Cheap airplane tickets and discount hotel rooms or cheap vacation packages are definitely the way to go when preparing for a trip, but unless you can figure out how to pack compactly your trip may become more costly because of baggage fees and even overweight fees.
Spotting a niche to fill, luggage and accessory makers have introduced a number of new packing products to help make everything fit in a bag or at least lighten a travelers load:
Liquis four wheeled super lightweight (only 4.4 pounds) carry-on bag from Britains Antler brand is made of a slick polycarbonate outer shell that sells for $299.
ExOfficio Storm Logic Jacket is an insulated puffy jacket made for both men and women that can be stuffed into its built in sack and become a pillow, priced at $150.
Kiva Designs sells see through mesh packing cubes that save space by squishing clothes and other contents down when zipped shut for $25.
Collapsible Lunchbox from Flight 001enables travelers to bring food onto planes and collapses for easy storage afterwards for only $24.
Delseys Helium Fusion Lite 2.0 Upright Trolley comes with a built in scale so that users do not have to pay overweight fees for $130. It weighs just over 11 pounds and has an indicator that turns red when the bag weighs over 50 pounds.
New Julian wrap dress from Diane von Furstenberg is a small black dress that travels well (by resisting wrinkles) and can be matched with scarves, sweaters, and other accessories for multiple looks priced at $325.
Travel BlanKid Buddy is a blanket and pillow set which doubles as a stuffed animal or backpack and priced at $30 from Cabeau.
Short Stuff umbrellas are just five and a half inches long when folded and yet open to a 42 inch arc, priced at $27.50 from Magellans.
Move Mobile Closet is designed to hold a three or four day wardrobe that never has to be unpacked. This 8.5 pound carry-on is from Max Mirani and comes with built in cantilever shelves to keep clothes organized and accessible, priced at $450. www.cheapfares.com