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SkyMall Monday: Is the tugo rolling luggage drink holder clever or idiotic?

by Mike Barish (RSS feed) on Nov 14th 2011 at 1:00PM

gadling skymall monday tugo rolling luggage drink holder

I typically have very firm feelings about a SkyMall product. I either love it with all of my heart or hate it with a fiery passion. We're not shy with our opinions here at SkyMall Monday headquarters. So, you can imagine how I feel this week when, well, I'm not sure what to think about the featured product. My gut tells me that it's horrible. Heck, my mind tells me that, too. But, some other part of me, as small as it might be (please save your penis jokes for the comments), feels like some people my like it. Or even love it. As much as I want to despise it and question its existence, I'm actually shocked that I've never seen it being used before. It strikes me as the kind of thing that hordes of people might actually enjoy. And that's why I need you, dear readers. Help me decide whether to believe my gut or that other little part of me. What do you think of the tugo rolling luggage drink holder?

Meandering around the airport is no easy task. You have to keep track of your boarding pass, ID, luggage, kids, Cinnabon, etc. Your luggage will take up at least one hand (unless you're towing it behind you with a body harness). That leaves you with one free hand for all of those other necessities. In theory, any device that helps you free up your hands is a good thing (except for Bluetooth headsets, which make you look like a massive douchebag). And yet, the tugo seems so wrong.

Perhaps the product description will help us decide:

No more fumbling with your drink when pulling your rolling luggage. Tugo securely nestles coffee cups, water bottles, baby bottles and more, keeping them stable and level.

Provides a handy and secure place for your drink while walking the concourse or sitting at the gate.

Would you rather fumble with your drink while you're walking (presuming that you've yet to master drinking, in which case, perhaps you should consider using a sippy cup) or have your beverage perched precariously above your moving luggage? Are those the only two choices? In this scenario, it would appear so.

Well, what say you, SkyMall Monday readers? Is the tugo rolling luggage drink holder brilliant or moronic? Vote below and share your thoughts in the comments. Oh, and if you need some help deciding how to cast your vote, there's a video of the tugo for you below, as well.

What do you think of the tugo rolling luggage drink holder?
It's really clever!	4319 (68.3%)
It's so idiotic!	2007 (31.7%)

Check out all of the previous SkyMall Monday posts HERE.

Filed under: Gear, Skymall Monday

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Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)

unklejerri Nov 14th 2011 8:00PM

Brillant!!! I walk with a cane so I only have one hand left to tote stuff and often use a wheely bag for class and othe times I need to transport gear or packages.
My sister is a court reporter who travels via LIRR and subway lugging her machine. Get the picture many people who schlep stuff would love one of these.

iluvscotty97 Nov 14th 2011 10:47PM

So. Stupid. Did the inventor realize that your foot could hit the coffee cup?? You would then need to buy a new coffee, throw away$15 of a piece of plastic or whatever it's made of AND dry everything out in your suitcase. Such a wonderful invention... NOT! Haha

Curtiss Nov 14th 2011 9:02PM

Really?!!!!!! Try to think beyond this video, and realize how impractical this product really is. First, think about actually using it. Whether you have to park at an airport lot first, or take your bag from the hotel room, and then onto an airport shuttle to the airport, are you going to use it then? OK, then you have to take it off (since you usually have to lower the suitcase handle for storage in the shuttle transit), and then put it back on when you get to the airport. Then, after check in (if your wheeled bag is a carry on), you'll wheel it to security, take it off again (but you actually may not even need it at this point, because security won't let you bring a drink in). However, if you want to purchase another drink after security, you'll then have to put it back on before walking to your gate, where you'll then have to take it off again before boarding. All of this hassle is not even mentioning that you'll have to stop every time you want to take sip or your beverage, that is if there is anything still left it the cup. On this note, please think of how many times your rolling luggage tips sideways (or completely over) for no apparent reason while walking normally thru an airport (not to mention being in a hurry which most travelers are). And, when your bag does tip, guess where the liquid in the cup will spill? Yes (the floor of course, but first), right onto the bag that the handle is connected to. Bottom line, I wouldn't get (or even try) one of these contraptions even if they were freeeeeee!!!

Bii B Nov 14th 2011 8:57PM

C'mon man, this is brilliant! Luggage in one hand, coffee in the other.......then the cell phone rings and must be answered, but can't stop, gotta' keep walking to my distant gate, gotta' put the coffee down.....

P.S. For TSA worriers, I don't see this device in play until you are already past security......

moeelmore Nov 14th 2011 9:42PM

A gimbel allows a container to remain with a part vertical while the base is moving like a ship in rough seas. Another system suspends an object (like a lantern or object that needs to stay upright or not spill contents). This one only deals with one form of movement, not those constantly varying. Still it is a nice try and quite simple so if its works, hooray for the inventor.

Judy Nov 14th 2011 11:47PM

OK, Curtiss (and a few others): You are not the only one in the world who would like to have a very pleasant time every time you traveled...so would all the rest of us!! You seem to think that someone must be wanting something to drink at every stage of their trip to and in the airport. For myself...I drink something before I leave for the airport, make sure I have my carry-on, my small purse and my CANE (notice: no place for a cup). Then I wait until AFTER security to get something to drink --yes, i can wait that long--but what about then? I buy a cup of whatever and try to juggle it ...if I had a holder it would be no problem but, if not, perhaps it may accidentally spill on someone (maybe on someone named Curtiss). Then you'd wish I'd had one while cussing me out! And, yes, I did leave home in time to arrive early enough NOT to be in such a RUSH.
I would suggest you may need to do a re-evaluation of your "attitude quotient" and remember you're not the only traveler..... What about the handicapped...though service to our country, desease or accident...mother/fathers with children, people who must carry work related items with them, and the elderly..would you be the one to tell them they can't travel to see family, new babies, graduations, vacations, sight seeing etc., but YOU can and don't want to be bothered by them??? Remember you are only one of the human race and we all deal with 'stuff' and should be able consider others and their situations (those listed above have no choice--it is with them 24 hrs a day) and then they have to contend with others with big attitudes!!
May I say, try the exercise noted and you will probably (if done successfully) find yourself a much happier person (with all of it's perks) and better received everywhere by everyone. You may even find yourself offering to assist someone in a tight spot someday and then you'll really know you're back in because of the warm feeling you get from helping someone else without having to be asked!!!! GOOD LUCK!

Desert Doug Nov 15th 2011 3:52AM

It is a great idea when you travel as much as I do you need all help that you get to run around airports with huge layovers. I will buy it.

Paula Nov 15th 2011 1:02AM

Yeah, real bright until some dummy sues for burning themselves..lol.

helen cade Nov 15th 2011 2:48AM

i actually had one of these.. terrible. didn't quite keep the drink up right and was a pain when it was time to push the handle back into the suitcase --naturally it prevented the handle from retracting all the way, so you have to fumble around and remove it.

jkgadgetgirl Nov 15th 2011 11:57AM

I agree with all of the above positive comments. Having traveled across the ocean for more than thirty years, I have often wished for an extra hand! I think it is a great idea! As my husband call me, a gadget girl, I will surely look for one with a cup holder the next time I need a rolling carry-on luggage! I hope they work out all the kinks by then, like permanancy.