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Old Aug 2, 09, 1:34 am   #31
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Originally Posted by WalkinBackToTexas View Post
Im skeptical of the travelite from what I can see on the links. It appears that the volume listed (35 Liters) is the volume calculated from the external measurements (34x51x20). The biggest problem (to me) for wheeled luggage is the packing space they eat up.

That said the weight is pretty impressive ... if the construction is sturdy enough to hold up.
I agree with that.

But this luggage addresses that issue by having a half-flexible structure. Imagine a shell that is half-rigid: when the case is laid on its back (as when you open it in the hotel room), the bottom half is a (roughly) U-shaped hard shell beginning from the top and ending at the bottom part where the wheels are. The rest of the bag is soft and flexible. That saves quite a bit of space compared to, say, a Tumi 20" G4. My Brics weekender can swallow up more things, but the Travelite can fit most of the items and (importantly for me) allows me to roll rather than carry my bag. (I'm a wimp by the time the bag weighs in at close to 10 kg. )

The hybrid structgure means tthe case can flex if you decide not to be too strict about what you pack. Of course this also means you have to be careful about how you pack so the bag doesn't bulge out so much that it attracts the attention of the BAA size goons at LHR. The hard portion of the shell is of enough width on top that the case (where the handle telescopes out) is actually usable for a laptop or camera bag to rest on without slipping too much.

I think it's a good compromise, and certainly is a better one than what was accomplished by a Porsche Design rollaboard that I have.

The only caveats for me are that (1) the front zippered pockets are unlockable (in case I have to check the bag or leave it on the luggage racks on a train), and (2) the give in the structure means any item that needs protection shouldn't be on top of your packing, as any heavy luggage placed on the case will squish them.
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Old Aug 3, 09, 2:14 am   #32
 
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This is what I use, a Patagonia MLC:

http://www.patagonia.com/web/eu/prod...&p=48106-0-155


Quite light at about 2.15 pounds and has many useful pockets and also a backpack strap system as well. But its not padded, so you'll have to get a foam sleeve for your delicate notebooks.
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Old Aug 3, 09, 7:27 am   #33
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This is what I use, a Patagonia MLC:

http://www.patagonia.com/web/eu/prod...&p=48106-0-155


Quite light at about 2.15 pounds and has many useful pockets and also a backpack strap system as well. But its not padded, so you'll have to get a foam sleeve for your delicate notebooks.
That is a very, very interesting looking bag. Thanks for pointing that one out. They also have a 6 pound, 11 ounce wheeled version.
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Old Aug 3, 09, 8:18 am   #34
 
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I just use a cheap nylon grip of the right dimensions, removing all stiffening. I would guess that in the UK you can pick up such a beast for less than $15. Hardly an accessory for a fashionista, but flexible, cheap as chips, does not catch the eye of snatchers and has an imperceptible mass. Another tip is to travel with an outdoor sports outer garment with well stuffed capacious pockets. I am contemplating a three week cruise (upmarket but informal) and holidy later this year with just a carry-on and a well stocked outer garment.
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Old Aug 3, 09, 5:47 pm   #35
 
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Gadgetfreak, also look at the re-introduced Patagonia Burrito MLC, it looks like a really tricky (i.e. good) garment bag option and very light to boot.

Till
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Old Aug 3, 09, 5:51 pm   #36
 
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I just use a cheap nylon grip of the right dimensions, removing all stiffening. I would guess that in the UK you can pick up such a beast for less than $15. Hardly an accessory for a fashionista, but flexible, cheap as chips, does not catch the eye of snatchers and has an imperceptible mass. Another tip is to travel with an outdoor sports outer garment with well stuffed capacious pockets. I am contemplating a three week cruise (upmarket but informal) and holidy later this year with just a carry-on and a well stocked outer garment.
Welcome to FT!

Could you tell me what you mean by "nylon grip". Is grip a British word for bag? I am German actually and learned British English but this word has not crossed my eyes in that sense before.

