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Great thread... I've been looking for something different too.
I've got a black Longchamp that works great for carrying two or three lightweight bags inside, but like Carol mentioned, its hell on the hands and no way to shoulder carry.
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TMOliver:I consider Camp Bowie to rank among the world's best streets.It ain't the Ramblas or 5th Ave, but will do for me.
Nope, and the Latitude I bought a couple of years ago is no longer in production. The closest Eagle Creek bag to the Latitude that they sell now is the Market Tote. The Market Tote looks good and I like the water bottle pockets. The Latitude is not quite as large as the Market Tote, and has smaller pockets on the ends, one self fabric and one mesh, with no lanyards on the pockets like the Market Tote.
But the Packable Tote in your question looks like a good one and I'm sure it would fold up smaller than the Market Tote. I think I've seen it at REI. It folds up into itself and is NOT padded like the Latitude and Market Tote. The description doesn't say if it has the sleeve that fits over a suitcase handle. The Market Tote and Latitude have the sleeve.
Check ebags.com, do a search for "Eagle Creek tote." The Packable Tote has many reviews and very high ratings, no reviews for the Market Tote yet. ebags.com sells the Packable Tote (today only 10% off plus free shipping) for $27 and the Market Tote for $54.
You might still be able to find the Latitude at an overstocks or closeout site.
i firmly believe that the less attractive and more distinctive the luggage, the better your changes of it arriving safe and unpilferred by the tsa and others. other good ideas: buy a rubbermaid tote and stick the stuff in there (+ duck tape + marker). and on the subject of mailing, any box will work great with the airlines.
I usually just pick up an inexpensive bag before going home.
When traveling to France I sometimes bring back food and usualy wine. The hypermarchés there sell rollaboard luggage for about $25 for an 18" case. This has provided secure storage for trips home.
. . . and on the subject of mailing, any box will work great with the airlines.
This is a good point. Sometimes the better solution for a lot of enroute shopping can be a good sturdy box, checked as luggage on the return. In Bali, for example, many shops will provide a box (you usually have to ask and sometimes there is a small fee equivalent to $1-2). Of course, non-breakable or very well packed items are best for a box. Packing it "full" with no room for items to move around is the way to go.
I once used a Bali shipping company and they "made" a box for me since the ones I had found elsewhere were too small. They added many dessicant (silica gel) packets, which I have kept and re-use in each 2-gallon ziploc bag that I use for packing my clothes when travelling to humid climates (also good for putting in cases for binoculars and camera). It pays to know your airline's maximum box dimensions and I take a very small tape measure, handy for measuring lots of things enroute like skirt lengths, dimensions of wall hangings, etc.
Longchamp Bag - With Long Straps for Shoulder Carry
I also passed over the Longchamp bags because of the short straps, but I was given one with long straps as a gift and I love it. Its black, large, nylon - great for easy clean ups - and folds easily (with long straps tucked in) to about the size of a large magazine. It makes a great carry-on or extra bag. Its floppy so I can stuff it with whatever..overstuffed ziplocs, shoes, books, clothes, etc. Plus the style is basic enough to to get put to work during my trip...the bag can jump from the office to city tour. Exchange the portfolio for a guide book and off I go. The only major complaint that I have is that its got no inside zip pocket. Just one tiny one at the top.
Though I am definitely going to check out these other bags...You can never have to many bags really
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Don
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dianne47
This is a good point. Sometimes the better solution for a lot of enroute shopping can be a good sturdy box, checked as luggage on the return. In Bali, for example, many shops will provide a box (you usually have to ask and sometimes there is a small fee equivalent to $1-2). Of course, non-breakable or very well packed items are best for a box. Packing it "full" with no room for items to move around is the way to go.
I once used a Bali shipping company and they "made" a box for me since the ones I had found elsewhere were too small. They added many dessicant (silica gel) packets, which I have kept and re-use in each 2-gallon ziploc bag that I use for packing my clothes when travelling to humid climates (also good for putting in cases for binoculars and camera). It pays to know your airline's maximum box dimensions and I take a very small tape measure, handy for measuring lots of things enroute like skirt lengths, dimensions of wall hangings, etc.
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Don't count on being able to check a box
"[quote=Dianne47]This is a good point. Sometimes the better solution for a lot of enroute shopping can be a good sturdy box, checked as luggage on the return. In Bali, for example, many shops will provide a box (you usually have to ask and sometimes there is a small fee equivalent to $1-2). Of course, non-breakable or very well packed items are best for a box. Packing it "full" with no room for items to move around is the way to go."
On flights during high season to and from the Caribbean islands most airlines will not accept a box as a piece of checked baggage. I've seen it happen in other parts of the world also.
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Has anyone tried this bag? It's not what izzik is looking for, but might be perfect for my needs.
The bag arrived today - and am I disappointed. It will be going right back. It is smaller than I anticipated - has space for a couple books and perhaps an amenity kit - but not a sweater or pjs to wear on the plane or even a magazine (unless rolled up). It is bulky as it has a liner fabric as well as the outer material.
Oh, and the bamboo color is actually kind of a puke tan.
Wilson's Leather has a great bag (fabric like LeSportSac) that folds into itself and zips up for easy, small, lightweight packing. Unzips into a nice large totebag. Comes in many colors. Well made, and with a quality zipper.
I always bring this as a "shopping" bag to bring home new purchases in. If the things I buy are too fragile to travel back in that bag, then I put my clothes or shoes into it, and pack the fragile things in my rollerboard.
My favorite also came from Wilson's at the airport and is a backpack that folds up inside it's own pouch. I use it as a daypack during the trip and then have the extra room to bring goodies home. It's nylon, very lightweight. My only complaint is that the zippers sometimes get caught in the fabric. But I'm usually able to unstick it without too much problem.
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My strategy
My strategy (which does not work everywhere) is to go to a nice department store. Often, they sell beautiful nylon totes for very little money. (You know--usually from those machines by the front doors.) The store name in a foreign language makes a nice useable keepsake.
My favorite is a beautiful red nylon note with a gorgeous design from a Tokyo department store. It cost about $5 when tacky touristy bags at souvenir shops were running three or four times that!
This is a good point. Sometimes the better solution for a lot of enroute shopping can be a good sturdy box, checked as luggage on the return. In Bali, for example, many shops will provide a box (you usually have to ask and sometimes there is a small fee equivalent to $1-2). Of course, non-breakable or very well packed items are best for a box. Packing it "full" with no room for items to move around is the way to go."
On flights during high season to and from the Caribbean islands most airlines will not accept a box as a piece of checked baggage. I've seen it happen in other parts of the world also.
i've never ever been turned down for either a box or a tote, and i've used these over decades and perhaps 3 million miles. and for that matter, which baggage carousel have you stood around that didn't have boxes and totes on them?
I have a cheap, plain duffel bag that I roll up and take. I actually have it in a couple of different sizes and I try to figure out how much I might bring back with me and plan accordingly.
I find that the duffel will work as a carry on, but also is durable enough to be checked if necessary. And, because it's so plain, no one is ever tempted to go through it! Here's an example:
(I forgot to mention...you can't tell from this picture, but it does have hooks on each end for hooking on a shoulder strap. I have the Eagle Creek "Ultimate Travel Strap" that I hook on my bags that is extra padded and works on everything.)
Last edited by Buster; Apr 9, 05 at 10:24 am..
Reason: forgot something!
