Travel Products - Carry-on garment bag - two suits

I am beginning to travel for work quite a bit. Most trips are 3-4 days which dictates two suits for me. I am looking for a garment bag that will fit two suits that I can as a carry-on. I don't want to have to wear one suit on the plane and I really don't want to have to check bags.

I will always carry another bag on as well so if the bag that has the suits in it doesn't hold much else that's okay (I need to be able to fit some stuff in it but don't need to get all 4 days worth of packing in one bag).

I also don't want to spend a fortune ($250 or less would be nice).

The Lat56 Red Eye seems interesting but I'm not sure how well two suits would do in it. The SkyRoll also seems like an option but the shoulder bag doesn't seem to be in stock (I believe the wheeled version is pushing the carry-on envelope).

Any thoughts, suggestions, bag recommendations, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Brian

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Looks like another product placement attempt. Sticky buggers ...:(

Till

Question your assumptions. I understand you don't want to wear one of your suits on the plane, but stepping on the plane wearing one of your suits (without a tie if you prefer) simplifies your travels.

The same principle applies to anyone wearing heavy, gear-specific stuff on a flight. If you're a hiker, it's a lot easier to wear your hiking boots on the plane along with a heavier sweater (that you can take off if needs be) than to pack the boots and sweater.

In addition, ask if you really need the two suits. Can you get by with a blazer and slacks so that you could mix up with a second set of slacks on the second day? Or will the blazer let you get away with one suit on another day?

You can achieve a certain number of goals in packing light enough to avoid checking bags, but eventually you run up against an immutable principle: you can't pack light without packing less. An extra shirt and tie, which you're likely packing anyway, takes up a lot less room than trying to pack two suits in a bag.

And, if you really insist on packing two and wearing none, then you must give up something somewhere else. Check your toiletry kit. A fair number of toiletry kits now are the size of a rolled up suit jacket. I can now travel with a toiletry kit the size of a 3-1-1 bag. That frees up room for other items in your carryon.

Looks like another product placement attempt. Sticky buggers ...:(

Till

Maybe. Not sure. Worth giving a serious answer so that anyone else who isn't associated with the product will get good pointers that don't have anything to do with the product. I generally apply the same principle to questions that seem incredibly stupid because newbies are generally looking for the answers to those simple questions.

Might as well provide some wheat with that chaff. . .

Gotta love a forum full of cynics.

Every post must be an attempt at product placement. Congratulations to you, tfar, for sniffing it out and posting a thoroughly inspired, insightful and helpful reply.

Now, in all seriousness, I am truly looking for some thoughts. God forbid I actually mention a product name. I was not shilling for either of the two I mentioned. I would have mentioned others that I've looked at (Tumi, Briggs & Riley) except they are too expensive for me (beware, tfar, more product placement). Also, I found no other posts that posed the two-suit dilemma for either the Lat56 or SkyRoll so I feel my post is legitimate.

I am looking for real life experience with either of the two I mentioned and whether they will work for what I am looking for (two suits) as well as recommendations to other solutions as well.

I don't really care what bag I end up with as long as it works (and doesn't cost as much as a car payment).

Tfar, since it seems you have something against the two bags I mentioned, I politley ask that you serve up an alternative or don't clog the feed for those who will offer up real advice.

Thank you,

Brian

I understand you don't want to wear one of your suits on the plane, but stepping on the plane wearing one of your suits (without a tie if you prefer) simplifies your travels.

....
In addition, ask if you really need the two suits.

And, if you really insist on packing two and wearing none, then you must give up something somewhere else. Check your toiletry kit. A fair number of toiletry kits now are the size of a rolled up suit jacket. I can now travel with a toiletry kit the size of a 3-1-1 bag. That frees up room for other items in your carryon.

Iwildernova,

Thank you for a legitimate reply.

I do need two suits. I have tried one for 4 days and don't really like it. Same suit, same people, occassional trip to smokey bar, possibly hot and sweaty. You never know where you are going to end up when entertaining clients. One suit gives no back up.

They have to be suits (nature of my business) so no blazer/slack combos. I do generally pack a few pairs of slacks for less formal settings (I'm not much of an in between dresser, either suit and tie or slacks and shirt).

I realize that wearing one suit would make things easier but I hate traveling in a suit. I live in Las Vegas and it gets hot here (the sweaty issue again) plus traveling can be down right dirty sometimes.

