultimate fall companion. Umbrellas (also known as “arm candy”) can definitely be a delightful save on those days when an unexpected drizzle occurs. Students, golfers, models, businessmen— no one is exempt when it comes to the function and features that an umbrella offers. Do yourself a favor…get caught in a rain shower carrying a fabulous umbrella that fits your lifestyle, and ensemble!

Don’t let the heavy rains of the fall season be the downward spiral for your fashion sense. Maintain a balance of posh and function with nothing but the best umbrella designs available in the market. At LuggagePoint.com, we feature over 300 different umbrellas! The Shed Rain Designer Italian Umbrella  displays an elegant aesthetic that compliments your couture choices this fall. In signature Paisley, Cerulean Blue, or Hot Red you can’t make a mistake when it comes to accessorizing your personal style. The best part is that Shed Rain umbrellas are made with extreme durability, perfect for holding up and protecting your outfit against strong, windy rain.

Nothing says corporate professional more than a fierce business suit and accessories to match. Add to that crisp no nonsense style ensemble by choosing a Leighton The Executive stick automatic umbrella to keep you dry and confident. With colors like navy, grey, and black to match your suit, you don’t have to worry about losing track of the “power look” on your way to an outdoor meeting on a wet, dreary afternoon. Leighton manufactures state of the art designs and umbrellas that are made to withstand extreme rain and wind.

Want an umbrella that matches your look but folds away sleek and small so that it will fit into your handbag? The London Fog Chelsea Ultralight LED Flashlight Umbrella is not only chic but so handy and lightweight that you won’t even notice it in your purse. Also, you get additional features with the built in LED flashlight, which is perfect on those dark evenings when you’re looking for your keys or something else in your handbag. With its 6 inch folded dimensions you can fit it in your back pack, briefcase, or handbag with no problems. This umbrella is perfect for people on the go who need an umbrella, but want to save space in their bags too.

Keep track of what’s important this coming season by mixing form and function with smart umbrella choices. Have it both ways when you choose an umbrella that keeps you dry and compliments your sense of style. We’re confident that you’ll find the perfect umbrella at LuggagePoint.com.

Whether traveling for business or pleasure, many of us carry our camera with us to document the journey. Regardless of whether your trip is across town or to the other side of the globe, it’s important to protect an expensive electronic device such as a camera or video camera.

At LuggagePoint.com, we offer an extensive selection of camera cases (over 140) that range from simple cases for point and shoot cameras to cases that will accommodate a myriad of cameras and all the equipment that goes with them for professional photographers.

Most households have now entered the ‘digital age’ and own some type of simple, point and shoot digital camera. While the prices for these cameras has certainly dropped over the years, they are still an investment and worthy of protecting. We have so many different styles of cases for point and shoot cameras! Everything from traditional nylon cases such as those offered by Case Logic to fashionable hand tooled American West Mission Hills leather cases. All of these cases are designed to keep your camera secure and safe.

Are you planning to travel into wet places? Going whitewater rafting, heading to the beach, lake, or river, relaxing on a cruise, or visiting a rainforest? If so, you should consider purchasing a waterproof case such as the ones offered by Aquapac. They have several different sizes to choose according to your needs. The most popular case from Aquapac is the compact micro-camera case which holds most small digital cameras. It will also hold a cell phone. If you carry and use an expensive cell phone, you may want to invest in a second Aquapac case. Many new phones have a moisture sensor built in to them now. Should you have a problem with your phone and wish to have warranty replacement or repair work performed, that moisture sensor can potentially void your warranty.

Now, if you’re a much more serious photographer, you’re in the right place too. LuggagePoint.com carries a wide variety of camera bags designed for those who prefer to use full size digital SLR’s and carry an assortment of related gear with them. We carry traditional cases such as the Sumdex Xposure 2, Case Logic Medium SLR , the Mountainsmith Camera Reflex II , and the Tenba Black Label Large Photo Satchel.

Along with our traditional SLR camera bags, we also have multiple backpack cases too. For the consummate professionals who need a larger case to carry serious amounts of camera gear (camera bodies, lenses, filters, etc.) we offer several different styles of Tenba Professional bags (backpacks, rolling cases, and large shoulder bags). If you prefer the protection of hard sided cases, check out the Zero Halliburton Camera Cases too. These aluminum shell cases offer security and strength that are unmatched among other camera cases.

At LuggagePoint.com, we’re confident that you will find a camera case on our website to fit your budget, needs, or desires. With over 140 cases available, we hope you’ll enjoy your camera bag shopping experience!

It’s always a bit frustrating when you have to go through the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) security checkpoint before being allowed to go to your departure gate. There are quite a few laptop bag manufacturers who have created checkpoint friendly bags that have been reviewed and approved by the TSA. These bags are a great way to eliminate one potential hassle (that of having to completely remove your laptop or notebook computer from your carry-on bag) while getting yourself prepared to go through the security checkpoint.

