Hideo Wakamatsu

Colorful Travels

The scene is the same in airports around the world: Plain black roller bags wind through airport security lines, fill the overhead compartments, and clog baggage carousels, each one looking too much like all the others.

Hideo Wakamatsu has designed the antidote to boring black luggage. He grew up in Tokyo, where his family is the leading maker of traditional randoseru schoolbags, and spent 10 years working with bag makers in Paris before founding his own company. We featured his Feather collection earlier, and now we’re packing his Tarpaulin collection.

Made from a tarp-like material, the Tarpaulin bags are durable and water resistant with a sporty sheen. The malleable material offers the flexibility of a duffel bag, plus the structure of a roller, retractable handles, and smooth-running wheels. You can expand Hideo’s Tarpaulin bags if you need to (packing for college), or cinch the straps when you're traveling light (overnight getaway).

Red, blue, white and black trolleys are available -- and even the black versions stand out in a crowd, thanks to the unique material and sleek design. If your itinerary calls for something practical, stylish and different from the status quo, this bag’s for you.

— Ann

• Tarpaulin Collection:
  
  • Strategically placed storage pockets
  • Retractable carry handles
  • Smooth running wheels
  • Expandable with cinch the straps
  • Flexible moldability of a duffel
  • Made in Japan

• 20" Carry-On Bag:
  
  • Dimensions: 15 x 10 x 20 inches
  • Weight: 6.5 lbs

• 25" Check-In Bag:
  
  • Dimensions: 20.8 x 11.0 x 28 inches
  •  Weight: 8 lbs