The reason I posted was to see if somebody out there might have an idea of a bag that would work (either the ones I mentioned or something else). If not, then that's life and I'll go on to plan B.

I'm open to thoughts.

Thank you,

Brian

Have you looked at the packing tips sticky at the top of the page? It includes some nice pointers (and a video!) on how to bundle-pack a suit. People who use it claim that the RedOxx Air Boss can handle a suit in each side pocket with space in the middle for shoes and other stuff. Details in the sticky I mentioned. I don't have one and don't wear suits, so that's about as far as I can comment there.

Other considerations - garment bags are an inherently wasteful of space. The volume available to pack is way less than the volume of the bag.

Wheels add weight and take away space, so a wheel-less carry on (like the Air Boss) will hold more, weigh less, and fit in smaller spaces in the overhead bin. A rolling briefcase holding your heavier stuff provides a platform for rolling your larger carry on through the airport.

Small planes can equal gate checking can equal problems making connecting flights. Small rollers, like that briefcase, and wheelless bags can often be carried on, permitting you to avoid the gate-checked crowd at the other end.

The Lat56 manages to hold even less than the average garment bag and that's saying something.

At LAS, there's a TSA checkpoint past the shops and toward the Southwest concourse that's hidden away and severely underutilized. I think you can get to all of the gates from it and there's never a line. Just don't follow the herd to the main check point.

Have you looked at the packing tips sticky at the top of the page? It includes some nice pointers (and a video!) on how to bundle-pack a suit.

I don't see the sticky you are talking about. I'm viewing on an iPad so maybe that's why.

I would love to see the video though. I agree that garment bags are horribly inefficient uses of space. If there is a different or better way to pack a suit then I'm all ears.

I appreciate the suggestion to checkout Red Oxx. I had never heard of them before. They've got some nice bags and the Air Boss might work if I can figure out how to roll a suit. Beware though. You might be accused of product placement.

Thank you,

Brian

I have bought both bags and, while not perfect, they have their places. Both are at the margin for two suits.

Skyroll - might be able to take two suits but it will get a little fat and I would worry about wrinkles. Interior compartment can hold some extras. Most I have ever packed in this was one jacket/slack combo + a few dresses/skirts for my wife - weekend trip. Everything came out fine.

LAT56 - in order to do two suits, you would have to put one in the suit side and use the other side for the second suit. It would work but leave you little/no room for other items. Perhaps a few folded shirts but that is it.

I purchased both to try as carry-on for RJ's. They both fit the overhead on those well and work for day trips. Of the two, I think the Skyroll feels a little cheap while the LAT56 looks better. I've seen a few disparaging comments about it on this board and everyone is entitled to their opinion but, for me, it has some uses. In fact, I am debating using it this week where I have 1 RJ segment. If I don't use it, I'll pull out my trusty Andiamo./

For a longer week with two suits (or jacket/slack combos), I generally try to wear one as I think trying to pack two for carry-on is hard to do without wrinkling them.

When I have to pack two, I have tried:

1) a maximum carry-on roller with no interior compartments, as square as possible (the one I have is a $130 Muji that I bought in Paris when I needed an extra bag)
2) I have taken some Eagle Creek medium shoe cubes, cut thin, stiff plastic sheeting to fit the top, bottom and to wrap around the circumference. Velcro the top and bottom sheets to the cube. Basically, it creates a crush proof box.
3) Use the jacket folding technique (invert, tuck one shoulder into the next...), place folded jacket into cube and pack.
4) roll or fold slacks depending on preference

I am a 42R and my jackets just fit in these cubes, if you are larger you may need to find a larger size container (btw - if you are interested in the LAT56, I would hesitate if your jackets are much longer than mine - my jackets take up the full length of the suit sleeve insert so a longer jacket would fold over at an end).

I have done this a few times and it does work pretty well. Personally, it is a bit of overhead to do this so I tend to wear one and pack one in my Andiamo if I have to. This is also a great way to pack a jacket in a duffle and avoid taking a suit bag on vacation.

Hope that helps.

Iwildernova,

Thank you for a legitimate reply.

I do need two suits. I have tried one for 4 days and don't really like it. Same suit, same people, occassional trip to smokey bar, possibly hot and sweaty. You never know where you are going to end up when entertaining clients. One suit gives no back up.

They have to be suits (nature of my business) so no blazer/slack combos. I do generally pack a few pairs of slacks for less formal settings (I'm not much of an in between dresser, either suit and tie or slacks and shirt).

