CARRYING ON WITH STEVES: Rarely does a celebrity name attached to a product add anything but cachet. That's happily not the case with Kiva's new Rick Steves luggage line. Steves, whose Europe guidebooks and public television series help independent travelers save money and experience the local flavor of destinations, had a direct hand in designing this well-thought-out collection. My favorite item is the Convertible Carry On Bag. At 21 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches deep, the bag has an impressive 2,500 cubic inches of packing space. Zip open the external expansion panel and the bag holds an additional 500 cubic inches of gear. The sturdy but lightweight (3.5 pounds), nylon bag can be carried as a backpack via the padded back straps and waist belt. Or, tuck the straps into the back panel and carry the bag like a suitcase using the top or side handle, or by the detachable padded shoulder strap. The bag has plenty of pockets inside and out, internal and external compression straps to stabilize the load, and two mesh organizer bags for laundry or other items. An included clip-on zippered pouch can provide quick access to cash, a passport or other travel papers. Comes in five colors.
DETAILS: Rick Steves Convertible Carry On, around $99; www.kivadesigns.com or 800-645-8818.
-- JUDI DASH
