Nutty cases

They turn into scooters, blast out music – or look like washing machines. Going on holiday? Why not pack these . . .

SUMMER is upon us and it’s time to think about what to pack to ensure a happy holiday. But there’s no need to drag that battered old case down from the loft. This year luggage has gone wacky and wonderful. From cases you can ride to those that play music, AMANDA CABLE finds baggage to suit every traveller. BEST FOR A DASH TO THE GATE Micro Scooter Suitcase

PRICE: £249.95,

micro-scooters.co.uk CAPACITY: 26 litre SIZE: 56x35.5x25.5cm WEIGHT: 11lbs

WHAT YOU GET: A trendy cabin case which transforms into a micro scooter at the flip of a handle. Simply pull a tag and a deck, complete with wheels and brake, flips out, allowing you to hop on and speed through the terminal like a 747. A built-in Bluetooth speaker hooks up to your iPod, turning your case into a boom box. Comes in plain black or a funky limited edition design by DJ Steve Aoki for £100 more.

AMANDA’S VERDICT: The thought of me — a middle-aged mum — whizzing through departures on this does seem slightly ludicrous, but this would be fantastic if your plane was departing from Gate 150 and you were still in Duty Free.

On a practical level, it has pouches inside for iPads and laptops. It isn’t that heavy, and in ‘normal’ mode, you just pull it like an average wheelie case. But the scooter mode is such fun you won’t want to drag it. The clever design means the heavier your case, the easier it steers, as the weight is distributed more evenly. The sound system can even connect to your mobile to become a speakerphone (although I’m not sure I’d want everyone in Terminal Four hearing my conversation) The children start squabbling over it before I’ve even left the house.

RATING: 10/10

BEST FOR RESTING WEARY LEGS

Travelteq Sound

PRICE: £407.48, travelteq.com CAPACITY: 26 litres SIZE: 55x25x35cm WEIGHT: 13.8lbs WHAT YOU GET: This doubles as a seat — allowing you to rest your weary legs if there’s a delay and every chair in the airport has been bagged. Concealed legs can be released to s upport t he base, and you then lean your back against the handle. It also comes in a version with built-in speakers to play your favourite tracks while you wait. AMANDA’S VERDICT: I thought this would be as uncomfortable as a Ryanair flight. But, in fact, there’s 2cm of foam to cushion your behind. It felt stable enough, but I still felt a bit silly sitting on my makeshift seat in public. With the music on, it made me look like a busker. RATING: 3/10

BEST FOR BLOKES

Petrol can

CAPACITY: 20 litres SIZE: 35x47x16cm PRICE: £105, neomans

land.fr WEIGHT: 9.9lbs

WHAT YOU GET: A wheelie cabin bag in the shape of a petrol can — perfect for a man who’s been dragged away from his beloved car. Cases do n’ t get more macho than this. It comes in bright blue, orange, red, yellow, white, commando green and black. One version opens in the middle, the other at the top, allowing you to slide your laptop, files or briefcase inside. AMANDA’S VERDICT:

A great idea for a macho man who would normally never be seen dead wheeling a cabin case. This doesn’t have a huge amount of space inside — with half the capacity of some of the other cabin bags we tried. But as most men just throw in a razor, swimming trunks and flip-flops anyway, they won’t be bothered. RATING: 4/10

BEST FOR FASHIONISTAS

Lulu Guinness Lips

PRICE: £195.00, luggage superstore.co.uk CAPACITY: 40 litres SIZE: 56x35x24cm WEIGHT: 7.7lbs WHAT YOU GET: A hard suitcase with a lightweight polymer shell and lots of moulded girlie lips on the outside, designed by fashion icon Lulu Guinness. Includes a lock, roller wheels and a pull-up handle, and opens up to reveal trendy lining in Lulu’s signature black and white stripes. AMANDA’S VERDICT: I don’t normally associate Lulu Guinness with the term ‘durable and impact-resistant’ but here we have a designer, lightweight cabin case which promises the smoothest rolling experience you’ll ever have. Girls like me won’t worry about how it rolls, though. I was far more excited by the three drawstring accessory bags which come inside, perfect for your make-up and kitten heels. Good luck trying to persuade your husband to help you with this one! RATING: 7/10

BEST FOR SMART PACKING Samsonite three-fold

PRICE: £155, samsonite.co.uk CAPACITY: 41 litres SIZE: 40x20x55cm WEIGHT: 5.5lbs WHAT YOU GET: An i ncredibly lightweight, space-age style which folds out three ways for canny packers to get us much as possible in a cabin-sized case.

Unfolded, it has three separate compartments — one’s watertight and so perfect for wet trainers or washing bags, another’s padded with a mesh net, perfect for a laptop, and then there’s a central area for clothes. An extending handle means you can stroll through the airport with your little trolley behind you. AMANDA’S VERDICT: The one I try is covered in a bright blue futuristic plastic, making me look like an extra from Star Trek. Normally, I can pack hardly anything in cabin luggage, so this is a great, organised way of getting in at least 50 per cent more. I dare anyone to pack this and then not smile smugly at the check-in desk.

RATING: 7/10

BEST IF YOU HATE CASES Mona Lisa doctor’s bag

PRICE: £145,

luggagesuperstore.co.uk SIZE: 35x23x14cm WEIGHT: 2.6lbs WHAT YOU GET: Unleash your inner Dr Kildare with this soft leather bag. It doesn’t have wheels but there’s a detachable and adjustable shoulder strap, also in leather. The only thing that’s missing is a stethoscope. AMANDA’S VERDICT: In the days when doctors had bags like this, terminals were a lot smaller. This bag comes in a beautiful choice of Italian leather — but you really need to make sure you’ve a man (preferably a beautiful Italian one) to help you carry it. I’d miss the wheels on the long haul through the airport. RATING: 3/10

BEST FOR TEENS Storage box

PRICE: £33.60, suitsuit.com CAPACITY: 35 litre, SIZE: 52x34x20cm WEIGHT: 5.9lbs WHAT YOU GET: A polycarbonate cabin-sized case on wheels which looks like a battered old storage box. There’s the word ‘ Storage No.49’ stamped on the side. No thief would give this a second look. AMANDA’S VERDICT: My experience of travelling with teenagers is that anything old and battered is cool. This authentic-looking storage box wheels and packs like any other suitcase, but actually does l ook convincingly old. Great if you don’t want to catch the eye of local thieves searching for an expensive-looking case. RATING: 7/10