I realize that wearing one suit would make things easier but I hate traveling in a suit. I live in Las Vegas and it gets hot here (the sweaty issue again) plus traveling can be down right dirty sometimes.

The reason I posted was to see if somebody out there might have an idea of a bag that would work (either the ones I mentioned or something else). If not, then that's life and I'll go on to plan B.

I'm open to thoughts.

Thank you,

Brian

I understand the heat issue in Las Vegas, but if your destination is not as hot, keep in mind that you're in an air-conditioned terminal or plane for most of your travels and can remove and store in the overhead bin the suit coat for your second, unpacked suit. I've faced the same circumstance, and it's just asking a bit much from carryon luggage to pack two suits plus enough other clothing for a trip.

This can be expensive, but I've found it worthwhile with dress shirts to wear one on the plane, and then, as soon as I've checked in to my hotel, to remove it and drop it off at the hotel's front desk for dry cleaning. More costly to do this with a suit, but if you're in the kind of business that in these more casual times requires a change of suits, probably not an expense disproportionate to your income.

Eagle Creek tri-fold garment bag at Container Store (sorry for the product placement-esque answer, tfar!). It's about the size of a carry-on and on sale now for $150. Purchases over $100 get a $15 gift card that can be used in June.

I'd consider it except I already have a Briggs & Riley garment bag roller, have suiters in my carry-on roll-aboards, and don't wear suits enough to justify it.

I don't see the sticky you are talking about. I'm viewing on an iPad so maybe that's why.

I would love to see the video though. I agree that garment bags are horribly inefficient uses of space. If there is a different or better way to pack a suit then I'm all ears.

I appreciate the suggestion to checkout Red Oxx. I had never heard of them before. They've got some nice bags and the Air Boss might work if I can figure out how to roll a suit. Beware though. You might be accused of product placement.

Thank you,

Brian

The sticky is here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-products/1024268-packing-tips-masterthread-includes-how-pack-suit.html

It was started by tfar, who really is a very helpful member. We had a spate of brand new posters a few months ago all claiming that the Lat56 was the greatest thing to ever happen to luggage. It seemed like a pretty dishonest product placement/marketing campaign and has made it suspicious when someone with a very low post count mentions them. People recommend products all the time; that's how I learned about RedOxx. They just do it honestly and above board.

The sticky is here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-products/1024268-packing-tips-masterthread-includes-how-pack-suit.html

It was started by tfar, who really is a very helpful member. We had a spate of brand new posters a few months ago all claiming that the Lat56 was the greatest thing to ever happen to luggage. It seemed like a pretty dishonest product placement/marketing campaign and has made it suspicious when someone with a very low post count mentions them. People recommend products all the time; that's how I learned about RedOxx. They just do it honestly and above board.

I did find the Packing Tips thread (Googled Flyertalk and Packing Tips). Excellent advice. I hope tfar didn't take my response personally. I tend to be a bit sarcastic at times but wanted to make the point that I was truly looking for advice and not selling a product. I know tfar has posted tons of content and given good advice.

I did see the threads regarding the Lat56 that you and tfar alluded to. That's why I wanted for thoughts from people who had actually used them (and who had a post count over 10). I have pretty much ruled that one out since it won't hold much of anything else.

I am going to try the suit folding technique in Packing Tips. If it works as well as it appears and others say, then the RedOxx Air Boss might be the bag for me. I like the symetrical compartments on either side. I can pack a suit and the shirts that will accompany it on each side with other clothing and accessories in the middle.

I guess I should change my question and post title to not limit to garment bags. I didn't even think that there might be a duffle bag solution that could fit two suits.

Brian,

to give more concrete advice going beyond the already good points others have mentioned it would be necessary to know what "other bag(s)" you carry and your mode of travel as well as your degree of fitness.

When it comes to bags without wheels, they get heavy quickly. When you carry two shoulder bags of more than 10lbs each which would probably be the minimum for a briefcase plus a clothes bag, it is not a very comfortable way of traveling. Not to mention that shoulder straps kill shoulder pads. When the shoulder pads are dead, the suit is dead - or at least it looks like dead. ;)

If you can tell us those things including your all-over packing list, we can give you some advice on an integrated luggage concept that takes all these things into consideration and give you pointers on what luggage to use and how to pack it.

