The Ideal Travel Companions

My ideal travel companions are from New York, Sweden and Wrexham.

Before money got tight and travel pages shrunk to nearly nothing, I used to travel the world as a travel writer all the time.

Once, I didn’t bother about the vital statistics of my travel companion. He was usually 38 around the waist and had a 44 chest. We never talked about his hip measurements. Even when bored on a long-haul.

Most of the time I travelled with a photographer and one of the few things that irritated me about travelling with someone else – apart from them always getting the window seat – was that they were always asked about the cameras they were using, their favourite film and preferred shutter speeds.

No one asked me about what biro I favoured and whether I preferred blue to black ink. No one cared. Nobody ever asked for my thoughts on modern notetaking.

Things have changed. I may travel more on my own, but I still have discovered my ideal travel buddies. They now travel in the locker above or under the seat in front of me rather than on the seat beside me.

Unassuming, ready to pull its weight but there for me at all times, I never travel without a backpack. Travelling with one creates the illusion that I am more organized and professional than I really am.

When men wear a backpack, it usually means they are going hostelling or are into hardcore mountaineering. And, if they put it on the wrong way around, a member of the French police force.

Generally-speaking, men don’t do dinky or slinky.

Not every traveller can carry off a Tote bag. Even if it’s a $2,500 “as stylish as it’s practical”, well-monogrammed Louis Vuitton On The Go with iconic Toson handles. Not all men can pull off a pre-loved Chanel.

For years, to avoid the baggage reclaim area and accusations of being vain and un-scruffy, I used a grip bag. Now I have started experiencing what it feels like to wear load-bearing sternum-crossover straps. hideaway waist belts and easy access stash pockets.

Briefcases have had their day. Journalists wouldn’t been seen dying of dengue fever with one. We now “travel pack” and let our modern ergonomically padded, turned-edge, cushioned shoulder straps and aerated mesh backs take the strain. To leave us cool and hands-free.

Where once back wear for men was a swatch of matted hair across the shoulders, now they are in separately attached to their over the shoulders backpacks. They wear them to corporate events and on vacation. The classy backpack gives out a definite message which is that person is heading places.

Having deep pockets is no longer a sign of frugality. It is an emblem of extravagant luxury. The type of backpack you choose depends largely on where you are going and by what means. If it’s by private jet, it has to be Prado Pre-Nylon for her and Jumbo GG or something very expensive from the calfskin Aviteur Cristallo Collection.

Aviteur is also the luxury yacht charter carry-on. Heads turn when that pebble grey Mini or walnut Maxi with the rose gold zips and trademark prism clasp on anodized brass colours comes on board with all those garments bags.

A man cannot afford to arrive at the Cipriani Venice or the Ritz in Paris and London without an Aviteur with so many innovative compartments. For her, it has to be a £1,450 Bruno Cucinelli medium shearling or a £1,000 Balenciaga padded denim.

If you are flying First Class if has to be New York’s Biggs and Riley.

Boarding, when you turn left and keep on going you have to have that highly organised look. From the blocking pocket with two hidden credit card slip pockets protecting personal data from digital pickpockets and two further can’t-help-but-notice slip pockets to store additional business peripherals. Fellow passengers and attendants will be wide eye with wonder at your elastic pen loops, cavernous main compartment, cables and charger storage and integrated padded laptop sleeve. Not to mention the ballistic nylon outer fabric and monogrammed leather nameplate.

Flight attendants will swoon at your smooth zipper action, and you will hear them realising Briggs & Riley’s Travel Backpack is a multi-functional masterpiece. Biggs & Riley in Business too. Plum is the colour of Business Class. With their Rhapsody Essential Backpack.

Premium economy? It has to be Herschell, Fjallhavn Nordace or Samsonite Eco Diver. North Face is “Too” Economy. Although Selliti Snakes will turn heads in any class.

The most practical airline-friendly carry-on luggage is from Aerolite, Cabin Max, Flight Knight. Lumesner and Lossga.

I am Cabin Max man. Whether Manhattan 30L, Metz 20L or EVOS Extendable hybrid.

Aged 17, founder and designer, Martin Barwise cycled through France during a heatwave. He realised the importance of lightweight luggage.

“In 2007 I had a trip booked with Ryanair, so went looking for a bag that fitted the new strict carry on limit 55 x 40 x 20 cm. I couldn’t find anything that exact size. They were either too big or too small. I ended up buying a rucksack that did the job but disappointingly didn’t fit the luggage gauge properly. The bestselling Cabin Max Metz 44L backpack was born.

“Since then, with the help of customer feedback, talented designers and a fantastic team based in Wrexham, Wales we have developed a large range of backpacks and cases to fit the luggage gauges of all the major airlines. It was a simple idea that save time and money, avoiding the baggage carousel.”

On landing, everyone needs access to a fresh shirt and sunglasses. And a travel writer needs quick easy access to his pen, notebook and hipflask.

And nobody wants to see their travel companions put through the indignity of being squashed into a container to make sure they meet the size-ist standards to fly on easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air. 40 x 36 x 20 are ideal vital statistics these days.

Author Bio:

Kevin Pilley is a former professional cricketer and chief staff writer of PUNCH magazine. His humour, travel, food and drink work appear worldwide, and he has been published in over 800 titles.

Photographs courtesy of Cabin Max