Holidaying to far-off destinations generally involves traveling to an airport at some unfortunate hour of an otherwise snooze-filled morning. After sorting out the check-in and passing through the increasingly invasive security checks, you're understandably tired and in desperate need of a sit-down. With the WalkinBag, finding an empty seat in an overcrowded departure lounge is one thing you don't need to worry about – this luggage includes its own seat.
Most modern holiday luggage now includes a set of wheels to make travel within an airport less of a haul. The WalkinBag is no exception, with four 360-degree swivel-glide wheels that allow the luggage to glide instead of being dragged, but there's also a curved handle which users can lean on for support. It'll support up to 250 pounds (113 kg), adjusts up to six levels, and is said to act "like a gliding handrail supporting your legs and back."
Originally developed to help meet a personal need by company founder and polio survivor Etsuo Miyoshi, the lightweight WalkinBag includes a 9 x 9-inch (23-cm) fold-out seat that supports up to 300 pounds (136 kg). The seat is integrated into the out-frame cart, which can be detached when not needed, and stands 15.5 inches (39 cm) from the ground.
All of the WalkinBag solutions are designed as carry-on luggage, to fit under most airline seats or into overhead compartments, so travelers can keep their luggage with them and not have to worry about it ending up in a different location upon touchdown. Most are offered in water-repellent nylon or polyester fabric.
WalkinBag prices vary, but the 22 x 12 x 8-inch (56 x 30.5 x 20-cm) ZipCart Lite with seat and 1,151 cubic inches (18,861.5 cc) of storage capacity, for example, is available for US$125.