Sebastian,

garment bags are practical for quick packing. They do save some seconds and some brainpower. They are not very efficient in using packing space as you have already noticed. They are usually also heavier than comparable non-garment bags.

There are two solutions to the problem.

1. Learn how to pack a suit and a normal carry-on case in general. I have made posts on both topics and the threads are still within the last three pages or so. Just look for them here. Look at the Suit-able technique, the video technique and the Packing techniques for a 22 incher. This will take you not more than one hour and be worth real money as well as make you proud.

2. Get a carry-on bag that has a so-called suiter compartment. Read my Travelpro Platinum 5 review on OBOW under the gear reviews. Check out the pictures, too. There are a lot of models that have this feature. Not all suiter sleeves are equal. The best ones will be light but still have a frame. Usually that is achieved with stiff wire. They will also have padded rolls to cushion the crease line and panels to stabilize the suit in its position. The one on the Plat 5 has that.


Otherwise, Wallybags has some very good and rather lightweight garment bags that are big enough to take on more than the usual garment bags. They are not rolling though. Anyways, three bags is crazy. For ordinary business trips a 20-22" rolling carry-on with a suiter compartment plus a briefcase should do and is a practical combo. If you learn how to pack a suit and you don't have too much to carry in terms of professional equipment, it will even be possible to make a 1 week business trip with just a single bag. This could be a shoulder bag even. Look at the Briggs Riley 235x which is a shoulder bag with an integrated suiter insert. Or fold the suit around a shirt folder and put it in the compartment of something like an Airboss bag.

Another alternative is to buy a suiter bag as an extra to your existing roller if that fits. You need a 22" roller or bigger for that. But folding the suit in three inside a dry cleaners bag would be equally effective and much cheaper.

If you are dead set on a garment bag trolley there are a couple of options by Andiamo Valoroso that are great. One is the VG22H: http://www.luggageandleather.com/Pro...so__VG22H.aspx

The other one is the VG22V (for vertical):
http://www.altmanluggage.com/andiamo_vg22v.php

The latter one can be had for less than $200 also if you look around a little. I just linked this because the photos let you understand how it works. Vertical is better for rolling on airplane aisle and attaching stuff. Horizontal looks much cooler.

Victorinox Tourbach has the East-West Hybrid Garment bag that is good at $300. Travelpro has the Platinum 5
horizontal garment bag that is very good, too, and similar to the Tourbach but costs only half the price of it. Both are horizontal bags yet with in the 45 linear inch carry-on limit.

Also let us know what your packing list looks like. You might be packing way too much. It sure sounds like it if you are traveling with a briefcase, a crammed trolley and an extra garment bag for just ten days. There are good packing lists posted here and on OBOW.


Summing up:
- Assess current packing list
- Evaluate needs and wants honestly
- redo packing list
- learn how to pack a suit
- check if full-blown garment bag (rolling or not) is still needed or if suiter panel is good enough (it should be)
- deliberate whether even a suiter panel is needed given that you now know how to pack a suit.
- read reviews here and on OBOW before buying new trolley

Good luck!

Till