Something like a Barbour jacket can indeed be stuffed to the gills. The question is how it looks. I am always in favor of a good travel anorak because it provides shelter and offers storage space, it saves a hat an umbrella and a daypack. It is also lighter and easier to stow than a long coat The problem is finding one that doesn't look too bad and still fits over a suit. A lightweight blue Barbour would fit the bill.

Till
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Old Aug 3, 09, 9:21 pm   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tfar
Gadgetfreak, also look at the re-introduced Patagonia Burrito MLC, it looks like a really tricky (i.e. good) garment bag option and very light to boot.

Till
Thanks. I saw the MLC Buritto. It is similar to the B&R trifold garment bag. It looks clever and nice.

I'm a professor though. I'm giving a talk at a meeting tomorrow wearing chinos and a tropical patterned shirt. I like the hosts so I'm dressing up. And it is too muggy for jeans. . I very rarely need an actual garment bag for dress clothes.
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Old Aug 3, 09, 10:01 pm   #38
 
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That is a very, very interesting looking bag. Thanks for pointing that one out. They also have a 6 pound, 11 ounce wheeled version.

A few things I like about the MLC is that the odd shaped pocket in the front is well-suited for one-handed opening and it has a padded slot for you to put your cellphone and a place for your wallet and watch when you are going through the security checks at the gate.

Also, waterproof zippers and recycled materials and the fact that Patagonia is one of the few companies that donates 1% of its proceeds to environmental projects just makes me want to buy more of their stuff.
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Old Aug 3, 09, 10:22 pm   #39
 
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Thanks. I saw the MLC Buritto. It is similar to the B&R trifold garment bag. It looks clever and nice.

I'm a professor though. I'm giving a talk at a meeting tomorrow wearing chinos and a tropical patterned shirt. I like the hosts so I'm dressing up. And it is too muggy for jeans. . I very rarely need an actual garment bag for dress clothes.

Personal, sociological note:
Very interesting. That's what I will hopefully be next year at a very junior level. Just finishing Ph.D. in art history. While I cannot say that art historians have good taste or even good taste in clothes, they still wear suit and tie for conferences and guest lectures. In their own universities they mostly don't dress up. For meetings they'd probably wear a sport coat and chinos but no tropical pattern shirt. What discipline are you in, if you don't mind me asking (PM if you wish).

De garmentibus bagis:
The Burrito is a tri-fold and bi-fold garment bag - both are possible. The BR only does tri-fold, as far as I know. The Burrito is less than half the weight of the BR, if memory serves and it is a bit more flexible, i.e. less structured. BR bags are always quite structured and rigid but also very stable and they can have a nice form factor. AS for the Burrito, the name tells you about its aesthetic appeal.

Since you don't really need to carry a suit, the MLC is probably just fine and still a bit lighter. It is a classic onebagging bag. There should be quite a few reviews around. But don't make a decision without looking at the A. Saks. Price and weight are very good on that one. See initial posts in this thread.

Cheers,

Till
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Old Aug 3, 09, 11:31 pm   #40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tfar
Quote:
Originally Posted by GadgetFreak View Post
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Thanks. I saw the MLC Buritto. It is similar to the B&R trifold garment bag. It looks clever and nice.

I'm a professor though. I'm giving a talk at a meeting tomorrow wearing chinos and a tropical patterned shirt. I like the hosts so I'm dressing up. And it is too muggy for jeans. . I very rarely need an actual garment bag for dress clothes.

Personal, sociological note:
Very interesting. That's what I will hopefully be next year at a very junior level. Just finishing Ph.D. in art history. While I cannot say that art historians have good taste or even good taste in clothes, they still wear suit and tie for conferences and guest lectures. In their own universities they mostly don't dress up. For meetings they'd probably wear a sport coat and chinos but no tropical pattern shirt. What discipline are you in, if you don't mind me asking (PM if you wish).

