Carry on luggage

kfergdisney

kfergdisney

Well-Known Member
I'm in my ultimate planning mode here...
For the flight to WDW, I have a nice bag I can use for a carry on, but am wondering if there is something better out there. I saw this awesome looking bag the other day and after going back and forth, I talked myself out of buying it. It looked deceptively small, but from the reviews, it can hold a multitude of stuff!
Any of you have a carry on bag that you swear is the best?
 
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luv

luv

Well-Known Member
Tumi. It's expensive, but it is excellent quality. If you don't travel all the time, it will last the rest of your life. Even if you do travel constantly, it will hold up for decades.

I used to travel a lot and went through suitcases like candy. I started asking people who traveled a lot and I kept hearing "Tumi." Over and over. Tumi, Tumi, TumiTumiTumi! Couldn't believe what they cost, but I got my company to pay for it. Even if I had to pay for it, now, the quality is amazing and they're worth it in the long run, since I wouldn't ever have to replace it.

Amazingly well-made bags. They aren't cute, though. They're taking baby steps toward cuteness.

I am not one to spend a lot of money on something for the hell of it, but I swear by these bags.

On the cheaper end, LLBean makes some decent duffle bags. They're cuter. My favorite toiletry kits are the ones I got from LL Bean, too. Love those things!
 
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rsoxguy

rsoxguy

Well-Known Member
I buy cheap, and it holds the things that I need every time just as well as anything else. Between careless baggage handlers and the whole "fight for any space available in the overhead compartment and squeeze your carry-on into it beyond the laws of space and volume before some inconsiderate weasel from ten aisles down takes the space above your seat" thing, I just don't care to buy expensive pieces anymore. Air travel has become hazardous to luggage, and I do not bother with expensive sets anymore.
 
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luv

luv

Well-Known Member
I also like GoToob, if you want carry-on size shampoo/conditioner/lotion bottles that don't leak and are easy to clean. Ever try to get lotion out of a small-mouthed bottle? Not fun!

For pills, I prefer the tiny ziplock bags, which are found in drug stores with all the other pill holders. I have the pharmacy print out a label for me and I slap it on the bag, just in case. You can also write on them. Saves a lot more space than all the bottles.

I've always wrapped jewelry in a Kleenex, put that in a baggie and stuck it in a shoe. They make jewelry holders, but this has been working for me for so long that I stick with it.

The packing cubes...I like them because they cut down on wrinkles. I have not found that they create more space, though. I still don't know what people are talking about with that. I also don't roll my clothes or use those vacuum things.

Those are my travel tips, lol. :)

You didn't ask, but I'm doing BOGOs today.
 
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Graham9

Graham9

Well-Known Member
I have a backpack which also has wheels and a handle so it can be pushed. It's just cabin-legal sized and is usually adequate for what I carry, which tends to be electronics such as camera, lenses (too fragile for suitcase), media player, tablet, portable power supply, assorted leads and whatnots.
 
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Weather_Lady

Weather_Lady

Well-Known Member
If the bag you have is in good shape, the right size, and rolls, you're all set. You don't need to worry that it will be handled roughly if you're planning to carry it on yourself.

If you choose to buy something new, I recommend the ebags website. I've bought everything from an uber-cheap rolling duffle from Rockland (less than $20 but is holding up great) and a pair of serviceable $30 Traveler's Choice Amsterdam expanding rolling bags for the kids, to a great 22" Travelpro rolling bag (for myself, $70 on sale but retail is at least twice that). I also LOVE the ebags-brand packing cubes and pack-it-flat toiletry case, and the Baggalini Kindred tote, which I'm convinced is the world's most well-designed and pefectly-sized "personal item" bag ever. I read the reviews, chose wisely, and waited for sales (sign up for notifications and you'll find 10-30% offers pouring into your e-mail inbox from ebags). I've been very happy! They also stand behind what they sell -- I returned a purse that didn't work for me, with no tags, and got a refund with no questions asked.

In general, I recommend a sturdy 21-22" rolling bag (spinners are fine but you lose some interior space) with good reviews as to durability. A bag that size can fit enough clothing for me for a week, plus toiletries and a box of granola bars, and fits easily into the overhead bins on any domestic flight. A bag that is also expandable, with large, convenient outside pockets, an add-a-bag strap, a handle that adjusts to more than one length, and a rear card holder (for your contact info.) would be ideal. For your "personal item" for the plane, take a backpack, duffle or tote bag that fits within your airline's requirements, and place any additional loose items, plus whatever you need for the flight, inside of it. Make sure your "personal item" bag has an easily-accessible outside pocket with a secure fastener, in which you can tuck your ID and boarding pass, since you'll need to get them out and put them away multiple times as you pass through the airport.

