We've been searching and searching for the best luggage for our trip to Ireland and Scotland. I was overwhelmed by the great amount of choices, and a little confused as to quality of all the luggage we'd been looking at. THEN I found High Sierra Sport. I can't tell you how pleased I am - well, you'll see in the video below. We got two bags from the ATGO line - they are lightweight (always important), durable, and have TONS of innovative functionality. The Carryon Business Upright can hold my laptop, and there are tons of pockets. We also got the 22-inch expandable wheeled carryon. It is also light, offering a TON of space and lots of zippers and creative pockets. The coolest part is the back - there is a zippered compartment that hides backpack straps! Both are in the Black Vertical Plaid (would you choose any other color, for a trip to the Celtic Isles?) and if that isn't the coolest looking pattern. My husband keeps coming out and looking at it, saying how COOL and cute it is. We love them.

We were lucky enough to sit down and talk with Stella Peterson, of High Sierra Sport, about the company, luggage, great prices, an extremely interactive Facebook page, and more. Here's what she had to say...

WE: Please tell us about High Sierra Sport...

SP: High Sierra is a family-owned organization for over 32 years, committed to producing thoughtfully innovative bags and luggage that appeal to the intelligence and esteem of the active lifestyle and outdoor consumer.  The company truly puts its heart and soul into its products.  High Sierra's executives and employees are travelers that use the products they make, and they constantly look for ideas to create new products and improve existing ones. Our customers recognize the High Sierra brand through trust, respect and providing the market with better quality, highly featured merchandise, at moderate prices.

WE: What was the genesis of High Sierra Sport?

SP: High Sierra's products appeal to the young, outgoing, and adventurous market looking for original designs and more features per bag.  High Sierra is one of the premier manufacturers of adventure products - regardless of how you define adventure. For more than 32 years, the company has global recognition for style innovation.  High Sierra offers a wide range of products, providing style and comfort for any use. High Sierra has a higher market profitability due to its unique collection of prints and designs.  (High Sierra = style innovation + all adventures)

High Sierra's brand exposure and loyalty is brought on by its global recognition for style innovation.  The company has built a reputation for providing the market with better quality, highly featured merchandise, at moderate prices. High Sierra has disciplined standards for product placement - online retailers, college book stores, sporting goods specialty, luggage specialty, sporting goods volume retailers, and better department stores are examples of High Sierra's market distribution philosophy.

High Sierra builds awareness through its social networking arena with both Facebook and Twitter pages.  With over 10,000 combined fans from national and international fan pages, High Sierra is constantly expanding internationally. There is also a random drawing every week for a High Sierra bag. High Sierra is in the Pacific, Latin America, Asia, and now entering Europe. The pages are updated as often as necessary, giving the latest information directly to the consumers.

WE: What new products/lines does High Sierra Sport have?

SP: Every great adventure should be equipped with a great bag, like High Sierra's new Internal Frame packs! These packs make it easy for outdoor lovers to go out and play, as well as be fully prepared for whatever Mother Nature may bring, all at the same time.  New for 2011 is High Sierra's Lighting 30 and 35 packs.  They have a 35-liter, top-load main compartment with gusseted drawstring closure and adjustable top lit, contoured backpack straps, with adjustable load-lifters and Vapel mesh padding, are uniquely shaped to fit regular sized torso, stretched-mesh backpanel with Airflow system helps keep your back cool and dry. Other great packs are the Hawk 40 and 45, Titan 55 and 65.  Then there is the Badger 40,  Foxhound 50 Bobcat 65...these pack resemble a Vintage look to them with modern technology such as the classic external frame system with fashion-forward High Sierra style. Reduced environmental impact with PVC-Free contruction.

WE:  High Sierra Sport backpacks - well-known for their integrity - what's available now, for students and travelers?

SP: Whether you're a student, athlete, young professional or everyday urban commuter, it's now easier than ever to find a pack that fits your personality.  High Sierra's new 2010-day packs are ideal for anyone looking for style, function, organization, and storage, all with one great bag! Check out www.hssc.com and look for the packs at a sporting goods store near you or online.  High Sierra's 2010 day pack line offers a range of styles including: Day Packs, Messengers and Wheeled Book Bags

WE:  Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?

SP: High Sierra is the best find.  High Sierra consumers feel good about their purchase because they know they've made the smarter/best purchase. While High Sierra offers a wide range of products, providing style and comfort for any use....it always goes back to:  Price advantage. High Sierra consumers recognize the brand's "best find" attributes and feel good about their purchase because they know they've made the smarter/best purchase.

Consumers all over the USA and in many other countries recognize High Sierra by its innovative and feature rich products.  High Sierra has been in regular competition with other legitimate bag suppliers such as Kelty, Jansport, Eastpak, Samsonite, Eagle Creek, etc.  High Sierra's products are sold on the same retail shelves and are promoted with similar regularity. High Sierra consumers feel good about their purchase because they know they've made the smarter/best purchase. If the benchmark is a Toyota, High Sierra continually offer consumers a Lexus, without any cost increase. Why buy imitations when you can buy the real thing?

WE:  Thanks so much, Stella! We are very impressed, and highly recommend High Sierra to our readers.