Rejuvenate with a Weekend Summer Trip and the Perfect Carry-On Bag

Sometimes a weekend away is all it takes to restore your positive outlook on life, but maximizing any attitude adjustment also requires an easygoing travel partner—which is why I’m sharing some of my favorite small travel bags for women and travel bags for men, ideally suited for short trips.

(If you want to check out the full range of bags at Onlineshoes.com, visit the Bag Shop)

For sleek style and rugged performance in a wheeled carry-on suitcase, you can’t do better than the fittingly named Merrell Escape. A wet storage compartment appeals to the adventure traveler; easy-view mesh dividers are useful for everyone. With padded grab handles on the top and side and an extra-long telescoping handle, it’s easy to maneuver and suitable for people of most heights.

Don’t require wheels and prefer the hands-free convenience of a backpack? Follow the lead of globe-trotting travel guru Rick Steves, who’s particularly fond of the Rick Steves Convertible Carry On.

Ideal for the executive traveler who needs a sophisticated overnighter (equipped with shoe bags and a built-in garment sleeve), the Johnson & Murphy 22” Road Agent (shown above) is a handsome, polished, always-appropriate choice.

(Okay, to be honest, I haven’t been anywhere for awhile, but I recently bought a new wheeled carry-on for that magic moment when I’m actually able to get away. Super cute, right?)

Because Baggallini was founded by two former flight attendants, what Baggallini baggs do best is travel. Whether your commute is from one end of town to the other or one side of the country to the other, options like the Baggallini Rolling Tote —as durable as it is attractive, offered in a fabulous range of color combinations—make dependable, reliable travel partners. One Onlineshoes.com blog reader will be lucky enough to win the Rolling Tote bagg in our monthly Baggalini giveaway. Be sure to bookmark that page, because a different Baggallini bagg will be given away every month through April 2011—who doesn’t want to win a free Baggallini? (The contest begins on the first Thursday of each month and runs for one week, through the following Wednesday. See the link for rules and regulations.)