Originally Posted by
WanderingDaruma
Hey FT. Long time lurker, which means long time beneficiary. But I've got a question to throw out to the luggage-minded collective.
I see myself needing three different sets of luggage for three different kids of travel.
1) Short-term, casual travel. These are local weekend trips, quick flights to a friend on the other side of the US, or not so far, etc. For these kinds of trips I envisage myself with an AirBoss for my luggage and a Lowepro Fastpack 250 for photography equipment (vitally important for me while traveling) and enough space for books, magazines, etc.
2) Short-term or medium-term business travel. This is the professional suite of luggage needs. For this I see something like a B&R rollaboard (24" max) and an accompanying laptop briefcase like the Tumi briefcase currently being oggled at OBOW.
3) Here's where my question comes in - I recently took a two and a half week trip to Japan. It was a mix of business and pleasure. It was also a horrible luggage experience. I had a backpack, a messenger bag, a large duffel (no wheels, a sad little hand-me-down) and a beastly garment bag. I decided that, even if no business were involved, this is the kind of trip where an AirBoss would not be enough. It's longer than my traveling style would permit with an AirBoss, and there's a lot more "stuff" involved, including hauling a small trove of souvenirs back across the Pacific.
To that end, I wonder what kind of luggage people use if they have to have something big enough to check-in at the counter. There seem to be two styles of "big bags." Wheeled uprights, which have that large rectangular shape (reminds me of the Thwomp from the Mario games) and large, wheeled duffels. Which do casual, recreational travelers prefer, and why?
And after recommending a style, what brands/models do people prefer? I was looking at eBags and their Mother Lode series, as well as High Sierra in that kind of "young person, metro, not-stuffy look" but I'm willing to keep an open mind.
Thanks!
Depending on how light you pack and what kind of trip you are on (destination, weather, terrain, activity) an Airboss is enough for two weeks. I've done it with a similar size (actually less volume) 22" roller. had to expand it on the way back because of extra stuff I bought. If it's a trip that requires suits and several pairs of shoes, the Airboss won't cut it alone.
The main difference between something like a 24-26" roller bag and a similar size duffel is of course the form factor. This influences how you best pack in it and what is best packed in it. A duffel is often deeper but narrower. That makes it usually better for bulky stuff like snow boots or ski boots or helmets. A flatter but wider suitcase is just that: a suit case.
The duffel will usually have a better volume to weight ratio, meaning it is the lighter bag but can pack the same or more volume. It will also have less exterior linear inches for the same volume. The suitcase will usually have the better protection.
I don't know what you did in Japan but my hunch is you seriously overpacked. Use the photo backpack as your personal item. Take a checked bag with wheels around 25", for example an extendable 24" bag. If ever you feel the need take an Airboss as carry-on. Pack the most important and most valuable clothes in the AB, the rest gets checked. If you buy more stuff along the road expand the suitcase. Airboss rides on top of 24 incher, photo bag hangs on front of 24 incher with a hook/loop. You can effectively maneuver three bags with one hand this way.
One thing that I have noticed about my rather wide 24" Andiamo duffel now that I used it is that the bag is so wide (16") that it throws me a bit off balance when I have to carry it. At 180cm/74kg I am not scrawny but not the Hulk, either. Carrying such a wide bag with the center of gravity shifted so far out from the body is not easy.
Forgot to say: Welcome to FT!
Till