There are three designs that the TSA has approved. All three of these designs must adhere to the following guidelines which may be found on the TSA’s website:

For a bag to be considered checkpoint friendly it should meet the following standards:

• A designated laptop-only section
• The laptop-only section completely unfolds to lie flat on the X-ray belt
• No metal snaps, zippers or buckles inside, underneath or on top of the laptop-only section
• No pockets on the inside or outside of the laptop-only section
• Nothing packed in the laptop-only section other than the computer itself.

If you intend to purchase and use a “checkpoint friendly” laptop bag make sure to check that the bag you purchase is compatible with the above guidelines set forth by the TSA.

Also, please remember that a well designed “checkpoint friendly” bag must be sensibly and appropriately packed if you really intend to leave your laptop in your bag for screening. This means that:

• You have not packed anything in the laptop compartment except for your actual laptop or notebook computer.
• You have completely unfolded your bag so that there is nothing above or below the laptop-only section, allowing the bag to lie flat on the X-ray belt.

Luggagepoint.com carries several different types of checkpoint friendly, TSA approved laptop cases. One such case is the MobileEdge ScanFast Laptop Messenger Bag. “This Checkpoint Friendly laptop messenger bag is designed to help move traveling computer users through airport luggage checks more quickly. Now, airport screeners can X-Ray a traveler’s laptop while still inside their bag. The new ScanFast™ cases from Mobile Edge have been tested and approved to meet the new Transportation Security Administration (TSA) guidelines for carry-on luggage.”

Another great option is the Samsonite Checkmate Casual Laptop Bag. This is a spacious, well designed case that will certainly make your security checkpoint experience easier.  If you’d rather use a backpack style bag, we have one of those too! The Mobile Edge Scanfast Laptop Backpack is just the ticket. This backpack will carry your laptop safely along with all the other gear you need in order to make your journey a successful one.

If you already have a great messenger back or carry-on bag that you prefer to use, then you should consider purchasing a laptop wrap such the ones offered by Skooba. 

There are many more bags and wraps on the LuggagePoint.com website that are checkpoint friendly. The easiest way to review them is to use the search box on our site and type in “checkpoint friendly” or “checkthrough”. Both of these search phrases will yield many great results.

If you are the type of person that enjoys the great outdoors, then you are probably already familiar with the name Mountainsmith . If you have never heard of them, then prepare to be enlightened!

Mountainsmith’s headquarters is in Golden, Colorado; a beautiful location with the Rocky Mountains easily and readily available for testing and playing with their bags and equipment. Mountainsmith’s products are highly respected among backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts worldwide. The smart design and rugged construction is evident in every product that has their name on it. A quick search on the Internet will yield rave reviews and awards from industry leading magazines.

Over the years, as Mountainsmith’s reputation for quality and reliability has grown, they have expanded their product line beyond backpacks and lumbar packs. Mountainsmith now has a wide selection of bags that are excellent for photographers, students, business professionals and more. From dog packs to wheel luggage, Mountainsmith’s commitment to quality is undeniable.

At LuggagePoint.com, we are pleased to be able to offer a great assortment of Mountainsmith products to our customers. We have already featured their highly acclaimed camera cases here in the blog. And, as we have mentioned, they are most well known for their backpacks and lumbar packs (we offer many of their most popular and sought after designs). In addition to these popular standards, we would like to highlight a couple bags designed by Mountainsmith that we think are excellent choices.

The Mountainsmith Network Travel Bag is a all-around bag. The uses for it seem endless. Here are a few of the features that are packed into this stylish, well designed bag:

• Comes with a removable protective sleeve for use with up to a 15” laptop
• The zippered main compartment is large enough to handle legal-sized documents
• It has a built in fleece lined eyewear sleeve
• Comes with a detachable and adjustable padded shoulder strap
• Includes a multitude of other pockets and compartments designed to make your life on the go a breeze.

Another unique and clever bag that is guaranteed to become a necessity for any outdoor adventure is the Mountainsmith Deluxe Cooler Cube. This soft sided cooler bag has so many features that it’s hard to list only a couple of the best ones here! One of our favorite features about this bag is the built in beverage tray. This cleverly designed tray is capable of securely holding 4 drinks. In our opinion, this is a perfect picnic bag. So guys, order one of these today, stock it up and take your daughter, girlfriend, or wife out to some beautiful location for a picnic while the colors of autumn are coming on strong!

Don’t forget too that Christmas is only 86 days away! The Cooler Cube is an excellent, thoughtful Christmas gift and of course it’s reasonably priced at LuggagePoint.com.