Happy traveling! :)
 
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MerMom1981

MerMom1981

Well-Known Member
I love my Land's End large canvas tote. It was about $50 and worth every penny! It's study enough to stand up (not fall over) when you set it down but it's flexible enough to cram under the seat in front of you. The inside has four pockets that are the perfect size for all the nonsense moms need to carry with them at all times.
 
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bhg469

bhg469

Well-Known Member
Maxpedition fliegerduffel. Its a duffel bag that converts to a back pack. Pricey stuff but maxpedition is known for gear that can handle a lot of abuse. This isn't a little roller bag though. Its soft so you can get it in a lot of places where a hard roller bag may not fit.
 
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kfergdisney

kfergdisney

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
The bag I have is a Vera Bradley weekender. I do love it. I need to experiment to see just how much stuff I can get in the bag. I did have a Vera Bradley small duffel bag, but I felt like I was smacking people with it going down the aisle on the plane. The bag that I found was an awesome looking tote from The North Face.
 
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bhg469

bhg469

Well-Known Member
kfergdisney said:
The bag I have is a Vera Bradley weekender. I do love it. I need to experiment to see just how much stuff I can get in the bag. I did have a Vera Bradley small duffel bag, but I felt like I was smacking people with it going down the aisle on the plane. The bag that I found was an awesome looking tote from The North Face.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't buy north face if you want it to last. That company gets worse as it becomes more trendy. North face equipment of 10 years ago was almost bullet proof, now its no better than store brand stuff.
 
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kfergdisney

kfergdisney

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
bhg469 said:
I wouldn't buy north face if you want it to last. That company gets worse as it becomes more trendy. North face equipment of 10 years ago was almost bullet proof, now its no better than store brand stuff.
Click to expand...

Noted. I've never had anything North Face...for some reason I never got into that fad.
 
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PeoplemoverTTA

PeoplemoverTTA

Well-Known Member
I have a Patagonia MLC Wheelie that is my favorite carry-on ever. You can wear it like a backpack or pull behind you like a standard bag. It has a lined pocket with easy access for sunglasses/cell phone, several easy to use pockets, a large main compartment (I fit about 5-6 days worth of clothes in there - I rarely check a bag anymore), and has a large zipped compartment that comes completely out and fits all of my accessories and loose items (and I'm a chick so I have a lot ;)). It's $249 on their site, but I got mine for $160 by doing a Google shopping search about two years ago.

Patagonia makes solid gear and stands by their products for life, so while you may spend a bit more on it, your investment is protected.
 
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jlsHouston

jlsHouston

Well-Known Member
luv said:
Tumi. It's expensive, but it is excellent quality. If you don't travel all the time, it will last the rest of your life. Even if you do travel constantly, it will hold up for decades.

I used to travel a lot and went through suitcases like candy. I started asking people who traveled a lot and I kept hearing "Tumi." Over and over. Tumi, Tumi, TumiTumiTumi! Couldn't believe what they cost, but I got my company to pay for it. Even if I had to pay for it, now, the quality is amazing and they're worth it in the long run, since I wouldn't ever have to replace it.

Amazingly well-made bags. They aren't cute, though. They're taking baby steps toward cuteness.

I am not one to spend a lot of money on something for the hell of it, but I swear by these bags.

On the cheaper end, LLBean makes some decent duffle bags. They're cuter. My favorite toiletry kits are the ones I got from LL Bean, too. Love those things!
Click to expand...

I love tumi...had one of their wallets once...and hartmann had one of their wallets once too...can't even get a hartmann ladies wallet anymore...
But I agree, if you want quality travel bags TUMI is the brand, leather, canvas, doesn't matter the material the workmanship will be total quality...

I alternate between a cheap 20 dollar 100% made from recyclable material that folds into nothing when not in use and will hold my purse, my laptop, my binder, my jewelry travel case, a pair of flip flops and a book...I can also tuck objects of clothing around all that if I load it properly and it travels over my shoulder nicely or I carry a Vera Bradley duffle thing that holds all kinds of more crap and somehow I can always tuck it under the seat and my carry on suitcase is a Brookstone I bought like 8 years ago and is no worse for the wear...

And yes when I use that Vera Bradley duffle thing I do have to be careful in tight aisles...or I tend to knock a few heads too:oops:
 
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