De garmentibus bagis:
The Burrito is a tri-fold and bi-fold garment bag - both are possible. The BR only does tri-fold, as far as I know. The Burrito is less than half the weight of the BR, if memory serves and it is a bit more flexible, i.e. less structured. BR bags are always quite structured and rigid but also very stable and they can have a nice form factor. AS for the Burrito, the name tells you about its aesthetic appeal.

Since you don't really need to carry a suit, the MLC is probably just fine and still a bit lighter. It is a classic onebagging bag. There should be quite a few reviews around. But don't make a decision without looking at the A. Saks. Price and weight are very good on that one. See initial posts in this thread.

Cheers,

Till
Molecular biology/genetics. Mostly genetics of a few diseases. Also plant genetics oddly enough. All genes at one level

I will look at the A. Saks. This trip is a quick overnight and everything is in an LL Bean Turbo backpack.
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Last edited by GadgetFreak; Aug 4, 09 at 1:55 pm.
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Old Aug 4, 09, 10:12 am   #41
 
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For Tfar
Thank you for your welcome. In English we refer (sometimes) to a small hand carried bag, like a sports bag, as a grip, with two handles (to grip) and usually a shoulder strap. I am afraid that I learnt the hard way years ago not to spend much on top quality luggage. After a lifetime of travel I still struggle to pack as light as I would wish!

Regards

Backseatflyer
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Old Aug 4, 09, 10:56 am   #42
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Yes, grip is a word for bag that is carried. It has gone out of fashion in the US but you can still here it in the UK and Australia.

In the US another luggage word that is drifting away is sachel. Soon few will know what it means. I guess we should make a list of these words.
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Old Aug 4, 09, 3:07 pm   #43
 
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Thanks for the language lesson to both of you. I had really never even heard that in this sense. Satchel on the other hand, I know. Another word that is funny is carpet bag. Is that what carpet layers (the person who puts a carpet down in your house) used? For sure, a carpet doesn't fit in there. One could only say that it might look like a rolled up carpet.

backseatflyer, packing light is definitely a challenge. If you haven't already discovered those sites I encourage you to look at www.1bag1world.com and also www.onebag.com . Both are excellent resources, the latter by a Brit. When you read those it really inspires you to go light.

Also, I think top quality luggage is worth its price. Something like Briggs and Riley is probably at the price/performance sweet spot. You get a no matter what warranty, it looks good, is functional and not too heavy.

If you want to snap up some excellent quality luggage check out the Andiamo thread I started here. Pay particular attention to the Pathfinder Revolution XT line. It uses the same material as BR, is possibly even better built and right now can be had for a song (1/3 of BR). But the warranty is probably non-existent unless they resurrect the company which went out of business after 30 years (sad indeed). It is not lightweight, though. As Doug Dyment says of the trio Light, Cheap, Quality you can pick any two.

Till
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Old Aug 4, 09, 3:12 pm   #44
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Another word that is funny is carpet bag. Is that what carpet layers (the person who puts a carpet down in your house) used? For sure, a carpet doesn't fit in there. One could only say that it might look like a rolled up carpet.
A carpet bag is made out of scraps of carpet. I believe that the term came into use in the colonial US when folks had limited resources, and needed to make the most of what they had.

From that, came the term carpetbagger:

- Politician who lives wherever s/he thinks s/he can be elected.

- The term of contempt by Southerners for any Northerner who came to the South and gained political control with the aid of the black vote.
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Old Aug 4, 09, 5:16 pm   #45
 
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Another word that is funny is carpet bag. Is that what carpet layers (the person who puts a carpet down in your house) used? For sure, a carpet doesn't fit in there. One could only say that it might look like a rolled up carpet.
Till, carpet bags were famously used by Mary Poppins and Dr Doolittle. They're usually made from tapestry like fabric or persian carpets of the type with no pile. Not made from modern carpets. Tough and relatively cheap, made with a large metal hasp to hold them closed.

The Tom Bihn Utility Tote is almost a modern equivalent - it lacks the closure method.

In Australia a satchel is regarded as different to a briefcase.

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