Till

Till,

I am young and relatively fit. My mode of travel is via plane which is why I don't want to travel in a suit. If I can fit both suits in whatever bags I pack then the shoulder strap wrecking the shoulder pads won't be an issue.

My other bag is usually a standard rectangular rolling carry-on. I can fit a shaving kit, a fair amount of clothing and whatever technology/entertainment stuff I need (iPad, magazines, books, Bose, etc.)

All I'm looking for is a bag that can hold two suits, a few shirts and ties, undergarments, socks and maybe a little bit else. I don't care what the form factor is (garment, duffle, hard side). Rolling would be nice but isn't a deal breaker. All I want is to be able to pack two suits so I don't have to wear one and have them arrive looking somewhat presentable.

Can you carry-on both a "standard" (presumably 20"/22") roller bag plus a garment bag with two suits?

Does the garment bag count as a personal item? AA, at least, says otherwise:
http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/baggage/carryOnAllowance.jsp

Do people have experience of doing it despite policy?

Till,

I am young and relatively fit. My mode of travel is via plane which is why I don't want to travel in a suit. If I can fit both suits in whatever bags I pack then the shoulder strap wrecking the shoulder pads won't be an issue.

My other bag is usually a standard rectangular rolling carry-on. I can fit a shaving kit, a fair amount of clothing and whatever technology/entertainment stuff I need (iPad, magazines, books, Bose, etc.)

All I'm looking for is a bag that can hold two suits, a few shirts and ties, undergarments, socks and maybe a little bit else. I don't care what the form factor is (garment, duffle, hard side). Rolling would be nice but isn't a deal breaker. All I want is to be able to pack two suits so I don't have to wear one and have them arrive looking somewhat presentable.


OK, that's good. That's actually very good. Because you should be able to fit two suits into such a standard rolling bag unless you do something wrong or you carry a lot of technology/entertainment stuff in there.

In the sticky there is a link to a post where I sample pack a typical roller with a typical packing list of stuff. That should help.

If your roller has a separate compartment on the inside of the lid, use that for the suit jackets. Otherwise follow standard procedure. In brief:

- fill uneven space on the bottom with underwear and small miscellaneous items
- Lay down pants lengthwise, waistband inside the suitcase, legs hanging over the small sides, alternate directions (i.e. not all waistbands on the same side to avoid bulging)
- Fill with shoes and big, heavy items (e.g. toiletry kit, books) pack those items towards the wheels (low center of gravity)
- towards the top handle put bulky and light items (sweaters, swim shorts, flip-flops)
- top off with a shirt folder containing shirts and ties
- fold over legs
- wrap belt around perimeter of suitcase

DONE!

Consider packing your tech stuff in the briefcase. Also consider putting a small EC15 folder with a shirt, tie and a set of underwear in the briefcase. If ever, against all odds, you get separated from the main bag, you at least have a change of the most important clothes. Same goes for the toiletry kit.

Till

I did find the Packing Tips thread (Googled Flyertalk and Packing Tips). Excellent advice. I hope tfar didn't take my response personally. I tend to be a bit sarcastic at times but wanted to make the point that I was truly looking for advice and not selling a product. I know tfar has posted tons of content and given good advice.

I did see the threads regarding the Lat56 that you and tfar alluded to. That's why I wanted for thoughts from people who had actually used them (and who had a post count over 10). I have pretty much ruled that one out since it won't hold much of anything else.

I am going to try the suit folding technique in Packing Tips. If it works as well as it appears and others say, then the RedOxx Air Boss might be the bag for me. I like the symetrical compartments on either side. I can pack a suit and the shirts that will accompany it on each side with other clothing and accessories in the middle.

I guess I should change my question and post title to not limit to garment bags. I didn't even think that there might be a duffle bag solution that could fit two suits.

I saw on another post that you are thinking of pairing something with your roller. If so, be careful about the AirBoss. It's a great bag but its dimensions are in the "carry-on" range rather than the "personal item" type. Paired with a roll-on, you technically have 2 "carry-on" sized items. While I think you'd get away with that >50% of the time (it helps if you are in F but even then, you'll be slayed by # of GA's), you would have to be prepared to check one of them with some frequency.

I would have thought the B&R tri fold would have been perfect for you, and it's not a lot more than the ones you mention.
I'd also throw the Tom Bihn tristar into the mix. That's top of my wish list right now. Tome it's just a touch nicer to look at than the air boss, though smaller.

I've been pleased with the Wally Bags 2050 tri-fold. Runs about $130.