As much as we try to pack lightly and hit the road "free as birds," in fact, luggage is a crucial part of our family vacation experience. We want it to be lightweight and easy to pack; durable on the conveyor belts; and self-reliant during transit so we aren’t dragging the kids’ bags along with ours. Since we often don’t find enough drawers in our hotel room or even stay long enough to unpack, we love hard suitcases which become well-organized drawers upon arrival. Our minimum criteria: wheels, long handle, top-quality zippers, lots of pockets.

Walkin’ Bag (Swany Luggage; 800/237-9269; www.walkinbag.com; $249)

 Then we met the Walkin’ Bag. This perky black, quilted, weekend-size bag not only has the best designed wheels we’ve ever used (said to support up to 700 lbs in weight), it has a telescoping handle; several zippered outer and inner pockets (including a padded one for your laptop); and a collection of zipper and tie envelopes to store undergarments, shoes, wet bathing suits and other essentials.

Most unusually, this upright bag on wheels is oriented 90 degrees away from other uprights – the handle rises from the long side of bag, meaning it "walks" alongside rather than behind you, adding support and eliminating shoulder strain.

The handle is designed to withstand 300 lbs. of force from the pullers and leaners in the family, it adjusts to different heights then locks in place and, in one line of bags – the Stick Chair Cart designe for anyone who tires while traveling – creates a firm seat back when you fold out the shelf seat from the bag’s frame.

Keep your eyes open ‘cause this efficient carry-all is coming out in a detachable backpack model soon.

From our tester female exec on business to Mexico (4 flights, minivan): "I love this bag, because I jammed so much in that I could hardly lift it, yet it rolled like an angel through the terminal. It reminded me a little of walking my dog. One tip: don’t leave it alone; the wheels are so well aligned that on the slightest grade it can take off with – or without – you!"

From our tester male exec on 9 flights, 8 airlines around US: "It was involuntarily taken from me only on one very crowded Southwest flight; on all others, it fit perfectly in the overhead or was gate-checked and returned on the tarmac. The rolling wheels were super, and there were a few 2000-foot walks through terminals where it was like taking a very, very small bag with little effort; a big plus. The size of the bag was adequate to take five days’ worth of clothing plus toiletries and shoes.

From our tester female writer on driving trip around Arizona (2 flights, 4 minivans): It was roomy enough for me to pack everything I needed for a six-day trip, and maneuverability was excellent. The wheels were far superior to the ones I'm used to on other bags and walking it around the airport and in and out of hotel lobbies was a snap. The other writers in the group were intrigued, and commented on what a great idea this was. Why didn't someone think of it sooner?

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